Toesh Rawat (8F2) won the Howick RSA intermediate category poem/essay competition. This morning he presented his poem at the dawn service on Stockdale Hill and then later at the Howick RSA’s breakfast.  His poem is below.

On the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula
Our men stood steadfast
As kaitiaki for whom no price was high enough
Even if it meant laying their lives down
E kore e whakarere

All around them
The stench of death, loss and grief
Comrades mere shells of men they had been
Shadows of the lives they had led
Contemplating the grueling conditions they endured
The hope that war would end kept them going
Every single day the memories of the tamariki, the kuia who wait and hope
Hope and wait for their sons return.
Hope and wait for their fathers to return
E kore e whakarere

But these men had a bigger promise to fulfill
They had to make the world a better place even with the smallest of actions.
Even the smallest of actions changed the lives of the future generations
Even the smallest of actions still affects us to this day
There every action gave us the freedom we have now.
E kore e whakarere

The day creeps by slowly and slowly with just the thought of their families
Every single day they had to deal with the gruesome conditions.
Every single day they had to fight for their families at home
Every single day the soldiers have to fight for the future tamarikis
Every single day the nurses had to help heal the injured
All to help end the war
E kore e whakarere

Putting their lives on the line
Watching their friends die
Shell casings everywhere
Rationing their food

Dying of diseases
All to help the future generations
E kore e whakarere

Stuck on the edge of a cliff
The sea on their back
Turks above them
Nowhere to go
They still fight and won’t give up
It is because of them, we live in freedom
All to help us now.
E kore e whakarere

When the war had ended, their sacrifices, not forgotten
The death of their fellow comrades, not forgotten
Everything they had done for our country, not forgotten
E kore e whakarere

Lest we forget

I trust the MHJC community takes some time during the holiday to reflect on ANZAC Day. While the focus of the day is on the contribution of the ANZAC forces in the Gallipoli Campaign during world war one, it is appropriate to remember the men and women who have been killed or wounded during active service before and since. Their sacrifice has helped New Zealand to remain a free and safe democracy. That is why they deserve to be remembered and in the words of Laurence Binyon:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

I trust everyone has a safe and restful break.

Growing greatness – Kia mana ake!

Congratulations to the MHJC ‘Miracles’ who took home the gold medal following a closely fought one point win over the ‘Heat’ in the Senior Boys ‘Keep Hoopin’ 3×3 module this evening.
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Congratulations to (from back left): Leota Ivaiti, PJ Ainoa, Samuel Murray, Ross Raheke, Donovan Naidu, and Tawhiri Hetaraka.

This term, as part of the Year 8 option rotation and their contextual learning, students from 8M1 and 8M2 made Weta Hotels. This week they attached them to the trees in Tane Forest.

On Tuesday 13 April our Student Executive Council received training from Luke Carpenter, World Vision Youth Ambassador ahead of the World Vision 40 hour famine charity drive in term 2.

MHJC students have shown wonderful commitment to this important cause over the years and it is a great way for them to live one of our core school values of awhinatanga/compassion. Students can raise money in a number of ways – not only going without food but also perhaps considering staying off digital technology.

Please support students as they give something of themselves for the benefit of the children of Sub-Saharan Africa.

An upcoming evening in Term 2 for parents/caregivers to learn how to further support their child online.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter.
Please drive safely if you are travelling out of Auckland and we look forward to seeing everyone again on Wednesday.

Year 9 Coast Whānau students travelled to Okahu Bay today to participate in Waka Ama in support of their Term 1 Learning Context – The ME in Team. They also completed activities with Drowning Prevention Auckland to help grow their water confidence. Another great day out!

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Today, students in Year 8 from Water Whānau travelled to Muriwai Beach and took part in a Surf Lifesaving programme.  Students and staff learned about water safety, reading rips, and the important job of surf lifesavers.