Contents Mr. White’s Message Mrs. Soysa’s Message Mr. Perry’s Message Student Council Whānau Leaders Year 6 Leavers Graduation Winners Kapa Haka Room 1 Room 4 Room 9 Room 10 Room 13 Room 14 Room 18 Room 19 Room 22 Room 24 MLPS Memories Zone Sports Travel Wise Peer Mediation MLPS 2022 Highlights Room 2 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 16 Room 17 Room 21 Robotics Enviro Saturday Netball Saturday Football Kea Crossing Chess Room 3 Room 8 Room 11 Room 12 Room 15 Room 20 Room 23 Class Photos Signatures Page Kōwhai Pōhutukawa Rimu
Mr. White Dear students, As always, the school year has been busy and has gone fast. Thankfully we completed our first full year of schooling without lockdowns, and it felt good to have everyone back. Covid, though, is still very much around, and many of us caught it during the school year. Young ones seem to bounce back quickly, which is a relief to see. The two things I want to mention in this blurb about Marshall Laing in 2022 are connected. They are the property developments at our school and our aim to get our students to be more physically active. This year we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new playground, more turfed areas, more canopies and new playground equipment. The school looks amazing, and we appreciate how well you look after things. The purpose of all these new projects and spending is to give you facilities where you can be more active. We (and I'm sure your parents as well) want you to move more! If you are fit, physically active and healthy, you will do better at school, and you will feel emotionally better too. So, please enjoy all the new facilities at school but don't just be active here. At home, limit your time on your screens; go outside, play sports and games and get on your bike or scooter. Make sure you move more this summer!
Mrs. Soysa school a wonderful place of learning makes Marshall Laing a truly special place. Congratulations to our amazing, talented Year 6 students - I wish you the best as you leave. I imagine you are excited about graduating, a little scared of going to Intermediate, sad about saying goodbye to friends and teachers, and excited about the summer. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity of being a small part of your life. You continually amaze me with your resourcefulness, thoughtfulness, kindness and ‘can do’ attitude to everything you encounter - never lose this! I hope you achieved the goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. I hope you will carry your experiences at MLPS wherever you go and use the memories of your time here to inspire you as you take this next big step in your life. “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.” – Malala Yousafzai To those leaving us for new places and adventures - I wish you all the best. To our returning staff and students, thank you for a wonderful year, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2023. Shilpa Soysa, Tumuaki Tuarua Associate Principal Another great year of learning and fun at Marshall Laing. We’ve learned so much and shared experiences that will remain with us in the future. A very big, special thanks to our families who have contributed in small, large, and unimaginable ways! It was great to see so many parents and families at our Run-a-thon and Celebration of Learning, after two years of Covid. The strength of our community and passion for making our
Mr. Perry Some of my highlights from 2022 include working closely on the design and installation of various property projects around the school this year. They include the upgrade of four toilet blocks, the school hall refurbishment and the installation of another canopy in the senior area of the school. All of these projects have added value to our physical environment and will provide quality facilities for our students and community to enjoy for many years to come. In my position, I am extremely fortunate to work with various student leadership groups. These include Student Council, Student Whānau Leaders, Travelwise Team and our Road Patrollers. The students in these groups bring with them a range of skills and attributes. Some have natural leadership capabilities while others grow into these roles as the year progresses. The opportunities afforded by these groups enable the students to continue to build these important skills and gain confidence in different contexts beyond the classroom. This year in particular, I have been thoroughly impressed by the students’ overall sense of responsibility, reliability, creativity and initiative. An example of this is MLTV (our school television channel). The Student Council this year has taken this project on with little help from me, put their own stamp on it and raised the bar from previous years. Kua takoto te wero ki te hunga ka whai mai! The challenge has been laid for the Student Council of 2023! Nāku iti noa, nā Shaun Perry Tumuaki Tuarua Associate Principal Te tau pai kua hipa E pari ana ngā tai o mihi ki a koutou katoa, nei rā te mihi o tōku ngākau! I have really enjoyed my work at Marshall Laing this year. I have felt the sense of appreciation that comes with the return to ‘normal’ as we continue to clamber out of these Covid times. Schools operate best upon the foundation of routines and consistency, so having three uninterrupted terms has been rewarding to everyone at MLPS, especially our students.
Student Council Student council is a huge responsibility that Year 6’s, like me, take on. Student council involves attending weekly meetings, setting new ideas for the school, and making rosters for extra responsibilities like the readers club and MLTV. Being on MLTV was not only so much fun, but it has also given me that boost of encouragement to get in front of people and speak. Student council has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, building up the courage inside, that’s asking to come out. Benjamin Robinson When I first started school, I remember looking at the student council with admiration for their jobs, helping teachers and students and making the school a better place. This was my year! I got to be a part of the council in my final year at MLPS. Student council is a significant role to take on, and at times, so many things could have gone better, like when trying to do MLTV. But so many things went right and the fun and learning were constant. One thing I learnt from being on the student council is never to give up. Jennifer Jala Being part of the student council this year was a honour. It taught me how to be a leader and how to work together with others. It also taught me to express my thoughts and to be confident. These are life long skills that I will need as I continue to grow. Liam Buys
Being a Whānau Leader has given me the courage to talk in front of the school. Something I never imagined I would be confident enough to do. I loved being able to praise students by giving out tokens and supporting the whānau. Being a Whānau Leader for Kōwhai has been an honour and I will hold on to these memories forever. Isaac Herman Whānau Leaders Getting chosen to be a Whānau Leader this year was very exciting. This helped me gain confidence, develop more leadership skills and work well with others. I'm glad to have been given this opportunity and I know this will help me in the future. Ishani Indiran For me as a Whānau Leader, I knew it would not be easy talking in front of lots of kids - that did not stop me though. I kept doing it and kept getting better. Soon after I would have lots of little juniors coming to say “hi” and also saying they want to be just like me. Aidan Ranchhod Being a Whānau Leader allows you to host assemblies, count tokens, give out tokens and so many other things. One great thing about being a Whānau Leader is you get to interact with students as you give tokens to them. Make sure you apply to be a Whānau Leader next year! Jacqueline Sor
Year 6 Leavers He hono tangata e kore e motu, kāpā he taura waka e motu Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed. Whakamanatia te hunga - ka whai mai Make them proud - who follow.
Graduation Winners Principal’s Award Sunny Xia Fair Play Award Naeem Farath Pasifika Achievement Award Darlene Hohepa Language Learner Award Lalita Thavornpayak MLPS Learner Award Nigel Raghlu MLPS Values Award Isaac Herman Performing Arts Award Louie Jamieson Leadership Award Winners Sanvi Bobba Jennifer Jala Outstanding Sporting Achievement Winners Aidan Ranchhod Grace Pan Citizenship Award Winners Aidan Ranchhod Tejesvi Vasipalli Visual Art Award Theresa Keil Service Award WInners Ishani Indiran, Uyoon Noman, Riya Tailor, Nithika Kugatheesan, Elon Satrio, Georgina Souness, Lucienne Fleming, Safiyah Othman, Najwa Rajiwate, Fatima Tahir, Louie Jamieson, Samin Khan, Isaac Herman, Liam Buys, Sanvi Bobba, Darlene Hohepa, Jennifer Jala, Layla Baty, Selah Canja, Sarvani Tiwari, Benjamin Robinson, Tejasvi Vasipalli, Sunny Xia, Aidan Ranchhod Performing Arts Award Shiloh Harris
This experience has made me learn a lot of skills and it has improved my growth mindset. I have made lots of new friends in Kapa Haka and last but not least the best, thank you to the best Kapa Haka teacher who has helped me improve a lot. Niran Parthiban Kapa Haka The thing I like about Kapa Haka is that it helps me be more confident and speak in front of people. When I joined Kapa Haka the actions were kind of hard to understand and remember but then as I got used to the crowd I began to feel more comfortable and confident. I got to learn a new language too. Sanvi Patel Kapa Haka has given me lots of confidence in performing in front of people. I have learnt how to lead Kapa Haka. I have mastered the songs and it taught me not to be shy. It has trained me to keep up with the beat. Kapa Haka is a group to be a part of! I recommend joining Kapa Haka. It’s given me an opportunity to perform in front of big groups. Azaan Eshad I have learnt so much in Kapa Haka this year, we explored a different culture and learned Māori waiata. It also has taught me how to express myself and while learning I also made new friends. I know this will be useful for me in the future! :) Jaweria Narejo
MLPS Memories MLPS has given us many opportunities to grow and become the best we can be. There is an activity for everyone, including sports, leadership roles and after-school activities. Our school is a place to let everybody experience all these learning chances that make us who we are. In our time at Marshall Laing, we have learnt that everyone is different in their unique way. Including teachers and students. MLPS is a very generous and compassionate school where you can feel comfortable. We would not be the girls we are today without the support of MLPS. This school has made us lifelong learners and will permanently be engraved in our hearts. Selah Canja and Layla Baty. A beautiful memory that I will always have and always keep is when I hosted my very own MLPS Talent show with my best friends. I felt very proud of myself but I couldn't have done this without the help of my supportive friends. This is something I will Never forget and I will cherish this in my heart. Hooria Ahsan I’m extremely disappointed that my time at Marshall Laing has almost concluded, so I would like to share with you my fondest memories . Where shall I start, the amazing teachers or spectacular memories that stay with students for eternity? All the teachers are fabulous and I’m definitely not sharing my opinion on the best teacher cause we all know that’s not going to be great for a yearbook blurb. Every teacher that has arrived at Marshall Laing has made an enormous impact on every student's life and that is one of the main things that make them such wonderful teachers. One of my fondest memories from Marshall Laing is in year 2 (Mrs Sissipi’s class) on prize giving day Mrs Sissipi told everyone in the class, except me, to leave. She then locked the door and whispered, “ Naman, you are going to receive an award at prize giving so after you hear your name on the roll go to the staff room,” “Ok,” I never forgot that moment. Naman Kumar On my first day of school, like anyone else I was super nervous. I didn’t want to get out of bed. Ms. King helped me get over my fears, and soon I made friends. At Marshall Laing there are so many opportunities from Athletics days to book clubs. In year 3 I came 3rd in high jump. Marshall Laing has something for everyone whether it be coding, reading, sports, building, or anything else. Thank you to all my teachers and friends for making Marshall Laing a better place for me. Mira Ammathi It has been a long time since I began at MLPS. It started in 2017 in Rm 1 with Mrs. Cook, all the way to year 6 in Rm 23 with Mr. Jolly. I’ve enjoyed leading and being a role model at Marshall Laing Primary School. From year one learning about the school rules, to now as a year 6 leading juniors and teaching them the school values of MLPS. My Time at Marshall Laing has come full circle. Sunny Xia My last year at Marshall Laing primary is a year that I will never forget. Marshall Laing has welcomed me with open arms and I am very proud to be a part of it. One of my best memories is camp. It was amazingly fun and free, to feel the wind on my face, to kayak through a small bubbling river. To rock climb up the colourful rocks up to the big blue sky. Another memory is the beach cleanup. Marshall Laing has always cared about the environment and this trip was helping us play our part. Overall, from studying and playing, sports to trips, Marshall Laing primary school has taught me a lot. It’s made me a better person, more confident, clever and brave. I’ve had a really enjoyable time here that I will never forget! Najwa Rajiwate I started at MLPS in Miss Veran’s class, Rm 10. I had such a great first year, acting in the variety show, making new friends and so much more. When I first discovered something called Athletics Day, I was thrilled. I went on competing in the relay race three years in a row, our class winning all of them. When covid hit everyone really struggled. We were cooped up in our houses and only allowed to go out for a short walk. When we all came back to school, I was so happy to see my friends and teachers, not on a screen. Marshall Laing has been so much fun and all the teachers and staff have encouraged me to learn, show all our school values and they have prepared me for my years at intermediate. Lucienne Fleming
Zone Sports
Travelwise has taught me so many new skills this year. One thing I liked about travelwise is we encourage parents and students to walk to school and it stops traffic from increasing more and more. Thanks to Mr Perry. Marcus Low Travel Wise Being a travelwise leader was never going to be easy but me and the group knew that if we helped now it would be a lot easier later. I loved learning through everything the same as the rest of the travelwise team. I think just doing a little bit can change everything. Aidan Ranchhod Travelwise has been very fun this year because of all the stuff you can do. My favorite job was to be at the gates hanging out tokens. Travelwise has taught me a lot of things, like the impact on our roads and environment from driving each and every day. Deetya Chamallamudi
Being a peer mediator helps the teachers on duty solve problems. We don´t do big problems, just the small ones. For example: if someone is excluded from a game, we will try to include them. We try to help our fellow students solve their minor problems. It is a commitment to make sure everyone in MLPS is happy to ensure a better day for everyone so they can learn and strive for a better future. Xenia Dantra Peer Mediation Being a peer-mediator is an important job in a school, and I am proud I was able to fill this role. I’ve learnt some very good life lessons, or you could say problem solving hacks! My friends and I are all proud of all the problems we’ve cleared up and how we were able to give the duty teachers a helping hand! Mrs Nayyar was in charge, and she did a great job organizing the schedule for us mediators, and that was a huge help! A peer-mediator is an amazing job that I’m glad I could fulfill. Anya Sharma I am honoured that Mrs Nayyar and the teachers chose me to be a peer mediator because mediation has taught me how to be a problem solver, to be social and to be responsible. Even though peer mediation is a tiring job, it is a rewarding job. Not only do you get to help others you can learn skills that you can carry with you as you continue to grow as a person, Sumeha Juluri While doing peer mediation I learnt how to view the argument from both sides, I came across lots of variations of problems and learnt how to solve them. Now I look forward to my shift every Wednesday. I recommend it to people who are good with kids and want to help. Prisha Banker
MLPS 2022
Highlights