Photolife shoot keys have arrived and been sent home with students. There is free delivery on orders placed online before 2nd July. If you are missing a shoot key please contact the office as we have a list of all the shoot keys.

The Carnival committee will be holding it's AGM in the Administration Block Meeting room, 9am, Wednesday 21 June 2017. All welcome to attend.

The students are selling raffle tickets to raise money for Stage Challenge...the prize is great!!!

1ST PRIZE $1500 NEW WORLD VOUCHER
2ND PRIZE $350 NEW WORLD VOUCHER
3RD PRIZE $150 NEW WORLD VOUCHER

Tickets are $5 for 3 chances .......

They will be in the school office so please go and see the lovely ladies there to purchase yours now....

Thank you New World!

This month I would like to discuss Cyber Safety. In my role of School Community Officer I look after 35 schools, and over the last 3 years I have been contacted by almost every school for assistance with cyber safety related issues. The issues range from relatively minor concerns around unwanted texts, to young people obtaining sexually explicit images of their friends and posting them on line. The age of some children involved is alarmingly young, and in many serious cases there are strong indicators that the child has had access to pornography, which may be considered psychological abuse when viewed by a person under the age of 18.

The problem is not going to go away and criminals are in our area. The rule of optimism means we think the baddies are in Nigeria and we doubt our children would be at risk, however, they are.

Make family and friends aware of what you will and won’t allow when posting photos online – and leave the personal information out. You wouldn’t ask your child to go to the supermarket and give a stranger a photo of them sitting on their bed, so why would it happen online? And it is – a lot!  This draws the wrong type of person to you, and just like adults, if the friendship/relationship breaks down, your image could be used to destroy your reputation, and future. Predators troll the internet for images with clues to a potential victim’s location and identity. A photo posted of a child in school uniform, or a sport’s team uniform may be enough to start a connection.  Declaring vulnerability to strangers is motivation for the offender, for example if a child has had a fight with dad, the predator will become the confidant and listen and agree with the child.  They will find common ground and this is the process of grooming.

Online requires the same parental oversite as the physical world. We may be tempted to tell children to get in the real world when they are on their devices, but our children have grown up with the internet and it is ‘The Real World’ to them.  It is all they have known. Make sure your child can talk to you about anything, and consider your response because if you have the wrong response your child will not talk to you about problems. It is up to parenting relationships and values to protect the child, regardless of whether it is the Internet of physical world.

Netsafe is an excellent source of information for all internet users. Check out these 10 things to think about at   https://www.netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-for-parents/

1.Set expectations 2.Understand what they do online 3.If you don’t understand it, try it 4.Set a good example  5.Teach them the basics 6.Setting up social media 7. Give them the tools they need 8. Online bullying 9. What about ‘sexting’ 10. What if something does happen?

The senior sports leaders have organised a lunchtime dodgeball for the years 9-13 on a Friday lunch time in the big gym, so all students are welcome!! Come along and have some fitness and fun! This will be starting on the 16th of June, listen out for the daily notices. See you all there!!!

When: Sunday of Queen's Birthday June 4th
Where: Mercury Bay Bowling Club
Time: 11.00am
Who: Any folk who have attended as pupils or parents .
Why: Let's celebrate and share the fun times and try to support a worthy student to go this year.
What to bring?:  An item for a raffle and a something for a shared lunch.
And photos ,books and memories.

Make up a group and have a mini reunion.
There is a facebook event page so an indication of your attendance would be helpful.
or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We're looking for some capable volunteers to help at the Mercury Bay Music Festival at Queen's Birthday Weekend. If you give us 2 shifts, we'll give you a free weekend pass to the Mercury Bay Music Festival. One shift gets you a one day pass. 

If you can help please contact Stella Pennell - ph. 027 2380105 or email- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I am taking expressions of interest for those students who are passionate about Skating and would be keen to attend a skate workshop here in Whitianga either at lunch time or after School. Please register your name with Leisa at the Sports Co-ordinators office.

Dates and times and prices will be dependent on numbers that register.

Come along and support the offical launch of Youth INtact (Rangatahi focused Alcohol and Drug Support)

The Community pool is now closed for the winter.

The Trust would like to thank everyone for their support over this season.

Did you know that we have a Chaplain available to talk to students on Tuesdays (10-2pm) at Rangimarie?

Please make an appointment with the office or drop in and see Chaplain Ange Gregory.

A part time position has become available on the Waikato Health mobile dental clinic, see the Mercury Bay Informer for details.

Welcome back from the school holidays! The sun shone and the fish were biting – life is good huh!

1st May is the start of Road Safety Week, although every week is, especially when our children are involved. I will be visiting as many schools as possible this week to deliver road safety related items and messages to your children.  Please go over some of the rules you have in your family to keep them safe – around cycling, walking, crossing roads and getting on and off school buses.

Recently I have been asked to talk to children about ‘stranger danger’.  This is a term we avoid using now, mainly because sadly, most abusers are known to the child, and sometimes they need to ask a person they don’t know for help. The Keeping Ourselves Safe programme which your child would have been taught within the past 2 years, gives children skills to identify how they feel if a situation or person makes them uncomfortable and what to do about it. Regardless of how big or small the matter is, it is important that they tell an adult that they trust what has happened. If a child discloses anything to you it is important that you listen to them, tell them you believe them and if necessary seek help from other sources. 

Kia Ora Whanau,
This is just a reminder that should there be any changes with buses, trips or even a school closure tomorrow due to the weather, that we will communicate in the first instance via
- our MBAS facebook page
- Coromandel FM
- email

These have been cancelled today due to the weather. If you have any immediate concerns in regard to you child's report , please contact the subject teacher or dean directly. Email addresses can be found in our staff directory on our website - http://mbas.ac.nz/our-school/staff-directory

Here is a map of where teachers will be situated on Wednesday afternoon.

As part of the year 13 outdoor education Level 3 NCEA standards, students are required to 'Examine a current physical activity event, trend or issue and it's impact on NZ society' Our students were lucky enough to head to Rotorua last week and get a look at the Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival, not only did they get to talk to a organiser about the event and it's impact on Rotorua, they got to put on their helmets and go for a ride. Who says school isn't fun?!

Come along on Friday evening enjoy some food, a drink and listen to our talented music students perform. There were rave reviews of their last outing at Mercury Bay Estate last year - so this is an opportunity not to be missed!

Mr Everth and his students have been making rockets. Here is a picture and a video of a flight last week.

Job opportunity.
We have been contacted by Gateway Glass & Aluminium to advertise a job opportunity for a school leaver. 
This would be an immediate start and possibly lead to apprenticeship in the glazing industry. If you are interested please phone Wazza 07 868 3344. Wazza will be in Whitianga Tuesday 21st March, so if you are interested best call him today. 
They are looking for someone who is willing to learn, have good work ethic and time keeping.

Attached here is a DRAFT revised Tsunami Protocol for our school. This has been developed after a forum held a fortnight ago and feedback from staff and community. Please take time to read the DRAFT protocol and we would like to invite you along to a second forum on Thursday 23rd March in the Library at 7pm. 

 DRAFT Tsunami Protocol

Calling all 14 -18 year olds - We need you for a load of fun at Day Camp - its free! 

Come along and enjoy a whole day of activities and treats for leaders only.

Please register online, or see the office for a form or call Tracey on 0274773350