Learning Together to Create a Better Tomorrow

Ko Rangitoto te Maunga
- Where the rain falls from Rangi onto the Mountain and into
Ko Tikapa te Moana
- The waters that carried the Tainui waka of
Ko Te Kawerau ā Maki te Iwi
- the people of the land, Te Kawerau ā Maki
Ko Te whenua Roa o Kahu te Rohe
- The Long lands of Kahu (the granddaughter of Maki
Ko Ōmairangi te Whenua
- The Whenua of Mairangi
Ko Mairangi Bay te Kura
- Mairangi Bay is our school

RE: Principal On Leave

Kia ora e te whānau,

I would like to let our Mairangi Bay School community know that I will be on leave from Saturday, 20 June, until Tuesday, 14 July.

This is a special time for our family as we celebrate several significant milestones together, including my wife's 50th birthday, my son's 21st birthday, and our 30-year wedding anniversary. After four and a half wonderful years serving as Principal of Mairangi Bay School, we have the opportunity to reconnect as a family in New York and attend the FIFA World Cup.

As I reflect on the past four and a half years, I would like to sincerely thank our incredible staff, students, whānau, Board of Trustees, Iwi, local and global cultural partners, and our wider community for your ongoing support, partnership, and commitment to our school. Together, we continue to create a learning environment where our children can thrive academically, socially, culturally, and emotionally.

At present, our staff is working exceptionally hard to implement the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum while carefully tracking, analysing, and evaluating student achievement data to prepare mid-year reports. These reports will be released during Week 1 of Term 3 and will provide valuable insights into each learner's progress, next steps, and how you can help at home.

During my absence, our Deputy Principals, Claire Worthington-Blair and Sarah Geelen, will serve as Acting Principals and continue to lead the school alongside our dedicated staff. I have every confidence that Mairangi Bay School will continue to flourish under its leadership.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support of our school. It is a privilege to work alongside such a caring and committed community.

I look forward to reconnecting with you all upon my return and continuing our shared journey of learning together to create a better tomorrow.

He nui ake tō mātou mana i te kura anake - we are more than just a school.

Nathan Janes MEdLM

Tumuaki/ Principal Mairangi Bay Kura

NSPA Executive Vice President

APPA Working Advisory Group for Curriculum and Assessment

MoE Aspiring and Beginning Leader Mentor

Tel: 09-478 8424

Web: https://www.mairangibay.school.nz/

Learning together to create a better tomorrow

Ako tahi mō āpōpō kia pai ake - #iLOVEMBS

Strategic Goal 2: Whakawhanaungatanga - Foster Productive Relationships Within Our School and the Wider Mairangi Bay Community

Kia ora e te whānau,

At Mairangi Bay School, we take a balanced and holistic approach to learning - both in and beyond the classroom.

Homework at MBS is a choice and we do not set formal home learning. We encourage parents and caregivers to engage with students about what they are learning at school. The home learning hub on our school website provides a range of learning opportunities at home to accelerate, enhance, and extend to meet students' personal needs.

We encourage our tamariki and whānau to embrace a well-rounded lifestyle that includes:

Taking part in sport and physical activity
Learning a musical instrument or creative pursuit
Spending time with whānau and friends
Contributing to our community

These experiences are just as important as classroom learning and play a key role in supporting wellbeing, confidence, and growth.

Home Learning Hub – Optional Support

For whānau who wish to continue or extend learning at home, our Home Learning Hub page on the school website provides optional resources and guidance.

This includes:

Ministry of Education Parent Portal links
These year-by-year guides (Years 1–8) help you understand what your child is learning at school and offer practical ways to support learning at home.
Whanaungatanga links
These are additional opportunities to build knowledge, curiosity, and skills beyond the classroom programme - not extra homework, but optional enrichment.

If you would like more support in understanding your child’s current classroom learning, or how best to support them at home, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher. We value strong home–school partnerships and learning together.

A Shared Expectation

One consistent expectation we do encourage for all students is daily reading.
We recommend tamariki read for at least 30 minutes each day, building fluency, vocabulary, imagination, and a lifelong love of reading.

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning in ways that work best for your whānau. Together, we learn to create a better tomorrow.

Links to the NZC specific areas of the curriculum are below:

If you have any questions, please contact your class teacher.

Ngā mihi

Strategic Goal 1: Whakatupu Mātauranga - Encourage Academic Growth So That All Our Tamariki Achieve Their Potential and Become Well-Rounded Individuals

Kia ora e te whānau,

At Mairangi Bay School, swimming is an important part of our Physical Education and Health curriculum and plays a vital role in helping our students develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to stay safe in and around water.

As a nation surrounded by water, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of recreational water use in the world. Whether our children are at the beach, pool, river, lake, or enjoying water-based activities with family and friends, water safety is an essential life skill. Learning to swim is not simply a sporting opportunity - it is a critical component of keeping our children safe.

Swimming lessons support the development of:

Water confidence and safety awareness
Fundamental swimming and survival skills
Physical fitness and wellbeing
Resilience, perseverance, and goal setting
Confidence in new and challenging environments

For these reasons, swimming forms part of the New Zealand Curriculum and is an expected component of our Physical Education and Health program. Participation in swimming lessons is expected for all students unless they are unwell or have a medical reason that prevents them from taking part.

If your child is sick, please keep them at home to rest and recover. Students who are well enough to attend school are expected to participate in swimming activities alongside their classmates.

Our goal is for every child to leave Mairangi Bay School with the confidence and capability to be safe in the water. Through regular instruction, practice, and encouragement, we are helping our learners develop skills that may one day save their lives or the lives of others.

Thank you for your support in ensuring all students are prepared for swimming days with their togs, towel, and a positive attitude towards learning this important life skill.

Together, we are helping our children become confident, capable, and water-wise learners.

Strategic Goal 1: Whakatupu Mātauranga - Encourage Academic Growth So That All Our Tamariki Achieve Their Potential and Become Well-Rounded Individuals

Kia ora e te whānau,

As we celebrate our tamariki and their efforts on the field, court or pool, we’re collecting match reports, Player of the Day details, key highlights, and photos from each team. These will help us share and celebrate our students’ achievements this term. Therefore, as we kick into the new season, can we please ask all coaches and managers to share a match report each week?

We wish all the best to the following this term:

Hockey Teams

Mairangi Bay Yr1/2 Navy

The Navy Year 1-2 hockey team played against Glamorgan Tigers on Monday evening. In a very tight game, we drew 3-3. George was POD with some good defense.

Mairangi Bay Yr5/6 Red

There was a buzz in the air with the Vantage Black Sticks playing against Korea at the hockey grounds at the time of our game. Another great game and victory by the Mairangi Girls Red Hockey Team with a 3-0 win against the Greenhithe Gazelles. The team is looking stronger and stronger each game, focusing on their key strengths. The girls are putting in a lot of effort into their performances and practices. We are very proud and excited for the season.

Congratulations also go to...

Mairangi Bay Yr 3/4 White
Mairangi Bay Yr 5/6 Blue

Miniball Teams

Mairangi Bay Taipans - Y1/2

Year 1–2 MBS Taipans vs Albany 1

The Taipans played their best game of the season, showing great teamwork, defense, and quick drives against a strong opponent with sharp shooting. Special recognition to Adrian for great hustle on defense and some great shooting.

Let's go, Taipans!

Mairangi Bay Heat - Y4

Yesterday we played the Forest Hill Celtics, and despite some of our team being sick with colds, the boys really dug in to win 28-18 and showed great resilience and determination. All of the team really stepped up and played well, so it was hard picking a player of the day, but our player of the day was Rowen this week, who had great consistency at shooting goals for the team. Well done, boys, you are playing so well together as a team.

Mairangi Bay Raptors - Y5-6

Year 5–6 MBS Raptors 38 – St. John's Spurs 15

A strong performance from the Raptors led to an impressive win over the Spurs. The culmination of hard work was evident in fantastic defensive teamwork, which created opportunities on offense. Special recognition went to Kingston for great hustle on both defense and offense, and for some nice buckets. Let's go, Raptors!

Mairangi Bay Bulls - Y5-6

We came up against a tough Torbay side and unfortunately went down this week. (42-4) Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take away. The boys continued to work hard throughout the game and showed some good ball movement on offense. Defensively, Mike and George both stood out with their strong defensive effort and energy, helping keep the team competitive throughout the game. The team communicated well and continued to support each other on both ends of the court. While the result didn’t go our way, the players are continuing to improve each week, and there are plenty of positives to build on moving forward.

Mairangi Bay Comets - Y5/6

Y5/6 Grils Harbour A grade Semi Finals: Mairangi Bay Comets 19 v Bayview Dunk Divas 15

Well done to the girls for making it to the A Grade Grand Final and taking out the No. 1-seeded Bayview team.

The Bayview Dunk Divas were unbeaten all season until this week's semi-final. Next Tuesday, they play Murrays Bay, 5 pm at Eventfinda Stadium. Murrays Bay Girls are the Cluster Day Champions.

Looking forward to an Epic battle! Congratulations to the Comets for making the final in their inaugural season!!

Congratulations also go to...

Mairangi Bay Phoenix - Y5-6
Mairangi Bay Thunder - Y5-6
Mairangi Bay Falcons - Y1
Mairangi Bay Warriors - Y4
Mairangi Bay Hawks - Y3
Mairangi Bay Stars - Y5

Flippa Ball Teams

Mairangi Bay Sharks - Y4

This weekend, our Year 4 Splash Polo team played the Hauraki Dolphins. Although we didn't come away with a win, our teamwork was definitely a strength in this game. Fantastic work from our player of the game, Hailey, who returned from injury with great enthusiasm, making accurate passes in attack and steals on defense. We're glad she is back. Well done.

Congratulations also go to...

Mairangi Bay Marlins - Y5-6
Mairangi Bay Stingrays - Y5
Mairangi Bay Dolphins - Y6

Netball Teams

Mairangi Bay Emerald - Y2

Our little superstars, the Mairangi Bay Emerald netball team, beat Hobsonville 5-2 on Saturday! Stand out performances from our goal shoot and goal attack, Karl and Emily.

Mairangi Bay Sapphire - Y3

Congratulations to Year 3 netball team Sapphires, who won their game 15-10 against Bayfield School. The passing was very accurate, and any loose balls were snapped up quickly by hungry Mairangi Bay hands! Congratulations to Alison, who received Sportsperson of the Day, and Kaylee, who received Player of the Day!

Mairangi Bay Opals - Y4

The Opals played a great game, were very competitive against Kristen, and it ended in a draw. 3-3. Cora scored 2 goals as a goal attack. Well done, Cora. We did a great job moving the ball up and down the court through our wing positions. Olivia was awarded player of the day as Wing Defense. Great work to all the girls in a tough game. Our grading games are now over, and we're in 4B, a fantastic achievement from the team.

Mairangi Bay Topaz - Y5

MBS Topaz has worked really hard over the past five weeks, showing up every week, giving their all, learning from each game, and really coming together as a team. Their commitment and determination have resulted in some incredible netball performances throughout the grading season. They finished grading on Saturday with an impressive 26–4 win over Pinehurst, and their efforts have been rewarded with promotion to A Grade. We are delighted for the girls as they achieve the goal they set for themselves at the beginning of the season and can't wait to see them continue to grow, challenge themselves, and shine. Congratulations, MBS Topaz!

Congratulations also go to...

Mairangi Bay Onyx - Y5
Mairangi Bay Jade - Y4-5
Mairangi Bay Netball 6/1

Thank you for helping us showcase the kindness, respect, and resilience our players display each week, both in victory and in learning.

Ngā mihi nui oku hoa

School Newsletter 2026

Term 2 Week 9

In This Issue

A Message from our Tumuaki

Fostering Whānau Partnerships - Home-learning

Hero - Our Student Management System

Thank You for Supporting the 40 Hour Famine

Super Cluster Cross Country

AFL KiwiKick Hits the Field!

Why Swimming Matters at Mairangi Bay School - Learning to Swim is Learning for Life

National Dance Challenge 2026

Sports News Term 2

New Table Tennis Table a Huge Success!

The Music and Arts Programme

Mairangi Bay Students Take Centre Stage in The Addams Family

Celebrating Rich Learning Opportunities

Bathroom Use and Hygiene Expectations

Parent Corner - Supporting our tamariki, whānau and community

Parent Corner: Digital Safety

Our School Online Shop is OPEN!

Parent and Whānau Feedback Portal

Wellbeing Coach Available at MBS

What's on at our school?

A Message from the Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford

Supporting Our School Community

Advertising in our newsletter

A Message from our Tumuaki

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Fostering Whānau Partnerships - Home-learning

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Home Learning Hub – Optional Support

A Shared Expectation

Hero - Our Student Management System

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Thank You for Supporting the 40 Hour Famine

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Super Cluster Cross Country

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

AFL KiwiKick Hits the Field!

Zoe Macready - In-school PE Leader

What's Next? 5-Week After-School Program!

Why Swimming Matters at Mairangi Bay School - Learning to Swim is Learning for Life

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

National Dance Challenge 2026

Claire Worthington Blair - Deputy Principal

Sports News Term 2

Coaches and Managers Match Reports

Hockey Teams

Mairangi Bay Yr1/2 Navy

Mairangi Bay Yr5/6 Red

Miniball Teams

Mairangi Bay Taipans - Y1/2

Mairangi Bay Heat - Y4

Mairangi Bay Raptors - Y5-6

Mairangi Bay Bulls - Y5-6

Mairangi Bay Comets - Y5/6

Flippa Ball Teams

Mairangi Bay Sharks - Y4

Netball Teams

Mairangi Bay Emerald - Y2

Mairangi Bay Sapphire - Y3

Mairangi Bay Opals - Y4

Mairangi Bay Topaz - Y5

New Table Tennis Table a Huge Success!

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

The Music and Arts Programme

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Mairangi Bay Students Take Centre Stage in The Addams Family

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Celebrating Rich Learning Opportunities

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Bathroom Use and Hygiene Expectations

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Parent Corner - Supporting our tamariki, whānau and community

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

When sorry becomes repetitive

Parent Corner: Digital Safety

Nathan Janes - Tumuaki Principal

Is Your Child's Screen Stealing Their Sleep (and Their Smarts)?

Our School Online Shop is OPEN!