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Term 2, Week 1, 7th May 2021
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Please Note: Next Teacher only Day is Wednesday 19th May
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Please remember to text your child/children's absences to us on
021 025 56802
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Greetings to you all - Nga mihi nui tatou
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Firstly welcome to term 2 - week 1 has gone - already! I have been all around the school on several occasions, into all of the classes and there is a settled, friendly, purposeful feeling everywhere - which is fantastic.
Attendance
One of the key statistics I look at on a daily, weekly and termly basis is that of Attendance. What we all know is that when young people are at school, in their learning classes, they are "up for learning"; and when they are absent then they miss out on critical learning times. Being absent occasionally is not an issue and there are so many reasons why some of our young people are away from school. This is natural and part of life.
However it is the accumulated absences that are of concern - learning becomes disconnected and stops flowing; gaps appear in learning and it is often hard to "catch up" which can in turn lead to further absences.
The MoE benchmark for attendance is 90% - ie an absence of 1 day a fortnight on average. We have always aimed for 95% - we know when our students have that level of attendance, they achieve and learn really well.
In the Y7-13 Interim Progress Reports circulated at the close of last term you will have seen the attendance by subject noted at "present for learning" - please take time to revise the attendance of last term with your child - look for gaps, seek answers about the absences, let us know if there are any errors.
The key point is that so many of our students are sitting in the range of 75-85% attendance which is at least 10% less than both where it should be and where we have been in the past.
You are also able to check your child's attendance via the KAMAR app at any time of the day. You can look for what classes and times he/she is present or absent.
Finally our goal is 90-95% attendance - it has to be for quality learning, engagement, achievement and finally the realisation of qualifications for our senior students. If you have any queries at all on your child's attendance please contact me or our Deputy Principals - Mrs McDougall, Mrs Bloom or Mr Wilkinson.
Queries are most welcome
ka kite ano
John
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On this site you can see school notices, the school calendar, your child's time table, attendance, career information and NCEA information. You can also submit changes of details through this system e.g. your address, phone number or email.
https://kamar.mbas.ac.nz/
**TIP - copy and paste in the login details
If you you are having any trouble logging on, or need your login details resent please email the Principal's PA, Linda - kendalll@mbas.ac.nz or ring the office and ask to speak directly to Linda
Attendance enquiries can be emailed to attendance@mbas.ac.nz
Financial enquiries can be sent to accounts@mbas.ac.nz
General enquiries can be sent to mbas@mbas.ac.nz
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School Production 'For Today'
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It has been five years since Mercury Bay Area School students performed in a school production. The Performing Arts department is pleased to announce that in June it will be coming back in full force with a new school production 'For Today – The 100% Kiwi High School Musical'.
The rehearsals for the school production are now at full steam!
There will be four shows in June (two on the 17th, 18th and 19th). Tickets will go on sale soon. Watch this space for more information.
So much time and effort goes into a production like this, we look forward to seeing you there!
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Video courtesy of All About Whitianga
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Brand New Foundation Class
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Welcome to our 7 new students Celeste, Archie, Marc, Tye, Briar, Tyra and Luke who all started kura on Monday!
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This week the Y1-4's enjoyed a magic show called, “Be bright, eat right.” It was incredible and amazing! There were birds being transformed into rabbits and rabbits coming out of hats...WOW!
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This week for maths we have been studying up on 3D polyhedrons. We spent half a day completing a range of different activities based around our learning. Everyone had a blast and we've still got more to do.
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May the 4th - Star Wars Day for Primary students. Don't they look great!
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In Y7/8 Computing, students have been learning how to program Micro:bits. They had the challenge of working in pairs to create a program of their own choice. Students created stories, games, jokes, interactive activities and a couple of groups used the Maqeen robots. They had to refine their ideas based on peer feedback and learn how to effectively debug their code so their outcomes functioned correctly.
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SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS KICKS OFF THIS WEEK.
Term 2 for sports is looking a whole lot better than this time last year and long may it last. We are kitted out in Mercury Bay colours and most teams have been working on their fitness since school started up this year.
Wednesday Netball starts this week with junior, college & seniors taking the courts with healthy numbers and loads of competition.
Secondary School Girls Football team head to St Peters Cambridge for an invitational tournament.
Rugby kicks off with Year 9/10 playing down at Lyon Park at 10am against Hauraki Plains College on Saturday morning.
Boys First XV head to Waihi to take on Hauraki Plains College in the seasons opening games.
Girls First XV head to Paeroa next Thursday night for round 1 where they will play in the new 10 aside format and will play Paeroa & Hauraki Plains College.
Full results next week.
Wishing all the the teams the very best for the season & looking forward to another successful year in sport.
Picture below - Senior A Netball and Boys First XV members having a friendly netball game before they get down to serious business.
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NZ Open Mixed Touch Nationals
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Tiana Tiro and her team mates bringing home Silver in the New Zealand Open Mixed Touch Nationals in Christchurch. The final was between Thames Valley & Auckland with Thames Valley going down by one touchdown.
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Congratulations to Cody Scott for finishing off the Patetonga Motor X season by winning most promising junior rider.
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Over the school holidays there was no such thing as down time for golfer Ivan Adams who played #2 for Waikato. He went down in his first match 2&1 playing really well at 1 over against Auckland. Then his 2nd match he played Wilson from BOP. He again played really well at -1 but lost to Wilson on the 17th hole. In his final match against North Harbour he again played well to win on the final hole. Waikato finished second behind Auckland. He did an amazing job. So proud holding his own against the big boys.
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Congratulations to Jeter Reid who competed in the Jiu Jitsu New Zealand No-Gi Open in Auckland on the weekend. Over 600 competitors from all around New Zealand in different weight and age categories ranging from children to adults attended.
Jeter is pictured representing Toa Martial Arts Whitianga with his winning gold medal competing at 10 year old boys under 48.5kg.
Well done Jeter.
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Restorative Practices Tip of the Week
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COMMUNITY-BUILDING CIRCLE
Community-building Circles focus on creating connections across the school community, building healthy relationships and a culture of care in the classroom and community, and celebrating positive behaviour and achievement. They are an ideal way of introducing students to circle activities and protocols, such as ice-breakers and the talking piece. They support students to accept diversity in viewpoints, experiences, background, and culture. Community-building Circles encourage participants to listen to one another with respect and to handle opposing opinions in positive ways.
“The aim [of the Community-building Circle] is to
support students in whatever process they are
feeling; to give permission to “come as you are”. This
in turn can support the authenticity of the dialogue
when the circle moves into taking care of business
such as discussing conflicts or other class issues.”
Community-building Circles can include a variety of activities. They can be used to establish rapport among a new class or group of people, share experiences, hear one another’s stories, and support Whakawhanaungatanga.
A community building circle can be a great way to start off the term with your class. Here are some questions that you can use when facilitating a community building circle.
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This year Mercury Bay Area School has been randomly selected to take part in whataboutme.nz, a nationwide survey of young people in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The survey will provide important information about what it is like to be a young person in Aotearoa. The results from our school and 150 others around the country will inform future government youth health and wellbeing policy.
One class in each year 9 to 13 group has been randomly selected to complete the survey during school time with a researcher and youth worker. The students selected from our school will be completing the survey on Tuesday 11 May 2021.
These classes are as follows:
9ZAJ
10HUS
11HOJ
12PEA
13ORL
11/12/13BEM
Whataboutme.nz is completely anonymous and young people will not be asked to give their names or other identifying information. The survey is not compulsory and students do not have to take part.
If your young person is in one of the selected classes you should have already received an information sheet for parents, caregivers and whanau with more details at the end of last term. The information sheet also had instructions for opting out. We encourage you to discuss participation in the survey to help your student decide whether or not to participate.
More information about the survey can be found at www.whataboutme.nz or if you have questions you can contact Tim Rowland or Stewart Graham at Malatest International on 0800 002 577 or email info@whataboutme.nz
Alternatively please contact our co-ordinator and Head of Kura Wellbeing, Carolyn Gibbs on gibbsc@mbas.ac.nz or via the main office phone number.
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Kia Ora Students, Parents and Teachers,
Welcome back to a new term. With the change of season there are lots of sore throats around. We have had several cases of Group A strep from throat swabs taken in the school clinic. This of course is not good but the awesome thing is that we could start the students on antibiotics and therefore prevent Rheumatic fever. We can treat for this in the school clinic. SO PLEASE IF YOU HAVE A SORE THROAT AND CAN'T GET TO THE GP – COME AND SEE US IN SCHOOL CLIINIC. A very quick throat swab can prevent long term complications – please see information below.
Strep infection is spread by:
- droplets – that is when you cough or sneeze and it lands on a doorknob or table and then you rub your eyes, nose or mouth. So it is important to cover your mouth when coughing and wash your hands well.
- Sharing personal items such as drink bottles, spoons, toothbrushes.
- Kissing someone
Kia Kaha – Please come and see us if you have a sore throat – Shaz and Kate/ Registered Nurses working in your school clinic every day of the week. To contact phone or text to 0273273945 or email us on nurse@mbas.ac.nz or just pop in
Rheumatic fever and heart disease:
Rheumatic fever is a serious condition that can lead to rheumatic heart disease. You can get rheumatic fever more than once. Learn what you can do to avoid getting rheumatic fever and protect your heart.
Rheumatic fever is a serious illness that can cause damage in your heart as well as swelling and pain in your elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. You may also notice a skin rash, fever or jerky movements. Over time, most of these symptoms will go away but any damage to your heart may stay.
Rheumatic fever starts with a sore throat caused by Group A Streptococcal bugs (bacteria). If the ‘Strep throat’ isn’t treated, it can cause rheumatic fever, a delayed autoimmune reaction to the Streptococcal bugs. Rheumatic fever can damage your heart valves (rheumatic heart disease).
Heart valves play an important role in making sure blood flows in one direction through the heart. When blood starts flowing backward, it can cause problems throughout your body.
Rheumatic fever most frequently affects Māori and Pacific young people between the ages of 4 – 19 years.
Get every sore throat checked!
The best way to prevent rheumatic fever is to go and see your doctor or school nurse when you get a sore throat. If you have a 'Strep throat' with infection from Strep bugs, the doctor or school nurse will give you 10 days worth of antibiotics. It is really important to take these antibiotics for the full 10 days, even if you start feeling better sooner than that. Visit www.health.govt.nz to find out more about getting sore throats checked.
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Block Construction Club
Tuesday afternoons 3.00pm to 4.00pm.
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Free Student Entry
Whitianga Marathon
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We are offering all MBAS students a free entry to the Whitianga Marathon.
Students need to ask their teacher or Kauri teacher for the discount code for free entry.
The first 50 kids get a free event T shirt too.
Nick Reader
ELEMENT EVENTS LTD
nick@elementevents.co.nz
021 632721
www.whitiangamarathon.co.nz 22 May 2021, Whitianga
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