Takapuna Grammar

TGS top co-ed school at North Island Rowing Champs

Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club is on a high after finishing third overall and being named the top co-ed rowing school at the North Island Secondary School Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro on Sunday 15th March.

Through some outstanding racing, the club made 15 A finals and 5 B finals, finishing with 5 gold medals, one silver and a bronze. The result is by far the best ever achieved by Takapuna Grammar at a major regatta since the school started its rowing programme. Gold medal winners in the boy’s group were Evan Williams in the boys under 18 single sculls and the formidable duo of Connor Bacchus and Mika Hessling in the boys under 16 double sculls. Connor also won a bronze medal in the boys under 16 single sculls. Evan is well placed for selection in the New Zealand Junior Squad this year.

In the girls group, the under 15 girls squad achieved the unthinkable winning gold medals in the coxed octuple sculls, the coxed quadruple sculls and the double sculls races. Imogen Butcher, Annabelle Knowles, Skye Lang, Daisy Butcher and Sydelle Langis won gold medals in the under 15 girls coxed quadruple sculls. They along with fellow crew members; Anna Stuart, Ella Ryan, Kira Sharrock, Tahlia Bull and Olivia Wilson won the under 15 coxed octuple sculls. Annabelle Knowles and Skye Lang won

the under 15 girls double sculls, earning this pair three gold medals and three North Island Champion titles. Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club had an extremely successful season achieving Auckland Champions title and winning three national titles at the New Zealand Indoor Rowing Championships.

Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19 the club will not be able to compete for the national titles that they have been working for at the annual Maadi Cup which has been cancelled. However, the club remains optimistic and the coaching team and athletes are already planning their approach to improve on the results achieved to date in the 2021 season.

International Food Market hits the spot!

On Friday 13th March, the annual TGS International Food Market was back in full swing for another lunchtime filled with delicious delicacies from cultures and countries around the world.

From hangi at the Tu Tangata stall to traditional Japanese curry and dango, students were offered a selection of savoury and sweet treats to purchase and enjoy. This year, a total of seven stalls joined the market, with many of the students helping out dressed up in their stall’s traditional costumes. Music from around the world echoed throughout the area, providing an even more international vibe.

Head of Languages and Deputy Principal Mr Jake Lamb found the event “absolutely fantastic” and said that “it was great to see students enjoying themselves with music in the background and the beautiful food fragrances in the air”. Overall, the day was a huge success. Students left with full stomachs and more knowledge on food from around the world that they may not have sampled before.