MBAS Newsletter, Term 1, Week 6, 8th March 2024

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Kia ora 

We have had a great start to the year with an array of activities and events. I would like to address two important issues that are affecting Mercury Bay Area School.

Last year we started an attendance initiative which highlighted the need for a shift in our school. We have made a great start and I would like to thank you for your support in this area. However, there is still room for improvement and I would like to see further progress this year. It is clear that attendance equals achievement.

Our attendance rate last year was poor to say the least. Only 26% of our students attended 90% of the time! A Student attending at a rate of 90% from the age of 6 to 16 years old will miss a full year of education. This is not acceptable.

We need you as parents and whānau to support us to ensure your children are at school. This means that you are making sure they are at school daily unless unwell. Avoid unnecessary absences, do not book family holidays during term time. Support them so when they arrive at school, they are prepared and ready to learn. 

Both parents and schools have legal obligations to ensure a student's right to education is not inhibited. If your child has attendance issues, we have processes in place to ensure you are reminded of your legal obligations. You will be informed of the need to address concerns prior to the possibility of this culminating in legal action. 

In addition, the other issue I would like to address is the nationwide epidemic of our youth which is Vaping. We are a smoke free / vapefree environment. This is challenging to enforce with the prevalent accessibility of Vapes. For some students, the support of Parents and Whanau to allow them access to these age restricted items adds a further layer. Research is clear that Vaping is not healthy. We do not tolerate this at school and consequences are clear and timely when students are caught. 

I ask you sincerely, in the best interests of your children to help us prevent these vaporisers from coming into school in the first place. 

We all want what is best for our children and we need your support. 
‘He waka eke noa’ We are all in this together.

Ngā mihi,

Ross Dunn
Principal
Mercury Bay Area School 

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

Skool Loop app - Another way to stay updated

New 'Flox' Mural

FLIGHT OF THE TŪĪ & KŌKAKO

My latest mural "Flight of the Tūī & Kōkako" was created to captivate the imaginations of the students at Mercury Bay School, located on the beautiful eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. I was kindly supplied a list from the local Iwi Ngati Hei on all the local manu and flora of the area. From here I was able to draw inspiration from the diverse local flora and fauna by selecting a few from the list and creating something bright and colourful for the kids of MBAS.

This vibrant artwork is a celebration of the unique biodiversity that graces the region, incorporating elements of the Tūī and North Island Kōkako, two local birds in the area.

The Tūī, with its melodious song and striking plumage, symbolises the spirit of the local landscape, while the North Island Kōkako, known for its distinctive call, adds a touch of rarity and wonder. These two manu take centre stage, embodying the interconnectedness between the community and their natural surroundings.

The mural also features indigenous flora such as the Karo flower and pods, representing the coastal shrub found in the local area. The Whau flower, another local botanical, weaves seamlessly into the composition, creating a visual narrative that connects land and sky.

M1 - Maths

Fun!! An afternoon of math - M1 were playing The No Name Game two different ways. One group was adding dice and making 10 with the number on our board. The other group was multiplying each die by 10 and then adding them together before finding a number on their grid to add to make a total of 100. It was brain gymnastics!

Room 33 - Zoo

Who said we dont have a zoo in Whitianga? This week Room 33 students saw a great white shark and a sea snake in their very own classroom.

Room 33 brought their reading text to life and used googles 3D built in app. They absolutely loved it, the results are pretty amazing.

M6 - Portraits

M6 are working on the background of their self-portraits for the wall - they have been inspired by Brad Novak's amazing art. Lots of fun using neon paint and straws to make different patterns. We can't wait to see how they look when they're finished.

TVSS Swimming Champs

A small squad of swimmers this year headed over to compete at the TVSS Swimming Champs.
Thanks to a lovely group of parents who joined in with supporting pool side.  Well done to the swimmers on their results.

Results - 
14-15 100m Freestyle relay
Boys 3rd - Tom Lamason, Liam Morgan, Luca Varga, Noah Greenfield.
14-15 100m Medley relay
Boys 2nd - Tom Lamason, Liam Morgan, Luca Varga, Noah Greenfield.
Girls 16+ 100m Freestyle relay
4th  - Angel Scobie, Tayla Ferrier-Kerr, Mia Jones, Skye Condon

100m IM - 3rd Tom Lamason
13 & Under 50m Breastroke  - 2nd Luca Varga
13 & Under 100m Backstroke - 3rd Mia Jones
14-15 100m Backstroke - 1st Liam Morgan
14-15 50m Butterfly -  4th Tom Lamason
13 & Under 100m Breaststroke - 2nd Luca Varga
13 & Under 50m Freestyle - 2nd Luca Varga

back - Noah Greenfield, Luca Varga, Liam Morgan,Tom Lamason, Angel Scobie
front - Skye Condon, Mia Jones, Tayla Ferrier-Kerr

Open Mic Wednesdays

The open mic lunchtime activity is an opportunity for students years 7 - 13 to perform or present music, dance, art, poetry, comedy, and speeches in front of a student audience. Open mic is held in the arts block every Wednesday lunchtime. There is no skill required, so don't be afraid to get up and give it a go! To apply there will be an application form sent to your emails, or you can have a chat with Ryan or Sam from the senior leadership team :)

MBAS Enviro Group

Y7-8 Triathlon

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 

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

Scholarship Opportunity

Scholarship includes $12,000 (over 3 years)

towards your university cost, a mentoring programme and paid work experience.

Applications close Monday 17th March.

For all details click the link

https://firstfoundation.org.nz/students-schools/

Women In Trades - Free Event

Calling for expressions of interest for this event by Women in Trades.  Please email Sharon Porteous - porteouss@mbas.ac.nz by Friday 15th March.

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 Museum - Seaweek

TV Girls Rugby Comp - Muster

Muster for the Girls Comp Thames Valley are running this year

Muster will be at the rugby club rooms 4pm on Tuesday 12th March

Grades are yr 3/4, yr 5/6, and yr 7/8 

Can register online via this link 
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/256621

Games are 10 aside, half field 

It will be a 4 week comp running on Sundays, dates will be confirmed once Thames Valley has confirmed numbers. 

Mercury Bay Netball Centre

**2024 REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN** - Register here

MB Football Registrations

Blake Inspire - Environmental Leadership Opportunity