Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,

It has been a busy few weeks at Mount Maunganui College, with much to acknowledge and celebrate.

I would like to thank Associate Principal Tina Yule and the team for filling in for me while I have been on sabbatical. My time was spent visiting schools to examine their leadership, academic achievement and strategic planning. I have learned a great deal during this time, and I am looking forward to seeing how my new learning may shape our developing strategic plan. More on this later in the year.

There are updates on recent sporting, academic and cultural success later in the newsletter. Still, I would like to acknowledge Luca Ririnui (Year 12) who has been awarded the Royal Society Te Aparangi Maori scholarship to attend the London International Youth Science Forum in July/August this year, and our entire Shiela Winn Shakespeare team for their national success in Wellington over King’s Birthday weekend.

I would also like to acknowledge all school community members supporting our co-curricular programme through coaching, managing and mentoring. The strength of our various programmes rests heavily on our volunteer community, and we do not take that for granted. A special thanks to our Mount Maunganui College students who support various groups and teams as coaches and mentors. Not only are they growing their knowledge and experience in an area of passion, but they are setting a fine example to our younger students about leadership and contribution.

We have made a deliberate shift this year away from our ‘exam week’ to keeping students in their timetabled class, minimising the time spent on study leave. Year 11 students will experience some examination conditions during this time. Still, with teaching and learning time at a premium, we feel sending our senior students home for a week of study will be counterproductive. Further information is detailed below, and Assistant Principal Cameron Andrew is happy to field any questions you may have regarding this decision.

With the change of season, our uniform standards must be maintained. On wet days any waterproof jacket is permitted, but hooded sweatshirts and school sports hoodies are not permitted at any time. Polyprops worn under the uniform must not be visible, and shoes need to be polishable. If you or your child are facing challenges finding the appropriate uniform, please let us know so we can support you.

With our annual Polar Plunge happening soon, I would like to outline changes we have made to our ‘mufti days’ over recent years. These days have been an excellent opportunity for our student leaders to raise funds and awareness for specific causes; however, over time, the awareness aspect has been diminishing, with fashion filling the void. By providing a theme for the day, such as replacing uniform items with a themed piece of clothing, the cause is better highlighted. For example, on our Polar Plunge day, we encourage students to wear orange to support the Leukemia and Blood Cancer Foundation. Last year we switched out uniform items for animal-themed clothing to support the SPCA. On these days, we encourage students to bring a donation whether they have dressed up or not.

You have likely noticed the construction activity happening within our school boundary on Maunganui Road. This is the first step toward a new classroom block to be built on the existing staff carpark. Staff parking will be relocated to the new space at the northern end of the school by the swimming pool which should be completed in the next month or so. I will keep you updated about this project as it progresses.

Lastly, I want to thank all families for their understanding and patience regarding recent and ongoing industrial action. The Post Primary Teachers Association have rejected the latest offer meaning further disruption. The next section of the newsletter will include details of how this will continue to impact on school operations.

Nāku noa, nā

Alastair Sinton
Principal

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SHAKESPEARE

The Mount Maunganui College Shakespeare ‘Macbeth’ team of 42 students from the Drama and Te Ao Haka departments won 3 Major National Awards at the SGCNZ Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Nationals 2023 in Wellington over King’s Birthday Weekend:

Most Extraordinary Performance Award
Outstanding Music/Song Award
Outstanding Movement/Dance Award. This is the most prestigious inter-school acting event, with teams having to win their Regional Festivals to qualify for the Nationals.

From here, only 22 students are chosen from the 40 school scenes at the Nationals to go forward and have the chance to be a part of the Young Shakespeare Company to tour and perform in London at the famous Globe Theatre in 2024. Daisy De La Haye and Libby Frazer were chosen from Mount Maunganui College last year and will travel to London with the YSC 2023 in July this year. An incredible result from an incredible team!

Dan Meade
Director of Sports

Off-field Sports Uniforms

Off-field sports uniforms are available online at https://codesport.co.nz/catalog/MMCSupporters-1106457.htmx or in store at 94 Elizabeth Street. It is important to have all our sports players looking the part and we encourage students to buy a long sleeve or short sleeve tee and/or hoodie if they don’t already have an off-field uniform.

Sponsorship
Please reach out on danm@mmc.school.nz if you’re interested in joining our amazing group of sponsors who make a genuine difference to sport at Mount Maunganui College. We have a range of packages and sponsor benefits available and would love to hear from you.

High Achievers
Congratulations to Carter Hopoi and Olivia Lassey who are off to Abu Dhabi for Basketball Without Borders. Basketball Without Borders is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program that brings together elite players from outside the U.S. to learn the game from world-class players and coaches, showcase their skills in front of NBA, WNBA and FIBA personnel, and compete against top talent in the world.

After travelling to Scotland in February of this year to train with multiple Football clubs, Ashton Pellow, has picked up a contract to be a part of Stirling Albion FC. While there pursuing his own career in
Football he will also coach junior players. We wish Ashton the best of luck.

Year 13, James Walker, was named in the U19 Tournament Team at the recent Interprovincial Volleyball Championships where he represented Bay of Plenty.

Emma Merson has been named in the Squash BOP Open Womens’ Team, heading to Hamilton in August for nationals. Good luck, Emma.

What’s been happening
School ‘Move Well’ and Cross Country
The School ‘Move Well’ Day was a great day running and walking on the beach course. The top place getters went on to represent the school at BOPSS Cross Country Championships at Waipuna Park. The day allowed our competitive athletes to compete and put a modern spin on the traditional cross country for the non-competitive runners as they walked or ran in gumboots to gain extra house points while also raising funds and awareness for the mental health charity, Gumboot Friday.

RESULTS
Senior Girls
Lulu Johnson, 1st
Talitha McEwan, 2nd
Brittany Jenkins, 3rd

Senior Boys
Finnley Oliver, 1st
Joe Chapman, 2nd
Adisen Mahy, 3rd

Junior Girls
Sage Fritchley, 1st
Lucy Tawharu-Senf, 2nd
Amelia Cheyne, 3rd

Junior Boys
Ryleigh McEwan, 1st
Van Fitzharris, 2nd
Zak Kenny, 3rd

Year 9 Girls
Bella McKeown, 1st
Hope Black, 2nd
Pearl Cooney/Isla Frazer, 3rd

Year 9 Boys
Pepino Heller, 1st
Ryder Matthews, 2nd
Austin Herbert, 3rd

Archery
Congratulations to our school archery team who won the Secondary Schools Limited Recurve Teams category in their first year of competition.
The team consisted of;
Maggie Reaves
Rain Denyer
Florence Steer
Kaila Southward-George

BOPSS Cross Country Championships
On the back of the school cross country a number of Mount Maunganui College runners attended the Bay of Plenty Secondary School Cross Country event held in Waipuna on 22 May. A smaller group then went on to the Waikato / Bay of Plenty Champs on Thursday 8 June. Results to come for Wai/BOP, BOP results below.

BOPSS RESULTS
Year 9 Girls
Sophia Maltai-Spence, 2nd
Pearl Cooney, 17th
Bella McKeown, 18th
Isla Frazer, 37th

Year 9 Boys
Pepino Heller, 7th
Ryder Matthews, 10th
Austin Herbert, 27th

Junior Girls
Sage Fritchley, 2nd

Junior Boys
Ryleigh McEwan, 14th

Senior Girls
Lulu Johnson, 1st
Rachel Loader, 13th

Senior Boys
Finnley Oliver, 4th
Adisen Mahy, 11th
Jayden McQueen, 15th
Macka Wagstaff, 16th
Joe Chapman, 19th

Coro BOP Classic
The battle between the bar and the bank took place on Friday 2nd June at Tay St Beach. This event was the inaugural exchange between the Mauao Surf Academy and Whangamata Surf team. The conditions were small but the surfers put on an awesome performance, with some great talent in the finals.

BOPSS Rock Climbing
A team of 11 strong head to Rocktopia to defend their BOP Secondary School Rock Climbing title on Friday 9 June. They compete in three disciplines including Bouldering, Speed Climbing and Top Rope. Results to come.

RESULTS
Junior Boys
1. Harrison Biddle (WASSA)
2. Vitor Bauermann (MMC)
3. Zade Pitkeathly (MMC)
4. Remy Sale (MMC)

Junior / Senior Girls
1. Lola Groube (WASSA)
2. Sage Fritchley (MMC)
3. Leia Millar (WASSA)
4. Maddie Todd (MMC)

Senior Boys
1. Taj Millar Dal Bosco (WASSA)
2. Manu Roberts (WASSA)
3. Zeke Wyper (WASSA)
4. Ash Rodgers (WASSA)

Rugby Fundraiser
The Rugby Fundraiser was a fun night out with guest speaker Joe Schmidt at the Mount Rugby Club. The auctions were a success and the evening was made possible thanks to donations and our generous sponsors.

Volleyball IPC Teams
Congratulations to all Mount Maunganui College students who made Bay of Plenty Interprovincial Volleyball teams

U19 BOYS
James Walker
Kameo Wagner

U19 DEVELOPMENT BOYS
Daniel Perry
Jeremy Frew
Kylen Scholmann
Bjorn Kerekere

U17 BOYS
Era Taie

U17 DEVELOPMENT BOYS
Max Kelly

Sports Photos
Sports photos were held for all teams on Thursday and Friday this week. Thank you to all students, coaches and team managers for making time to attend.

What’s coming up?
Polar Plunge
The 2023 Polar Plunge is being held on 21 June. Come and join us for a plunge in the ocean to raise awareness and funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. The Polar Plunge started 11 years ago as a way to celebrate the lives of two young people from the Mount Maunganui community, Harrison Mundy and Jed Roberts. Both these boys lost their battle to rare forms of blood cancer and the annual Polar Plunge is a way to remember these young people and raise awareness for a great cause. All those interested in taking part are to meet at the Omanu Surf Club at 7am to take part.
Manihera Memorial Golf Tournament
The Manihera Memorial Golf Tournament has been postponed to Tuesday 1st August.

Manawahe Multisport Race
The Manawahe Multisport Race has been postponed to a later date in August.

Indoor Bowls
BOPSS Indoor bowls is being held at the Mount Sports Centre on the 22nd of June. Entries are still open for this so come and see us in the sports office if you’re keen to enter.

Lynfield Exchange
The annual sports exchange against Lynfield College is this year being held here at home on 29 June. This is always a highly anticipated event and we wish all our teams the best of luck! All students participating should have received information regarding the day.

Sports Academy
The Mount Maunganui College Sports Academy, run in conjunction with Athlete Factory is up and running again this term. It provides a great space and top level strength and conditioning coaching to help your child reach their physical potential for their sport.

Sign up here; https://forms.gle/bUVkJMCxi141Rx6Z9

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KEY DATES

2023 Term Dates (click to view)

June 2023
9          …………         Waikato Open Day – Year 13 (Periods 1, 2,3)
12        …………         Literacy / Numeracy Assessments
12        …………         Year 9 Camps (until 30 June)
21        …………         Polar Plunge
22        …………         Engagement Report Issued
24        …………         Rarotonga Trip
28        …………         Talent Quest
29        …………         Lynfield Exchange
30        …………         Last Day Term 2

PPTA INDUSTRIAL ACTION

SHAKESPEARE

MAIN ENTRANCE / STAFF CARPARK

KEY DATES