Congratulations to Mr Jason Tuhaka (supported by Mrs Justine Tuhaka and the Tuhaka Whanau), MHJC’s Māori & Pasifika Council, teachers and families for a wonderful Matariki Event on Wednesday evening.
This event was an authentic opportunity for our students to not only hear about Matariki, but also to participate in it and learn through it. This is ‘Kia Mana Ake’ or ‘Growing Greatness’ in action!
William Pike Challenge Award Trip to Whatipu Beach
Health & PE Teacher, Aly Grant captured some stunning shots from today’s William Pike Challenge Award outdoor education trip to Whatipu Beach. Students were thrilled to be visited by William Pike himself, as they completed rogaining, cave exploration and emergency first aid activities. A big thank you to Tess Connell who also supported MHJC’s contingent of 40 Year 9 students.
Student leaders visit Singapore
Last week, Mrs Hewlett and I had the privilege of attending the 23rd Student Leaders’ Convention at the Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore. We are the only school from New Zealand who has this opportunity and our students were able to share their thoughts, views and experiences with students from India, Hong Kong, China, Australia and Singapore. The theme of the conference was “Amity – Achieve As One” and delegates explored various sub-themes ranging from cyber wellness to elitism and racial discrimination. These themes were presented after two days of workshops to the judges and finalists announced at a festive finale.
I was incredibly impressed by Singapore and Hwa Chong Institution. The school and the government agree that much of their success has been achieved by finding solutions to problems that are unique and perhaps may not work in other societies – context must be considered. However the ideas of “win-win” or both parties being prepared to compromise if there is disagreement and a strong sense of community where consideration is shown to the environment and those less fortunate than others resonated powerfully with our own values.
I believe we and our students emerged better from the experience and I express my appreciation to Mrs Hewlett for her time and effort and to our students for their impeccable behaviour – they were true ambassadors of our school and our country.
By virtue of our strong association with Hwa Chong Institution three teachers have been invited to an international conference as members of SWIFT (Schools with an interest in future technologies). This provides us with an opportunity to share our experiences with schools from other countries which maintains our innovative approaches to learning.
Growing greatness – kia mana ake
Best Wishes to Our Travellers
We extend our best wishes to our MHJC delegation who are travelling back from the 23rd Young Leaders Convention in Singapore today – safe travels.
2017 Careers Expo
Last night careers advisor Mrs Ulika Singh and MHJC students attended the annual ‘Careers Expo’ at Ormiston Senior College. The event was a huge success with many institutions from throughout New Zealand showcasing numerous degree and vocational pathways, scholarship opportunities as well as unique business enterprises.
The key presentations from Auckland University and the Manukau Institute of Technology were particularly useful, as they outlined NCEA subjects and points required for entry into courses offered. It was particularly exciting for MHJC students to interact with OSC students and staff, whom offered advice and support with learning opportunities when they venture into senior college.
Young Leaders Convention, Singapore
Members of MHJC’s Executive Council are truly globally connected learners, having travelled to the Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore to contribute to the 22nd Young Leaders Convention.
Solana Carpenter, Camryn Chetty, Eugene Chua, Chenae Korewha, Duncan Lane and Jamini Patel departed from New Zealand in the early hours of Sunday morning, accompanied by Mr Morrison and Mrs Hewlett. The group have already enjoyed a day at Universal Studios on Sentosa Island and ‘ice-breaker’ challenges with students from a host of other countries. We look forward to sharing additional photos and updates, as they come through…
2017 Festival of Cultural Sharing & Diversity
Year 7 students from Mission Heights Junior College participated in the 2017 ‘3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing’ hosted by the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple on Friday 19th May.
During this visit students were challenged to “do good deeds, think good thoughts and say kind words” to others through a range of activities and interactive presentations. Once back at school, students reflected upon their temple visit and wrote about the application of 3G4G in their own lives.
On Saturday MHJC students Cathy Shipway, Ishaan Shukla and Mehar Kaur were presented with prizes for first, second and third place, respectively. Also, Chrezylhyn Ortega, Jasmine Strong and Abby McGarva received merit prizes. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to MHJC’s organising teacher, Mrs Rajesh Joshi.
2017 Wearable Arts Show
Congratulations to MHJC students who participated in the ‘2017 Winter Wonderland Wearable Arts Show’ that was held at BDSC on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th May. We would like to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of the designers and models who participated in this event. Our sincere thanks to MHJC’s visual arts teacher Liz Hanna-Latham for helping students to realise their creations, from the page to the stage!
Safe Schools Week
‘Safe Schools Week’ is a time of the year that students reflect upon the way they think, speak and act towards other students, to ensure that school is a place where everyone feels valued and protected. On Friday 26th June staff and students celebrated ‘Pink Shirt Day’ activities, to help strengthen MHJC’s culture of tolerance, respect and understanding towards others.
Mrs Gao’s Chinese Teachers Scholarship to Beijing
Mandarin Teacher Mrs Gao has returned from Beijing after her three weeks of study at the Beijing Language and Culture University. Mrs Gao earned the Chinese Teachers Scholarship to Beijing for 2017, during which she gained the opportunity to attend lectures by language experts from the BLCU and observe best practice in teaching Chinese. Mrs Gao has brought back many exciting ideas and resources that she will use in her Mandarin classes at MHJC.
