School News

New Staff

Towards the end of Term 1, MHJC welcomed two new staff members.

Following Mr Dobson’s promotion as Head of Social Sciences at Te Aute College, Shona Chamberlin joins the team in Ngahere/Forest Whānau. Shona brings a wealth of experience from the Health Sector, is primary trained, and is studying Politics and History at Massey University.

Suzan Bhagwagar is welcomed to Tautai/Coast Whānau as our new Admin Assistant replacing Narina Remedios, who relocated to Wellington over the holidays. Suzan has a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Management.

We welcome them both into our MHJC whānau!

School News

ANZAC Day at The Auckland Museum.

Congratulations to Joy Pillay (10F1). Joy was chosen to read a recent poem she penned, at the Auckland Museum on ANZAC Day. There were 80 entries across 3 categories for this ANZAC Competition, with one winner in the Under 12 category, three winners in the 12-19 years category, and three winners in the 20+ category.
Joy is an incredibly talented speaker and she delivered her powerful poem with such poise at this public event. Well done Joy.

School News

Howick ANZAC Parade

Today we remember those who served in the New Zealand Defence Force and we pause to reflect on their dedication to Aotearoa. As part of this remembrance, our Executive Council attended the Howick ANZAC Parade this morning.

Principal's Blog, School News

Strike Day Thursday 11 May

Kia ora koutou

You will be aware through the media that the PPTA (Post Primary Teachers’ Association) will continue industrial action during Term 2 or until the ongoing collective bargaining is resolved.

Similar actions are planned in term 2 as for term 1 which includes strike action on Thursday 11 May.

This email is to provide early notification of the school being closed on that day as we are unable from a Health and Safety perspective to provide adequate supervision for our students.

Rostering Home

Certain days have been allocated for rostering year levels home. On these days the rest of the school will have normal classes:

Week 4: Tuesday 16 May – Year 9, Wednesday 17 May – Year 10

Week 7: Tuesday 6 June – Year 10, Thursday 8 June – Year 9

The school intends to continue to offer our normal curriculum and other educational opportunities as we operate within the constraints provided by the union and Ministry of Education.

As stated before I wish to thank the community for its patience. This process is beyond our control and we trust the situation will be resolved amicably as soon as possible.

Nga mihi

Ian Morrison

Principal/Tumuaki 

School News

Date Reminders

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝟏 – 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥
Students will be released at 1pm on the last day of term, Thursday 6th April 2023. This does not affect our statutory requirements in terms of the number of days open for instruction.

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥
School will be closed on Monday 24th April due to a Teacher Only Day. Term 2 will start on Wednesday 26th April after ANZAC Day.

ICT Blog

Smartwatches at MHJC

We are noticing a growing number of students who are bringing smartwatches to school. This blog from our ICT Managers will address the concerns such new technology may bring to our learning environment.

Smartwatches are expensive and can be distracting and/or disruptive if misused as with all digital devices.

Our school policy allows students to bring personal digital devices to school, smartwatches included as they may be useful tools for learning. However if they are brought to school, the following guidelines apply as for all personal digital devices which is contained in the Cyber Safety Agreement signed on enrolment:

  1. The school does not accept responsibility for loss, damage or theft
  2. Students must keep such devices in their bags and may only be used in class with the permission of a teacher

In the case of smartwatches, they can be worn but should be turned to aeroplane mode so as not to be a distraction.

We want to encourage our students to be responsible users of technology and a conversation with your child would be of great benefit before you consider purchasing such a device.

Principal's Blog, School News

Re: Strike action planned for Wednesday 29 March, 2023

I have received notification from PPTA of strike action planned for Wednesday 29 March as at this date negotiations between the secondary teacher unions and the Ministry of Education have not been resolved. 

As was the case on 16 March, owing to the large number of teachers who are union members we will have no choice in terms of Health and Safety but to close the school on 29 March should the strike go ahead.

We wanted to give you advance notice so that you can make arrangements to supervise your child/ren for that day.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Ian Morrison

Principal/Tumuaki

The home of Mission Heights Junior College, Auckland, New Zealand