Here we celebrate student achievement and showcase activities our students are involved in around college.

INTERHOUSE DEBATING COMPETITION

Congratulations to Roy House debaters who last week took out MAC’s annual interhouse debating competition.

The quality of the debates was very high and every contest was closely fought with debaters exploring topics such as banning plastics, whether New Zealand needs nuclear power, and whether or not we should introduce a compulsory political test in order to vote.

The competition was overseen by our student-led Academic Committee which runs events throughout the year aimed at increasing academic involvement across the school.

Results:

Years 7/8

Winner: Roy House: Merryn Foster, Liam Thomas, Cienna Hearle and Emma Head

2nd: Pisa House

Years 9/10

Winner: Roy House: Ivy Adams, Kasey Brooks and Maja Griffith-Jones

2nd: Barker House

Senior

Winner: Barker House: Zoe Laws, Thomas Benson and Cuba Pavlovich

2nd: Iron House

Overall winner: Roy House

All students are welcome to join the debating club which meets on Thursdays at lunchtime in English 3. You can read more about our student-led Academic Committee here: https://mtaspiring.school.nz/academic/

CENTRAL OTAGO SCIENCE FAIR

Last Thursday 10 August, 22 Year 7 students attended the Central Otago Science Fair held in Alexandra. We had a great day, with a lot of boards being chosen to continue to the Otago Science Fair. We are waiting to hear the results.

On the way home we had a wonderful tour of the Clyde Dam and the inner workings of this amazing construction.  A big thanks to the parents that helped transport and to Joe Wheeler for our tour.

MAC SPAIN TRIP

Next month, our senior Spanish students will head off to Spain on a language and cultural exchange. To help raise funds for this life-changing experience, we are holding an auction which will go live today at 4.30pm. It runs for ten days and finishes at 9pm on Monday 21 August.

The auction features a range of unique items from local businesses, including a weekend away, a massage, firewood, clothing, a trip to Christchurch, a three-night stay at Marina Terraces, interior design and construction materials, and gift vouchers.

There is also a raffle with 17 different draws. Tickets are $20 and the students will be out and about selling these.

How to register

Please visit this link: www.galabid.com/macspain

ANNUAL CROSS COUNTRY EVENT

Next week, we are holding our annual cross country event.  We warmly invite parents to come and watch students run the cross country.

While this event is not compulsory, students have been training for this during their PE lessons and participants can earn points for their house. Years 7-10 need to be dressed in full PE uniform, including a change of socks and Years 11-13 should dress in appropriate sports wear.

WHEN:  Wednesday 23 August

WHERE:  Lismore Park (across the road from the college)

TIME: 9:40am (P2): Year 8

        11:05am (P3): Years 11/12/13

        12:05pm (P4): Year 7

         2:15pm (P5): Years 9/10

MORE INFORMATION:  Please contact Nicola Cameron-Small via email: cameron-smalln@mtaspiring.school.nz

LIBBY FRAZER IN LONDON FOR SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Last year, Year 13 hostel student Libby Frazer participated in the University of Otago’s Sheilah Winn Shakespeare National Festival, and gained a place in the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ’s National Shakespeare Schools Production. This is an intensive holiday course where students rehearse and perform a total of three plays (48 scenes) over a period of nine days. Libby was commended on her acting ability and her directorship and was therefore selected along with 23 others to form the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company, who represent New Zealand in London.

This July, Libby spent three weeks in London, based principally at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This consisted of workshops, talks and Q&A sessions about the plays with actors and directors. The group got to experience behind the scene tours of the Globe, Rose and National Theatre and watched performances at the Globe.

After a challenging rehearsal schedule, the group performed an abridged version of ‘A Comedy of Errors’ on the Globe Stage. Libby says “This opportunity is a once in a lifetime and I am incredibly grateful to have been given this experience. It has taught me so much about what I am capable of and the influence performance has not only in Aotearoa, but worldwide. This experience has given me a lifetime of memories and I hope it will do the same for many generations to come.”

SCHOOL CLUBS

MACMT

MACMT (musical theatre club) is opening up to new members on Tuesday afternoons. All age groups and abilities are welcome. Come and give it a go if you like singing, dancing or acting. No experience required!

MAGIC The Gathering Club, Friday lunchtimes, Soc Sci 4 - between the playground and the field. Bring your best commander decks!