MBAS Newsletter, Term 1, Week 5, 1st March 2024

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Primary Years Update

Kia ora e te whānau,
We have had an amazing start to the 2024 school year with our students returning like they never left and ready to learn!  Our newest students have also settled in well to school life and everyone is busy focussing on their learning - in the pool, at the library, in the classroom, during breaks with friends and everywhere in between.  Thank you all for your support to ensure a smooth transition into school life:)

Primary Years Assembly
Last Friday we had our first assembly attended by some of our parents.  Our year 6 student leaders did an amazing job despite their nerves and I’m sure they are happy to have the first one under their belt - one of our aspects of growing good leaders:)  Rm 32 bravely shared some of their learning and we had our first KAURI certificate recipients.  It is inspiring to see our students learning and the huge smiles on students faces when they receive their certificates with pride - one of the best parts of growing good people:)  Our next assembly is Friday 22nd March, 9:00 am start in the hall:)

Year 3-6 Swimming Sports
All of our primary students have been gaining confidence in the pool with our year 3-6 students practising their swimming techniques in preparation for our annual Year 3-6 swimming sports event on Friday 8th March.  Students are encouraged to wear house colours for this event (minus face paint:) to add to the spirit of the day.  Whānau are welcome to come and support and to join in the spirit with house colours if you wish.  Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly named as this event in particular can sometimes end with a big load of unnamed and unclaimed lost property :(

FLOX
Today you may have seen a mural taking shape by a New Zealand Artist, Flox.  This will be displayed at the end of Rm 19.  Flox will be completing the 4 panel mural over the weekend.  We can’t wait to see the final piece:)

“As an aerosol and stencil artist with a fine art degree, Flox has been making her mark on the inner cityscape of Auckland since 2003.  Her trademark native birds, ferns and flowers are a celebration of Aotearoa’s
environmental taonga.”

Reminders :)
     - Hats, water bottles and sunscreen are a must as the weather continues to be warm - our primary rule               
           - no hat, no play!
     - Breakfast Club has moved to the Food Tech room
     - If your child is going to be away please let us know: attendance@mbas.ac.nz; text 021 0255 6802;
         or call 07 8665916.  Students who arrive late need to go to the main admin office to receive a late pass,
         which they then hand to their teacher :) Please do not rely on classroom teachers to
         relay this information from a dojo message :)

Ngā mihi,
Hira & Pip

Uniform Shop - Winter Jackets

Winter fleeces - wide range in stock - age 4 to age 16 and also Winter/Rain jackets, it's starting to cool down so it's a great time to get your winter uniform items.

Monday 2.30 - 3.30pm
Wednesday 8.30 - 9.30am

M3 - Swimming Wins

Win of the week - everyone that brought their togs on Thursday managed to swim a whole length of the pool - M3 have been working hard on their techniques. Some of the tamariki overcame their fear of being in the deep end!!

Room 31 and M2 - Buddy Reading

This week Room 31 started our buddy reading with M2, great Tuakana-Teina in action as the older tamariki read and coach the littlies!

Y9-13 Athletics

New Records
Junior Girls
Charlotte Thurgood 100m 14.31

Senior Girls
Alison Brunton 100m 14.50
Alison Brunton 400m 1.08.81
Francie Lidgard 3000m 13.06

Senior Boys
Quinn McCleery 100m 12.31
Quinn McCleery 200m 24.97
Quinn McCleery Highjump 1.80cm

House Points
Mercury 441
Tainui 389
Buffalo 318
Matahaorua 282

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Rapa Nui Dance Workshop

Our Senior Dance students had a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in a new dance style from a different culture last Monday, thanks to Marama and Ovahe, two of our international students from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This energetic workshop allowed our students to broaden their cultural lenses and connect with a dance tradition that is rich in history and significance.

Throughout the day, the group bonded over dancing, watching videos about Easter Island, and sharing kai. It was a day filled with fun, learning, and cultural exchange.

Special thanks to Ana Manarangi for lending us the gorgeous pareu, and to Emily O'Donnell for supplying the majority of the foliage for the 'flower crowns' that were made during the day. Your contributions made this experience even more special.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from Marama and Ovahe and look forward to incorporating what we've learned into future performances and assessments.

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Hei 7 - Shell Drawings

Hei 7 have been drawing shells as part of their learning in the integrated unit on Our Oceans.

Year 13 Outdoor Ed Surf Lessons

The year 13 Outdoor Ed class are practicing their surfing for their upcoming surf camp at Opoutere.

After being shown the technique all students were up and surfing.

Y7-8 Triathlon

Plane No. 6 Underway!

We are back and building (tool boxes to start with) and our 6th RV-12.  Open the photos below to read the full log.

Y7-8 Totara Springs Sports Camp Application

Mercury Bay Area School
Year 7 and 8 Sports Camp 2024

This year the 7 and 8 syndicate is offering the opportunity for students to attend a sports camp at Totara Springs. To be selected for this opportunity students will need to have good sporting ability and positive participation in their classes and wider school life. Students will uphold the KAURI expectations that are important to the school culture and being selected for this squad is to be acknowledged for consistently being KAURI kids. The opportunity is a privilege and it can also be life-changing for some. By being involved with different schools in the competition, students will need to step up and push themselves to achieve in a sporting context and then transfer this to classroom achievement. These events are also moments where leaders and role models are developed, and we want the students who are chosen to bring their leadership skills into the classroom and our kura. Students who attend need to be prepared to be future tuakana who will lead, coach and support future teina’s opportunities at sports camp. 

Intermediate Sports Camps have been happening at Tōtara Springs for over 30 years. Each camp can have up to eight teams and they can bring a maximum of 40 pupils each. During the week teams compete in over 30 different sports: Basketball, Croquet, Netball, Petanque, Rugby, Soccer,  Softball, Tennis, Touch, and Volleyball. We also have some one-off events: Athletics, Cross Country, Frisbee Golf, Hole in one Golf, Kayaking, Swimming and Team Triathlon. One of the highlights of camp is after dinner we keep going with night sports including Bowls, Caged Soccer, Chess, Darts, Draughts, Indoor Hockey and Indoor Soccer. Plus unique sports such as Cheer Night, Scramball, Spikeball and Wall Ball. 

This is an extracurricular sports camp and there will be costs associated with attending. This includes food, accommodation and use of sports facilities at Totara Springs. 
We encourage fundraising for those selected, but this must all be discussed with camp organisers and approved by the school.  

If students are interested in this opportunity they need to apply in writing on the following Google form:
https://forms.gle/yHgTBpDqn3AZfqG39

The student must complete the form in their own words. They need to…
     - explain why they wish to be selected
     - explain what sports and other skills they bring to the team
     - say how they will share their new skills and experience with the rest of the students
     - say how they are KAURI kids
     - explain how they put effort into class learning

The students will then participate in trials and a 30 person squad will be selected. When the selection process has been completed the squad will be named and a meeting held for the team and their whanau to begin the next stage of the process. 

Kind regards,
Teresa Shepherd Year 7 and 8 Dean
Leisa McCleery Sports Director 

Lunchtime Activities

Senior Student leaders have organised some awesome lunchtime activities for the Y7-13's, see below for details.

Specialist Music Lessons

Specialist Music Lessons 2024 - Guitar and Bass

Slots are still available for Guitar and Bass lessons with the incredible singer, songwriter and top musician Stewart Pedley.

Please email magril@mbas.ac.nz if you want your child to join Stu's lessons this term.

Tertiary Tidbits

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

School presentations for any Yr12 or Yr13 interested in:

Otago University
Thursday 11th April 9am-10am (block 1)

Victoria University
Wednesday 1st May 9am-10am (block 1)

Waikato University
Thursday 7th May Yr12’s 9am-10am (block 1)
Yr13’s 10am-11am (block 2)

Open Days
Auckland Saturday 24th August
AUT Live/Online Saturday 24th August (TBC)
Canterbury Friday 30th August
Lincoln Friday 19th July
Massey TBA
Otago Friday 26th and Saturday 27th May
Te Wananga o Aotearoa TBA
Toi Ohomai TBA
Victoria Friday 23rd August
Waikato - Hamilton Campus Friday 24th May
Waikato - Tauranga Campus Friday 21st June
Wintec September - date TBA

Girls in Infrastructure

Girls in Infrastructure is an initiative dedicated to promoting awareness of career opportunities in the infrastructure industry to girls in year 12 and 13. The Girls in Infrastructure event gives an opportunity for girls to visit a construction workplace, interact with heavy machinery, chat to education providers and meet people in the industry. 

The event will take place at Ruakura Superhub on Thursday 20 June, from 10am to 2pm. Registration begins at 9:30am, with the event starting promptly at 10am.

The participating students will be divided into 4 groups, each led by female industry professionals, to rotate through engaging activities:

    1.  Infrastructure companies and education provider exhibitions
    2.  Heavy machinery showcase e.g. cranes and diggers
    3.  Site Visit #1 – details TBC
    4.  Site Visit #2 – details TBC

This event is open to students 16 years of age and older. All attendees must wear fully closed shoes and long trousers. High visibility vests will be provided upon arrival.

If this sounds like you, please register your interest with Sharon Poteous, Gateway Co-ordinator email porteouss@mbas.ac.nz 

Nurse's Notes

FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS

DID YOU KNOW PADS, TAMPONS AND LINERS ARE ALL FREE

 BRING YOUR BAG AND STOCK UP

          AVAILABLE IN CABINET OUTSIDE NURSES ROOM – JUST HELP YOURSELF

ALSO AVAILABLE - FROM BASKETS IN THE LIBRARY, SCHOOL OFFICE

AND THE BATHROOM NEXT TO THE NURSES ROOM IN THE RANGIMARIE CENTRE

Community Notices

Mercury Bay Day Camp 2024

Mercury Bay Day Camp at Cooks Beach will be held 16 -18th April 2024. Every year 300 youngsters in Whitianga and surrounding districts come to camp and have a wonderful outdoor experience. They have the choice of 9 fabulous Electives, songs and stories in the Marquee, find new friends, and create memories that last a lifetime. The camp is overseen by The Mercury Bay Community Support Trust, a charitable trust. Our website is https://www.daycamp.co.nz/ if you would like to check it all out.

Registrations open for campers and Teen leaders on Monday 4th March.
For the camp to function exceptionally we also need the help of adult volunteers for 1, 2 or the full 3 days. Shout out if you have any questions. Thank you very much Kind regards
Tina Bartlett
Camp Director
M 027 226 8018 

Mercury Bay Netball Centre

**2024 REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN** - Register here

Mercury Bay Junior Rugby Muster

Monday 4th March 5pm - Mercury Bay Club Rooms, Lyon Park.

Rippa Rugby, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7 & Year 8.

New & Returning Players Welcome 🏈🏈

Whitianga Lions Family Picnic - 

MB Football Registrations

Blake Inspire - Environmental Leadership Opportunity

Mercury Bay Museum - Seaweek

Mercury Bay Library

Boys Brigade

Anchor section (5-7 yr olds) is full

Still have spaces available for 8-17 year olds