MBS Paanui Newsletter Term 2 Week 11

MBS PAANUI – NEWS

‘Together we care, we learn, we succeed’

‘Aroha, Ako, Angitu’

Term Two  Week 11  Issue 5

Pou Tuuhono Inquiry Theme 2026

Connecting through  Curriculum

‘Dare to Dream’

Term 2 Curriculum Area Focus: Technology

Concept: ‘I can design!’

Tumuaki/Principal Updates

Term 2 Reflections and New Beginnings

Kia Ora, Talofa lava and warm pacific greetings to our Maangere Bridge School Whaanau. As we move into the winter break. I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable Term and look forward to the second half of the year. 

Significant Milestones

This term has involved significant milestones which continue to celebrate our identity and diversity as a school. One of the historic highlights was the official opening and blessing of our Samoan Immersion Unit ‘Tumau le Fa’avae’ on Thursday 4th June during Samoa Language Week. To see our junior students lead a traditional Ava ceremony from Room 8/Vasega Valu for our distinguished guests demonstrated the incredible cultural capability of our tamariki. 

Pou Tuuhono Inquiry

Our students excelled through the Pou Tuuhono Inquiry, focussing on the theme and concept ‘I can design’. It was awesome to see so many of our families attend the Parent Partnership Meetings where your child confidently presented their innovative technology project designs.

Term 2 Achievements

We celebrated other achievements this term such as the opening of our ‘New Senior Playground’ which has become a favourite space for our students to be physically challenged and developing social skills. Our sports events and the successful ‘Battle of the Bridges’ competition where our tamariki displayed great sportsmanship and came 1st equal. Our community spirit showing resilience, where although our ‘Annual Matariki Night Market’ could not go ahead as planned, our Te Hiaroa team and whaanau were able to successfully organise a bake sale to mark the occasion. 

Acknowledgements and Thank you

We wish to thank all of our parents and whaanau for your ongoing support this term as our school continues to thrive because of your commitment and partnership. We acknowledge and thank our PTA Committee for your dedication to fundraising and supporting our school events that included the delicious dinner for our teachers during the Parent Partnership Meeting and donating prizes for our school raffles.

Looking Ahead – Term 3 ‘I can reflect’

We are looking forward to our Term 3 Concept ‘I can reflect’ where we will focus on the Curriculum Area Health and PE, allowing our students to explore wellbeing and personal growth. We will also have other calendar events and experiences planned for Term 3. 

Have a safe and restful holiday with your whaanau. We look forward to seeing our tamariki back on Monday 20th July. Ngaa mihi nui

Ia Manuia

Fetaia’ioaiga Bernice Mata’utia

Tumuaki/Principal

Celebrating Matariki

‘Reflections and Remembrance’

As we enjoy this holiday break we observe Matariki as a significant time in the Maaori New year. It is a time for us to ‘Remember’ those who have passed, ‘Reflect’ upon the year that has been and acknowledging our growth and challenges during the journey and ‘Celebrate’ new beginnings as we prepare for the year ahead with fresh aspirations and moemoeaa. 

IMPORTANT PAANUI!

Te Hiaroa Whaanau Hui

Wednesday 22nd July @ 3.15 pm 

IMPORTANT NOTICE 

Tumau le Fa’avae Fono 

Wednesday 22nd July @ 3.15 pm 

Term 2 Highlights

WORKING BEE

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST

8 am – 2 pm 

Kia Ora Whaanau, we have scheduled a ‘Working Bee’ for Saturday 22 August. This is a volunteer community event where parents, staff and students gather to maintain and improve our school grounds where needed and helps towards property maintenance. We have an amazing Caretaker Matua Bo who does a lot to maintain our school property however every bit helps. 

Purpose of the Working Bee at MBS: To enhance our learning environment through gardening and maybe some painting, to provide an opportunity for our community to connect, to improve safety and remove hazards where necessary and to encourage our students to take pride in the school through our care as part of our school vision ‘Together we care!’

Time: 4 – 6 hours (you can come at any time between 8 am – 2 pm

What to bring: Bring basic labeled tools, shovels, wheelbarrows and gloves

It will involve some heavy lifting to light weeding.

Parents must watch their own children if they attend. 

Safety is important so please wear closed toe shoes and sun protection.

Term 3 Calendar Dates

• Monday 20 July: Powhiri (9:00 am)
• Wednesday 22 July: Te Hiaroa Whaanau Hui (3.15 pm)
• Wednesday 22 July: Tumau le Fa’avae Fono (3.15 pm)
• 20 – 24 July: Life Education Van (All week)
• Friday 24 July: Welcome Back Newsletter 
• Monday, 27 July: Year 6 Camp Parent Meeting 6 pm
• Wednesday, 29 July: Waikowhai Intermediate Open Evening (6.30 – 8.00 pm)
• Friday 31 July: Whole School Assembly Rm 15 (2.00 pm)
• 3 – 7 August: Cook Island Language Week
• Tuesday 4 August: MOSA Soccer Zones Boys (Save Date 6th August)
• Friday 7 August: Whole School Assembly Rm 6 (2.00 pm)
• Tuesday 11 August: MOSA Soccer Zones Girls (Save Date 13th August)
• Thursday, 13 August: New Entrant Visit (9:00 am – 10:30 am) Induction Meeting with Principal 9.00 am 
• Monday, 17 August: Board Hui (5:30 pm)
• Tuesday 18 August: New Entrant Visit (9:00 am – 10:30 am)
• Thursday, 20 August: New Entrant Visit (9:00 am – 10:30 am)
• 17 – 21 August: Tongan Language Week
• Friday 21 August : Whole School Assembly Rm 12 (2.00 pm)
• Saturday, 22 August: Working Bee (8:00 am – 2:00 pm)
• Wednesday, 26 August: MPA Rehu Tai Festival 
• Friday 28 August : Whole School Assembly Maunga Pikitea (2.00 pm)
• Wednesday, 2 September: APPA Rehu Tai Speech Finals (5:30 pm) 
• 7 – 11 September: MOSA Rugby Tackle Zones
• Wednesday 9 September: MBS Community Hui (All parents) (3.15 pm)
• Wednesday 9 September: MOSA Tackle Zones (Save Date 11 September)
• Friday 11 September : Whole School Assembly Te Ara Puueru (2.00 pm)
• 14 – 18 September: Te Wiki o Te Reo Maaori ‘Te Reo Maaori Language Week’
• Monday 14 September: Year 6 Final Camp Parent Meeting (6.00 pm)
• Thursday 17 September: New Entrant Visit (9:00 am – 10:30 am) Induction Meeting with Principal 9.00 am 
• Friday 18 September : Whole School Assembly Te Pane o Mataoho (2.00 pm)
• Monday 21 September: Board Hui (5:30 pm)
• Tuesday 22 September: New Entrant Visit (9:00 am – 10:30 am) Induction Meeting with Principal 9.00 am 
• Thursday 24 September: New Entrant Visit (9:00 am – 10:30 am)
• Friday 25 September: Last Day of Term 3 End of Term Newsletter

Year 6 Camp Parent Meeting

Monday 27th July @ 6 pm 

Only 15 weeks till the Year 6 Camp held

Wednesday 21 – 23 October Term 3 Wk2

Term 2 Attendance 

‘Everyday Matters Report’

We have recently recieved our ‘Every Day Matters’ attendance report from the Ministry of Education for Term 2. Although we are pleased that our attendance has improved in comparison to 2025 there is still a need for our school to improve our school attendance. We have a group of students who still remain in the ‘Moderate’ or ‘Chronic’ absence category. 

Knowing when to keep your child at home or bring them to school is important for our parents and whaanau. We recommend the following as per guidelines from MOE:

If your child is genuinely unwell e.g. fever, vomitting or has a contagious illness then keep them at home. 

If you child has a minor sniffle but is still energetic and can participate in activites then bring them to school. 

Every day counts and with only two terms left in the school year it is important your child attends school regularly. It not only helps them build positive routines but it allows them to participate in a range of learning experiences which will help them improve their progress. 

Our Pastoral team are here to support and work alongside our families who are affected by external factors such as transport or family commitments preventing your child coming to school regularly. 

A reminder about students who are away on holiday or personal travel during term time must email a request directly to the Principal. Absences without a reasonable explanation within school policy will be recorded as unjustified. Our current process involves our admin staff contacting parents daily to identify reasons for any absence. 

We would like to thank you for your onging support and commitment for your child’s education. 

Congratulations!

Tumau le Fa’avae Rm 8 

Winning Class for the Highest Attendnace!

Congratulations to Room 8 Vasega Valu for the having the highest attendance in the last two weeks of Term 2. Each class who wins will have ‘Koropuku’ our mascot together with a kete that has tasks for the children to complete from that class. The kids love having Koropuku. 

MBS Community Hui Term 3

Wednesday 9th September 3.15 pm 

Where: Auditorium 

We invite all of our parents and whaanau from MBS to attend our MBC Community Hui. As per feedback from our comunity regarding the most suitable time we are going to trial a new time at 3.15 pm (after school) on Wednesday 9th September. 

Our primary goal and purpose of our Community Hui is to provide a space for our whaanau to engage and talanoa as a collective and allowing an opportunity to share feedback and any thoughts and ideas. 

It is also an opportunity to share your dreams and aspirations for your tamariki. To also engage regarding the initiatives and share what is working well and areas we can continue to grow. 

We will also ensure there are opportunities to cater for our Maaori and Pasifika families and will be sharing the mid year student achievement data. In previous terms we held several meetings for our Maaori, Pasifika and other ethnicity groups. However, many parents have expressed a desire to bring everyone together to learn from one another and strengthen our school wider connetions. The start time of 3.15 pm also allows parents already picking up their child to attend without returning later in the evening. 

Library Paanui/News

Celebrating 65 years of our Swimming Pool

Update of Pool Refurbisbment

Our swimming pool continues to be a vibrant and historical gathering space for our students, whaanau, and the wider community. This year marks a significant milestone: 65 years since the pool first opened its doors in 1960

As we work to ensure the pool meets current health and safety standards and remains a long-lasting facility, we have reached an important stage in our refurbishment plan. We recently made the difficult but necessary decision to remove the large tree near the pool area. Following expert recommendations, this was done to protect the pool’s structural viability and manage operational costs. 

What’s Next?

Our refurbishment plan is moving forward with the following priorities:

• Interior Upgrades: Sanding and coating the pool interior.
• Facilities: Refreshing the changing rooms.
• Community Involvement: We are exploring options for shading and landscaping and look forward to bringing our community together through upcoming working bees.

Thank you to our parents and whaanau for your ongoing support as we work to make our pool a safer and more welcoming space for every student.

Community Notices