ACES Weekly Buzz

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

This week we catch up with Maungawhau's Mark Pomare as he walks us through the amazing, "Guardians of the Community" project and discusses the importance of safety in creating a successful learning environment;

We recap the success of ACES Pink Shirt Day (Anti-Bullying kaupapa) in pictures and we take a look at the details for the upcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup coming up in 9 June; And finally we check out important dates for Terms 2 and 3.

NB: Today, we also welcome more new students onto both Campuses, while our current cohort work self-directed. We will connect with Whanau and also provide an induction for the new students taking them through our timetable, values and key staff contacts.

A Project-Based Learning Journey with Maungawhau Tutor Mark Pomare

This term, students at ACES have launched into an exciting and meaningful Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative titled Guardians of the Community – Part 1: Safe Travel. Kaiako Mark Pomare says, "Our Kauapapa for our project is inspired by the Marvel film 'Guardians of the Galaxy', the project uses cinematic storytelling to ignite student engagement while tackling a real-world issue: improving student safety in the Auckland CBD."

The project fosters key skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and community engagement.

Guided by the driving question, “How can I improve student safety in the Auckland CBD?”, learners investigate a range of safety concerns related to public transport and urban infrastructure. Through workbooks, multimedia resources, guest visits, and site experiences at the CPNZ (community patrol centre), students develop their understanding of current safety protocols and explore possibilities for future improvement.

Alongside academic inquiry, students build real-world competencies such as teamwork, planning, questioning, and respectful communication.

The project’s assessment milestones are both practical and purposeful. Students complete safety workbooks, evaluate public transport systems, and engage with crime statistics, all culminating in a comprehensive student-created resource pack. This includes safety posters, a revised campus safety audit, and student-produced safety videos.

Ultimately, Guardians of the Community empowers students not only to learn but to lead — taking ownership of their environment and reimagining what it means to be safe, aware, and community-minded in the heart of Auckland. Mauri Ora!

Official Promotional Video

EVENT NAME: ACES FIFA Futsal World Cup 2025

WHO: Auckland City Education Services - AE and Professionals
WHERE: Action Indoor Sport Central, 911 Dominion Road

DATES: Friday, 6 June (Practice and Orientation Sessions) & Monday, 9 June (Full Tournament)
WHAT: A thrilling round-robin Futsal Tournament with plate and cup winners to see who has the best soccer players in ACES! 8 Roopu Teams, all playing all rounds, powered by guests from our professional team joining each roopu squad!
RUNTIME: 2 action-packed hours, 8-minute halves, 30-second swap-overs—fast and furious!
REFS: Action Central supplying top-notch refs for Monday, 9 June
STRIP: Warwick (Action Central Owner)’s got us covered with slick International tops! Roopu Squads to send sizes to Thelo by Thursday this week—don’t miss out! First Come, First Serve for registering teams. IMPORTANT, Each team must have their Roopu Captain complete the registration form attached correctly (check email).

The first 3 teams to register get to choose which country strip they wear first (in that order), the remainder will be randomly allocated.

TEAM LINE-UP:
- Team 1: Rutherford
- Team 2: Hillary
- Team 3: Cooper
- Team 4: Carrington
- Team 5: Jones
- Team 6: Adams
- Team 7: Savea
- Team 8: Blake

FRIDAY, 6 JUNE PRACTICE SCHEDULE: (Action central)

- 09:30: Thelo onsite with Warwick
- 10:00: Student Leaders Meet (Lincoln and Jacob)
- 10:25: Maungarei - Panmure Campus arrives
- 10:30: Team brief—get pumped!
- 10:35: Practice Skills & Drills with AFC pros + Tournament Orientation
- 11:30: Debrief and depart
- **Break**
- 12:00: Maungawhau - Central Campus arrives
- 12:05: Team brief—let’s do this!
- 12:10: Practice Skills & Drills with AFC pros + Tournament Orientation
- 13:10: Debrief and depart

MONDAY, 9 JUNE MAIN TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

- 09:30: Thelo and Student leaders onsite, ready to roll!
- 10:00: Professionals briefing (site pack-in)—PA, Lunch Area, signage, it’s game day!
- 10:25: School arrives—bring the energy!
- 10:30: Team brief—time to shine!
- 10:45: Opening Ceremony—team march, National Anthem, goosebumps guaranteed!
- 11:00: Tournament Kicks Off—let the goals fly!
- 13:00: Tournament wraps, time for lunch!
- 13:05: Catering arrives—fuel up!
- 13:10: Prizegiving in the Lunch Area—crowning the champs! Cup and Plate winners, Best Dressed, Best and Fairest (Double rawe cards for effort and RAKs (random acts of kindness)
- 13:30: Depart with memories that’ll last a lifetime!

Get ready, ACES Roopus!

This is your chance to cheer, play, and celebrate as our Roopu Teams, backed by pro talent, go head-to-head for futsal supremacy! Let’s make some noise at the first first-ever ACES FIFA Futsal Cup!

Go,Go, Go....Ole,Ole,Ole

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.

21 May - Whakawhanaungatanga new students and Whanau, both Campuses; all other students, no school, work self-directed

2 June - Kings Birthday - Statutory Holiday

3-6 June - Samoan Language Week

6th June - ACES Futsal Practice sessions at Action Central

9th June - ACES FIFA Futsal Tournament

18 June - NO SCHOOL! Tutor PLD Day

20 June - Matariki - Statutory Holiday

25th June - Wednesday (NO HALF DAY)

26th June - Thursday (Half Day)

27th June - NO SCHOOL! Tutor PLD Day

Term 3 Reminder

14 July - Whakawhanaungatanga Day and

New Students / Whanau Greet and Meet 9.30am - 12.30pm

15 July - New Students Induction

16 July - Term 2 Students Return

17 and 18 July - All Students 9.30am - 12.30pm

https://app.smore.com/u/thelo.meleisea

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

With our Alternative Education Services, students receive so much more than an ordinary education. We pride ourselves on creating a unique, exciting environment that embraces all.