Year 7 students from Water Whanau have been engaging in hands-on learning about the plight of the Long Fin Eel and their habitats. Long Fin Eels are endemic to New Zealand and are considered to be an endangered species.

As a part of their Term 1 ‘Camp’ context, students were fortunate to work with Kate Loman from WaiCare to conduct a series of water quality tests for the streams behind MHJC and in the Tane Forest. Students tested for water quality parameters such as Ph, water temperature, clarity and dissolved oxygen.  Students also enjoyed some close encounters with macro invertebrates in the streams (pictured below).

As a part of their camp experience this week, students will be hiking to the beautiful Kitekite Falls in Piha in the hope to see larger Long Fin Eels that are 20-80 years old.   As the eels only spawn at the end of their life cycle in trenches near Tonga, any eels that are caught within New Zealand’s waterways are prevented from reproducing.  Students are completing first hand research and social action to protect New Zealand’s Long Fin Eel and it’s habitat.

In preparation for camp 7M1 and 7M2 focused their learning on fire prevention and treatment of burns around the home and outdoors.  Students completed a First Aid course with the NZ Red Cross and invited guest speakers from NZ Fire Service (pictured below is Matt Evans, a
Fire Risk Management Officer) Fire Wise and the Middlemore Hospital Burns Unit to school.

 
Pictured below are Isha Rah'mani, Devanshi Mani and Avishna Sharma with Marta I. (a burns survivor) and Michele Henry (Middlemore Hospital Burns Unit) after an inspiring and informative session.

Students would like to remind families to have an escape plan to evacuate your home if there is a fire, instead of trying to put it out yourself.  It is also recommended that smoke detectors be present in each bedroom.

To plan your family's escape plan, please visit...

http://www.fire.org.nz/fire-safety/escape-plans/pages/draw-your-own-escape-plan-online.html

10F1 and 10F2 are learning about the Syrian Refugee Crisis and participating in social action to support refugees in New Zealand . The  photo below shows students forming doves with their hands, as a displaying of their support of Syrian Civilians.

Students will be forming a Youth Group with the support of Amnesty International NZ, to support Refugees in New Zealand.

Year 9 students from Water Whanau have enjoyed integrated learning around their Term 1 context,  “Fight for Life”.  Recently, students took the plunge to participate in  a wonderful day of aquatics and snorkelling at the Totara Pools.

Students and teachers are looking forward to Week 8’s EOTC trip to the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre and Marine Reserve, where they will be able to view the sea life under the care and supervision of PADI Divemasters and observing the various species in a tidal touch tank at the discovery centre.

Congratulations to our Year 9 & 10 debaters who started their 2016 ASD season off with two impressive wins this afternoon.  Both teams debated in the affirmative for the moot, ‘Waitangi Day should be replaced with a New Zealand Day’.

MHJC 1 v’s Tangaroa College – Miss Wullings
Kayla Pieterse (10F2)
Solana Carpenter (9C2)
Ryan Iglesia (9C2)  – Awarded ‘Top Speaker’
Christina Bang (10F2) Reserve

Two lifeguards from Surf Life Saving  NZ visited Year 8 students in Forest Whanau to present tips to promote  safety at the beach.

• Learn about the Water Safety Code…
• Learn about Safety at Beaches…