Kia ora e te whānau. I can’t believe that it is the end of Term 1 already - it has been what seems a very busy term.

Kia ora e te whānau. I can’t believe that it is the end of Term 1 already. it has been a very busy term. We welcomed 90 new Year 9 students to Mansfield House at the beginning of this year. They attended camp earlier this week. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, making connections with them, and seeing them do that with each other.

At the start of the year we had our first House Activity Day, where students participated in academic, cultural and sporting activities. It was a wonderful day where we saw so many students contribute (tohaina) and aspire (wawatahia) in the various activities. Well done! One of our favourites was the Just Dance routine, which we all had just 25 minutes to learn.

Our House Executive this year consists of Tynisa Kaiser Leyendecker (House Captain), Eliza Whitlock (Deputy House Captain), Olivia Eagle, Annabel Reid, Eliza Smith and Lucy Rose. Our House Exec have been working hard this term on House assemblies. It was wonderful to see our House competing against each other in a chant battle. All wānanga classes have been set a challenge to come up with a new chant. The prize is a pizza lunch! We all look forward to hearing them.

On 8 March, several of our students participated in the Child Cancer Foundation Street Appeal. They collected money for the foundation in small groups at Rangiora Woolworths (formerly Countdown), and raised a huge $570. Thank you to Kayleigh Sweeney, Hayley Eagle, Ben Parkes, Lachlan Marshall, Kupa Youle, Funa Sano, Mikana Suto, Georgia Lamont, Abigail McGrath, Charlotte Nihoniho, Eliza Whitlock, Lucy Rose and Olivia Eagle for collecting. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff members who made this possible - Penny Fisher, Melanie Wildermoth, and Leigh Miller. Thank you.

Ngā mihi nui,

Erin Wilkinson

Head of Mansfield House

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

You will notice, that this is not the Dean or Head of House writing this. My name is Dylan Mirk, and I’m currently a Year 13 in Mansfield House. I have been selected by our Head of House (Erin Wilkinson), to write the Mansfield Sections of the school newsletters this year. More on that later.

Firstly, It has been quite a start to 2024! Early this year, our new Head and Dean of House were officially inducted into their roles. Mrs Wilkinson will surely be known to many around the school already, having had her as one of my Maths teachers myself. She takes the position of Head of House. As for our new Dean, Mrs Honey may not be known to many, coming fresh from Mairehau High School. So welcome to Rangiora High School It’s a pleasure to have you as our Dean of House.

Secondly - What happened in Term 1? Of all things that have happened this term, there's one thing that will likely be of particular significance to students, including myself - the Phone Ban. The new rules came into full effect on 3 April. I note that a lot of students won't have liked these new rules originally, and largely questioned them. But after having days to witness the new rules in force, I personally think it's going quite well. I believe that after a few weeks of having this in force, the school will likely be better off without the cell phones. I was a bit worried about it at first. But it's actually quite good, and I think everyone should get behind it.

Thirdly, there are a couple of events coming up in Term 2 that you may wish to note down, the first one being another House Activity Day, which will be happening on Monday 27 May. I know some people who would love to avoid going to a House Activity Day but, at the end of the day, each student's contribution means points for our House. Please encourage yourselves (the students) to get behind this event and show up, and maybe even have fun while you're there. This is our chance to keep Mansfield out of being last place.

I also note that Year 10 students have their NCEA Numeracy & Literacy exams in Week 4. To the Year 10’s, please try your hardest. Don't give up.

Lastly, this is one of the first times that a student has written the Mansfield House newsletter section, and I encourage other Houses to do the same. As long as you have a good writer and a friendly way of going about it, I think the possibilities are endless.

Thank you Term 1. Bring on Term 2!

Dylan Mirk

Year 13, Mansfield House