Mercury Bay Area School eNewsletter

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Primary Years Update

Kia ora e te whānau,
Thank you everyone for the great start to term 2. Our students have returned with enthusiasm since day 1.

Primary Years Assembly
Last Friday we had our first assembly for the term. It was great to see so many whānau here to support our students with their learning. Classes had been practising a song that they sang at assembly which was definitely bucket filling. We are also becoming more familiar and confident singing our kura song that was composed by Matua Brandon Amoamo when he was here. Students have been demonstrating our KAURI expectations in so many ways and their pride is evident when they receive their certificates in assembly, especially if their whānau are present:) I mentioned at the assembly that we are planning to have a working bee to get some jobs done in our primary area. I will send out more information once we have that sorted, so if you can help and are available we would really appreciate the help:)

Structured Literacy Parent Sessions
Thank you to all of the whānau that were able to make it to one of the sessions led by our structured literacy lead teacher Marie Bevan.

In case you haven’t seen the post on dojo attached are some resources which may be useful to support your tamariki at home.

Reading books aloud each day to our tamariki is so valuable. You may wish to find a heart word in the book eg. the, or ask a question eg. Why did the big bad wolf lick his lips?

Practising making words that rhyme helps to build our phonological awareness. Eg. cat, flat, splat. How many can your whānau make?

Did you know that there are 44 sounds (or 45) of NZ English? As part of our structured literacy we learn the sounds we need to work on through explicit and systematic instruction. The attached video will help your whānau to learn the sounds of NZ english.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SePU-T4S-js

If you are looking for decodable books for home use, the SPELD SA Phonics Books are a great resource which can be used online or printed out.

https://speldsa.org.au/pages/speld-sa-phonic-books

ANZAC Museum Visits
This week all of our primary classes visited the museum to build on the learning that has been happening in their classes. It’s always great to extend the learning beyond the classroom and the partnership we have with Bex at the museum is helping to build connections within our community:)

Pause Breathe Smile
All of our primary staff and some of our awesome teacher aides are currently participating in some professional learning to support our students in the classroom. Once the professional learning is complete we will be implementing some of this into our everyday classroom practices. Here is their website if you would like to know how you could support it at home: https://pausebreathesmile.nz . There is a section for parents:)

“Pause Breathe Smile is a mind health programme that helps tamariki regulate emotions, pay attention and build positive relationships. Students develop resilience, increase self awareness and improve overall happiness.”

Reminders:)

If your child is going to be away please let us know: attendance@mbas.ac.nz; text 021 0255 6802; or call 07 8665916. It is also really helpful if you leave a message or text, to let us know why your child is away. The difference between ‘being away’ and ‘being away due to illness’ can be significant for us when tracking attendance:)
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:)

Lost Property: Our mountain of lost property continues to grow:( It seems wasteful and unnecessary. If your child’s uniform is named at least we know where to return it to:)

Photolife - You should have received an email from Photolife (or several if you have more than one child and sibling photos). Please email me if you have not:) waretinipaulj@mbas.ac.nz
NO ASSEMBLY week 4 (24th May) - Next assembly - 7th June

Ngā mihi,

Hira & Pip

Skool Loop + Zero Data

For some school parents and caregivers, the cost of mobile data can be a barrier to accessing school information and communications!

Not anymore!
We are excited to announce Skool Loop has aligned with Zero Data removing this barrier by providing free access to your school app.

MBAS PPTA Notice of Union Meeting

Interest in Homestay Hosting

MBAS is seeking interest from volunteer families to host International High School Students (Years 11-13) in your home.

Hosting provides your family opportunities to learn more about other cultures and enable your children to develop as global citizens through international connections. Your family provides hosted students exposure to the wonders of New Zealand.

If you want to know more, please email (international@mbas.ac.nz); or phone Jodie (Homestay Coordinator) on 0272489187 or pop in and see the International Team at Mercury Bay Area School.

Room 32 - Autumn Art

This week room 32 have been working on an autumn art and writing display. These will be finished soon, so check back for photos. A sneak peak of the only 2 finished pieces from Kaleeyah and Ashton.

M1 - Drama Presentation

Where are we? Like little mice we crept off to senior school and the drama room, utilising our map reading skills to navigate our way. Mrs Fletcher had invited M1 and M2 to watch year 7 and 8 do their drama presentation. These older tamariki had rewritten fairy tales and created new snippets of familiar stories to act in. We were very privileged to have been invited to see them. Thanks Mrs Fletcher and year 7 and 8!

Photos of Pink Shirt Day in Hei 7

THH and Hei5 - Citizen Science Shellfish Survey

Citizen Science Shellfish Survey Whitianga Estuary

On Tuesday 7th of May, our class and Hei Five went down to the Whitianga estuary to do the annual cockle survey. The reason we do the cockle and wedge shell survey is to check the population of the shellfish to gauge the health of the estuary. After all, they are the cleaners of the estuary. When everyone got to the Whitianga estuary we were introduced to Bronwen Gibberd the marine biologist. After we had been introduced to the marine biologist our groups were called up to collect our equipment.

Once everyone had collected the equipment for the survey we went down to one of the transect line sample sites. We were then shown how to conduct the survey by Reuben and Mason. Soon after we headed off in our groups to go to one of the sample sites. In my group was Theresa Cavanagh, Jessica Allen, Miley Reichardt and ( of course ) me Mia Badenhorst along with my Mum Yolande Badenhorst. My group went to the h transect line and started our survey. First, we got our sieve out and gently placed it on the ground making sure not to hurt any live animals. We then traced around the sieve and lifted it to reveal a square imprinted on the sand. Miley then dug ten centimetres into the ground and plopped all of the black and brown mud into the sieve. Next came the hard part, sieving. The sieving was done by Yolande while I went and collected some water so that the sieving process was faster. Miley then suggested that we go down to a more watery area and sieve the muddy sand in the estuary. We decided that would be a good idea so we did exactly that.

After we had sieved out all of the black and brown muddy sand we were left with just cockles, wedge shells and whelks. First, the cockles and wedge shells were sorted into dead and alive. Then they were measured and counted, the cockles mainly being sizes B & C (that is really small). Our group managed to fit in another survey on a different transect but I won't bore you with the same steps.

At lunch time we headed back to the road and sat on the damp grass. The wind blew viciously as we got our lunch boxes out. By the time we had finished our lunch, we were all cold and wet, luckily we didn't have to finish it and go out in the cold wind because Hei Five would go and finish collecting the data. Te Hā O Hei packed their things and we all went to class cold and a little wet but definitely happy that we all went and did our part to look after our estuary.

Here are our results…

Mia Badenhorst

DOC Ranger, Cheyenne Walmsley visits Te Hā o Hei and Kaitiaki Ngahere/Forest Guardians Academy

Cheyenne is a past student of MBAS, she went on to complete a BSc in Ecology and Biodiversity and a BA in Screen and Media at the University of Waikato, she also went to a Sir Peter Blake Young Environmental Leaders Forum while attending MBAS, which led onto a short internship at MfE. Cheyenne is now working as a Community Ranger – Jobs for Nature Delivery Manager at the Whitianga Field Base for the Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai.

Cheyenne spoke about her experience since leaving high school and how her two degrees have allowed her to work for DOC making documentaries as well as doing biodiversity fieldwork like monitoring the Archey's frog at night in the rain on top of the 309, or visiting offshore islands to translocate endangered species. She then explained all of the possible career pathways into conservation. She gave examples of how other staff members at the Whitianga office (many past MBAS students) have entered conservation work.

Coromandel Brown Kiwi

Cheyenne also provided the students with examples of positive stories in conservation such as the Coromandel and North Island kiwi population increases since predator control work by Doc and community groups and the ongoing efforts to save the critically endangered Australasian bittern. She gave stark statistics on the endemic populations and extent of habitat loss and acknowledged the effort community groups and small projects with volunteers like our own are making. Cheyenne showed one of the short films she has made on the importance of Kauri as a keystone species to the academy class.

Y9 - Graphic Design

In Y9 Graphic Design, students have been learning about identity creation and how to use the computer as a drawing tool. Students had to design and create a logo which represented themselves or a company they might like to start in the future. We learnt about symbolism, looked at symbolism in different cultures and developed an understanding of how colour can represent different things to different groups of people. We then got to print our logos as stickers on the vinyl cutter. Here are some of the amazing creations!

Sports Results

Football
MBAS Junior Boys beat Thames Junior Boys 12-2.
Goals to Curtis Treherne (4), Noah Palmer (3), Joel Iggulden (2), Ben Collins, Noah Gordon and Yugo Kawai.

Basketball
Senior boys MB1 50 v HPC 56
Junior boys MB 45 v HPC 40
Senior boys MB2 12 v HPC 104

Netball
MB Senior A 26 v Dynamos 17

Rugby
MBAS Youth grade 24 v Te Aroha College 41
MBAS 1st XV 19 v Hauraki Plains College 27

Plane Build - Current Weekly Log

Tail Cone, Mid Fuselage Section, Aft Bulk head.

Open the photos below to read the full log.

Tertiary Tidbits

Hamilton Student Evening

We’d like to extend an invitation to you and your students to attend our Regional Information Student Evening.

Tuesday 30th July 2024

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Claudelands Event Centre

This evening is open to all high school students and their whānau and will provide attendees time to meet our representatives, learn more about our university as well as answer questions.

Whaia Te Pae Tawhiti (WTPT)

WTPT is an on-campus experience targeted at Year 13 Māori students from outside of Tāmaki Makaurau. The programme offers attendees the opportunity to visit the University of Auckland, make connections, and introduce them to what life in Tāmaki Makaurau could look like for them! We are inviting expressions of interest from students wishing to participate in workshops, activities, and the opportunity to explore their study options further by attending Mānawa Mai, our Open Day!

The deadline for EOI is May 31st, registration link can be found here.

Thinking About University?

School Leavers Magazine - Out Now & Online

SCHOOL LEAVERS MAGAZINE - OUT NOW AND ONLINE

This magazine is now available to read online: www.oliverlee.co.nz/leavingschool-issue29 and can be easily downloaded onto PC’s, iPads, Smart phones and other devices.

Your Kauri Group teacher will have hard copies, if you would like them.

Community Thumbs Up

Mercury Bay Secondary School Rugby Club would like to thank the following Sponsor for the 2024 Season. We truly appreciate your support with School Sport.

Parents and students of the Totara Springs Sports Camp would like to thank Kerry & Sara Stanley for all your generous contribution of food to the fundraisers.

Community Notices

Junior Rugby Girls Competition

Contact Sara Old
mercurybayjuniorruggby@gmail.com

TVBB Referee Course

Boys Brigade

Empower Your Parenting Skills with Safe On Social

Parenting in today's digital era can be overwhelming. Are you finding it challenging to keep up with the constantly evolving apps, online games, and social media platforms? Do concerns about cyberbullying, screen addiction, adult content access and online privacy keep you up at night?

We at Safe On Social are transforming how we support parents and carers like you. Our renowned Parents and Carers Programs, previously available only in schools, are now accessible via webinar to cater to our global audience more effectively.

We're here to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate the complexities of the online world with confidence.

Join us for an informative and transformative webinar, designed specifically for proactive parents/carers.

If you are a school representative keen to sample our work, we would love you to attend.

RSVP Here

CoroCine Film Festival

We are hosting our inaugural film festival this year on the weekend of September 6th, 7th, 8th. We already have several items committed but are looking for more!

The only criteria is that the artist/filmmaker either lives on the Coromandel Peninsula OR that their work features the Coromandel Peninsula. It doesn't have to be "new" work and we're looking for various lengths and genres. This can be any presentation we could show on our big screen. Got a gallery of your visual artworks set to music or with a voice-over? Got some claymation/lego-mation videos? What about videos of your original music? Work needs to be with us by August 1st so you still have time to create something.

Please register your interest and we will be in touch.
https://forms.gle/9Jc6C6XoGYs6cYFz8

Upcoming at the Mercury Bay Library

Badminton Junior Development Day - Thames

Our first Badminton Junior Development Day was held in Waihi at the start of April. It was a really successful day and the kids loved it! We are holding our second session in Thames on the 26th May.

Key information:
• Where: Thames High School, Jack McLean Recreation Centre, Rolleston Street, Thames.
• When: Sunday 26th May, 9am-12pm
• What: Coaching with Thames Valley coaches (9am-10.30am, and games from 10.30am-12pm)
• Who can attend: School age children under 18 years of age
• What to bring: Please bring your own drink bottle, non-marking court shoes if you have them, bare feet is ok.
• Cost: Just $5 to be paid on arrival

I have attached a flyer with a QR code that can be used to register. This QR code will link to the next upcoming session, so you only need to print it once. I have also attached another flyer with the key info for the Thames session, which is also on the registration form. Alternatively, players can register using the link below;
https://forms.gle/Aj5yH36SPHu8n2zJ7

Registrations close Friday 24th May

Thanks for your support,
Melissa MiersBadminton Thames Valley Secretary

MBAS Newsletter, Term 2, Week 3, 17th May 2024