Here, Principal Nicola Jacobsen shares her thoughts.

Kia ora,

Thanks to the students, staff and parent volunteers who helped with the MAC Ski and Snowboard Champs on Tuesday. We had just over 50 competitors, and for some it was their first ski or snowboard competition. We also had a great day for the MAC Cross Country which was held on Wednesday. Congratulations to all the students who participated and competed on the day. Next week is the National Secondary Schools Winter Tournament. I would like to wish the teams, their coaches, managers and parent supporters all the very best.

Rugby: competing in Alexandra

Girls Football: competing in Timaru

Boys Football: competing in Dunedin

Netball: competing in Invercargill

Mixed Hockey: competing in Oamaru

Congratulations to Lachie Manson and Charlie Burgess, who won premier awards at the Otago Regional Science Fair. Lachie’s project won him the Sustainability Award. He researched the effectiveness of didymo, compared to pink batts, as a form of insulation. Charlie’s project won an Arts and Science mātauranga Māori award for his research of the Māori wind instrument pūrerehua.

Senior school practice exams are coming up 4-8 September. The exam timetable is available in the newsletter and has been emailed to students. If you have any questions about special assessment conditions or the exams themselves, please contact Vicki Ashton (ashtonv@mtaspiring.school.nz). The Head Students have emailed all Years 11-13 students with their study tips and tricks, and websites which they use to help support their own study.

Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata.

The land is strong, the people are fulfilled.

Ngā mihi,

Nicola Jacobsen