MBAS Newsletter, Term 1, Week 10, 11th April 2025

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau,

Every hour, the Earth is hit by more energy from the sun than the entire human race uses in a year.

It’s an astonishing fact—and a powerful reminder of potential. At Mercury Bay Area School, we see potential every day in the way our students approach challenges, in the creativity they bring to their learning, and in the commitment our staff and wider community show to helping them grow.

As Term 1 comes to a close, I want to thank you all for the positive start to the year. From our new entrants to our senior students, there’s been a strong sense of purpose and momentum throughout the school. Classrooms are humming, friendships are growing, and our shared focus on wellbeing and learning is making a real difference.

This year also marks the beginning of an exciting new phase for our school, with a number of important property upgrades now underway.

We’ve already seen the completion of new concrete paths, making access across the school safer and more reliable. Thanks to the success of last year’s Gala and Colour Run, we now have new shade sails in our primary years’ play spaces, providing valuable shelter and sun protection for our younger learners. New outdoor furniture made by our students will also be arriving soon and distributed throughout the school.

Looking ahead, we’ll be seeing the recladding and internal refurbishment of several buildings. These upgrades will enhance lighting, audio and comfort levels, while also allowing us to reconfigure learning spaces and shift subject areas to better reflect the needs of the current teaching and learning.

Importantly, these changes are being made with our school identity in mind. The new design features will incorporate a colour palette inspired by Pohāpe, our school’s whare. This ensures that as we modernise our environment, we stay grounded in who we are and where we come from.

We’ll also be adding clear signage across the school, making it easier to identify and navigate our learning spaces. And in response to student voices, we’ll be installing a new concrete handball court for our middle years students, a simple but meaningful addition that reflects how our students like to connect and play.

Together, these changes represent the unfolding potential of our school, not just in our buildings, but in the experiences they support for our learners and staff each day.

As we head into the term break, I want to thank you all again for your continued support. I hope the holidays provide time to rest and recharge, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for a busy and exciting Term 2.

Please note that we have a Full School Teacher Only Day on the 16th of May (Friday of week 3). 

Ngā manaakitanga,

Ross Dunn
Principal 

Attendance Matters!

Happy Holidays.

Here are our Attendance stats. for Term 1 2025

New Canteen Menu/Ordering - Starting Term 2!

Exciting changes coming to our canteen/tuck shop starting next Term.

Check out the link below to see some of the new menu items. More items will be added leading up to Term 2.

PLEASE NOTE: Kindo lunch ordering is no longer active

Mercury Bay Area School, Tuckr online ordering Mercury Bay AS

Trophy Returns

Homestay Families Required

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from your Year 13 leadership team! We hope you all have an amazing holiday and we can’t wait to see you back for an exciting term 2! This week our leadership team held some fun Easter themed activities as listed below. We counted house points for every middle and senior years student who participated in the hunt and got an Easter rock. So the winners for the 2025 Y7-13 Easter hunt is Matahaorua!

- New entrance - Easter hunt
- Y2-6 - Colouring competition 
- Y7-13 - Easter hunt 

Sienna Reader, Head Girl

Room 22 - Creations

Technology, oral language and fun!
The tamariki often create with play dough and duplo.
This morning we learned about technology using different materials and making a design.

We then shared our creations with each other we talked about what and how we made our creation. The tamariki then asked some great questions.

M1 - Maths

Today we practiced matching numbers, objects and words together to 20. We are doing this most days to build confidence. We work in groups of 2-3, with an emphasis on team work, kotahitanga (togetherness) and manaakitanga (kindness). We focus on pushing through the challenge of not knowing and developing strategies to share knowledge and support each others learning.

At the end of the task we talked about what was “on top” after this. Lots of comments about teamwork and how it made it easier to do the task.

Feeling very proud of the unity shown in M1.

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Bay Bling Academy

This week in Bay Bling we had Sandra Hosking from sunflower studios pay a visit. She brought along some of her own glass beads and taught the students how to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Thank you Sandra! 

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 MCA

Y7-8 Rippa Rugby Ngatea

Our Year 7/8 Comets team travelled over to Rippa Rugby Finals day in Ngatea on Wednesday.The team played off for 5th/6th place after a couple of wins and close losses.  Huge thanks to the Parents that took the team over and supported them.
Thanks to Mr Davy for overseeing the day.

CNI Coaching Clinic

Coaching Clinic 2025 in Te Awamutu was held this week with 22 students travelling away for trials for selection for Central North Island teams for NZ Area School Nationals to be hosted in Invercargill in July. Well done to the entire squad for representing MBAS well.

Students selected were:
Rugby
Ridge Rameka
Taingarunui Hinds
Ty Willigers
Tyron Cummings

Volleyball
Brooklyn-Jade Marks

Netball
Dearna Hull

Football
Ella Simpson
Samantha Chamberlain
Ellie Mikkelson
Malia Herbert
Lila White
Arlo Hert
Tom Lamason

Basketball - Girls
Millie Gold
Angel Scobie
Meg Harper

Basketball - Boys
Tom Lamason
Ridge Rameka
Taingarunui Hinds 

Current Plane Build Log

9th April 2025. Nose Landing Gear, Fuel Lines, Flaperon Construction. Open photos below to see full write up.

Mila Smith de Zeeuw - Skytower Challenge

Kia Ora!

My name is Mila Smith de Zeeuw and I am the deputy head girl. Outside of school I am a member of the Cooks Beach volunteer fire brigade and have been part of this since November 2023. I have been to many call-outs and many different courses. Last year I participated in the Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge. This consists of climbing the sky tower in Auckland while wearing the firefighter gear including; boots, pants, jacket, helmet, gloves, oxygen tank and breathing apparatus, which weighs around 25kg. The sky tower has 1,103 stairs and 51 flights. Last year I was the youngest participating at 16 years old, and will do it again this year at 17. 

This challenge is organised to raise funds and awareness for Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. Everyday 8 children and adults in NZ are diagnosed with a blood cancer like Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For me this is especially important because a few people I know have been diagnosed with leukemia including my grandma. I am climbing the sky tower and raising money in support of Leukemia & Blood Cancer NZ. If you want to support Leukemia & Blood Cancer NZ you can sponsor me climbing the sky tower again this year. Please donate!

Mila  

https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/mila-smith-de-zeeuw

Tertiary Tidbits

Upcoming Tertiary In-Person Visits - Term 2

Week 1 - Victoria University - Wed 30th April - 9am-10am - Rm10
Week 1 - Massey University - Thurs 1st May - 9am-10am - Puahape

Week 2 - NZDF - Monday 5th May - Puahape

Week 3 - Wintec - Tuesday 13th May - Puahape

Week 5 - Waikato University (Scholarship/Accommodation Info) - Thurs 29th May

Scholarship information
Moneyhub produces a complete list of all scholarships available to 2025 students who intend to study at university in 2026, including tips and must-know facts. You can find out more here

The Ultimate Checklist for Anyone Finishing High School at the End of 2025
You can find out more here

Careers Corner

https://tahatu.govt.nz/

The new careers website is coming! 

It is currently being launched and will replace www.careers.govt.nz - 

With over 800+ careers ideas and 4000+ qualifications, this is your go to for help with your ideas/interests and where they can lead you, it covers everything you need to know about finding and applying for work, about school subjects and NCEA, where and how to study and train as well as all the things in between.

Check it out now and see where it can take you.

Year 9 - Ministry of Health Dental Checks

Lumino Whitianga have the contract for the Dental Health Check with the Ministry of Health for adolescences from year 9 up to their, but not including, their 18^th Birthday.

In the past we have not had the capacity to reach out to pupils whom have entered into year 9 at the schools in the area, and have waited for the parents/caregivers to contact us to get their student booked in for their first annual dental check. 

These Dental Checks have been carried out by the Oral Health Therapist.

As of January 2025 we have managed to secure another Oral Health Therapist, Avishek Nand, therefore, we are now able to make contact with year 9 student parents/caregivers whom have just entered year 9 and their last check would have been with the Dental Bus.

Year 9 students (parents/caregivers) if you haven't already done so, please contact Lumino Whitianga to make a booking to keep your child on track with their Dental Health checkups. 07 869 5500.

Nurses Notes

Healthy Holiday Tip from Your School Nurse

As we head into the school holiday break, it's the perfect time to relax, recharge, and take care of yourself. Whether you're planning to stay home, hang out with friends, or travel, here’s a simple health tip to keep in mind: stay active and keep moving!

During the holidays, it's easy to fall into a routine of sitting around – whether it’s watching TV, playing video games, or scrolling through social media. However, staying active is key to both physical and mental well-being. Exercise doesn't have to be intense. Even though its holidays try and create a consistent routine with your exercise. You can walk the dog, ride your bike, go to the gym, play a game of basketball, swim or even try a new hobby like pickleball or yoga. Just 30 minutes of activity a day can improve your mood, boost energy levels, and help you sleep better.

So, as you enjoy the break, try to incorporate some fun physical activity into your day. It’ll help you feel your best and start the new school term with a healthy mindset.

Stay safe, take care of yourself, and enjoy your holidays!
— Your School Nurse Shaz & Kate (Relief Nurse) 

Coastguard Cadetship

Community Notices

MB Performing Arts - Aladdin Production

Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust

Every Bite - Food Appreciation Movement

After School Art Classes

Whitianga Lions Family Picnic Day

Thames School of Mines - Holiday Programme

Young Explorers Holiday Camp

MBAS Netball 2025 Courses and Events

• Saturday 12th April - Umpire training -Theory and Practical.
• Sunday 13th April -  Umpire training - Theory and Practical.
• Tuesday 22nd April - Year 7 & 8 PDP
• Wednesday 23rd April -  Year 7 & 8 PDP
• Saturday 26th April - U14 & U16 Reps Trials
• Sunday 27th April - Intro to Coaching Course. Ideal for younger coaches up to year 10.
• Wednesday 30th April - FIRST GAME OF NETBALL FOR THE SEASON
• Sunday 25th May - Intro to Coaching Course. Ideal for adults & coaches over year 10.
• Monday 12th May - Interschool Netball Tournament Years 3-6 (not MBNC run).
• Wednesday 30th July - Last game for Years 1-6
• Sunday 3rd August - Years 3-4 End of Season Festival

Whitianga Run Fest - MBAS Students Run Free

Football Registrations 2025

Skool Loop - One Stop School Information App