Kia Ora e te whānau

In celebration of Matariki in the holidays, our kura hosted a number of events the final week of term. The arrival of Matariki signals that it is time for people to gather, honour the dead, celebrate the present, and make plans for the future. The whetū (stars) in the Matariki cluster each hold different meanings and our events were tied to these.

Our week of activities included:

⭐️ Kaitiakitanga led by Maunga Whānau to maintain our native plants around the school.

⭐️ Ngahere Whānau led a harakeke workshop for students to learn how to weave whetū.

⭐️ We had a remembrance board in the library for students to write names/notes to their loved ones who had passed away, in memory of them.

⭐️ Wai Whānau organised a clean-up of our local awa/stream in our school ngahere (forest).

⭐️ Students and kaiako had delicious hangi to enjoy for lunch.

⭐️ We had pākau/kite flying at morning tea, hosted by Takutai Whānau.

Mānawatia a Matariki!

Forest/Ngahere Whānau were this year’s Cross Country Champions and have earned bragging rights! We’re giving them a temporary Facebook Cover Photo over the school holidays to celebrate!
We wish everyone a safe and relaxing break. See you back on Monday 17th July.

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲/𝐇ō𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢 𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡.
Mindfulness is simply about being in the moment, observing our thoughts, our aurongo or emotions, and the world around us. And that’s what this month is all about – finding a small moment each day to embrace the here and now. For some, mindfulness might be a new concept, and for others, it might already be a part of your every day. This could be a reminder to prioritise mindfulness or a chance to learn something new.

MHJC is promoting student Hauora/Wellbeing by encouraging students to register and participate in the 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡. By getting involved and logging your Mindfulness you can earn a Leadership E-Badge. An email was sent to students last week with more details.

A reminder – sign up using the 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 website below and create an account. Make sure you join the MHJC Student Team!

https://mindfulnessmonth.co.nz/signup

On Wednesday, Year 9 and 10 Drama and Dance students went to Q Theatre in the city to watch “Dirty Work”, a new play by Indian Ink Theatre Company. The play is a comedy that celebrates an unsung hero and tips the modern office on its head. Local choirs also take turns featuring in the play to sing hits from Aotearoa and India. Our students enjoyed the trip and we look forward to seeing more plays from Indian Ink Theatre Company in the future.

Kia ora

Schools have been asked by Health New Zealand to pass this health information to our communities:

This winter, between Monday 12 June and Saturday 30 September, participating community pharmacies in Auckland will provide a Minor Health Conditions Service for Māori and Pacific people, children aged under 14 years, and community service card holders.

The service allows pharmacists to have a clinical consultation and provide advice as well as medication if needed for a select set of minor health conditions at no cost to the patient.

It also includes whānau members of a child with similar symptoms. For example, if the pharmacist determines your child needs treatment for scabies and they have older brothers or sisters, or you yourself also have symptoms, they may provide advice and medication for all of you.

The following health conditions are included in the Minor Health Conditions Service:

• Acute diarrhoea
• Dehydration
• Eye inflammation and infections
• Scabies
• Headlice
• Pain and fever
• Eczema/Dermatitis
• Minor skin infections

If your condition needs further support, the pharmacist can tell you the best place to go to get further help.

Let’s spread the word to our friends and whānau about this new service! It’s also important to remember that you can always speak to your local pharmacist for free health advice, even if you are not eligible for this service.  

Participating pharmacies can be found by going to HealthPoint and searching “Minor Health Conditions”.

You can also find a list here: Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand – Go well this winter

Ngā mihi nui

Earlier this Term, MHJC hosted a social as a fundraiser for the AIMS Games. Thank you to all the Year 7 and 8 students who came to the evening and supported their peers in preparation for AIMS. We hope you had a great time!

Last Friday was MHJC’s Cross Country Day.
Congratulations to Forest/Ngahere Whānau for winning the Inter-Whānau trophy and to so many students who tried so hard in difficult conditions – PBs everywhere! Well done!

With Term 2 nearing its’ end, we would like to feature a few of the ‘Learning Contexts’ our students have completed over the past 10 weeks. This feature is from Forest/Te Ngahere Whānau.

Year 8 students in Forest Whānau worked through a Survival Context this term. Their outcome was to participate in the Junior Tough Guy/Gal. All students had a great day at the event, dressing up and getting extremely muddy. Congratulations to Shivam Mistry (8F1) who finished 5th overall!

Another initiative that continued this term for MHJC students has been Auckland Council’s ‘Adopt A Park’ programme. For the past 5 years, MHJC has taken part in this programme, ‘adopting’ Silvana Park, which is a short 300m down Valderama Drive from the school grounds. This park, and the adjacent Taraire Creek, have been cleared of rubbish and planted with native species by our Enviro Council. The greenspace is now home to Tūī, Wētā, and Kerurū. Well done to our students in the Enviro Council!

With Term 2 nearing its’ end, we would like to feature a few of the ‘Learning Contexts’ our students have completed over the past 9 weeks. This feature is from Coast/Te Takutai Whānau.

The Year 10 context this term in Coast/Takutai has been ‘the world according to chain reaction’. Part of this context involved learning about Outdoor Education safety behaviours in Physical Education. Behaviours that can help students keep safe while they understand the action/reaction balance that occurs on Outdoor Education trips. Year 10 students were able to demonstrate their learning during two trips – White Water Rafting at Vector Wero and a tramp at Point View Reserve.