Who would have thought Mission Heights Junior College could win The Volvo Ocean Race without leaving dry land!

Education Perfect, the world online educator, worked with race competitors Team Sun Hung Kai – Scallywag, to create their own competition event using lessons relating to the science and maths behind sailing as well as the core Sustainability Programme of Volvo Ocean Racing. The Education Perfect Volvo Ocean Race Challenge took place over ten days in March, and included participants from more than 250 schools around New Zealand.

MHJC Year 9 students, under the guidance of teacher Mrs Reshmika Lal, took to the contest like ducks to water, blitzing their competitors by adding to the school total of 558,259 points. The school took out both the Top Class (9W2) and overall Top School awards. This brilliant team performance doubled that of the second place finisher with 18 of the top 30 places also going to MHJC students.

For their efforts the team has won a $200 shared lunch along with a very special keepsake – an official photo of Sun-Hung Kai Scallywag that has been signed by the whole racing team! Students say it was the excitement of the racing and the involvement with an actual Volvo Ocean Racing crew made up of Australians, British, Dutch and Portuguese male and female sailors that inspired them to keep going and ultimately succeed.

Teacher Mrs Lal says it illustrates how Maths and Science can be engaging and exciting when put into the context chosen by Education Perfect. Head of Education Perfect, NZ, James Santure and his team (which includes former Mission Heights Junior College teacher, Trudi Wigg) are consistently impressed with the engagement in learning and commitment to achieving success shown by Mission Heights Junior College. Mr Santure says “It is just so inspiring to see such continued enthusiasm and dedication to Education Perfect competitions from students at Mission Heights Junior College. Academic success, including in the events we run in Maths, Science, Humanities  English and Languages, is clearly a meaningful part of the culture of the school. This result bodes well for the World Series competitions to come this year – I’m sure we will see your name at or near the top of the leaderboard yet again!”

Team Sun-Hung Kai Scallywag joins Education Perfect in congratulating Mission Heights Junior College on this outstanding achievement.

Caption:The top three Education Perfect Volvo Ocean Race Challenge scorers.  From left: Jasper Carpenter, Nikhilesh Prasad and Jahnavi Shah

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!