The School

Welcome to Mellons Bay School

Nau-mai-haere-mai-ki-te-kura-o-Mellons-Bay

Mellons Bay School was opened in February 1960 as a small community school in a coastal setting. It has retained a strong sense of community despite it now being an urban school with approximately 500 students. Past and present students and family maintain strong links with the school. The Board of Trustees, Parent Teacher Association and staff value highly this commitment and appreciate greatly the ongoing support of the wider community.

The school has maintained a strong positive culture throughout the years. It is mindful of long standing traditions and values and ensures these are always considered as improvements to learning opportunities are made. The staff is committed to provide a wide range or experiences both withing the classroom environment and as extra-curricular activities. We are very proud of the way we celebrate the bicultural nature of New Zealand. A very large kapa haka group participates in the local festival each year. The school assemblies are an opportunity for celebrating student learning and successes. The merit cups which are awarded each week are highly valued by students, staff and families. Certificates are awarded to students who uphold the school's values.

The primary school years are the beginning of the formal learning journey. Literacy and numeracy are the main focus in the early years. Staff participate in professional development to ensure they are kept abreast of current research. Resources are maintained to a high level to support learning.

To prepare each student for the next stage in their learning journey, we endeavour to support them to become independent, enthusiastic learners with a thirst for knowledge. To achieve this there needs to be a strong partnership between the school and home.

Visitors are welcome at the school. Please contact the school office to arrange a visit.

Vision

Learning to Navigate our Changing World with Respect, Resilience and Responsibility.

This statement underpins everything the school community sets out to achieve. It is the community's wish that Mellons Bay students leave the school with a love of learning and a desire to continue the learning journey. The students are taught to be reflective practitioners who recognise the importance of being in charge of their own learning.

 Please click here to view The Mellons Bay Way.

Values - Learner Profile

As our students move through Mellons Bay School they will develop the values, knowledge and competencies of the following 5C's:

• Communicative - students can communicate their learning and ideas effectively and are active listeners.
• Creative - students are enthusiastic and curious about new learning and can present their thinking in innovative and original ways.
• Confident - students are risk-takers, motivated and resourceful learners who strive for personal best.
• Connected - Students can relate well to others, respect differences, take responsibility for the environment and be active members of the school and wider community.
• Caring - I show kindness and concern for others and the environment.

Emblem

The seahorse emblem is much loved by current and past students alike. The founding principal, Mr McNauhton along with teachers, PTA and students chose the seahorse as it reflects the coastal location of the school and, like human beings, the seahorse has many unique characteristics in its makeup.

Motto

"Knowledge is Strength"

Our Motto summaries many of the aims and ideals of the school.
Knowledge brings more than just facts and figures. It is concerned with our own capabilities:

• that we can improve and develop further at any time
• that other people have similar feelings and emotions
• what has been learned in the past will help us today, tomorrow and to plan for the future.

Guiding Principles

To support the vision the school will:

• Deliver teaching and learning programmes which meet the needs of all students and prepare them for the future.
• Provide relevant experiences which will foster a love of learning and an understanding of learning pathways.
• Acknowledge the bicultural foundations and value the cultural diversity of New Zealand.
• Maintain a positive relationship with the school community.

School Houses

There are four school houses:

• Dolphin          
• Triton             
• Octopus          
• Marlin             

They have been part of the school since its inception. Each student is placed in a house on enrolment at school. Every effort is made to place each student in the same house as other siblings and even the same as their parents or grandparents if desired.  On sports days, students wear a   t-shirt the colour of their house.

Launchpad

Adult volunteers take religious instruction for the students of year 3 to 6 for a half hour session each Thursday in their classroom with a Mellons Bay School teacher present.   The volunteers follow the Launchpad - Christian Values Education Programme.  Students may attend the sessions with their parents permission.

An alternative series of sessions is offered to students not attending religious instruction.  This is facilitated by Mellons Bay School teachers.

Both options begin in term 2 and finish by the middle of term 4.