A warm welcome to the 2023 school year
Mana with Mana
Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa i roto i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Nau mai, hoki mai mo te tau hou.
Talofa Lava, Melo le lei, Bula Vinaka, Noa’ia, Kia Orana and warm Pacific greetings to you all.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and students, I would like to welcome all new students and whānau who are joining our kura. Year 9 students will begin their secondary school journey on Wednesday 1 February at 9.00am. We ask that whānau and students meet outside the marae by the waha ora. Year 10-13 students will begin their schooling for 2023 on Friday 3rd February.
A warm welcome also to all existing students and whānau back to Mana College in 2023. We trust you are well rested and looking forward to seeing your friends and teachers again as well as begin your best year ever! As we plan our year out we are particularly excited about the potential that this year will bring, including events such as school productions, camps, overseas sports trips, property upgrades, as well as the day to day experiences our staff have planned so each young person can flourish.
New staff
Part of the ingredients for a world class education is having quality teachers. We are blessed to have teachers who are fully committed to the wellbeing and achievement of all young people at Mana College. We are excited to announce our new teaching staff at Mana College for 2023. These include:
Karl Payne LAH English
Jon Bennett Digital technology
Toni Robinson Food technology
Hilary Milne Arts coordinator
Kaiporohu Willams-Bragg Teacher Aide
Property developments
One massive change this year is the scale and scope of property work at Mana College. It gives me great joy to finally say that our capital works redevelopment is underway. Stage 1 includes building an innovative Technology block where B and C Block used to be. This means that currently:
B & C Block is in the process of demolition
The gym is closed due to a full renovation
A Portacom Village has been built with 5 classrooms
D & F block have been renovated to accommodate new classrooms
A pathway is currently being finished from Ngāti Toa street to the courts
The great thing about this staged development is that noise and work will be restricted to the top part of the school. The refurbishments actually look amazing already. Go Mana.
Visitor access is still through the front office, and we have made more spaces for parking for whānau and visitors at the front office.
Events and Activities Term 1
Wednesday 1 February - 9am - Year 9 and new students Powhiri. Year 9 plus tuakana all day.
Thursday 2 February - Year 9 students only plus tuakana 9am to 3pm
Friday 3 February - Whole school in attendance
Monday 6 February - Waitangi Day observed (School closed)
Tuesday 7 February - Whole school in attendance
The following information is advice from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. If you are a student you need to:
Covid 19 - Managing cases in our school
Despite a peak in cases in late December, overall, the key measures of infection used to monitor the COVID-19 epidemic showed a decrease in the month of January.
While there is huge optimism around the start of our year, it’s still important to be vigilant in regard to health and safety procedures, including:
Good hygiene with washing hands
Staying home if you are unwell
The use of masks
The use of masks is advised for students and staff who want to minimize the risk of infection or in a precautionary way. We need to be respectful around this practice and will be discussing this with students.
Please make sure your contact details we have on file are up to date, so we can get in touch with you if needed. You can contact the school office by email: office@mana.school.nz or by phone 04 237 5424.
Work and Income support
The beginning of the year can be a tough time for parents who are faced with many costs and it is important you are aware of what assistance you may be able to get from Work and Income. These are available to people on a low income as well as those on a benefit.
· Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy
· School and Year Start-up Payment (for people getting Orphan’s Benefit or Unsupported Child’s Benefit)
· Help with living costs (including food and rent/mortgage)
Use the links above or call 0800 559 009 to find out more, or to apply.
MoneyTalks can assist with free budgeting and debt help
You can also contact your local community provider. Please find more information here.
Getting ready to return to school
The Ministry of Education has some helpful information on their Parents and Whānau website to support your tamariki to get back to school. There is also a very important reminder about how you can take care of yourself.
While this might all feel a little overwhelming at times, we know that all these measures will help our children return to school, reconnect with whānau and friends and do what they enjoy.
We are also here to help. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or need help in any way.
Our Year level deans are:
Year 9: Marnus van Rensburg- marnusv@mana.school.nz
Year 10: Marina Anderton - marinaa@mana.school.nz
Year 11: Kaylene Riley - kaylener@mana.school.nz
Year 12: Lana McLaughlin-Khan - lanam@mana.school.nz
Year 13: Tupe Papali’i - tupep@mana.school.nz