MBAS Newsletter, Term 3, Week 5, 23rd Aug 2024

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Students,

As we reach the midpoint of Term 3, I’m delighted to share some of the recent successes and upcoming events at our school.

Last week, our Year 3-8 students participated in the annual cross country event. The students demonstrated outstanding fitness and determination. Congratulations to all participants, and a special shout-out to our top finishers. It was fantastic to see so many of you supporting each other and pushing your limits.

Our recent outdoor education tramp was another highlight. The students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and showed great teamwork throughout the journey. This experience not only tested their physical endurance but also built resilience.  A big thank you to our staff who made this adventure possible.

As we look ahead, I want to remind our senior students that preliminary exams are scheduled for next week. These exams are crucial as they provide a solid foundation for the final assessments and help identify areas where additional focus may be needed. I encourage all students to use this time to revise thoroughly and reach out to their teachers for any support they may need.

Well done to the fantastic performers in this year's charity concert. For them to donate their time to raise funds for Breast cancer awareness and for those who came to support these talented young people is very special. It shows true character and social awareness is alive and strong in Mercury Bay Area School. 

If your child is making their way to school via bike, can you please ensure they are wearing a helmet. 

Thank you all for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Let’s keep up the great work as we move into the second half of the term.

Warm regards,

Ross Dunn
Principal

Trophy Returns

URGENT NOTICE!

Please return all trophies to the office as soon as possible.

BOT Student Representative - Nominations Open

Primary Calendars

It is that time of year again where Primary students have been busy creating art to be made into calendars, cards, mouse mats, diaries and sketch pads. You can order now on Kindo or you can pay cash or eftpos at the office. Make sure to return the form. Orders close on the 30th August. We will not be able to take late orders as we need to make sure these can be back in time for Christmas!

Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop - everything $5 except Canterbury items $10, wool jerseys Free!

(Stock as at 21/8. New stock arriving every week - drop in by - opening hours below)
Get your House Colours - limited range - age 4 to size XL
Winter wool blend jerseys - very popular these cold mornings - get in before they run out - age 10, 12, size M, L, XL, XXL
Hoodies - only a few - age 14, size S
Polar fleece jackets - age 10, 12, 14, 16
Showerproof jackets - lots - age 12 to size XL
Softshell jackets - only a few - size S, M XL

Primary polos - lots - age 4 to 16
Navy polos - lots - age 8 to size L
White polos - lots - age 10 to size XXL
Skirts - limited stock - adult 6 to 22
Skorts - lots - age 4 to 16 
Shorts - lots - age 3 to size L
Canterbury shorts - only a few - age 14, adult 14, 16
Canterbury pants - donations required
Primary pants - limited range of sizes
Primary hats - good range - be ready for term 4

Uniform donations to the office please. 
Urgent need - fleece jackets age 4 to 8, skirts and Canterbury pants/shorts all sizes. 

Many thanks.

Opening hours - card or cash - Mondays 2.30 - 3.30pm and Wednesdays 8.30 - 9.30am

Senior Years Study Packs

The senior year deans and pastoral team have put together a study and exam pack for students to help them prepare for their practice exams taking place next week. The packs even included a sour chew candy bar, a stress ball, a timetable and some helpful tips. The bag can be used to take their stationary into the exams. The practice exams are used to help students experience exam conditions, to form derived grades in case a student is unable to attend end of year exams and as a tool to identify gaps and next steps for learning. We wish everyone the best of luck. 

Study and Exam Tips

Read the helpful tips below and to learn about YOUR learning style, and exam/study tips especially for you – you can do a simple test at:
http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml  

Room 23 - Pen Pals

This week we started our first letter to our pen pals in Orion 9 at Te Totara Primary in Hamilton. We are starting with a picture of ourselves, using detail to show our features, hair colour, etc. we will then add in writing starting with our pepeha which we are really enjoying learning.

Room 30 - STEM Afternoons

STEM afternoons! We are building rockets using the design cycle. We are currently building prototypes ready for launch next week. As this is part of an investigation we will be looking at the successes and improvements we need to have a successful rocket launch.

M1 - Water Cycle System

It’s very difficult to see what is going on in these photos but we have built our own water cycle system. By installing some plants, dirt, small rocks and a little tin foil pond we hope to be able to watch our plants grow without having to add any extra water. We watched as condensation started to form on the top and sides of the container after just a few hours. The next morning it looked like we had rain drops forming. Very exciting stuff!

Y3-8 Cross Country

A small break in the weather saw our year 3-8 students along with Whenuakite & Coroglen students head to the waterfront for the annual Peninsula Cross Country event.The waterfront was awash with colours of Mercury, Tainui, Matahaorua & Buffalo as the eager students set off on their distances.

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Results

Y7-8 Wood Technology

In Y7/8 Wood technology, students have been designing and building their own media device holder and passive speaker. Their design had to incorporate a shape and hot poker design which reflects their culture. Here are some of the creations from OXM.

Bay Bling Academy

"Bay Bling was very fortunate to have the talented Chantal Ducker in this week. Chantal taught the students how to make some beautiful crystal rings. Students learned about the different meanings of crystals before intricately piecing together their rings. Thank you, Chantal!"

13OED - Whirinaki Forest Tramp

Both 13OED classes completed the Mangamate loop track in the ancient Whirinaki forest last week. The weather was beautiful and the class had a great trip completing 2 hour solos in the bush as well as learning all about the native forest and the use of back country huts. The final day of walking had the group completing over 60 stream and river crossings. We counted over 15 pairs of our native blue duck, the Whio. A big thanks to Jamie Hutt for assisting Mr Adams and Mr Butler on the trip.

Y7/8 - Wearable Arts Invitation

Time to Fly

On Wednesday afternoon Sam and I got the chance to go flying as part of plane build. We each flew a couple circuits around the airfield, and were treated to amazing views of Whitianga and the bay. We each got to takeoff and land the plane, and get a taste of what our future training looks like.
Liam Morgan

Plane Build - Current Weekly Log

Stabilator, Mid Fuselage, Wing Preparation.

Open the photos below to read the full log.

Thames Valley Secondary Schools Football Tournament

Mercury Bay Area School played in the Thames Valley Secondary Schools Football Tournament on Wednesday. This is the first time we have been in this tournament for maybe 4-5 years. Our team was made up of seven Year 9s and 10s and only six senior students so we were really against it having to play against senior boys teams who play regularly together in the Waikato football competition.

Our first game was against Morrinsville College who fielded a team in which their smallest player was the same size as our biggest. We had to rely on speed and skill to get around or through them. It worked and we won 3-2.
Our second game was against Te Aroha College. We won 2-0 to finish top of our pool.

In the semi final we played Thames High School. After full time it was 1-1 so we went to a penalty shoot out. Unfortunately we lost this and finished 3rd overall.

It was a fantastic day with a really young team compared to the others. A big thank you to our drivers and great supporters Mark Collins (coach), Tracey Lamason, Madeline Renall and Marie Williscroft. Well done to the boys: Joel Iggulden, Ben Collins. Liam Robertson, Harry Williscroft, Tom Lamason, Kingsley Zhu, Oscar Williams, Jacob Chamberlain, Leo Renall, Elijah Bianchi, Noah Palmer, Sebastian Wehn and Arlo Hert.

Sports Results

Football
Junior Boys drew 2-2 with Te Awamutu
Curtis Treherne and Noah Palmer scored goals

Spirit Week 4th-6th September

MBAS Fundraising Quiz Night is back - Sept 6th

Friday September 6!

ONLY TWO Fridays to go!  We are on track for our second Quiz night and have had some amazing donations of prizes and auction items and wish to thank those of you who have already done so.

However, to make it a fabulous night we are continuing to seek sponsors from our school community to provide items for our prize pool and auction. Remember any items, or donation of time would be greatly received.   If you would like to discuss this further please leave your name at the school office, or email fmbas@mbas.ac.nz or phone Kathy on 0273161955.

Tickets are on sale NOW and can be purchased from the school office. BE QUICK AND DON'T MISS OUT AS THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES.

Organise some friends and come along for a great night.  Tickets are $30 each, which includes a platter for your table (8 per table) and a glass of bubbly on entry. The theme for this year's quiz is ‘Through Time’ with a prize for the best dressed table. This year the majority of quiz questions will be of a more general nature with a few theme specific ones. 

Tertiary Tidbits

For Wintec Open Day and Wahine in Trades information session, please use the link below for all information on these upcoming events.

https://www.wintec.ac.nz/about-wintec/events

Careers Corner

Nurses Notes

Community Notices

Mercury Bay Athletics Club - Urgent Coach Request

Following our recent AGM, it has become clear that we do not have sufficient support to proceed with the upcoming season.  Specifically we are in urgent need of 9 additional coaches and someone to fill the president role.  

If you are able to help with either of these critical roles, please contact us by September 1st (email MBAC Secretary, mercurybayathletics@gmail.com or via our Facebook page).  Without this support, we will be unable to commence the 2024-2025 season. 

If we do get enough Committee Members and Coaches we will proceed with our Committee meeting on September 2nd.  
Thank you for your attention to this matter.  We look forward to your prompt response.

Regards 
Mercury Bay Athletic Club

Need Help Getting your Drivers Licence?

MB Library STEM Lab

 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!

School Docs - Policies for review this term

Skool Loop - One Stop School Information App