Please find our weekly newsletter here
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OCT
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OCT
15
Welcome to term 4. This term is traditionally very busy as we build on the learning programmes that have been established during the year - and get ready for next year. This is particularly so this year as we are looking at structuring the Middle Years slightly differently in 2019.
The majority of the classes will continue on with the curriculum work we have been doing over the last several years - refining and embedding the Middle Years profile. In addition a small group of teachers are keen to work collaboratively to explore even more deeply what a future-focused Middle Years curriculum might look like in practice. This is exciting and challenging work and we are inviting parents of students currently in years 6-8 to come to a meeting to hear more about what this "future focused pod" will involve. The idea is that whanau would apply to be part of this new model. We will be providing a number of opportunities for whanau to find out more about what will be involved. Our first meetings about this will be in the school library on Wednesday 24th October at 2.30 and again at 5pm and again on Thursday 25th at 5.30pm. We hope you will be able to make one of these times if you are interested in finding out more.
Ngā mihi
Ally Bull
Deputy Principal - Middle Years
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SEP
28
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SEP
14
Thanks to the Senior A Netball team for their awesome FUNdraiser a couple of weeks ago. The Year 3-6 students had a hula of a time! Here are some pictures from the disco event.
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SEP
14
SEP
07
AUG
31
AUG
20
AUG
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AUG
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JUL
27
JUL
06
JUN
29
JUN
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JUN
15
JUN
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JUN
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MAY
25
MAY
24
The Hearing and Vision testing for term 2 is scheduled for June 20th. Please find below information on the checks
Information Sheet on Vision and Hearing Checks in School
Vision Hearing Technicians from Community and Southern Rural Health will be visiting our school. The objective of the test is to identify previously undetected vision and hearing defects.
If any parents/caregivers do not want their child to be checked, or their child is currently under specialist care for a vision or hearing defect, they should let the school know.
Which children are routinely checked?
Children who have not completed vision and hearing checks as part of their B4 School Check
Children absent from previous visit, require retests or follow up
In special circumstances, parents, teachers or others may request a vision or hearing check
New immigrants
All Year 7 student’s vision only
What tests are carried out?
Ears
Audiometry (hearing test)
Tympanometry – middle ear function test (only carried out when hearing test is not within a normal range)
Eyes
Long distance vision tests – not a complete visual examination, but a simple screening test
NB All of these checks are non-invasive, safe and should cause no discomfort.
The Vision Hearing Technician will:
Notify parents of all test results
Enter results on Ministry of Education database (Enrol)
The Vision Hearing Technician will obtain personal details from the school ie; names, date of birth.
If the technician needs to contact parents or caregivers following the visit, addresses and phone numbers will also be required.
Our Service may share this information with other health professionals involved in the children’s care.
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769 Hits
MAY
18
Dear Mercury Bay Area School Community
You may recall much discussion in the media regarding season one of the TV show 13 Reasons Why. We have now been advised that season two will be released on Friday 18th of May, 2018.
The Ministry of Education have provided this information below, and we feel it is important to pass this onto you.
13 Reasons Why
Season two of the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why is due for release worldwide Friday 18 May.
This show was widely watched by teenagers last year. The themes of suicide, sexual assault, bullying and other issues led to many viewers feeling distressed and in need of support. It is expected that similar and equally confronting themes will be present in this upcoming season.
In the lead-up to watching the second season, you should be aware that some young people may re-watch the first season, or watch it for the first time. Feedback from young people is that it accurately represented the issues they face in their lives. Banning, or recommending a ban on viewing it can be more harmful than helpful as young people will still watch it but feel they have to hide that from adults.
The issues raised in the series are significant, and the series offers a good opportunity to talk to our young people about these difficult life events, but it is important that those conversations are safe ones. Where a young person is already in a vulnerable space, it may be wise to delay watching the series or watching with an adult which allows for ongoing shared conversation around the topic. It is also highly recommended that young people NOT ‘binge’ watch either season as this can lead to them over identifying with the characters and becoming less sensitive to the graphic nature of the themes.
We are working with other Government agencies and mental health providers to ensure specific information is available to support any discussions with young people or their parents after they view this new series. This is being developed as agencies are able to view the series, so is not yet complete. However, this will be available to you before the series is released. There will be information on the Mental Health Foundation website.
In the interim, this article from the Mental Health Foundation is a good start. The Foundation also has information on its website.
13 Reasons Why is certainly not the only challenging series young people are watching, but it is one of the most talked about. The Chief Censor has released a guide for parents: Talking with young people about what they’re watching. The guide is available on the Office of Film and Literature Classification’s website. We encourage you to share this guide with your parent and whanau community.
Netflix has provided information to Government agencies and services and created a website to assist viewers, their parents and caregivers.
If you, or parents or whanau, are concerned about a young person in crisis now, get help. The Mental Health Foundation have a list of contacts, or phone your local District Health Board’s Mental Health Crisis Team (CATT Team). Support is also available from a trained counsellor anytime by calling or texting 1737, or contacting Lifeline 24/7 on 0800 54 33 54.
At this point the school has not been given further information. As this becomes available to us we will share it with you.
A reminder that our student health centre counselling services are also available to our community. If you do have any concerns around your young people please email Carolyn Gibbs on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Alternatively I am available, and can be contacted on 021 383865 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kind regards
John Wright - Principal
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