Students from Mountains and Forest Whanau were excited to take part in the Junior Tough Gal & Guy Challenge recently, as a part of their Term 2 learning contexts. 
Year 8 Transition Visits to Ormiston Senior College
Year 8 students from Mountains and Forest Whanau visited Ormiston Senior College last week, as a part of MHJC’s transition programme. The Year 8 transition programme concludes this week with two more visits…
• Thursday 23rd June – Water Whanau
• Thursday 23rd June – Water Whanau
• Friday 24th June – Coast Whanau
Glenbrook Steel Mill – Science Field Trip
Year 10 students from Coast Whanau visited the Glenbrook Steel Mill to learn about sustainable practices and energy transformation during each stage of steel production. Students enjoyed talking to the resident chemists, some students operated a spectrophotometer to analyse their steel sample. After lunch they went on a guided tour of their rolling mill. This is where they observed how heated steel was pressed and rolled into metal sheets.
From a careers perspective Coast students observed and learned about different skills/personnel that were making the steel plant a success in New Zealand and worldwide. The tour guides were extremely impressed with our MHJC students!
Matariki and our new Board of Trustees
Last week we celebrated Matariki, the Maori New Year which symbolises renewal. The school is also experiencing a new era with the election of our new Board of Trustees. We are pleased with the number of parents (11) who stood for election and signalled their desire to contribute to the governance of the school. This indicates a strong community spirit and commitment to the school.
Once again we thank the out-going board for all its efforts. Under the leadership of Alanna Young and more recently Blair Telfer, the school has established a strong reputation as an innovative organisation that strives for and achieves equity and excellence. The school is also in a strong financial position and has sound policies and procedures thanks to a robust programme of self-review.
In short we are well set to work with the new board to enter a new phase and a renewed commitment to the school’s vision of growing greatness – kia mana ake.
Muhammad Ali, growing greatness – kia mana ake
This week sees the passing of another icon. The death of Muhammad Ali came as a shock to many but relief for a family who had witnessed his suffering from poor health since the end of his boxing career. Social commentators and historians are already assessing the impact of this great man both as a boxer and instrument of social change. His life influenced how we view religion, race and conflict and this must be a measure of greatness.
One of Ali’s famous phrases was “I AM THE GREATEST” and I wondered how relevant his statement is to our vision. Not everyone can be the greatest however we can all aspire to be the greatest we can be. I am sure Muhammad Ali will join me in urging everyone in our community to aspire to greatness in whatever field we choose.
Joanne’s Badminton Success
Last week Joanne Ting competed in the ‘Junior Championship Division One Badminton Tournament’ at Li-Ning, placing second in the doubles. Having won 3 of 4 games, Joanne and her partner moved on to the semifinals. Another win secured a place in the finals. A very close and competitive game ensued, with Joanne ultimately missing out on the division one title. Keep up the great work, Joanne!
Update from Student Leaders Convention, Singapore
Yesterday was another action-packed day for international participants at the Student Leaders Conference, Singapore. The morning started with a short trip on the MRT to the Botanical Gardens, followed by a return bus trip back to the Hwa Chong Institution for a tour of the amazing facilities, by way of an 7 station ‘challenge’ rotation. MHJC students then headed back to the MRT to travel for a late lunch at the Gardens by the Bay, followed by a visit to the spectacular ‘Cloud Forest’ dome.
Singapore Botanical Gardens: https://www.sbg.org.sg
Gardens by the Bay: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html
Today is the first of a three day ‘issues-based’ project development focus, with MHJC students being split to work in focus groups with peers from a range of schools, internationally. It is truly impressive to see Hwa Chong students leading all aspects of the conference to facilitate such high quality ‘globally connected learning!’
Josh, Alina, Tyla, Katelyn, Hruthin and John are all in good spirits, however are ‘feeling the heat’ – literally!
Festival of Cultural Sharing
On Friday 27th May, Year 7 students from Mission Heights Junior College attended the Festival of Cultural Sharing at the Fo Guang Shan Temple. It was a lovely opportunity to collaborate with Year 5 and 6 students from Mission Heights Primary. The festival was a great success and students had a wonderful time. It was lovely to see our Year 7’s stepping up and being caring leaders, as well as Cultural Council students taking charge. The Festival of Cultural Sharing is an event our schools can continue to build upon and enrich each year.
Production Update
Mission Heights Junior College is presenting the 2016 School Production... “POPSTARS: A 90’S Musical” Students and staff, led by Ms Abbi Sheilds, have been working extremely hard and rehearsals are well underway!
The production has all of your favourite 90’s hits from all of your favourite artists, including: Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, Spice Girls, NKTOB, Christina Aguilera, Boys to Men, MC Hammer, Mariah Carey and many more. We guarantee that you’ll know every song! With exciting dance routines and a hilarious plot, we hope that you will extend your support for students and staff by attending the production.
Plot:
The story is set in a school in the 1990’s, where Mark is head over heels in love with his girlfriend, Queen Bee, Shannon Van de Witt. When Shannon learns that pop-band impresario Simon Austin is the surprise judge at the State Talent Show she dumps him for her chance at showbiz stardom. Mark rapidly goes from High School hero to High School zero. His garage band buddies rally around him and soon a plan for revenge is hatched to change their grunge band to a boy-band and snatch the Talent Show title from Shannon’s Candy Girls. There’s just one small problem… the boys can’t dance. Mark enlists the help of the ultra talented, new girl, Ella to help with their boy band make over and sparks soon fly. Can Mark get the girl, get the Grand Prize and get even with the scheming Shannon closing in? It’s anyone’s guess as the countdown to the Grand Finale begins. It’s sure to be one to remember.
Please keep an eye out for the school newsletter, website and Facebook for further information on dates, ticket prices and our amazing cast!
Pictured below: MHJC students getting their amazing set ready.
Jarrod Wins Trans-Tasman Cup
Jarrod Millar recently captained his New Zealand representative golf team as they took on the Australians in their own backyard – Sydney. With the well wishes of Ryan Fox and Jerome Kaino from the All Blacks the team went into the main event on Saturday in trying weather conditions of wind and rain. Jarrod played in the first group of the day and secured an emphatic win for the New Zealand team, before going back out onto the course to marshal the rest of his team.
Jarrod’s leadership and encouragement eventually saw his New Zealand team come out on top, winning the Trans-Tasman Cup. Each one of the players did New Zealand extremely proud in bringing home the trophy. Our congratulations to Jarrod for exemplifying GREATNESS and achieving success on the international stage!
