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27 September 2024  |
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa, I begin this newsletter by acknowledging our student's commitment to their studies over recent weeks. With senior assessment week and the NCEA Common Assessment Activities taking up much of the calendar, teachers have expressed their recognition of the diligence and focus the students have shown during this time. All this work is in preparation for the end-of-year assessment period for senior students. It is vital that they stay focused on their academic goals and that family support is invaluable to their success. As always, we encourage families to contact us if they have questions about their child’s progress. Prizegiving season kicks off with vigour early next term, and it is always a great opportunity for staff, students, and families to reflect on success throughout the year. Our Arts Awards are open to all community members, and I encourage anyone interested in the Arts to get along and support this event. The evening is a bit of a highlight reel of amazing acts and performances from the year, as well as recognising student success. Please join us at Baycourt on Tuesday, 22 October 2024. Tickets are available here. Last week, we farewelled staff and students on a cultural excursion to Tahiti. Much work has gone into getting this trip underway, thanks to the staff and families who created this opportunity for our students. Our talented Jazz and Big Bands are also performing in Wellington this week. I was privileged to a sneak peek when these groups performed on a recent Sunday evening alongside other local schools. They sounded terrific, and it was clear that everyone had put in significant effort. |
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Thanks to Executive Leaders Lockie Williams and Mackenzie Crawford for driving our well-being focus this week. They have done a tremendous job organising events and bringing in a guest speaker to share positive well-being messages. You can check out a bit of what they have been up to here. This newsletter contains a few key messages. Please take them on board and continue to support your children by setting high expectations for them when they come to school. We appreciate it when families ensure their children attend school on time with the correct uniform and equipment. Ngā mihi nui, Alastair Sinton |
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______________________________________________________________ ARTS AWARDSBaycourt Theatre - Tuesday 22 October 2024 A Mount Maunganui College Awards evening spectacular! The show includes all of the best performances from 2024, including Kapa Haka, excerpts from the MMC production ‘Mauao, always beside you’, DanceNZmade Jazz and Hip Hop Regional champions, Sheilah Winn Shakespeare National award winning team, ‘As You Like It’, MaloUma, Lip-sync winner, ‘Love is an Open Door’, Talent Quest winner, Morgan Kitching, MMC Jazz bands, Rock bands, Guitar group and MMC Major Award winners from 2024. Not just any Awards evening – an amazing array of youth entertainment. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here |
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______________________________________________________________ HONOURS BOARDSMount Maunganui College is looking to display our past achievements. If you are a former student or know of someone who represented New Zealand or earned a national title while attending Mount Maunganui College and would like your name displayed, please complete the Google form. We are also interested in former students who have represented New Zealand or earned a national title as adults. While all information is appreciated, we are particularly interested in information from the 1960s to 2000. All submissions must include any verification possible to ensure the information is correct. Achievements can be in Sports, Arts, Culture or Academia. |
______________________________________________________________ ALUMNIMount Maunganui College is developing a database of former students who are interested in keeping up to date with the college's past, present and future. Please click the link below to register your interest and/or share with others. Access to the link can also be found on the college website. MOUNT MAUNGANUI COLLEGE ALUMNI ______________________________________________________________ |
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MMC Jazz Bands Wellington Trip |
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SPORTS NEWSLETTER Dan Meade Off-field Sports Uniforms _____________________________________________________ High Achievers ______________________________________________________________ Social Media Facebook: Mount Maunganui College Sport |
______________________________________________________________ ATTENDANCE MATTERSHelpful links: Guidance for Parents and Caregivers - Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school |
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______________________________________________________________ UNIFORMThanks to all our families who ensure our students head off to school in the correct school uniform. We know you have high expectations of how our students present themselves, so we appreciate your support. Occasionally, students present to school in incorrect uniforms, and it can be disappointing for staff to have to start the day by having a negative conversation with a student about uniforms. Uniform Areas of Concern:
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HEARING SCREENING On behalf of the National Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing(NFDHH), thank you for participating in our 2024 Hearing Screening and Make Listening Safe Programme. The Mount Maunganui College, (273-year 9 students screen over the 2 days) Hearing Screening results indicated that 3% of the students screened had abnormal hearing results. In addition, some of these students are now being referred for a full hearing assessment 15% of students reported experiencing ringing in the ears, otherwise known as Tinnitus. In many cases, Tinnitus leads to hearing loss and hearing health issues in the future. This is a worrying trend we are seeing across New Zealand. Ringing in the ears is even being experienced by students who have returned a normal hearing screening result. This could mean that if they continue with unsafe listening habits, hearing loss could become a real issue in the future. Unsafe listening habits refer to listening to personal devices, such as smartphones, at higher volumes than recommended and for long periods of time. At Mount Maunganui College 32% of students are listening at unsafe levels, highlighting the importance of educating students and their parents on how young people can enjoy listening to music and recreational noise safely to protect their hearing. Once your hearing is gone, you cannot get it back. The Make Listening Safe Education initiative is an important part of the Hearing Screening programme, aiming to educate students and their parents on safe listening practices. We have resources available on our website that parents and young people can read through to protect their hearing: https://www.nfd.org.nz/school-programmes. ALOPECIA The term alopecia means hair loss. Alopecia, known as Alopecia Areata, usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss or complete body hair loss. Alopecia areata can occur at any age, including in childhood; for further information visit www.alopecianz.co.nz |
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______________________________________________________________ SCHOOL BUS SERVICEThis is a reminder to families that the school has a very efficient bus service. This service will ensure your child arrives at school on time and is ready for period 1 classes. While students can use the commercial bus service free during school hours provided they have a BEE card they cannot guarantee that they will arrive ready for an 8.45 am start. Many of these services mean that students are missing up to 30 minutes of learning time each day. Please encourage your child to use the school buses each day. This may mean they need to leave the house earlier, but it guarantees they are ready for the start of school. Up-to-date information on the school buses is on the school website https://www.mmc.school.nz/key-info/bus-information The afternoon buses leave the school grounds promptly at 3pm each day. The 712a buses are now arriving at 3 pm and the later one arrives at approximately 3.10pm. |
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______________________________________________________________ STUDENT ID PHOTOSAs ID cards are not required for school, students will not receive one this year unless they order it through the Photolife website. Information on how to order will be sent out from Photolife, and cards will be sent directly to them. Parent Queries – Please contact Photolife at: enquiries@photolife.co.nz ______________________________________________________________ |
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OCEANBEACH ROAD - ONE LAND CLOSURE Tauranga City Council is resurfacing a section of Oceanbeach Road as part of its annual resurfacing programme. This work protects the foundations of our roads and prevents potholes, making getting around the city – by bike, vehicle, mobility aid or on foot – safer and easier. From Sunday, 29 September to Sunday, 13 October, there will be a one-way lane closure on Oceanbeach Road, between Concord Avenue and Golf Road, for traffic heading towards Mauao. A detour will be in place, directing traffic via Girven Road, Maunganui Road, and Golf Road to get back onto Oceanbeach Road. Oceanbeach Road will still be open on this section of road for traffic heading towards Pāpāmoa. Access to Concord Avenue will be as normal. To find out more, visit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/oceanbeachroadresurfacing |
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______________________________________________________________ LIGHTS ON TAURANGA CITY CENTRE LIGHT TRAIL COMES TO LIFE Tauranga city centre will be alive with colour and vibrancy as the lights switch on for a never-before-seen light trail launching in the city centre on Friday, 20th September. ‘Lights on Tauranga’ showcases eight stunning installations by renowned light artist Angus Muir, and eight lit-up shop front windows highlighting the ‘Reimagine Tauranga’ exhibition where over 220 local school children have worked alongside well-known New Zealand artist, Sara Hughes. Also featured in the trail are light projections, four larger-than-life origami ‘paper pals’ and our much-loved permanent lighting features at Tunks Reserve and Wharf Street. The free self-guided light trail runs from 20 September to 6 October 2024 with lights on between 4.30pm – 10.30pm every night. Visit www.whatsontauranga.co.nz/light-trail for all the details. |
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______________________________________________________________ KEY DATES2024 Term Dates (click to view) 2025 Term Dates (click to view) October 2024 |