All posts by Ben Doughney

School News

Term Dates

2024 Term Dates

Administration day is on Tuesday 30th January 2024.

The first day of school for Year 10 students for the 2024 academic year is Wednesday 31st January 2024.

The first day of school for Year 7 students for the 2024 academic year is Thursday 1st February 2024.

The first day of school for Year 8 and 9 students for the 2024 academic year is Friday 2nd February 2024.

Term 1Wednesday 31st JanuarytoFriday 12th April
Term 2Monday 29th ApriltoFriday 5th July
Term 3Monday 22nd JulytoFriday 27th September
Term 4Monday 14th OctobertoFriday 13th December

2025 Term Dates

Administration day for all students new to the school is on 28th January 2025.

Thursday 6th Feb – Waitangi Day

Term 1Monday JanuarytoThursday April
Term 2Monday ApriltoFriday June
Term 3Monday JulytoFriday September
Term 4Monday OctobertoWednesday December

 

Community

Community Conduct Expectations

MHJC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students, staff, and visitors.

Our Code of Conduct serves as a reminder to all parents, caregivers, and school visitors that their conduct must support everyone’s emotional and physical wellbeing, and not harm it in any way. The school’s board has set this Code of Conduct as a condition of entry.

The Code of Conduct applies:

  • to all conduct, speech, and action, and includes emails, texts, phone calls, social media, or other communication
  • while on school grounds or at another venue where students and/or staff are assembled for school purposes (such as a camp or sports match).

Standards of conduct

MHJC expects parents, caregivers, and visitors to:

  • treat everyone with respect
  • work together in partnership with staff for the benefit of students
  • respect and adhere to our school values
  • set a good example for students at all times
  • follow school procedures to handle any complaints
  • adhere to school policies and procedures (such as those listed below), and any legal requirements.

Examples of unsuitable conduct include:

  • threats, bullying, harassment
  • profanity/offensive language
  • insulting, abusing, or intimidating behaviour
  • discrimination (e.g. based on ethnicity, religion)
  • physical aggression
  • deception/fraud
  • damaging school property
  • smoking, possessing or using alcohol/drugs/other harmful substances on school premises or at another venue where students and/or staff are assembled for school purposes (except possession or use of alcohol in accordance with school policy)
  • placing unreasonable and excessive expectations on staff time or resources
  • pursuing a complaint or campaign, or making defamatory, offensive, or derogatory comments, regarding the school, its board, or any staff or students on social media or other public forums
  • wearing gang insignia on the school grounds. (This is not allowed under the Prohibition of Gang Insignia legislation, and anyone wearing it will be asked to leave.)

Dealing with breaches of the Code of Conduct

How MHJC deals with breaches of our Code of Conduct depends on the nature of the incident and its seriousness, and the process any witness or victim of the behaviour feels most comfortable with. Examples include:

  • documenting each instance of behaviour, including the date, time, place, who was present, what was said (verbatim if possible), how any witness or victim felt and/or responded
  • holding a meeting with the relevant person, the principal, and/or board chair (or their delegate) or appropriate staff member to discuss the problem and possible resolution
  • issuing a warning letter that outlines the problem and required resolution, and reminds them of the possible outcomes of repeated conduct
  • arranging a meeting, which may include restorative practices, as an alternative or in addition to the processes above.

Outcomes of breaching the Code of Conduct

If a parent, caregiver, or visitor acts or speaks in a way that contravenes the Code of Conduct, possible outcomes may include:

  • The school (principal, board member, or staff member) may ask a person to leave the school premises by revoking their permission to be on the school grounds, then asking them to leave under section 3 of the Trespass Act 1980.
  • Unacceptable behaviour of a criminal nature may result in the police being informed. For example, under section 139C of the Education Act 1989, it is a criminal offence to assault, abuse, or intimidate a staff member within the presence or hearing of any student while on school premises or in any other place where students are assembled for school purposes. Other instances of criminal offending may occur where drugs are involved, an assault has occurred, or a person persists after being trespassed off school grounds.
  • In the case of behaviour amounting to harassment, a restraining order may be sought.
  • In some instances, it may be appropriate to refer behaviour to a third party for resolution. For example, a Facebook comment that contravenes this policy may result in a report to Facebook. If unacceptable behaviour occurs at a sports event or sports venue, then it may be appropriate to involve the governing body of that sport, event, or venue.
School News

MHJC Yearbook 2023

Our 2023 MHJC Yearbook is now available!

ICT Blog

Smartwatches at MHJC

We are noticing a growing number of students who are bringing smartwatches to school. This blog from our ICT Managers will address the concerns such new technology may bring to our learning environment.

Smartwatches are expensive and can be distracting and/or disruptive if misused as with all digital devices.

Our school policy allows students to bring personal digital devices to school, smartwatches included as they may be useful tools for learning. However if they are brought to school, the following guidelines apply as for all personal digital devices which is contained in the Cyber Safety Agreement signed on enrolment:

  1. The school does not accept responsibility for loss, damage or theft
  2. Students must keep such devices in their bags and may only be used in class with the permission of a teacher

In the case of smartwatches, they can be worn but should be turned to aeroplane mode so as not to be a distraction.

We want to encourage our students to be responsible users of technology and a conversation with your child would be of great benefit before you consider purchasing such a device.

School News

Possible Strike action planned for Wednesday 29 March, 2023

I have received notification from PPTA of strike action planned for Wednesday 29 March as at this date negotiations between the secondary teacher unions and the Ministry of Education have not been resolved. 

As was the case on 16 March, owing to the large number of teachers who are union members we will have no choice in terms of Health and Safety but to close the school on 29 March should the strike go ahead.

We wanted to give you advance notice so that you can make arrangements to supervise your child/ren for that day.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Enrolment

Payments

Compulsory Fees

In November 2019, it was decided to accept the Ministry’s offer to opt in to the donations scheme which means parents are no longer requested to pay an annual voluntary donation of $250. This results in significant savings for parents as we are able to pass on some of the revenue to cover ID cards and printing, Yearbook, day-trips and outside speakers who visit the school to address the students. In the past, voluntary donations have been used for capital projects including ICT equipment, a policy we intend continuing.

In terms of the Guidelines, a fee will be requested for the following:

  • overnight trips (including the Year 7 Camp)
  • optional DEEP courses and extra-curricular activities
  • courses with a take home component including digital platforms

A device is also recommended for all students as much of our curriculum is delivered using digital technology which can be used at home or in school.

In order to maintain and enhance our high standards of innovative learning, additional resources are needed and as such, parents are requested to pay for the items listed below. These must be paid in full before the start of the academic year.

Online payments can be made via our portal by following this link; https://mhjc.school.kiwi/

Innovative Learning Initiatives, Year 7 and 8 
Curriculum Related Fees (includes take home components)$130.00
Digital Platforms (includes Education Perfect, Maths Buddy and Reading Plus)$130.00
Year 7 Camp$250.00
Innovative Learning Initiatives, Year 9 and 10 
Digital Platforms used at home and school (includes Education Perfect, Maths Buddy and Reading Plus)$130.00
Year 9 and 10 Subject Fees 
Learning with a take home component 
Art (ART), Digital Technology (DGT), Fashion Design (FSD), Technology (TEC)$100.00 each
Food Technology (FOO),  Hospitality (HOS)$120.00 each
Media Studies (MED),  Design and Visual Communications (DVC)$50.00 each
Music$20.00
Outdoor Education (OED) for Year 9$220.00
 Outdoor Education (OED) for Year 10$320.00

Payments can be made by direct credit from home. Details are below:

Bank and Branch:ASB Botany
Account #:12-3233-0051320-000
Reference Details:

Student’s Full Name

Class e.g. 9C2

Reference e.g. DEEP

School News

Welcome to Anne Singh, Board Presiding Member

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Namaste, Sat Sri Akal, Ni Hao, Kia Orana, Malo e lelei, Assalamu alaikum and warm universal greetings.

Namulau’ulu Anne Singh

Please welcome our Board Presiding Member Anne Singh also known as Namulau’ulu Anne Singh. Anne is a parent at MHJC and is also on the Mission Heights Primary Board of Trustees with a portfolio in property as well as Maori and Pasifika Representative. Anne has a teaching background, with 14 years in the ECE sector including managerial and; Health and Safety experience.  She is an ambassador of white ribbon and peace; and is also a Justice of the Peace.  Anne volunteers immensely within our community.  She is multi-lingual, speaking Samoan, Punjabi, Hindi,  English and Sign Language.

We look forward to working alongside Anne Singh and our new Trustees of skilled professionals in their respective fields.

School News

Board of Trustees Elections 2022

Declaration of Results

Jenny Wang – 93 votes
Anne Singh – 64 votes
Paul Graham Liu Hale – 63 votes
Tracey Frost – 60 votes
Rhys Attwood – 59 votes
Arifa – 28 votes

There being 6 candidates and 5 vacancies, I hereby declare the following duly elected: Jenny Wang, Anne Singh, Paul Graham Liu Hale, Tracey Frost, Rhys Attwood.

Staff Representative

Douglas Choong

There being only one candidate and one vacancy, I hereby declare the following duly elected; Douglas Choong.

BJM Vester, Returning Officer.

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Introduction

Mission Heights Junior College complies with the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993 (the Act) when dealing with personal information. Personal information is information about an identifiable individual (a natural person).

This policy sets out how we will collect, use, disclose and protect your personal information.

This policy does not limit or exclude any of your rights under the Act. If you wish to seek further information on the Act, see www.privacy.org.nz.

 

Changes to this policy

We may change this policy by uploading a revised policy onto the website. The change will apply from the date that we upload the revised policy.

 

Who do we collect your personal information from

We collect personal information about you :

  • when you provide that personal information to us, including via the website and any related service (eg. KAMAR Portal), through any registration or subscription process or through any contact with us (e.g. telephone call or email).

If possible, we will collect personal information from you directly.

 

How we use your personal information

We will use your personal information:

  • to verify your identity
  • to respond to communications from you, including a complaint
  • for any other purpose authorised by you or the Act

 

Disclosing your personal information

We may disclose your personal information to:

  • any business that hosts or maintains any underlying IT system that we use to provide the website.
  • a person who can require us to supply your personal information (e.g. a regulatory authority)
  • any other person authorised by the Act or another law (e.g. a law enforcement agency)
  • any other person authorised by you.

 

Protecting your personal information

We will take reasonable steps to keep your personal information safe from loss, unauthorised activity, or other misuse.

 

Accessing and correcting your personal information

Subject to certain grounds for refusal set out in the Act, you have the right to access your readily retrievable personal information that we hold and to request a correction to your personal information. Before you exercise this right, we will need evidence to confirm that you are the individual to whom the personal information relates.

In respect of a request for correction, if we think the correction is reasonable and we are reasonably able to change the personal information, we will make the correction. If we do not make the correction, we will take reasonable steps to note on the personal information that you requested the correction.

If you want to exercise either of the above rights, email us at ictsupport@mhjc.school.nz. Your email should provide evidence of who you are and set out the details of your request (e.g. the personal information, or the correction, that you are requesting).

We may charge you our reasonable costs of providing to you copies of your personal information or correcting that information.

 

Internet use

While we take reasonable steps to maintain secure internet connections, if you provide us with personal information over the internet, the provision of that information is at your own risk.

If you follow a link on our website to another site, the owner of that site will have its own privacy policy relating to your personal information. We suggest you review that site’s privacy policy before you provide personal information.