ACES Weekly Buzz

Tēnā koutou katoa parent(s), caregivers, whānau and external providers,

We have more inspiring updates to share in this week’s newsletter, we want to firstly honour the wonderful tutor teams who work hard preparing lessons, in some cases picking up and dropping off Tauira to school, preparing lunches, navigating the roller coaster of regulating emotions and behaviours while creating an exciting and compelling curriculum and culture of belonging. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou.

🏉 Social Enterprise Project - TECA the Future is here!

Thelo takes us through a snapshot of the work completed and tangible outcomes students have been working on in their Project Based Learning group.

🤝 Youthtown Panmure - Friyay @ Maungarei
"From sports to job readiness, our new Friday Youthtown Panmure program is all about building skills, friendships, and future success." We catch up with Salome and Team Maungarei about this exciting programme with our Community Partner Youthtown.

🤝 NZMA Taster - Tuakana pathways

One of our marquee external stakeholders is NZMA, today we focus in on their taster event inspiring our Tuakana (Senior Students).

🏉 Celebrating Student Success at Maungarei

We Celebrate KJ and explain the importance of highlighting success and outcomes for Tauira

at ACES Maungarei.

🥊 Freddie wins first Amateur Boxing bout
Finally, we celebrate Maungawhau and Breakthrough Academy student Freddie Smith-Mullers' success competing in his very first amateur boxing tournament, representing his Balmoral Lee Gar team but also flying the flag for ACES.

Ngā mihi nui,
The ACES Team

Our Project Based Learning Social Enterprise group, is igniting an entrepreneurial spirit in our Maungarei tauira (students) this term! Their mission? To launch TECA—an innovative app for selling office furniture and appliances online, with proceeds coming back to our ACES school, creating a win-win for our community and school.

The Brand (brainchild of CIA) —named after Thelo, Evelyn, Cia, and Ayden—has been diving deep into the world of business. A visit to Top NZ Social Enterprise All Heart NZ’s Manukau Head Office and store gave the students a front-row seat to all operations including their Shopify sales processes, inventory systems, and product coding process.

The cohort had the privilege of spending time with National Manager Marc Smith who walked through their multi-million dollar operation ($18m per year gross income) and how it sprung from a simple idea to give back. He has invited students to engage in work experience as well as work with his site team every Thursday for the remainder of the term, as he was so impressed by the curiosity and engagement of ACES tauira.

The Social Enterprise project group have also been working through their own selling process and eco-system, hustling, researching storage sites, costing logistics, and crafting a bold new brand identity with a fresh logo to match.

The project's milestone goal by the term’s end, the team will pitch their business plan for the TECA app to All Heart NZ’s Executive Management and a panel of guest entrepreneurs at Panmure Business Association. Beyond the nuts and bolts of social enterprise, branding, and marketing, our tauira are mastering life-changing skills: problem-solving, teamwork, resilience, and a winning mindset.

The attached video is from a visit to Audrey Williams, Manager of Panmure Business association (who will host our group's' milestone event) and a chance for her to share wisdom around the local business eco-system and encouragement for young people to try business as a pathway. Particularly inspiring for the young women in our team, Cia and Evelyn.

Social Enterprise isn’t just a project—it’s a vibrant, creative launchpad for our young visionaries to dream big, think creatively, and make a lasting impact in their own community! Ia manuia.

We are excited to introduce a new Friday program designed to help our students develop essential life and workplace skills. Delivered by Youthtown, based in Panmure, this initiative focuses on building confidence, fostering teamwork, and encouraging active participation through a variety of engaging activities.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in team-building challenges, sports sessions, and employment-focused workshops, all aimed at preparing them for success beyond the classroom.

Salome Ma’u, Maungarei Campus Leader, says “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to grow in confidence, learn valuable skills, and have fun while working together.” This hands-on, interactive program offers a fun and supportive environment where young people can strengthen relationships, expand their abilities, and prepare for their future.

Our students had an awesome experience at the NZMA Trades Taster, exploring real career pathways in the trades industry! 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️

They got stuck into practical sessions in:

1️⃣ Building & Construction
2️⃣ Electrical Engineering (Sparky)
3️⃣ Plumbing

They also learned about other exciting trade options like Painting & Plastering. It was a full-on day of hands-on learning, teamwork, and future-planning – and our students represented ACES with curiosity, respect, and enthusiasm. 💪🏽

Ka pai Ramari – proud of the way you stepped up and gave it a go! 🚧✨

Maungarei Tutor - Isaak Pohio

Maungarei tutors reward tauira at the end of the week, that demonstrate excellence in all facets of Campus and school life. This award comes as a result of KJ's excellent attendance, attitude and overall achievement demonstrated consistently across the week.

"Building a culture of success through Celebration is an important part of our Maungarei Culture and a part of our weekly rituals that build our learning environment."

Self-management, a key competency in the New Zealand Curriculum, is the ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to achieve goals and aspirations. It encompasses self-awareness, motivation, goal-setting, and resilience.

One particular highlight was during the CrossFit Project, where KJ demonstrated impressive personal growth. He was able to regulate his emotions more quickly than in previous instances, allowing him to rejoin the class and fully participate, encouraging others in the process to follow his example.

This moment stood out as a clear example of his increasing maturity, self-awareness and growth (Whakatupu). Well done, KJ - keep it up!

Maungarei Tutor - Dot Feetau

We’re calling on all ACES professionals to join the West Indies Teachers Team for the ACES World Indoor Netball Cup 2025 on Friday August 29! Whether you're eager to play or assist on the day, we’d love to have you involved. If you're available please RSVP by emailing thelo@aces.school.nz.

Over the weekend, Maungawhau Tuakana student Freddie Muller-Smith stepped into the ring for the very first time and came away with a well-deserved victory. Competing at Unbroken 4 in New Lynn, Auckland, this past Saturday, organised by our Community Partner Balmoral Lee Gar, where our Breakthrough boxing academy elective is held, Freddie showcased determination, discipline, and skill beyond his years.

Head Coach and NZ Combat legend Lolo Heimuli remarked, "Freddie has trained hard and consistently, in preparation for his first bout, showing tremendous dedication. Over the past six weeks during training camp, this involved training four times a week, running at the track on a Saturday morning 7am and up Bullock track on the odd Sunday morning, as well as making weight and working on mental skills and goal setting. At Balmoral Lee Gar we believe in producing Champion people who are great humans serving their Community, we are so proud to have Freddie as part of our team."

Our very own Ezra Purcell was on the card to compete also but his opponent had to pull out late (due to close family bereavement). We look forward to seeing him showing his skills in the next tournament. Ezra has played an important part in mentoring Freddie and going above and beyond to help Freddie commit to attendance and engagement with school life.

Ezra added about Freddie, "During my time at MAGS (Ed.note We get it Ezra, you are young lol) our school motto of Mount Albert Grammar School was "Per Angusta, Ad Augusta" which means "Through Hardship, To Glory". To me Freddie is proving many people wrong, who had written him off and he has overcome so many difficulties , just to get to the ring last Saturday was a win. So to go on and win with style while showing off all his gifts, talents and hard work at the same time, is the epitome of my old school creed.

Thanks also to ACES 2IC Ane Tonga, for supporting on Saturday, along with Karyl and fellow Maungawhau students, all collectively proud of Freddie's achievement. Thanks to Ane for Video attached feat.snippets of Freddie in action. Ia manuia.

If you are a local Auckland business keen to connect or advertise, we are looking for the right Partner to join ACES on our learning waka. Contact me on 021 913576 or thelo@aces.school.nz for a confidential chat.

If you would like to contribute directly today to the ACES Mahi in a small or larger way, please feel to click here

Please go to attached LINK here to see previous editions of ACES Weekly Buzz on our Public domain.

Alternative Education and Attendance Service | Auckland City Education Services | Auckland

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