Blair Telfer was elected to the role of Board Chair at Mission Heights Junior College at a similar time current Principal Ian Morrison began his tenure at the school.

It could have been a case of ‘all change’ for MHJC but neither Ian nor Blair saw it that way. Instead, both believed the school was progressive in setting a pathway of innovative, personalised, learning and at the forefront of modern New Zealand teaching ideology. Through constant review and wise investment in the future, together they have helped the school to continue to hold its position at the forefront of teaching.

“This year is significant for the Board and the school. It is co-incidental but wholly fortuitous that our School Charter, that sets the vision, values, goals and strategic direction for the next 4 years, is due to be updated and preparation of a 10-year property plan is underway. Although separate, both of these key documents are intrinsically linked. Once direction has been determined for the immediate future, it is then necessary to ensure the school has the tools and resources to meet our goals. This includes all aspects of the property portfolio – inside and outside the classroom. Key also to this success is the highly qualified, experienced and committed MHJC staff which has implemented the school vision with passion and is ready to take the school into the exciting future.

“Next year we will be celebrating our 10th birthday. We can all be very proud of the first 10 years of MHJC from its beginning as a bare piece of land to the school campus we share today and all of our achievements. The next 10 years will hold a number of challenges and opportunities for the school and I am confident we are well-placed to continue to provide amazing learning opportunities so our students can grow their greatness.”

Kia mana ake,

Blair Telfer. Board Chair 2016 and member since 2014; Chartered Professional Engineer for Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers. Blair’s two children attended MHJC from 2013-2016

Board Members: (from Top Left) John Bassano – Deputy Chair, Catherine Hunter – Teachers Representative; Seinjileen Naidu,  Mrs Sian Grant,  Jason Tuhaka;   Naddy Naidoo– MHJC Deputy Principal; Blair Telfer –  Chairman; Victoria Kree – Student Representative;  Ian Morrison – MHJC Principal.

The 2018 Mission Heights Junior College Executive Council was appointed earlier this year following nominations by students and whanau staff. In keeping with its tradition, it will continue to provide a student voice in many areas of school life. Several sub-committees have been formed which will carry out their responsibilities through the year. These include organising socials/discos and mufti days; co-ordinating the supply and sale of leavers’ jerseys; deciding on a legacy project and charity to support from funds raised and organising the second MHJC Student Leaders’ Conference. Feedback to Mr Morrison and Mr Naidoo will also be given as to how the school can be “climate friendly” starting with suggestions about the site and the students’ uniforms.

The group have also agreed to bring awareness of mental health issues by organising a Pink Shirt Day in May.  Coinciding with the nationwide effort, it will emphasise the need to promote a safe environment where everyone feels valued. The idea that we are all responsible for creating this awareness is essential and even small acts of kindness are important.

To show our connection to the community, the Council will be part of the ANZAC Parade at Stockade Hill in Howick and sell poppies at school to raise funds for the Howick R.S.A. International connections will be strengthened with seven members of the council forming part of a thirteen strong group who will represent the school and New Zealand at the Annual Student Leaders’ Convention in Singapore.

We wish them all the best for the year ahead and we will no doubt hear more of their activities as 2018 progresses.

Mission Heights Junior College students, Brooklyn-Rose Timu and Troy Korewha (both 8F1) took part in the inaugural Oceania Cup Tag Tournament held over 3 days, in South Auckland. Both represented Aotearoa Maori, with Troy in the U14 Boys and Brooklyn in the U14 Mixed Team. Competition was fierce with teams from as far away as Sāmoa, Tonga and The Cook Island’s. The Aotearoa Maori boys Team earned a Silver medal in the tournament and the Mixed team won the Gold Medal in the final!

Tag is a great sport for young people and often used as a pre-season warm up and fitness for other winter sports. Great friends, Brooklyn and Troy, have played netball, tag and performed Kapa Haka together during their schooling, putting their heart and soul into training over summer. Fantastic effort Brooklyn and Troy – making MHJC proud!

Qualifying to represent Mission Heights Junior College, Leo Arrowsmith has performed brilliantly in the pool on Friday at the South Eastern Zone Swimming Competition.

Leo was placed 3rd in his freestyle final and took 3rd in breaststroke and completed the treble with an outstanding 1st equal win in the backstroke!! Well done Leo, strong swimming

Mission Heights Junior College was host to the second in the series of Womens Changemakers Breakfasts on Tuesday morning.

Two highly inspiring women spoke to the audience of students, teachers and family. Tracey Moore, born in the UK and living and working in New Zealand since 2005, is passionate about the beauty of her adopted country, the heritage of Te Ao Maori and the diversity of Auckland. Her life has been spent serving and developing individuals and communities and her current role, General Manager Service Strategy and Integration at Auckland Council offers the opportunity to drive performance improvements that directly impact a positive customer experience, as well as developing people within council. Tracey is also Vice Chair of Auckland Regional Migrant Services has completed the Global Women Breakthrough Leaders programme.

Two of our MHJC students, brothers Ricky and AJ Bassano, flew to Australia in January after being selected to represent the Super City in the 2018 Gold Coast Classic Baseball Tournament.

Representing our country, Ricky(U14) and AJ (U12) took part in two of the three age grades and had an amazing time making lots of new friends from all over New Zealand. Ricky’s team U14 came in third place and AJ’s team U12 won first place. The U16 team also took first place. Super City Spartans did New Zealand proud! Well done boys with many more years of competing and a promising future in the sport to come!

Below: AJ and Ricky Bassano

Slides from the Physical Education and Health parent consultation evening are attached below.

PE information evening 2018

The Principal, Ian Morrison extends an invitation to parents on behalf of the Family and Friends Association, to meet he and members of the Family and Friends Association. This is an informal opportunity for us to discuss matters relating to the school’s vision, strategic goals and direction. The purpose would be for parents and principal to develop a shared understanding of these and other important factors which contribute to the school’s performance.

Auckland Regional Public Health Services advises that pertussis (whooping cough) is in the community and the number of cases in schools has increased over the last two months. Pertussis is a highly infectious disease and can cause serious illness for some people. In the last 12 months, 1 in 6 cases has needed hospital treatment.

Vaccination is free and offers the best protection against this disease – research shows vaccination is safe and effective. Four and 11 year olds are both eligible for a free booster dose – see your GP promptly to book this in. Children who have missed any doses are also able to get free immunisations, please check with your doctor if you are unsure of your child’s vaccination history.

If your child has symptoms of pertussis please keep them at home away from school. Pertussis starts like a cold with a runny nose, cough, and fever and is spread by coughing. After 7-10 days the cough becomes more severe and prolonged coughing spasms occur that may end with a whoop, dry retching or vomiting.

Pertussis in schools can be disruptive as students have to catch up on weeks of school work after falling ill and teachers need to work harder to support them. Pertussis disrupts families who need to make arrangements for childcare and doctors’ visits when their children are diagnosed.

If you or your children are experiencing symptoms or you want more information visit your doctor or call Healthline for advice on 0800-611 116.

If any of your school staff are pregnant or have a baby at home please ensure they receive the following messages from Auckland Regional Public Health.

• Protect yourself and your baby and see your GP for a free vaccination in your third trimester (28–38 weeks). Protect new babies by immunising on time at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months.
• Check that your baby’s brothers and sisters have been vaccinated for pertussis at 4 years and 11 years. A GP can provide catch-up doses if required.
• Have adults in your family been immunised in the last five years? 80 percent of infants catch pertussis from a parent or other family member.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a serious disease in children under 12 months old. For every 100 infants under 12 months old who are infected, around 70 will be hospitalised, seven will require intensive care and there is a small, but very real risk of permanent medical complications or death.