Mercury Bay Area School eNewsletter

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Middle Years Update

Last week we had a full school assembly celebrating the successes of our students across our whole kura. We hoped to see more of our parents join us. I know it's tough for many to get time off work during the day but I can't express enough the importance of parents' involvement in school.
Research tells us students whose parents are involved in school have better attendance and behaviour, are more likely to achieve academic success, demonstrate better social skills and adapt better to life at school. Three factors showing marked increase in student performance at school:

A home environment that encourages learning
Communicating high expectations for achievement
Staying positively involved in your child's education.

Please don't enable your child by covering for them and making excuses for them not to participate and contribute in class. Don't allow them to stay home for no reason. Here are some things you can do to stay involved in your child's education:

Make learning a priority in your home, establishing routines and schedules that enable children to complete homework, read independently, get enough sleep and have opportunities to get help from you. Talk about what’s going on in school.
Read to and with your children: Even 10–20 minutes daily makes a difference. And parents can go further by ensuring that they read more each day as well, either as a family or private reading time that sets a good example.
Let your children's teachers know how you would like to communicate. Many are comfortable with emails, text messages or phone calls, and all teachers want parents to stay up to date, especially if problems arise.
Attend school events, assemblies, sports events - even if your child is not involved in extracurricular activities.
Use your commute to connect with your children, ask them to read to you while you drive and encourage conversation about school.
Eat meals together: It’s the perfect opportunity to find out more about what’s going on in school.
Prioritise communication with teachers, especially if you have a demanding work schedule. Find out what resources are available to help get involved.

Education outside of the classroom always needs help - volunteer or help with transport. While being an excellent role model for your children, you can also ensure that the wider community views the school positively and supports it. Please partner with us in providing an excellent education for your children, rather than complaining from a distance. Let's work together to make learning GREAT for our children.

School Docs - Policies for review this term

Room 22 - Numeracy

What a great news sharing we had today! William brought in the jaw of a school shark that his dad caught at Great Barrier.
Our numeracy plan suddenly changed and we measured how long the shark was and drew it out with chalk then used a variety of non-standard and standard units to measure.
William enjoyed sharing his news with our buddy class.

M1 is learning about ecosystems and the features that various creatures have in order to live successfully in their chosen environment. We compared the weka that we read about in our decodable readers, who lives in wetlands and bush, with the white face heron - Matuku moana, that we see in our coastal areas, looking at what features are the same, different and why they have adapted in this way. We made a list of descriptives and drew pictures of each bird in its environment.

M6 - Research

"I feel like an expert researcher." Words from one of M6 today as we explored an Olympic sport of our choice. Lots of amazing facts found - ready for writing information reports next week. Here are some pictures of our focus.

Y7-8 Dune Planting

The year 7 and 8 classes went to Wharekaho Beach on Monday 5th August to participate in the Dune Restoration planting programme with TCDC Coastcare. Here are some photos of them busy at work doing good for the environment.

A new Year 9 and 10 Academy called 'Community Service' planned and ran a PE lesson for Room 22. The students chose to do a warm-up and then play Master Tag, Fruit Salad, Cat and Mouse and What's the time Mr Wolf?All 12 students from Whaea Rahira's class had a great time, as did the Academy students.

Y11 - Commerce

The Year 11 Commerce class were playing Monopoly Deal in class to help them understand the concept of financial interdependence through gameplay, negotiation, and resource management. After playing the game students were asked to reflect on the game and to make a real-world connection.

Part 1: Game Reflection

List three transactions you made during the game. Describe each transaction and its outcome.

Transaction 1:
Transaction 2:
Transaction 3:

How did your financial decisions impact other players? Provide specific examples.
Describe a situation in the game where you had to depend on another player to achieve your goals. What was the outcome?

Part 2: Real-World Connection

Identify a real-world example of financial interdependence (e.g., a trade relationship between two countries). Describe how both parties benefit from this interdependence.
Imagine you are a business owner. How would financial interdependence with other businesses, banks, or countries affect your business decisions?
In what ways can understanding financial interdependence help you in managing your personal finances?

Badminton

Last Friday and this Tuesday our Junior and Senior Badminton players attended the TVSS Badminton Champs. We didn't have any students make it to the finals but everyone enjoyed themselves and their skills improved over the course of the day.

Developing a Business Plan for an Ice Cream Business

The International students, Frida, Tabea, Lorenz, Sora and Maja have been learning about New Zealand businesses and making comparisons with similar businesses from their own countries. They then moved into creating a comprehensive business plan for a hypothetical ice cream business. As part of their research students found that Cookies and Cream were the most popular flavour. Today they had a go at making their version of Cookies and Cream ice cream and shared them with the Year 12 & 13 class. It was a thumbs up from the taste testers. The students will be embarking on their own creative enterprises and business in the second half of the term. Watch this space!

En Pointe Students Success

Indaria Bainbridge-Davies, Charli Thackray and Blake Gifford-Hill all attended the ‘Follow Your Dreams’ regional dance competition in Christchurch. They have come away as regional champions in many divisions also qualifying them all for Nationals in Adelaide in January 2025.

The results were as follows;

Indaria (Open age group)
1st Place in Demi Character (Ballet)
1st Place in Open Class
1st Place in Latin Tap
1st Place in Jazz (No tricks)
1st Place in Lyrical (No tricks)
2nd Place in the Championship
Top 5 overall

Charli (Open age group)
1st Place in Lyrical
1st Place in Hip Hop
1st Place in Musical Theatre
2nd Place in Open Class
2nd Place in Contemporary
3rd Place in the Championship
Top 5 overall

Blake (6-7yrs)
1st Place in Demi Character (Ballet)
1st Place in Lyrical (Tricks)
1st Place in Song and Dance
2nd Place in Tap Solo
2nd Place in Hip Hop
1st Place in the Championship
1st Place and Highest Overall 6-7yr old.

Indaria and Charli 1st place in open age Broadway Duo/Trio
Indaria, Charli and Blake 2nd place in open age Broadway Duo/Trio
Blake and her Duo partner 1st Place in Jazz Duo 6-7yrs

Blake also competed at the Evolution Dance Regional competition in Christchurch over the School holidays. Winning each of her categories; Song and Dance, Musical Theatre, Tap Solo, Hip Hop and Demi Character. She also was Highest place 6-7yr old elite and had qualified for Nationals on the Gold Coast also in January 2025.

These three students spend many hours at En Pointe Studio working and learning for themselves as well as assisting in class to help the younger students. They also spend many of their weekends attending workshops and competitions around the country. Their dedication to dance is amazing and these results show this.

Lisa Gifford

Plane Build - Current Weekly Log

Wing Preparation, Stabilator, Mid Fuselage Section.

Open the photos below to read the full log.

Sports Results

Football
Junior Boys beat Huntly 2-1
Both goals were scored by Curtis Treherne

Basketball
Semi-final Junior Boys 32 v Paeroa 54

Rugby
Semi-finals Girls 1st XV defaulted to HPC
Youth Boys 27 v Te Aroha 10
Boys 1st XV 10 v HPC 23

U16 Youth Grade Boys First XV Boys

Interested in Cricket?

Any boys & girls year 9/10 interested in a weekly cricket competition in the Thames Valley? Register your interest with Leisa mccleeryl@mbas.ac.nz or pop into my office.

MBAS Fundraising Quiz Night is back - Sept 6th

Blue Light Camp gives new perspective

“Do it!” challenges Lliam Mirko to his fellow teens after winning the Peers’ Choice Award at Blue Light’s recent Life Skills Camp, held at the Whenuapai Air Force Base in Auckland from July 22–26, 2024. “Blue Light’s Life Skills programme ran really well, was organised, and we had all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds.” “It really opens your eyes.” Lliam comments.

Lliam, 16, who attends Mercury Bay Area School in Whitianga, impressed his fellow participants, Blue Light staff, and Defence Force personnel to win his Peers’ Choice Award shared that he was “really proud of himself” and that he had gained "a new perspective and outlook on life along with resilience, responsibility, and discipline.”

While on camp, Lliam had the opportunity to go inside a New Zealand Airforce Hercules 130 aircraft and took part in experiential learning experiences including the high and low ropes. He enjoyed the “physically challenging” aspects of the course including the mountain biking.

Blue Light’s Life Skills Programme Coordinator Stefanie McGregor states that “Lliam volunteered as duty trainee on the second day of camp, and as no-one else volunteered he did this all week. He ensured all the other young people on camp knew what instructions were given, as well as helping them complete them. He was also responsible, as time keeper, for ensuring the instructions were completed on time.”

Assistant Principal at Mercury Bay Area School Sarah Holmes, who referred Lliam to the camp said, "I’ve been so appreciative of the opportunity... and his whanau were super proud to see him engaging positively in this experience.”

Looking ahead, Lliam is excited about his future opportunities. "The Blue Light 100-Person Leadership Camp and the LSV course are next for me. At school, I am aiming to get Level 1 NCEA," he shared

Blue Light’s highly successful Life Skills programme has been run by New Zealand Blue Light in partnership with the NZ Defence Force for the past 12 years and has adventure-based experiential learning as a key part of the programme. The programme provides 14-17-year-olds with critical life skills such as self-development, self-control, and teamwork that will enable young people to be successful at home, school, communities, and employment.

Up to 12 courses are held each year in Auckland, Trentham, Central North Island and Burnham locations.

For more information about the Blue Light Life Skills camps visit www.bluelight.co.nz.

Blue Light is grateful for the support of the sponsorship of the Lion Foundation and community supporters.

Lliam Mirko, a 16-year-old student from Mercury Bay Area School in Whitianga, won the Peers’ Choice Award at Blue Light’s Life Skills Camp held at Whenuapai Air Force Base. He impressed his peers and leaders with his dedication and leadership, gaining resilience, responsibility, and a new outlook on life.

Article courtesy of All About Whitianga

Photolife Sports and Cultural Photo's

22nd & 23rd August in School Gym

Please see the below schedule.

Career Corner

The Inzone Career Kiosk is up and running in the school library

Do you remember the Inzone Bus that came to school for the Careers Expo with over 25 Career Kiosks inside? Well, we NOW HAVE our very own Career Kiosk! It is on loan for a year, set up in the library, for your use.

It is very interactive, simple to use and is designed to provide information, guidance, and support to you in your career development and decision-making processes.

It maintains a database of career videos, each offering insights into various professions. Many of these videos feature individuals sharing their firsthand experiences in their chosen careers.

To access the platform, you just login by entering your mobile phone number or email. As you come across careers that pique your interest, you can click the “I’m interested” button. At the end of your session, you will receive a text/email message containing links to pertinent information related to what you have selected. Subsequently, your phone number/email is deleted from the system.

To know more and to watch the video use this link.

https://inzone.co.nz/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF6n4yea7-8

Come have a look and see where it may take you.

Tertiary Tidbits

Manawatū Campus—Wednesday 7th August, 9am-2pm (Click here for the schedule)

Auckland Campus—Friday 16th August, 9am-2pm (Click here for the schedule)

Wellington Campus—Friday 23rd August, 9am-3pm (click here for the schedule)

Aviation School—Saturday 14th September, 9am-3:30pm

Nurses Notes

Reminder - Student Physio Service at MBAS

Physio First comes to MBAS on a Thursday at 10am – 1pm

All sessions are 20minutes and ACC appointments are FREE

Super easy to book through the PHYSIO FIRST link – www.physiofirstwhitianga.co.nz

Follow the link for school bookings.

Community Notices

Unable to Drive? Enquire about Total Mobility eligibility

Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon^TM is BACK for 2024/25

Kia ora Mercury Bay Area School

Are your students READY to swim, bike and run this summer? We are VERY excited to announce that the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon^TM is BACK for 2024/25. This season will feature 11 amazing events across Aotearoa.

2024 Events
• South Auckland on Wednesday 20th November at Mountfort Park
• Mount Maunganui on Sunday 1st December at Arataki Park
• Hamilton on Sunday 8th December at Waikato University Fields

2025 Events
• Hastings on Wednesday 12th February at Mitre 10 Sports Park
• Christchurch on Sunday 23rd February at Jellie Park
• Dunedin on Sunday 2nd March at Taieri College
• Nelson on Sunday 9th March at Tahunanui Beach Reserve
• Wellington on Sunday 16th March at Kilbirnie Park
• Palmerston North on Tuesday 18th March at Ongley Park
• New Plymouth on Tuesday 25th March at Ngamotu Beach Reserve
• Central East Auckland on Sunday 30th March at Pt England Reserve

School group applications open on Tuesday 27th August and participant entries will open in September with an OPENING WEEK SPECIAL of $46 (35% or 30% off the full entry fees)*.

This will be limited to the first 100 entries per event so you will need to get in quick!

We will be in touch closer to the time, so keep an eye on your email and our Facebook page for the announcement on the SEPTEMBER OPENING WEEK SPECIAL!
Let the countdown begin. We can’t wait to see you all again this summer!

The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Team
Inspiring Kiwi Kids since 1992!

Waikids Free Children’s Ear Service

Waikids Free Children’s Ear Service will be in Whitianga on:

Monday 12^TH August 2024 from 3pm-430pm (this is a drop in clinic only)

Tuesday 13^th August 2024 730am-5pm (this is an appointment/ and drop in clinic)

Wednesday 14^th August 2024 730am-1030am (appointment/and drop in clinic.)

Any parents who would like a booked appointment for the 13^th and 14^th August clinics can contact 07 838 3565 to book

The Ear Bus will be parked up across from the cinema in the Lee St Carpark

Happy for you to promote on your facebook/social media pages.

Free ear clinic service for children
All children must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian, otherwise a consent form must be completed.

For enquiries regarding this service or to book an appointment please contact The Children’s Ear Clinic on 07 838 3565.
The Ear Nurse can provide advice on: glue ear assessment and management, wax/foreign body removal, grommet checks, treatment of discharging ears

Please note clinics may be cancelled without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Clinic will be closed for staff breaks. These will be noted on clinic door.

The T3 ear bus schedule can be found at the link below

Children's ear clinic » Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Waikato (waikatodhb.health.nz)

MB Library STEM Lab

Thames Valley Hockey Announce Swamp Fox Extend & Develop Programme, plus exciting age group festivals - U11, U13 and U16.

Age group registrations are now open for The Swamp Fox Extend & Develop Programme plus entry into exciting festivals! Registrations are only open for a short time. All U11, U13 and U16 players signing up for Extend and Develop receive a FREE Swamp Fox Training shirt.

The Swamp Fox Extend & Develop programme provides opportunities for players to fine tune basic techniques, develop and improve technical skills, plus improve on field/game decision making. It delivers an excellent base for those wishing to extend their hockey season and/or build towards representative and festival hockey. Players are grouped according to age with an additional option to play hockey with our neighbouring associations! Find out more https://www.sporty.co.nz/.../age-group-representative...

Or head straight to the Registration page
U16 - https://forms.gle/sRmes4UQAkLDNhv57
U13 - https://forms.gle/RWajX4BFcnrce7HBA
U11 - https://forms.gle/4mPPTGrWdfrwz5Y4A