Coromandel Life Spring/Holiday 2014

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PROUDLY
SUPPORTING
ALL SCHOOLS IN THE
MERCURY BAY NEW W ORLD
100%
LOCALLY
OWNED &
OPERATED
centred around youth party culture”, she says, “and we address the
sometimes frightening consequences of the misuse of social media.”
However, Lia explains that the performance has a
positive message. “Instead of competing against one
another and being cruel, it’s about respecting each
other and sticking together.”
The students, a group of 43 Y9-13 students from MBAS
performed before an audience of over one thousand
at Bay Court Theatre in Tauranga. They had rehearsed
their seven-minute Stage Challenge entry since the
beginning of Term One, and travelled to Tauranga in June to compete
against five other schools.
The effort was entirely student-led and participants have already begun
to experience the benefits of working with their peers. “The dancers
have expressed how much they are enjoying getting to know students
that they would never normally mix with” says Lia. “Senior students
commented that they appreciate this opportunity to work together with
the younger students.”
The diversity of the students involved certainly posed challenges.
Performers ranged in experience from those who have been dancing most
of their lives, to those for whom this was their first ever stage experience.
The choreography was a collaborative process that evolved in response
to the strengths and abilities of the dancers. “The boys have been
particularly enthusiastic in making suggestions for their parts.”
Although Stage Challenge is a competition, Lia comments that there is
more to it than winning.
“We’ve made so many new friends; we’re like a big family. We have ups
and downs but everyone’s just had such a good time!”
43 STUDENTS
TO THE CHALLENGERISE
New additions to MBAS are a gym
housing a basketball court and a rock
climbing wall with handholds and ropes.
For Years 7-10, the wall is used to
teach students an understanding of their
physical condition while strengthening
their mental and emotional resolve.
Lessons cover warming up to maximize
performance while reducing risk of injury,
problem solving the route, checking
equipment, leadership, perseverance, and
offering mutual support.
For Years 11-13, the indoor climbing wall
is used to teach more advanced skills
in movement, anatomy assessment,
biomechanics and physiology, risk
management, management strategy, and
mentoring and training. Outdoor Education
enables these students to gain a number
of NCEA credits through outdoor activities.
Since these assessments are recognised
by tertiary institutes, it allows students to
gain entrance into a range of courses and
qualifications – foundations for careers
such as sports science and outdoor
education.
Learn more about the MBAS plane
building programme. Y12 student Kyla
McLean’s 74 page book about the
restoration of ZK-MBA, The Plane
Project, has just been released.
Kyla followed the initial project for
two years, documenting progress & interviewing participants.
Copies were distributed to all involved and the remaining are
for sale at $30 each. Proceeds benefit ongoing projects, such
as the current restoration of the “Old Coot” sea plane.
Mercury Bay Area School in Whitianga is surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty, from the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail
and Pinnacles Walk to the pristine Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve – all right on our doorstep. The school
offers classes in Outdoor Education to help students more fully engage with the challenges of nature, and perhaps even set
them up for future careers. Learn more at
NEW WORLD WHITIANGA
Corner Joan Gaskell Drive & Cook Drive
Open 7 am – 9 pm
Phone 867 1900
Stage Challenge is a dance, drama and design spectacular where the
students are the stars.
It is part of a global event reflecting the personalities, concerns, hopes,
dreams and interests of students. Each team may have up to 140
students from a school or community group working together with
parents, teachers and their local community to create their performance.
A school’s entry into Stage Challenge is about experiencing the natural
high of being part of a team in a 100% tobacco, drug and alcohol-free
environment.
This years stage challenge was choreographed and directed by Y13
student arts leader, Lia Hockley. “We envisioned the dance performance
MBAS students are also
experiencing sea life close
up. Starting with Year
8, students snorkel and
kayak at Whanganui A Hei
(Cathedral Cove) Marine
Reserve. This introduction
lays the foundation for Year
12-13 students who join
the Marine Academy run by Whitianga based Dive Zone.
They are provided the necessary equipment and training,
gaining both PADI certification and NCEA credits.
Students follow courses on night diving, deep diving,
underwater navigation, and even rescue diving which can
lead to careers in diving, eco-tourism, and research.
Under the Waves...
Up in the Sky. . .
Against the Wall...
wHITIANGA’S MERCURY BAY AREA SCHOOL