MBAS Newsletter, Term 3, Week 9, 15th September 2023

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Senior Students Update

Enviro
The Environmental group held an environmentally friendly bake sale this week, it was a great success! Congratulations to everyone involved with this initiative.  
This Thursday the Enviro Group ran a Presentation for the Primary students about native wildlife. Becs came in from the Mercury Bay Museum to show the students her collection of toy birds. She talked about the sounds that they make, and what ecosystems they live in. It was great to see all the students getting involved. They all learned something about our native environment. Huge thanks to Becs for coming in to help out.

SADD
This year the Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) group is trying to bring awareness around dangerous driving within our community. As part of SAFER September we would like to raise awareness and help students to be safer on the roads. To do this we held an interactive activity for the years 9-10 then 11-13s. We had the pleasure of Renee, the SADD coordinator from the Thames-Coromandel region to come and hold an interactive beer goggle activity, which the students had a lot of fun participating in. This was to demonstrate that driving while impaired is not a smart idea. Thanks to everyone who helped organise this event it was very informative.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
The senior student leaders have been working hard on ways to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Some initiatives we have been doing are Word of the Day Challenge, lunchtime games, Tino Rangatira flag flying for the week, Instagram stories, quizzes on basic Māori words, and posters around school from the Te Reo Māori website. 

Word of the day challenge
Teachers across the kura, were to quickly chat with their students at the start of the day about this. The word was; "Mātauranga" meaning knowledge, understanding, and education. The challenge is to use this word in a sentence to one of the senior student leaders. The challenge is for Thursday and Friday. The sentence can be in English or Māori (extra points or Māori) but the word must be in Māori.

Another activity was the lunchtime games were run by Milly and Cullen
Poi Rākau - Taonga Tākaro also traditionally this game was for training warriors, mainly developing their spear skills. All students will gather around in a circle and hold their rākau. A person will call MATAU (right) and MAUI (left). Each student will leave their stick and follow the direction being called out and move and catch the next stick beside them.

Kī o Rahi - Based on the pūrākau (legend) of Rahitutakahina and the rescue of his wife Tiarakurapakewai. The tākaro is a reflection of tūpuna storytelling at its best, as well as providing an insight into the way in which they would explain and design tākaro to reflect their unique "world view". The papa tākaro (field) layout of Kī o Rahi and the way the tākaro is played is a perfect example of this. A large team game played between 2 teams, kīoma and taniwha on a large circular field. Played for 4 quarters or 2 halves of a set time, teams alternate roles of kīoma and taniwha at half or quarter time.

Kīoma score by touching pou with the kī (for potential points) then running the kī through te roto and placing it down in pawero to convert pou touches into points. Kīoma stop the other team, Taniwha.
Taniwha scored by hitting the tupu with the kī. Kīoma will have kaitiaki (guardians) around the tupu to stop taniwha from hitting the tupu. Depending on which variation is being played, Taniwha must stop Kīoma from scoring by either touching, 2 handed touch, ripping the tag or tackling them in the appropriate area.

Practice Exams Next Week 
Next week are our annual practice exams for years 11-13. The students, including the year 13 leaders, are hard at work studying and preparing. We wish everyone all the best for next week, especially the year 11s, where this will be their first time in an exam setting. 

The Senior Leaders are always here to help and give advice! Just come and have a chat with us anytime.

Next Week's Practice Exam Timetable

Students need to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of their exams.

Cyber Bullying and Social Media Presentation

Board of Trustee Elections

There will be Board of Trustee Elections coming up in November. If you want to check you are on the electoral roll please pop into the office between now and the 20th September when the roll closes.

Regards
Karin Farrelly
Returning Officer

Primary Mosaic Art Auction

One week left!  Reserves have been hit! All mosaics are officially for sale! Get in now on these bespoke pieces so you do not miss out. https://sites.google.com/mbas.ac.nz/mbasmosaics/home All auctions close on the 18th September at 3.30pm.

Room 22 - Pepeha

Akomanga rua tekau mā rua tamariki have been learning their pepeha. 

Kororā - Little Blue Penguin Lessons Y 7/8

All the year 7 and 8 classes had the privilege of hosting Elvisa Van Der Leden, the Forest & Bird Regional Conservation Manager for Taranaki and Waikato at our school on Monday 11th September. We all learnt about the Little Blue Penguin and what we can do to help the survival of this beautiful endangered species. We watched a video, viewed a slideshow, played a game and were gifted with a Forest and Bird magazine each. Thank you to Elvisa for sharing your knowledge and passion for this beautiful penguin. 

Hei 7's Trip to Broken Hills

Hei 7 has been learning about Gold Mining in the Coromandel, so on Friday 8th September we drove into Broken Hills in the Puketui Valley, an area that once was a gold mining settlement of 200 people, post office and shops. 

Once our shoes were cleaned at the Kauri cleaning station we did the "Water Race Tunnel Loop" Track. This is an exciting walk up and along part of the original 3.3km water race dug out by the miners. The water came from a dam, along the race and across the Tairua River in tunnels to power the Broken Hill Battery. The track included three tunnels, a fallen tree and plenty of mud and water, which we loved. To get back to the car park we walked along the old Puketui Road which used to link the valley with SH 25A on the Kopu Hikuai.

After driving back to the bridge car park we walked into the Golden Hills Battery site to see the remains of the stamper battery, cyanide vats and eat our lunch. Walking back out we branched off towards the Broken Hills Battery site, passing a rotting possum. Sixty people were employed at this site back in the day.

On our way out to Puketui Valley Road we stopped to check out the Cave Weta in one of the tunnels. 

Thank you so much to Erica Kurth, Brent Green, Paul Mason and Jamie Van de Ven, the wonderful parents who helped me on this EOTC trip. I really appreciated your sense of humour and positive support. We couldn't have done the trip without you.

THH Waitawheta Hut Tramp

Te Hā o Hei students had the opportunity to apply theoretical bush safety learning in an overnight tramp to Waitawheta Hut. The students had to

• Take responsibility for their own health and well-being

• Persist in the face of difficulty

• Be aware of their own needs and strengths and those of others

• Make decisions, be willing to consider a range of possibilities, and consider risks

• plan and organise an overnight tramp

• pack appropriate equipment and take sufficient supplies

• learn how to navigate using a compass and topographic map

• learn how to cross rivers safely

• cooperate and collaborate when tramping as a group: on meals, during activities, carrying camping equipment, setup and breakdown of camp

• plan and prepare a personal survival kit and first aid kit

• participate in scenario activities on outdoor safety and first aid

• learn about the history of the area and explore different perspectives on the use and conservation of these resources

• identify native flora and fauna

This learning experience would not have been possible without the support of parents and grandparents. 

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Y7/8 Wood Technology

In Y7/8 Wood technology, students have been designing and building their own taonga box. Their design had to incorporate a lid and a design feature which made it unique to the person it was being made for. Here are some of the creations from Hei 5.

MBAS Students Album Release - Next Week!

Mercury Bay Area School's music students, mentored by acclaimed NZ Sound Engineer/Music Producer Dave Rhodes, have crafted an amazing album, set to shine on stage!

Join us at The Monkey House Theatre – 18 Coghill St, Thursday, September 21st, 6:30 pm, for the album release concert. Enjoy refreshments and food available at the venue. Entry is free. 

See you there!

The Whitianga Coastguard, Alan Jackson Memorial Cadetship 2023

Sunday the 3rd of September saw the end of our 2023 Cadetship, with Cadets and their families coming
together at our Prizegiving BBQ to celebrate their achievements.

Certificates were presented to all cadets for their VHF, Day Skipper, First Aid and Deep Water Survival
qualifications, for which they also received NZQA credits.

We had an outstanding group of Cadets this year, with 100% attendance and every week bringing their A
game with motivation, enthusiasm and drive. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements, as
individuals and as a team.

Our special thanks to Skyla Blofield, who took on the role of Senior Cadet this year and to Mercury Bay
Area School for their continued support of this programme, now in its 5th year.

Pictured below are the full 2023 Cadet intake and our 2023 award winners Marlene Pfenning, Outstanding Cadet (with Skyla Blofieldand Charles Hayward,CG Boating Education) and Grace Allen, Most Improved Cadet surrounded by her fellow cadets.

Latest Plane Build Log

You can find this week's full plane build log here.

Y5-8 Basketball

Wednesday School Gym

Year 5/6 2.15pm - 3.30pm
Year 7/8 3.3pm - 5pm

Must wear shoes

Sports Results

TVSS Badminton

TVSS Badminton was held on Tuesday in Thames.  An enthusiastic group attended after learning the skills of Badminton at School.The team played a mixture of singles and doubles against other Thames Valley Schools with a few losses and wins.

Pictured - Chanel Clothier, Lucy Hill, Meg Harper, Gia Swindlehurst, Maggie Warwick, Levi Stewart, Connor Armstrong, Mieke Ducker, Angel Scobie, Tallulah Lukic-Calder, Lotti Harrison, Marika-Rose Macdonald

Staff V Students Tapu ae

The new Staff v Students shield has its first plaque with the Year 12/13 students winning the Tapu ae game on Wednesday.  In a tough, hard fought battle the teachers worked tirelessly to get their name on the shield first, however speed and agiltiy won over. The crowd enjoyed the battle and we look forward to many more new challeges in the next year.

Nurses Notes

With mock exams coming up good sleep is super important.

Please read the sleep tips – what can you do to improve your sleep?

Community Notices

Clean Up Whitianga - 16th September

Open Whare and Birthday Fundraiser - 17th September

Free Ear Clinic Service for Children - Monday 18th September

The Free Children’s Ear Service will be in Whitianga on Monday 18th September from 2:30-4:30pm (this is a drop in clinic only) and Tuesday 19th September 7:30am-11am (this is an appointment/ and drop in clinic). The Ear Bus will be parked up across from the cinema (Lee St) in the Car park. 

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.

Mercury Bay Library Upcoming Events

Whiti Fast 5 Netball 2023

Youth Search and Rescue NZ

Applications for the Youth Search and Rescue program are now open for 14 to 16-year-old students, closing 30 September. Youth Search and Rescue is a 3-year program which involves weekly classroom styled learning followed by weekend adventure-based education in the outdoors to implement the new skills gained. We train, mentor and develop our rangatahi to become the next generation of Search and Rescue and Emergency Management volunteers.

We are recognised as the future workforce youth development training organisation for the national search and rescue and emergency response  in New Zealand.

Students gain: 

•Outdoor education skills, survival, leadership and team capability and confidence 
•STEM competencies and NZQA qualifications to complement in-classroom learning 
•Opportunity for community engagement and contribution – either voluntary or career 
•Achievement of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards  
•Advanced environmental sustainability and flora and fauna awareness. 

Here is a link to our promotional video  https://youtu.be/cXpBq66Zw54

More information and the application forms can be found on our website www.YSAR.nz.

Super Smash Cricket Holiday Programme

Limited Service Volunteer Course - Now taking 17-24 year olds

Coromandel Songwriting Camp - Teens 13-18 (free)

Check out our free youth Songwriting Camp, to be held in Whitianga the first week of the next holidays, you need to submit your interest by Sept 10th.  It's an amazing opportunity. Check out the full details at the link below:
https://www.beatfairy.com/coromandel-songwriting-camp