What a fantastic and joyous start to Term 2 at Mana College. I am in awe of the talent, ability and potential of these young people in the wide range of arenas they achieve in!

Firstly, the ANZAC day celebrations provided the school an opportunity to remember and commemorate the sacrifices laid down by thousands of men and women, not only in wartime, but throughout their service in peacetime or peacekeeping missions.

Our student leaders, Maia Leonard, Eva Bishop, Lilly Drummond, and Daniel Leach participated in all three official events on the 25th April, including the Titahi Bay Dawn Ceremony, the Porirua City Council, and Ngati Toa ANZAC service at Takapuwahia. The head students represented the college and laid wreaths at all three services to commemorate their appreciation for the service and lives of our servicemen and women.

Secondly, if you haven’t had the opportunity to watch the school production, MOANA, get a ticket quicksmart! The production has now successfully performed three times, with two evenings and one matinee. We have a matinee on Friday at 1pm with the final performance on Saturday night at 7pm.

Everyone knows the songs of Moana, famously produced by Disney, and they are beautiful. However, what is even more beautiful is the skill and cleverness in turning a Disney production into a one hour stage musical. Our student cast of over 40 budding performers deliver a most authentic performance which is inclusive, passionate and will have you clapping loudly for the encore!

Congratulations to Rosie Moxey(director), Laura Loach (musical director), and Jacqueline Nordon (producer) and the team for yet again, taking this raw talent and moulding it into a masterpiece.

In other news, the new term has started well, with winter sports kicking off this weekend. Good luck to our rugby, netball, basketball teams who will begin their season over the next week.

Sports draws will be posted on the schools website and social pages. You can also find season draws and results for each sport online. College Sport Wellington - rugby & basketball, Kapi Mana - netball and Play HQ - hockey. Be sure to send in Mana College sporting successes for us to celebrate within our community.  

Finally, it’s good to check in with your young person on how the term has begun. We know that Term 1 is a bit easier than Term 2. It’s warmer, they have had a good summer holiday and they look forward to seeing their friends and teachers again. Term 2 can be a bit slower for some, especially if they don’t have an extra-curricular activity to connect to. Students who are focussed on their kapa haka, sports, arts or other activities tend to be positive about school. It’s not too late to jump into the many activities and clubs that school and the community offer. Check in with your Learning Advisory teacher if you want to know more.

And finally, finally…haere ra to B block today.

The demolition team has been working all day to take down the last remains of this block that housed social sciences, geography, history, careers, transition, and technology for the last 60 years. Following this, the construction of stage 1 will follow and a brand new Technology, Science and Te Whare Ako block will be built.