4 May 2024

It’s been a good start to Term 2, it’s been great to see our students back in after their two weeks away, and wonderful to see how they are adapting to having phones away. Term 2 is hugely important, much of the foundational work in Term 1 comes into play as assessments become due. For those undertaking NCEA Level1, 2, or 3 regular attendance and the management of assessment deadlines are key. We remind students to keep up to date with their work, talk to their teachers if they perceive issues with managing deadlines, and ensure that they submit their best efforts on time. Non-submission of assessments makes the attainment of their current qualification level that much more difficult. Lessons learned from attempts made are much more valuable than not being able to obtain any feedback at all due to non-submission of work.

This term is also one where extra-curricular activities are in full swing – with winter sports in particular now underway. As always, we encourage our students to get involved in an activity outside the classroom.

During the holidays, our Head Prefects and our Community Leaders laid a wreath for Massey High School at the ANZAC Day Service held at Swanson RSA.

This week we welcomed another group of international students from China and Japan, my thanks to Joshua Brodie for the ongoing, innovative work he is undertaking that is seeing a steady rise in our numbers of international students.

Our Netball girls are in the thick of their fundraising for their forthcoming trip to the Gold Coast, Australia. On Wednesday a number of teams took part in a pre-season tournament at Te Pai Netball Centre. The tournament, organised by the netball management, involved teams from across Greater Auckland and provided not only valuable pre-season experience, but also raised funds for the tour. We’d like to thank SAS Sports and Vibe Sparkling Water for their support of the tournament and provision of prizes.

This weekend their fundraising continues with a carwash being held at the premises of Craig Walker Building Removals in Kumeu – the carwash takes place from 8.30am til 2.30pm.

School Environment

Students returning this week will have noticed the work sites that have sprung up over the holidays. Work has commenced on both B Block and the Admin Block, the majority of the work is centered on watertightness and flood remediation – with B Block also receiving some upgrades on the ground floor – new break out spaces, a new teacher work room, and new toilet facilities. Work on these two areas should be completed by October this year. 

Accessibility upgrades are also underway, with accessibility ramps being added to our whare, and a new low gradient ramp being built to provide improved access to the upper field. We remind students to remain clear of all building works and compounds.

A lot of effort has been made to refresh other areas of the school, with more areas now freshly painted – I would ask that our students respect these areas (and all areas around the school). Lockers are being moved into our Jack Adam Gym, these will be available to rent, allowing students to store personal gear, such as boots etc. during the day. Details of hireage of these lockers will be sent out shortly.

On Wednesday we received news that funding for the provision of Healthy Lunches in Schools has been extended for the next few years. The provision of these lunches has made a real difference to our school. However, at times some of our students forget to dispose of the rubbish afterwards. Please remember to use the bins provided around the school.

A new day cleaner, dedicated to frequent cleaning of our toilet facilities, has commenced on site – with particular focus on C and D Block. This will ensure quicker response to restocking of products, removal of graffiti, and cleaning of facilities. However, our students still have a part to play in this – please ensure that these facilities are to be used only for their intended purpose. It pains me to say it (fortunately, it is a very small number of our students that this is directed at) but toilets are not social hubs.

Whakatau, Tuesday 7th May

We have a whakatau for all of our students and staff who started at Massey High School through the course of Term 1 (i.e. those who started after the pōwhiri at the beginning of the year). The whakatau will also welcome prefects from schools across Auckland who are here for the student led prefect conference and our international students. 

Phones ‘Away for the Day’

As you are aware, ‘Phones Away for the Day” became mandatory for all state/integrated schools in New Zealand on Monday. I would like to thank our students (and whānau) for their response to this thus far. We will keep reiterating the expectations that now arise because of this legislation – with escalation through our disciplinary processes only necessary in instances where the issue becomes one of defiance (i.e. a conscious decision by a student to keep using a phone following requests not to). Please note, that at the lower level of this (Deans detention during school time), parents will be notified by email. For a reminder of our process, please refer to the article shared on 28 March 2024.

Upcoming events

Winter sports commence this weekend – with our First XI Football Boys kicked off the season on Friday at the Massey Domain. Our netball teams take to the courts at Te Pai on Saturday morning, and our First XV have a huge game at Westlake Boys High School to get their season underway (kick off at 12pm). We wish all competitors the best of luck for the weekend and thank all those who are giving their time to coach, manage, or officiate.

Remember, our first round of Parent Teacher Meetings takes place next week on Thursday 9th May - the first round is for students in Years 10 and 11 (Year 12 and 13 take place on Thursday 16th May). Please go to School Interviews - Home to book a meeting slot.

Ngā mihi