Mercury Bay Area School eNewsletter

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

From the Middle Years

Kia Ora Mercury Bay Area School Whānau!

What an amazing start to the new school year packed full of wonderful events and learning. As another busy week wraps up, here's a quick recap of the highlights from around the Middle Years.

Introducing Our New Deputy Principal: Janine Maclarn

I am very excited and feel incredibly fortunate to have become part of the Senior Leadership Team in the Middle Years at Mercury Bay Area School. It has been a pleasure to be able to start the year in such a welcoming and vibrant school community, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of our students and school.

For the majority of my career, I have been based in the Waikato, with much of that time spent at Cambridge High School. I am eager to bring my skills and passion for education to this new role.

Please do not hesitate to introduce yourselves if you see me around. I’m looking forward to working with you all and supporting our students as they strive for excellence.

Ngā mihi
Janine

Swimming Sports Highlights: A Splashing Success!
Our students have truly been shining in the pool over the last couple of weeks! A huge congratulations to Mercury for taking out the Year 9-13 swimming sports and to Buffalo for their victory in the Year 7 and 8 events. The competition was fierce, and it was wonderful to see such strong House spirit from all our students.

This year’s swimming sports were not only an opportunity for friendly competition, but also a chance to witness some exceptional performances. A special mention goes to our Senior students, who set new records and inspired us all with their skill and dedication in the pool.

Swimming skills continue to be a key focus in our Year 7 and 8 programme this term, and we look forward to seeing even more students improve their swimming abilities as the term progresses.

A Great Tradition: Across the River Swim
It was fantastic to see such a high level of participation and enthusiastic support at this year’s Across the River swim event. Whether competing or cheering on their peers, our students truly embraced the spirit of the day. This event is a wonderful tradition that has been going for 47 years at Mercury Bay Area School.

A special congratulations goes to our Year 7 students who took on the challenge of swimming across the river for the first time. Their determination and courage was inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.

Literacy and Numeracy
Our Year 7 and 8 students are diving into the new mathematics curriculum. As part of their learning, they’re exploring real-world applications of measurement, which ties in perfectly with their content focus for the term: Migration. A highlight of this unit will be studying the incredible migration of the Godwit. This will culminate in an exciting trip to the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre.

An Update from Hei 1 - Term 1
Hei 1 have had a great start to the year in Maths, students have been developing their number sense, problem-solving skills, and confidence with large numbers. Students explored place value, ordering, and representing numbers up to 10 million using number lines, charts, and expanded notation. We’ve focused on addition and subtraction strategies, then moved into mixed operations, applying BEDMAS rules to solve multi-step problems. It’s been great to see students justifying their thinking and building resilience. Whānau can support learning by involving children in everyday number activities like budgeting and estimating costs.

Year 9 and 10 Literacy and Numeracy Classes: Contextual Learning
Our Year 9 and 10 students are exploring how literacy and numeracy skills are applied in a wide range of contexts. From looking at the importance of physical activity and hauora to how history is portrayed through music, students are learning the practical value of these essential skills. For our Year 10 students, there is a particular focus on preparing for the
NCEA Co-requisite examinations, which will take place early in Term 2.

Our Academy classes are up and running with our students out checking trap lines, perfecting their golf talents and crafting.

At Bay Bling Academy, students showcased their creativity by designing and crafting unique charm bracelets (photos below)

Bring Your Own Device
A reminder that all students require a device. There are loan devices, Chromebooks, available at school that are lent out for each term. Forms are available to obtain a loan device from the school office. All students from Year 7 on need to bring a charged device each day to school.

Uniform
As we continue to focus on maintaining a positive and respectful learning environment, we’d like to take a moment to remind students and families of the uniform expectations, particularly regarding being mindful of school appropriate skirt length, swimwear, and casual wear for sports days.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Janine and Peter

Attendance Matters!

Here is the data for our school attendance at the end of Week 4, Term 1

Host Families Required

MBAS is seeking interest from 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); phone Jodie (Homestay Coordinator) on 0272489187.

Kindo - Now Live for all School Payments

The iconic Across the River Swim

On Tuesday we ran the annual Across the River Swim. This event has students from years 7-13 swimming from Ferry Landing across the estuary towards the Whitianga Esplanade. This event had previously been a Local New Years tradition with regattas and swimming and the swim has now become part of our school programme. This week's event was well attended with the shoreline packed with tourists, locals and cheering friends and family.

With the support of the school's PE Department, a team of great teachers, and local groups such as Dive Zone, Coastguard, Whitianga Ferries, Hot Water Beach Safety team and the Harbourmaster ensuring safety measures, the event was set to become an unforgettable experience.

Results can be found here.

Our class Kauri display is now complete. It includes our class Korowai Kākahu with all our names, our class treaty which we called M3's promises, we have also learned about Kauri trees and their significance to New Zealand. We each sketched some kauri leaves and painted them using our house colour's Matahaorua -green, Tainui- yellow, Buffalo- blue and Mercury- Red. Our Kauri display is special and we have all taken pride in creating it.

M9 - Bubbles

Bubble fun, how do we make a bubble? This was great for learning to persevere, and persevere we did, until we made so many bubbles!

Our inquiry is based around New Zealand geography. This week, the class identified some key New Zealand landmarks and located these on a map. They also needed to use resources to help them label a map of New Zealand.

Te Puritanga o Hei

Te Puritanga is the name of our mentor group. It means 'To Hold the Line', or, 'To Endure'.

The kaupapa of this group is to maximise personal development for our students and collective development for their whānau, supporters and school.

We're here to sow, plant, nurture and thrive. We're here to educate. We're here to grow leadership.

This name was bestowed upon us by local kaumatua Joe Davis and Brandon Te Amomo in 2025. We are delighted to announce that our ākonga have started 2025 in a positive spirit.and have already represented our school across several important events e.g. Tiriti Festival, Mihi Whakatau-welcome of new staff and students.

Te Puritanga o Hei aims to provide a learning environment where students will realise their aspirations and the dreams of their tūpuna. Students will be encouraged to have pride in their language and their culture. We are committed to:

- Growing competence in written and spoken Māori and genuine respect for Te Ao Māori
- Instil in student’s respect for their own ahurea and beliefs and the ahurea and beliefs of other students in Te Puritanga o Hei and Te Kura o Whanganui a Hei
- Achievement at all levels across all subjects through the supportive networking of Te Puna kaiako
- Competent global citizens confident in being Māori in this ever-changing world
- To achieve educational, cultural, and sporting excellence within a Te Puritanga o Hei context.
- To operate in a climate where success is normalised.

Pakari Tinana
We are running a morning fitness and sports programme aimed at enhancing health, cultural identity, and participation in physical activities for lifelong well-being. This initiative aligns with the Whare Tapa Whā model, supporting taha tinana (physical health), taha hinengaro (mental well-being), taha wairua (spiritual well-being), and taha whānau (social well-being).

Our core goal is to embed a culture of health and physical activity in students’ daily lives. Many young people.

Key outcomes we expect to see:
- Improved physical fitness – Increased strength, endurance, and agility.
- Boosted confidence and leadership skills – Encouraging self-belief and resilience.
- Cultural connection – Strengthening Māori identity through activities like Mau Taiaha and Waka Ama.
- Positive mental well-being – Encouraging teamwork, support networks, and self-motivation.

Academic Results
NZQA measured kaupapa māori schools in 2024 next to mainstream schools within this socio-economic group, 41 per cent of kaupapa Māori students attained UE, compared with 24 per cent of all students from English-medium schools, and 18 per cent of Māori students from English-medium schools.

In Te Puritanga o Hei the key thing is the relationship built between students and kaiako is a relationship of care, and it’s a relationship where we are invested in the future of our students.

Instead of coming from a deficit perspective, we come from a perspective of thriving. We know that our children will thrive when they know the language and when they understand who they are, where they come from and where they’re going.

We are embedding a culture where success is normal for our students. This includes instilling habits that will enhance their abilities to be positive members of our society.

Marcus Oxenham Jo Kaaho
HOF Māori/Te Puna o ngā kaiako Kaiako Māori

Latest Plane Build Log 26.2.25

Toolbox Construction, Mid Fuselage Section, Wing Construction. Open the photos to read the full log.

Y10 Automotive Class Request

The year 10 Automotive class is on the lookout for donations of old 2 and 4 stroke engines to pull apart and reassemble. If you have an engine lying around that is going or not going and you no longer need it, get in touch with George Fletcher fletcherg@mbas.ac.nz These could be anything from lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, outboard motors, generators. If in doubt, let me know what you have got!

Wood Tech Request

Kia ora all.

It's that time of the year again when I am on the hunt for any donations of native wood or other types of untreated wood for the Wood Technology department at Mercury Bay Area School. This wood allows students to add visual interest to their learning outcomes. If you have anything around we would greatly appreciate it. Please contact Dean Spyve using the following email address:

spyved@mbas.ac.nz
Or leave a message with the office and I can call you back.

Tertiary Tidbits

University & Wintec In-Person Visits

Otago Tuesday 25th March 9am-10am

Waikato Tuesday 8th April 10am-11am

Victoria Wednesday 30th April 9am-10am

Massey Thursday 1st May 9am-10am

Wintec Tuesday 13th May 10am-11am

AIGA - on campus experience - Saturday 1st March https://www.waikato.ac.nz/students/pacific-at-waikato/aiga-culture-and-community/

LAW - Secondary Schools Mooting Competition starts March. Mooting Competition Details.

SCIENCE - One day interactive campus tours - 15, 16 or 17 April - Year12-13 https://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/schools-career-advisors/resources-for-schools/science/science-experience-events/

ENGINEERING - One day interactive hands-on event - 15 April, 1 July - Yr10-13 https://www.waikato.ac.nz/about/faculties-schools/engineering/future-engineering-students/experience-engineering

On-Campus Experience Scholarship - Maori descent - Sunday 29th June - Thursday 3rd July
https://www.otago.ac.nz/future-students/oce

MBAS Netball Muster

MBAS NETBALL MUSTER/TEAM ALLOCATION

All keen MBAS netball players, coaches, umpires, managers and parent helpers are required to come together.

When - WEDNESDAY 5th MARCH
Where - Moewai Sports Centre Netball Courts

Times - Years 1-8 - please meet at the courts 3.30pm sharp
Years 9-13 - please meet at the courts 4.30pm sharp

Purpose - Meet and greet, explain how things will work this season, allocate & organise teams, organise managers/coaches, organise umpires and have some fun on the courts.

What to bring - Sports shoes, clothing suitable to run around in, water bottle, and hair tied up (if required).

If you have a team already organised or mates you want to play with bring them all along and we can get your team sorted.

Any questions or queries please email MBASnetball@outlook.comThanks and look forward to seeing you all!

Nurses Notes

Community Notices

Seaweek Events - Check them out!

See whats happenning in our area for Sea week below:

https://seaweek.org.nz/whats-on

MB Junior Rugby Muster

Girls and Women Fun Football Day Whitianga

Mercury Bay Day Camp 15 -17th April 2025

- Registrations Open Monday 3rd March at 7am

The Incredible Years Parenting Courses

Expression of interest - Potential IRANZ Development Course for the Thames Valley Rugby Football Union

Ref: Expression of interest - IRANZ Development Course for the Thames Valley Rugby Football Union.

The proposal from IRANZ is a 2.5 day event with the Intermediate Coaches Course running from Friday 5pm and all day Saturday and Sunday (with a break on Saturday afternoon for Club Rugby commitments). They would be running the players course concurrently, Saturday and Sunday, with a focus on individual skills, positional coaching, and game understanding. It would also include presentations on HP Mindset, Planning & Preparation, intro to Nutrition, and areas to Maximising their potential.

There is an option to give a presentation to parents as well, to discuss the key messages we are giving to their son/daughter, and how they can assist to “Maximise their potential”. This can be scheduled for Sun am when they drop off at the course, while the players are on the field with coaches.

They can also run a kiddies skills clinic from 4:30pm - 6:30pm on Friday evening if there is demand. This would be for the 10 - 13 age group.

The concept is that IRANZ brings courses out into the community, to make them more affordable and accessible, especially to clubs and schools. They will be a progression toward our IRANZ courses that we host at their base at NZCIS in Wellington, for any that would like to then progress their careers further.

Per person pricing would be as follows:
Children $35 (2 hours) – 50+ Kids
Player $495 (2 days - Sat & Sun) – 30+ players
Coach $525 (2.5 Days – Fri pm, Sat & Sun) 15+ Coaches

All course material and IRANZ resources are included in the price. Players and coaches will be responsible for their own lunch and accommodation. IRANZ would bring their top resource coaches, such as Colin Cooper, Aaron Mauger, Nehe Milner-Skudder, to name a few.

To show an expression of interest, please fill out this 30 second form https://forms.gle/39sKHZ3PCg5hGs9U7 . Please understand if we do not get the numbers, this will not be achievable.

More about IRANZ here https://www.iranz.co.nz/

Please note this is not a TVRFU facilitated event. We are simply testing the waters to see if there is appetite for this opportunity. If this can be shared wide and far that would be awesome.