We are working with Te Korowai and are looking to gather some base line data (Y7-13 upwards) on the "real" issues. In the latest Mercury Bay Ward analysis of youth voice - drugs and alcohol use/abuse/etc was the highest rated concern of our rangatahi. 
We invite, staff, parents and students to complete the attached surveys.
Youth - Y7 upwards-
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ClientsYouthINtactHauraki

Another beautiful day! Tomorrow is the year 3-8 cross country event. At this stage we are still missing quite a number of permission slips. We have around 400 children to organise and need to plan staff and activities depending on numbers. PLEASE fill out your permission slip online here -https://goo.gl/forms/lOAWzVSvf2cUBbht1 OR email your class teacher.
These need to be completed TODAY - there will be no late consents tomorrow. Students not running the cross country will stay at school and attend classes. Thank you in advance.

Good morning! At the moment we seem to have a vomiting and diarrhea bug rampaging through the Primary school. Please - just a reminder that if your child is sick, that they should not return to school for at least 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. We would really like to stop this in it's tracks. Thank you in advance.

Learning Styles Parental Forum - This has been advertised as Thursday evening this week - unfortunately this will need to be postponed. Our apologies, we will let you know when this has been re scheduled.

Do you want your child/ren to read faster while increasing their comprehension and retention? Reading is a core skill for success in the senior years across a range of subjects. Being able to read and process information quickly is a tool that supports successful learning.

Brite Spark Learning and Development are offering a 12 hour Advanced Reading Course for year 11-13 students at Mercury Bay Area School on the following dates;

Wed 17 Aug (1pm - 4pm)

Thur 18 Aug (3.15 - 6.15pm)

Wed 24 Aug (1-4pm)

Thur 25 Aug (3.15 - 6.15pm)

On May 26th, a group of our primary and middle school leaders went to Auckland and took part int he National Young Leaders Day. Here is a lovely piece of writing from one of our year 6 students - Violet Robinson. 

Hi, I’m Violet. I’m one of the over 2,000 lucky people in NZ to have been going to NYLD ( National Young Leaders Day ), and I’ll be explaining my inspirational experience of going to this amazing occasion. ( Don’t forget that this happens every year, so you can’t miss out! )

Before we start, this event made me think deeper about being a leader, and showing people what is right. Not just telling them to do this or that. But to example it yourself. It was an amazing and fun time, and I think that you ( reader ) should really give it a go at being a leader when you have the chance. Remember this, you don’t need a badge, prize, label etc. to be a good leader…

The Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival committee’s next meeting is Tuesday June 14 and we are looking for new blood, new ideas and eventually new leadership.

We need a succession plan for our existing committee members as our children will not be MBAS students forever!

Please take some time to seriously consider becoming involved with our school’s one major fundraising event. It is fun, rewarding and worthwhile for our young people’s quality of education.

New to town? Then here is an excellent way to get to know some of the movers and shakers in our community.

Remember!! June 14, 2 pm at the school meeting room in the admin block

If this time doesn’t suit you but you want to be involved please phone Sharyn on 027 610 5933

Parental Forums - Mr Wright will be holding the following parent forums in term 2. All interested parents and community are invited to come along and meet in the Library - 6.30pm-
2 June - Learning Styles
9 June - Self harm / resilience
23 June - Community pathways

Keyboard Lessons - we now have some spaces in our keyboard lesson timetable. If you are interested please contact Mr Mulholland on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Put the 25th of May in your diary - Our Year 9 students will be selling their wares all created from seaweed!

Primary School - Star Wars Day - May the 4th Be With You
Just a reminder about our mufti day to be a force for good….You do not have to dress in theme- but those of us who are proudly Star Wars geeks certainly will be!
Bring a gold coin, leave your uniform behind and we will choose a charity to receive the money.

We have a limited range of uniform on sale at ridiculous prices! See the flyer attached here.

Do you have what it takes to be a trustee? Don't forget that nominations close On Friday 29th April at 12 noon. The school office is open and nomination forms can be collected and returned between 9am and 3pm.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent the Central North Island Area Schools team in Dunedin later this year.
Basketball Boys - Danro Kelsall. 
Basketball Girls - Taimania Hinds, Grace Ngataua. 
Volleyball Boys - Graeme Davy, Reuben Dimock, Floyd Johnson. 
Football Boys - Jarren Fuller-Kays. 
Football Girls - Brynn Kays, Tia Ngarimu
Rugby girls- Harmony Kelsall
Rugby boys - Jayden Tegg, Angus Arthur, Ethyn Brear.
Netball A -Tiana Smith, Ella Tomkins, Holly Mcleery, Grace Ngataua
Netball B - Georgia Bernhard. Gaia Hendrikse- Strydom

School Banking will begin Term 2 for Year 1-6.  If your child has school banking, please bring to the office on Wednesday morning for banking on your behalf.  If you are registered for school banking and would like your child to open an account, please contact the school office to collect a registration form.

Shoot keys for online ordering of your children's class & individual and sibling photos have been sent home today.

Please visit www.photlife.co.nz and click 'Order Online' then enter your secure shoot key code.

If you do not have internet access, please contact the School office for an order envelope.

There is FREE delivery for online orders if you order before 8am - 16 May 2016.

Got any sports equipment lying around not being used? Why don't you pop down to Westpac and leave it with them as part of the iSport promotion. More details are attached.iSPORT-Pass-on-the-Dream-Regional-Media-Template.pdf

As we have had a few queries... The school will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Monday and also Tuesday. School will reopen on WEDNESDAY 30th March.

Tuesday is a school holiday by law for schools, and we must close. It is not a teacher only day. Easter often falls in the first term holidays and so often it is forgotten about.

The following Buses WILL be running this afternoon -

• Simpson's Beach
• Centennial
• Ferry Landing
• Moewai Park

All other routes will not run due to the weather and flooding.

We have just contacted Murphys about arrangements for this afternoon. At this stage buses that have "made it to school" will return students to their homes tonight - they (at this stage); do not see any issue. We will update again later in the day.

School is open! However due to flooding, particularly at Wade Road this morning there are a number of buses unable to make it to school. The Tairua, Mill Creek and 309 Buses have not been able to come through. We also have the Pumpkin Flat and Kuaotunu buses that have not been able to pick up this morning. Please keep an eye on this blog and our facebook page for further information.