44 Mahurangi Matters March 4, 2015 localmatters.co.nz

At the end of last year the 20th Y9 camp was held for one week at Kauaeranga Valley. We see these camps as an important part of the education we offer at Mahurangi College, exposing students to life outdoors,

assisting them to operate effectively in groups to complete challenging activities, developing students’ leadership skills and extending them in a wide range of activities, including hiking up to the Pinnacles hut where they each stayed one night, rafting in the Kauaeranga River, completing the ropes course, initiative activities, abseiling and bushcraft. All of this is character and confidence building for our students.Also at the end of last year, our Senior Mixed Touch Team competed at the secondary school nationals in Papakura where they finished

third in New Zealand. Three of our students were selected for the NZ Secondary Schools team:

Kris Middleton, William Haughey and Tamara Hagger.Our Y13 students once again started the year with their outdoor education camp for 5 nights at Great Barrier Island. During this time they hiked around and over the island, staying at a different venue each night, and completed their peer support training for the new school year. The inter-house competition kicked off with the inter-house swimming which was a lot of fun for all involved. Our thanks to the PTA for their provision of an electronic sign at the front of school for instant messages to parents and others

driving past the school.The new school year is off to a good start with students settling quickly into their class and school routines, despite the disruption of having three blocks currently under remediation for leaky buildings. We are expecting and looking forward to another very successful and enjoyable year of learning at Mahurangi College.

David Macleod, Principal

| Mahurangimatters

NEWSLETTER

from the Principal

David Macleod

important dates

ISSUE 01: March 2015

MAHURANGI COLLEGE

Dear Parents and GuardiansTena Koutou KatoaThe initial NCEA results from 2014 were very pleasing, particularly the high number of students gaining endorsements at Excellence level. These students were awarded Academic Blues at our Academic Blues evening on Thursday 19th February. This year we had a record 60 students awarded Academic Blues:

It is not often a Principal has the privilege of congratulating two of their staff, on consecutive days, on their promotion to Principal positions, but I was able to do that on the final two school days of last year. Mr Gary O’Brien, our Green House Dean, was appointed as Principal at Kaipara Flats school; and then, the following day, our Assistant Principal, Mr Hugo Vaughan, was appointed as Regional Principal of the Westmount group of schools where he will oversee a number of campuses around the country. Congratulations to both Mr O’Brien and Mr Vaughan. I know you will each give excellent leadership in these schools.

Monday March 2• Year 8 camps (over next 2 weeks)• International Student week• BoT meeting - 6.00pm startTuesday March 3• Yr 8 Wai Care field sessionsWednesday March 4 - 7• L2 Geography trip - TongariroThursday March 5• L1 Science -Waipu Caves trip• Gateway - First Aid Course all day• Yr 7 8 zone day - girls cricketFriday March 6• Think Differently concert and workshopSunday March 8• Senior Choir Intensive Monday March 9• Auckland Arts Festival performances - hall• Senior Choir Intensive - all dayTuesday March 10• Yr 8 Wai Care field sessions• Yr 7 8 zone day - TriathlonWednesday March 11• Talent Quest Final - lunchtime - hallFriday March 13• Interhouse AthleticsMonday March 16• Yr 11 PE camp• Performing Arts Academy - Othello RemixTuesday March 17• Yr 8 Wai Care field sessions• Health Expo Hall Lunchtime.Wednesday March 18• Yr 8 Girls HPV1• Yr 8 Wai Care field sessions• Yr 7 8 zone day - Boys CricketSaturday March 21• Mahurangi Hockey turf openingMonday March 22 - 24• Regional teams sailing regattaTuesday March 24• L3 History - Far North 2-day trip• Year 9 Community project dayWednesday March 25• Junior Social -Thursday March 26• Performing Arts Academy - Don Quixote (ballet)• Year 9 Community project dayFriday March 27• Performing Arts Academy - School performance Tuesday March 31• Music - NCEA Group Performance Night• Yr 9 Music trip

Thirlestane Awardees: Jessica & Briella are joint Thirlestane Awardees for 2014 for top L3 NCEA - pictured with Mr Macleod,

Guest speaker Sally Adams and Marilyn Newlove, Yr 13 dean

 

45localmatters.co.nz March 4, 2015 Mahurangi Matters

Achiever of the Month: Jack Vasey

Mahurangimatters |

Proudly Supporting Mahurangi College WARKWORTH Corner Woodcocks Road & Mansel Drive, Phone 425 8119

•GainedLevel2NCEAwithExcellence•GainedLevel1NCEAwithExcellence

•TopAcademicStudentinLevel2for2014•HeadLibraryPrefect

Presented by Nigel Rudge, Trade Manager of Mega Mitre 10 Warkworth

Congratulations to Lydia OvertonCongratulations to Lydia Overton for all the hard work she put into Photography in 2014. She gained an Excellence for her Level 3 Photography folio and a Scholarship pass for doing an additional eight page A3 workbook where she was able to discuss her ideas and and reflect on the personal development of her folio. Scholarship is an exam that is voluntary to enter and an extension for the top students in New Zealand.

Lydia based her work on her passion for reading and was strategic in using a person/model that understood the demands of the photography process. She was able to explore her theme widely and did many photo shoots that did not end up on the final folio but allowed her to show the breadth of inquiry required for Scholarship. Lydia is now based in at Victoria in Wellington doing a BA and one paper in Photography. We wish her all the best for her future. Sally Maday

YR 7 - Moirs Point Christian Camp

In only the second week of the school year, our new Year 7 students embarked on their first (of many) fun-filled and action packed Mahurangi College camp. This year saw a new venue for the camp as we headed up to Moir’s Point Christian Camp (MPCC) in Mangawhai. The purpose of the camp was for the Year 7 students to make new friends and to get to know their new classmates and Homeroom Teacher.Upon arrival the students were quickly put into dorms and then divided into groups so they could rotate through a series of activities. Despite the new venue there were still some old favourites such as the Waterslide and the Initiative Course. However, MPCC also allowed for Frisbee Golf, Archery, Kayaking and the Flying Fox. Despite being exhausted by the end of the day the students had an awesome time at each of the activities. Every student asked seemed to have a different favourite. There was, however, no time for rest. Upon the completion of the activities it was time to get cleaned up and then set up for dinner, which was provided by Tenfold Camp Caterers. After dinner, students gathered in the Hall to play games and tell stories. The nervous energy in the Hall was contagious as students prepared for the Burma Trail. Despite a lot of screams every student made it through the Burma Trail unscathed and most felt a sense of achievement having made it through on their own. After a good sleep and a big breakfast it was time to embark on a short tramp to the lookout followed by a swim at the beach. Everyone was exhausted by the time they headed back to Warkworth. In fact, it was an unusually quiet trip back to Mahurangi College and a number of students fell asleep on the bus.Every student that went on camp had an awesome experience and all the feedback we have received has been very positive. The Year 7 teachers would like to thank all the parents that came along to help run the camp - they were absolutely brilliant. Among other things, the parents helped run the activities, serve food, patrol the Burma Trail, supervise the swimming and were only too happy to help any time they were called upon. Without their help the camp would not be possible. Our caterers, Tenfold Camp Caterers, were amazing and everyone that went on camp was extremely well fed. Despite only being a short camp there is little doubt that it has provided memories and perhaps even friendships that will last a lifetime.Rob Carty

Turbo Touch® its the fast-paced game like no other.

Itʼs jam packed with action and perfect for all fitness levels

and abilities. Pass the ball forwards, backwards,

sideways, any way you like!

Great for families, cross training, competitive and social alike.

Great for families, cross training, competitive and social alike.

Try it for FREE!!

24th April 6-8pm

its the fast-paced game like no other.

Itʼs jam packed with action and perfect for all fitness levels

and abilities. Pass the ball forwards, backwards,

Great for families, cross training, competitive and social alike.

Venue:

Mahurangi College, Woodcock Rd, Warkworth

Grades:Mixed

Dates:Free Try-it 24th April 2015

Comp: 1st May - 3rd July (10weeks) 6pm – 8pm

Cost:$300 p/team – Youth,

$400 p/team – Adults

($50 discount if subs paid before May 1st)

Register:www.turbotouch.co.nz

Enquiries to:

Katrina Wards | 0273622532 | k.wards@mahurangi.school.nz

www.turbotouch.co.nz

Important Notice from the P.T.A.Want to be connected to your child’s school life?……Come and contribute your ideas and thoughts on Tuesday10thMarch.Supper ProvidedTime: 7pm - 8pm Venue: Hall Foyer2015 Re evaluation of the Mahurangi College P.T.AThis meeting will be a planning meeting that will primarily discuss the new direction and focus for the 2015 P.T.A..“Everyone with a child at the college is automatically a member of the PTA and we would love your support and help”Christina Merrick, Assistant Principal

Middle School Council 2015The Middle School Council, led by Mrs Taylor, is a group of students from Year 9 and 10 who want to make a difference at Mahurangi College. The Middle School Council began last year and worked on four different projects throughout the year. ‘Smash the Trash’ was a school wide incentive project to help clean up our school. This year we have started Term One with this program again – and already our school is cleaner by far! Many thanks to Zane Illingworth and Matthew Torckler who led this program last year and Aaron Pearson who is lead this year.‘Got an Issue’ was a project started last year by Tom

Mirams, Ella Gibb, and Ishabel Stevens and led this year by Angelique Boisseau. This project helps students to access support within and outside of the school. ‘Intergenerational Relationships’ started last year by Katerina Giles and Lauralie Giles is a program to develop a strong relationship between Mahurangi College and Summerset Retirement Village. Relationships started last year will be continued and built on this year by Mrs Taylor and Meredyth Bailey.‘Year 10 Activity Week’ last year was planned with Mrs Johnston and Aimee Hewett leading the group. This year Julia Caulfield will work closely with Mrs Johnston to plan another exciting week’s activities at the end of the year.New projects this year’s Middle School Council are interested in are:‘Lunchtime activities groups’ led by Niqisha Epiha and ‘Stand up to Cancer’ led by Julia Caulfield. Anne Stephens