| Mahurangimatters 1 March 20124836 | Mahurangimatters| Mahurangimatters1

from the Principal

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2: March 2012

Dear Parents and GuardiansTena Koutou KatoaWe have been very pleased with the start to the new school year. Students at all levels have settled into their school routines and, despite the large construction area in the middle of our school and the resulting initial problems with access around the school site, a settled and focused work environment has quickly developed.It has been disappointing however, to hear the new Minister for Education, Hekia Parata, advocating league tables for National Standards between primary schools (which would include our Junior Faculty). Our education system in NZ is clearly amongst the best in the world. In the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) NZ 15 year olds consistently test in the top 5 out of the 66 developed nations involved, well ahead of Australia, UK and USA. Why then is the government so intent on taking failed educational experiments from these countries and copying them in our own? In my opinion, introducing a high stakes publicly reported system of assessment for our primary children, could well undermine the supportive system of primary education we currently have in NZ. The testing would soon dictate what was taught and how it was taught in our primary schools. It would create a level of stress around learning for many of the students and their parents, which would be totally unnecessary, and potentially very harmful, for the education of young children of this age. Furthermore, if the results of this testing are to be publicised in this way it is likely, unfortunately, to lead to some questionable practices by some schools to boost their pass rates, as has happened in NCEA where some schools have offered multiple re-sits and re-assessments, and large numbers of the simplest unit standards available, until virtually all their students are passing. To prevent this a much more rigorous system of moderation between schools will need to be implemented and enforced than that currently in place between secondary schools. The primary teachers in NZ schools, including our Year 7 & 8 teachers at Mahurangi College, focus very strongly on creating a warm, caring learning environment in their classrooms and a love of learning in their students, which would both be put at risk if these pronouncements from the new Minister were to be implemented.We were very pleased to recently welcome Tim O’Reilly, a leading American Software Developer and Publisher, to Mahurangi College for the 6th Annual FOO (Friends of O’Reilly) Camp. A number of NZ politicians were in attendance, including David Shearer and David Cuncliffe. The Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, flew up on the Friday afternoon to meet with Tim O’Reilly. Dave Dobbyn was also an active participant in the various workshops and discussion forums on offer.

David Macleod

important datesWe are delighted to be working with nine other North Harbour secondary schools in what we have called HarbourNet. This is an online e-learning community where we share teachers to increase the range of subjects on offer in each school. Our e-teacher is our Head of Information Technology, Vern Dempster, who is teaching Web Design on-line to a number of students from other

schools which do not offer this option. In return, 15 of our senior students are now enrolled in a range of subjects not on offer at our school, including several foreign languages.Following the training on Great Barrier Island, at the very successful Year 13 Camp, the Peer Support programme is now off to a strong start in which the Year 13 students mentor the new Year 7 students coming into college and take them through some worthwhile, supportive and fun activities.

Congratulations: to the following Junior Touch players who represented North Harbour at the recent Northern Regional Touch Tournament:Lachlan Williams: NH U11 Boys Elite (placed 4th)Mariana Winiana: NH U13 mixed Elite (placed 4th)Danika McKenzie: NH U13 mixed Elite (placed 4th)Lewis Arthur: NH U13 mixed Elite (placed 4th)Tonya Botherway: NH U13 Girls Elite (placed 2nd)Tama Hawken: NH U13 Boys Development Team (placed 1st)Van Grooby: NH U13 Boys Development Team (placed 1st)Tane Pendergrast: NH U13 Boys Development Team (placed 1st)William Haughey: NH U15 Boys Development Team (placed 3rd)As reported in the last newsletter, four of our senior Touch players have been selected for NZ secondary schools Touch teams. With all these young representative players coming through the school it seems the future of our Touch programme will continue to be very strong.

Vern Dempster, Tim O’Reilly & Nathan Torkington at FOO Camp

New Homework Programme LaunchedA new homework programme for Year 7/8 students was launched last Wednesday evening.The programme is community and school based and has two components. The compulsory school section is focussed on numeracy and literacy. The second is voluntary and community based, and is aimed at equipping students for real life experiences. Participants complete a number of tasks to work towards bronze, silver or gold awards. Many students have already started choosing and working on their first tasks.

Lauren Vaughan & Kendra Hansen

working with a group of 7C students for Peer Support

Thursday March 1• Level 1 Science Trip - Waipu Caves Monday March 5• Class / Individual photos Tuesday March 6• Level 1 Art Painting Trip Thursday March 8• Stepping Up - Yr 11 all dayFriday March 9• International Student Trip - Te HanaSunday March 11 - 14• Level 2 Geography TripMonday March 12• Harmony Group IntensiveThursday March 15• SLC Athletics SO Event• Year 7 - 10 SocialMonday March 19 - 20• Yr 8 Shell fish monitoring - (Whangateau)Tuesday March 20• Level 2 Biology Trip - Ngaio BayWednesday March 21• Inter House Haka ChallengeThursday March 22• Yr 8 - Skills workshop• Attitudes Speakers Yrs 11/12/13 Friday March 23• Christian Expo - lunchtime - Hall• Yr 8 - Skills WorkshopMonday March 26• BOT Meeting 6.15pmWednesday March 28• Interim Report issuedFriday March 31 - April 1• Western Heights Tournament Netball/BasketballMonday April 2• Yr 7/8 Parent/Teacher Evening 3.45-8.00pm Hall• Level 2 PE Outdoor Education TripWednesday April 4• Yr 9-13 Parent/Teacher Evening 3.45-8.00pm Hall

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Mahurangimatters 1 March 2012 | 4937 Mahurangimatters 1 February 2012 || Mahurangimatters1

from the Principal

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2: March 2012

Dear Parents and GuardiansTena Koutou KatoaWe have been very pleased with the start to the new school year. Students at all levels have settled into their school routines and, despite the large construction area in the middle of our school and the resulting initial problems with access around the school site, a settled and focused work environment has quickly developed.It has been disappointing however, to hear the new Minister for Education, Hekia Parata, advocating league tables for National Standards between primary schools (which would include our Junior Faculty). Our education system in NZ is clearly amongst the best in the world. In the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) NZ 15 year olds consistently test in the top 5 out of the 66 developed nations involved, well ahead of Australia, UK and USA. Why then is the government so intent on taking failed educational experiments from these countries and copying them in our own? In my opinion, introducing a high stakes publicly reported system of assessment for our primary children, could well undermine the supportive system of primary education we currently have in NZ. The testing would soon dictate what was taught and how it was taught in our primary schools. It would create a level of stress around learning for many of the students and their parents, which would be totally unnecessary, and potentially very harmful, for the education of young children of this age. Furthermore, if the results of this testing are to be publicised in this way it is likely, unfortunately, to lead to some questionable practices by some schools to boost their pass rates, as has happened in NCEA where some schools have offered multiple re-sits and re-assessments, and large numbers of the simplest unit standards available, until virtually all their students are passing. To prevent this a much more rigorous system of moderation between schools will need to be implemented and enforced than that currently in place between secondary schools. The primary teachers in NZ schools, including our Year 7 & 8 teachers at Mahurangi College, focus very strongly on creating a warm, caring learning environment in their classrooms and a love of learning in their students, which would both be put at risk if these pronouncements from the new Minister were to be implemented.We were very pleased to recently welcome Tim O’Reilly, a leading American Software Developer and Publisher, to Mahurangi College for the 6th Annual FOO (Friends of O’Reilly) Camp. A number of NZ politicians were in attendance, including David Shearer and David Cuncliffe. The Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, flew up on the Friday afternoon to meet with Tim O’Reilly. Dave Dobbyn was also an active participant in the various workshops and discussion forums on offer.

David Macleod

important datesWe are delighted to be working with nine other North Harbour secondary schools in what we have called HarbourNet. This is an online e-learning community where we share teachers to increase the range of subjects on offer in each school. Our e-teacher is our Head of Information Technology, Vern Dempster, who is teaching Web Design on-line to a number of students from other

schools which do not offer this option. In return, 15 of our senior students are now enrolled in a range of subjects not on offer at our school, including several foreign languages.Following the training on Great Barrier Island, at the very successful Year 13 Camp, the Peer Support programme is now off to a strong start in which the Year 13 students mentor the new Year 7 students coming into college and take them through some worthwhile, supportive and fun activities.

Congratulations: to the following Junior Touch players who represented North Harbour at the recent Northern Regional Touch Tournament:Lachlan Williams: NH U11 Boys Elite (placed 4th)Mariana Winiana: NH U13 mixed Elite (placed 4th)Danika McKenzie: NH U13 mixed Elite (placed 4th)Lewis Arthur: NH U13 mixed Elite (placed 4th)Tonya Botherway: NH U13 Girls Elite (placed 2nd)Tama Hawken: NH U13 Boys Development Team (placed 1st)Van Grooby: NH U13 Boys Development Team (placed 1st)Tane Pendergrast: NH U13 Boys Development Team (placed 1st)William Haughey: NH U15 Boys Development Team (placed 3rd)As reported in the last newsletter, four of our senior Touch players have been selected for NZ secondary schools Touch teams. With all these young representative players coming through the school it seems the future of our Touch programme will continue to be very strong.

Vern Dempster, Tim O’Reilly & Nathan Torkington at FOO Camp

New Homework Programme LaunchedA new homework programme for Year 7/8 students was launched last Wednesday evening.The programme is community and school based and has two components. The compulsory school section is focussed on numeracy and literacy. The second is voluntary and community based, and is aimed at equipping students for real life experiences. Participants complete a number of tasks to work towards bronze, silver or gold awards. Many students have already started choosing and working on their first tasks.

Lauren Vaughan & Kendra Hansen

working with a group of 7C students for Peer Support

Thursday March 1• Level 1 Science Trip - Waipu Caves Monday March 5• Class / Individual photos Tuesday March 6• Level 1 Art Painting Trip Thursday March 8• Stepping Up - Yr 11 all dayFriday March 9• International Student Trip - Te HanaSunday March 11 - 14• Level 2 Geography TripMonday March 12• Harmony Group IntensiveThursday March 15• SLC Athletics SO Event• Year 7 - 10 SocialMonday March 19 - 20• Yr 8 Shell fish monitoring - (Whangateau)Tuesday March 20• Level 2 Biology Trip - Ngaio BayWednesday March 21• Inter House Haka ChallengeThursday March 22• Yr 8 - Skills workshop• Attitudes Speakers Yrs 11/12/13 Friday March 23• Christian Expo - lunchtime - Hall• Yr 8 - Skills WorkshopMonday March 26• BOT Meeting 6.15pmWednesday March 28• Interim Report issuedFriday March 31 - April 1• Western Heights Tournament Netball/BasketballMonday April 2• Yr 7/8 Parent/Teacher Evening 3.45-8.00pm Hall• Level 2 PE Outdoor Education TripWednesday April 4• Yr 9-13 Parent/Teacher Evening 3.45-8.00pm Hall

Mahurangimatters | 2

parents stumble onto the Sandspit wharf to reclaim their packs, after five days on Great Barrier Island.

Despite appearances, all were in high spirits and quick to regale loved ones with exaggerated stories of

woe and high adventure. The number and size of the blisters got bigger and bigger, the hills became

mountains and the staff leaders more maniacal, with each retelling. The source of the fevered angst was

the endless hiking from dawn to dusk and the back to basics camping with nary a comfy sofa, TV, hot

shower or computer game so necessary in today’s teen world.

From the school’s point of view, it is a much valued and beneficial part of the programme. It builds

character, breeds resilient and independent young men and women - who quickly bond, to collectively

rise to the tough physical challenge before them, and the academic and leadership challenges ahead

of them. Well, that’s the theory. It’s a hard sell to a disgruntled 17 year old who is collapsing under the

weight of their pack, sweating blood at 1pm, in the blistering sun at about the 1,500th step of the 2,006 that lead to the 621m summit of Mt Hirakimata

(Hobson).Besides tramping across and around the northern part of the island, each of the five parties stayed at

Department of Conservation campsites and at Okiwi School and the sports club at Claris, where they

did their Peer Support Training. Along the way, there were some stunning beaches and rivers to swim in. With a lucky few also able to

kayak the Kaitoke Stream and play in a touch rugby tournament with the locals.

Because of the close relationship that has developed between Mahurangi College and Okiwi School,

the students happily agreed to pitch in and collectively shoveled and raked over ten truck loads of

sand into the adventure playground that’s being refurbished - which was hugely appreciated by the

local community. Mr Winiana’s group also took three Okiwi students with them along the Haratoanga

Walkway.Of course such a time consuming and taxing extra curricula activity wouldn’t be possible without

the passion and drive of the staff that lead it and the parent volunteers who accompany the student

groups, so thank you to them.

Next Meeting: 12th March & Trial Dates 2012The Netball Club has a new Chairperson, Paula Garner, as well as a new Secretary and Treasurer. If you missed the AGM and would like to have a say in how the Club is run, there is still plenty of room on the Committee. • Our next Committee Meeting is Monday 12

March 6pm in the College Staffroom.• Trials for Intermediate (Year 7 & 8) 2012

Season:Friday 2nd & Saturday 10th March Intermediate registration forms can be picked up from Ann Marinus and the Seniors registration forms picked up from Sandra Hawken.Like last year, we will be offering the option of playing at either Rodney Centre or North Harbour Centre. Watch out for a netball newsletter early in the new year which will also have details of playing dates and fees.

Mahurangi College Netball Update...

Great Barrier Island Expedition 2012

We could be looking for up to 14 Coaches and Managers in 2012, as well as a pool of Umpires, so if you are thinking you may want to help out, please get in touch with us.

(6-8 April)

Register interest NOW!www.mahurangi.school.nz or Ph: 09 425 8039

Mahurangi College 50th Reunion

Sesquicentennial of Education in Warkworth

and

W

A R K W O R T H D . H. S

.

Te

Ara Poutam

a Maori Student

Open on a drop-in basis every

Thursday 3.30-5.30pm in

School Library. Friendly,

informal environment.

Join us!

Maori Student

Study Centre.

Helping Every Student

Reach for the Heavens!

Mahurangi CollegeUniform Shop Please phone the College on

425 8039 ext 739 (after hours 425 5629)To make an appointment and minimise waiting time.

If not available, leave a message and we will get back to you.

Uniform Shop HoursTuesday 12:30-6pmThursday 12:30-2pm

Kayaking at Kaitoke Stream

Mahu Students spreading sand at Okiwi School

Lots of students get headaches at school with the warm weather. This is often caused by dehydration, please make sure you bring a drink bottle to school. Students who are unwell at school must use the nurse’s phone to ring parents and not text from their own phone. Students are asked to stay home from school for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea when unwell. If you need specific medication for illnesses, such as migraine or allergies etc kept at school, please see Mrs Paula Wood, School Nurse, Mahurangi College 09 4258039 ext 732p.wood@mahurangi.school.nz

Thursday 2nd of February, 10:30pm saw 114 extremely exhausted and dishevelled students, staff and

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