Toesh Rawat (8F2) won the Howick RSA intermediate category poem/essay competition. This morning he presented his poem at the dawn service on Stockdale Hill and then later at the Howick RSA’s breakfast.  His poem is below.

On the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula
Our men stood steadfast
As kaitiaki for whom no price was high enough
Even if it meant laying their lives down
E kore e whakarere

All around them
The stench of death, loss and grief
Comrades mere shells of men they had been
Shadows of the lives they had led
Contemplating the grueling conditions they endured
The hope that war would end kept them going
Every single day the memories of the tamariki, the kuia who wait and hope
Hope and wait for their sons return.
Hope and wait for their fathers to return
E kore e whakarere

But these men had a bigger promise to fulfill
They had to make the world a better place even with the smallest of actions.
Even the smallest of actions changed the lives of the future generations
Even the smallest of actions still affects us to this day
There every action gave us the freedom we have now.
E kore e whakarere

The day creeps by slowly and slowly with just the thought of their families
Every single day they had to deal with the gruesome conditions.
Every single day they had to fight for their families at home
Every single day the soldiers have to fight for the future tamarikis
Every single day the nurses had to help heal the injured
All to help end the war
E kore e whakarere

Putting their lives on the line
Watching their friends die
Shell casings everywhere
Rationing their food

Dying of diseases
All to help the future generations
E kore e whakarere

Stuck on the edge of a cliff
The sea on their back
Turks above them
Nowhere to go
They still fight and won’t give up
It is because of them, we live in freedom
All to help us now.
E kore e whakarere

When the war had ended, their sacrifices, not forgotten
The death of their fellow comrades, not forgotten
Everything they had done for our country, not forgotten
E kore e whakarere

Lest we forget

Congratulations to the MHJC ‘Miracles’ who took home the gold medal following a closely fought one point win over the ‘Heat’ in the Senior Boys ‘Keep Hoopin’ 3×3 module this evening.
🏀
Congratulations to (from back left): Leota Ivaiti, PJ Ainoa, Samuel Murray, Ross Raheke, Donovan Naidu, and Tawhiri Hetaraka.

This term, as part of the Year 8 option rotation and their contextual learning, students from 8M1 and 8M2 made Weta Hotels. This week they attached them to the trees in Tane Forest.

An upcoming evening in Term 2 for parents/caregivers to learn how to further support their child online.

Year 9 Coast Whānau students travelled to Okahu Bay today to participate in Waka Ama in support of their Term 1 Learning Context – The ME in Team. They also completed activities with Drowning Prevention Auckland to help grow their water confidence. Another great day out!

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Today, students in Year 8 from Water Whānau travelled to Muriwai Beach and took part in a Surf Lifesaving programme.  Students and staff learned about water safety, reading rips, and the important job of surf lifesavers.

Year 7 students and Year 10 leaders have enjoyed two days of activities at Camp Adair.  Here, students are enjoying high ropes, river activities, and a muddy obstacle course.

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Another group of students headed to Camp Adair today. Forest Whānau and Coast Whānau Year 7 camps have begun! Here are the Forest Whānau students enjoying the challenging activities on offer today.

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An action packed day for 10 of our Year 9 and 10 students at the Counties Manukau Athletics meet.  Students took part in various track and field events at Massey Park in Papakura.  What a great day with amazing athletes!

MHJC is looking forward to hosting a Hui/Fono on Wednesday 17 March from 6-7pm in the school staffroom.  We will also be discussing the possibility of a new parent/family committee.  Food will be provided.