The Flame Student Newspaper
Welcome parents, teachers and students to MRGS's student newspaper- The Flame. This is an online edition of the newspaper, written by students for students. Click here to read the current issue of The Flame online, as well as previous issues. Students are encouraged to submit an article for The Flame by clicking on the "Submit Work" link a the Flame website.
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Year 12 Biology Field Trip
We were surrounded. Native trees and bushes were all around us and insects crawled around in the undergrowth. A stream trickled nearby, and the occasional fantail fluttered through the branches. We had to remind ourselves that we were still in the middle of the Auckland CBD.
On the 24th of February, all of the year 12 BIO students took a trip to the Auckland domain to conduct field research in the native forest in the domain and visit the museum.
When we arrived, the group split up; half of us went inside the museum while the other half ventured into the native forest. We spent an hour in the bush mapping out our sites and indentifying New Zealand’s unique flora, whilst brushing away the occasional green spider from our hair. It was around 30 degrees Celsius in there and very humid, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. We all worked hard and tirelessly, examining leaves and measuring out distances. Finally an hour later we trudged out of the bush, exhausted and relieved.
After that, the two groups swapped, those who had been working in the bush went to the museum and those who had spent their morning in the museum ventured into the native forest.
The last museum group then had their lecture, which was very intriguing. We were taught about how New Zealand’s flora and fauna had evolved and how unique New Zealand’s native species really are. We even got to hold a moa bone and a fossil which was millions of years old. After a look around at the various biological displays around the museum we headed off, back to the bus. We met up with the other groups and then we were off. It was an interesting, informative and enjoyable trip.
Shilpan Patel
Vivien Lei
Mediator Exchange
On Thursday the 25th of February, a small school exchange took place between MRGS and Whangaparaoa College. This was not, however, the usual sports exchange but a corresponding visit between two groups of mediators. The mediators of Whangaparaoa College were hosted by a group of selected MRGS Advanced Mediators including: Aditya Sheth, Aditya Verma, Afa Laufoli, Ajay Ravindran, Ashreya Duvuru, Audrey Tay, Helen Edminston, Jason Walls, Joseph Windsor, Khadija Khan, Lita Vatuvei, Timothy Sue, and our passionate and devoted Mediators co-ordinator, Donna Hourigan-Johnston.
The day consisted of presentations given by MRGS students, based on the areas of their school lives involving the mediators such as: Peace Week, Mediator and Advanced Mediator Training, Peer Mentors. MRGS was named the Cool Schools’ number one secondary school, as MRGS has successfully been implementing the Peer Mediation Programme for fifteen years. This was seen as an irreplaceable opportunity to pass on to another school that was just establishing their mediation system, the extent of opportunities MRGS offers in ways of training and involvement throughout the year.
Even though the exchange only took place for two hours, the students of both MRGS and Whangaparaoa College felt they were able to connect and contact details were exchanged in various ways. When students were asked for their feedback on the exchange they replied that it was simply “too epic to describe” and “an experience never to be forgotten”. Donna and the MRGS host students are now wishing Whangaparaoa College all the best with their journey to make their school safer through the Peer Mediation programme and hope to be able to visit Whangaparaoa College in the middle of term two to see their progress.
Mt Roskill Grammar’s Trial By Media
8 March 2010
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Mt Roskill Grammar’s Trial By Media
Many will be aware that on occasion last week a television crew was active outside the school grounds.
TV3’s Target programme, the self appointed investigator into “dodgy practices”, has made the decision to investigate our school uniform supply arrangements, and its ‘verdict’ is to be screened on Tuesday at 7.30pm.
The Board of Trustees was made aware of Target’s interest in our uniform last Monday, when we received a letter by courier from the producer outlining a series of ‘facts’ and asking us to respond to three specific questions. (See letter from Target and the Board of Trustees’ response.)
Dealing with the programme has been an eye opener in terms of Trial By Media.
Target has appointed itself the chief investigator, prosecutor, jury – and judge, over what it considers relevant and what it will air.
At no point did Target approach the Board of Trustees for an initial discussion to seek to establish whether there was a case to answer. It was more, ‘you are accused; how do you explain that’.
We have no understanding of what is in the programme, but given Target’s approach, which included managing to estimate that our uniform costs a third more than it does, we will be pleasantly surprised if our position is covered accurately or fairly. Regrettably we suspect Target will lean towards ‘dramatic expose’ at the expense of the real situation.
The Board of Trustees stands behind the new uniform which was adopted in 2008, and believes our current manufacturing and retail approach gives students and their families a better quality uniform at a fairer price.
We encourage all students and their families to view the programme and reach their own conclusions.
If nothing else it will give our students a real-life learning experience around how current affairs programmes go about covering a story. Given their knowledge of the true position in this situation, it will encourage them to ask the question: How much reliance can I place on television, radio and newspaper coverage in general when it comes to fact and balance?
G B Watson
Principal
New Staff 2010
We welcomed 9 new teachers for the start of 2010 year:
- David Hithersay (Science Department),
- Sarah Fels (Art Department),
- Martin Vlaskovsky (Maths Department),
- Ben Horne (PE Department),
- Connor Chellew (PE Department),
- Ciaran Overton (PE Department),
- Ashmita Gosai (Social Sciences Department),
- Thomaseena Paul (Maori Department)
- Carolyn Dower-Cruden (Performing Arts)
Building Projects
Your children may have mentioned that there is currently an open space where the old C block once stood.
Plans have been drawn for a new two storey block to house Social Sciences. This will be constructed throughout this year. Major noisy and disruptive activities will be scheduled for the holidays where it is practicable.
The new Deans’ Centre has opened in the newly remodelled lower floor of E block and is already proving to be an asset to staff and students.
Head Prefects 2010
Congratulations to the following students who have been appointed as Head Prefects for 2010:
- Jason Walls
- Helen Edmiston
- Zane van Lieshout
- Codesa Afele
The school prefects are:
- Reuel Baptista
- Sophie Askew
- Caleb Deverell
- Gloria Ching
- Gray Hunter
- Ashreya Duvuru
- Javed Khan
- Jennecca Evalu
- Elia Kim
- Tracey Ho
- Kaveendra Krishna
- Telisha Kumar
- Afa Laufoli
- Vivien Lee
- Jordon Milroy
- Jing Tong Liu
- Michael Murray
- Raina Naidu
- Jaiman Patel
- Emily Ng
- Robert Pome’e
- Nandita Rao
- Ajay Ravindran
- Gladys Rowntree
- Aditya Sheth
- Annaliesa Tran
- Timothy Sue
- Lita Vatuvei
- Tadele Tekle-Haimanot
- Katie Winny
- Aditya Verma
Incredible Technology Results
In summary:
- 80% of those Year 13 students entered for Scholarship gained a Scholarship
- Kevin Huang earned an “Outstanding” in Scholarship.
- 3 students nominated to “Realise the Dream” awards, one by two different groups (a first!)
- 2 students are given travel awards (a third was not eligible because he gained one last year, only 6 awarded in New Zealand).
- 1st place in international computer science competition.
Kevin Huang
Kevin Huang
Kevin designed and built a remote controlled lawnmower. This creation earned him a gold award at the Auckland Regional Science Fair and a nomination to the “Realise the Dream“ awards (a New Zealand wide competition). There he won first place in the Senior Technology category. He was also awarded an Auckland University Scholarship worth $2000.
He submitted an entry to the national “Bright Sparks” competition (entry is by internet submission) and gained second place in the senior category as well as another nomination the “Realise the Dream” awards. As a result he has been awarded a travel scholarship to Beijing in March where he will compete with students from 16 other countries. He has also been invited to attend the “Bright Sparks” awards ceremony in Wellington in March.
Kevin gained an “Outstanding” in his New Zealand Scholarship examination.
Nikhil Mahashabde
Nikhil Mahashabde
Nikhil created “Spynik”, an internet monitoring system for children, which he entered into the “Bright Sparks” competition. He was awarded 3rd place and a nomination to the “Realise the Dream” awards. In December he was given a travel award to Taiwan (one of only two in New Zealand) which he took in earlier this month. Taiwan hosts some 250 students from 13 countries around the world, giving them a chance to display their inventions in one of the 10 categories available.
Nikhil was awarded first place in the Computer Science category and has also been invited to attend the “Bright Sparks” awards ceremony in Wellington in March.
Abhilash Kamineni
Abhilash created a USB transfer system, allowing direct transfer of data from one USB to another, which he entered into the “Bright Sparks” competition. He was awarded 3rd place and a nomination to the “Realise the Dream” awards. In 2008 he was awarded a travel scholarship to Taiwan for his previous efforts. He was also awarded a scholarship in Technology in the New Zealand Scholarship Examinations.
He has also been invited to attend the “Bright Sparks” awards ceremony in Wellington in March.