Takapuna Grammar

L2 Geography Field Trip - Tongariro National Park

Our L2 Geography students embarked on an adventure to Tongariro National Park. On this four day field trip, students first endured the 19.4km long, world famous Tongariro Crossing. Completing the crossing gave students the opportunity to see at work real examples of Tongariro volcanic centre landforms and natural processes that they have been studying in class for their 2.1 external.

Monday was all about collecting data for their 2.5 internal assessment with students carrying out field work tests to show the differences in stream velocity, stream cross-sections and vegetation characteristics at an upper and lower site of the Whakapapa River on Mt Ruapehu. Before we travelled home on Tuesday, students made a quick stop at the National Park visitors' centre, to understand how humans have modified the Tongariro volcanic centre over time.

Overall another fantastic and highly educational trip to this wonderful landscape and another reminder about how lucky we are to live and study in this wonderful backyard of yours... Aotearoa!

Takapuna Grammar Geography Students at Tongariro Nation Park.

Inaugural North Harbour Head Prefects' Conference

Over 60 Head Prefects from all the schools in the North Harbour region came to TGS for a newly created Head Prefect Conference. The morning gave everyone the opportunity to learn about each other's schools and take ideas that can be implemented in their own schools.

The Head Prefects also looked at some of the biggest issues schools face at the moment and how they as leaders can come together to help resolve these. Ex-TGS Head Girl Pippa Wetzell spoke to the group about her career and experience managing workload and the difference that the little things can make. This helped the students to understand the role they play as the Head Prefects in their respective schools.

Head Prefects from all the North Harbour Region.

This collective group now aims to implement new initiatives in their different schools and meet to reflect later in the year.

Tū Tangata Wānanga

The Takapuna Grammar School Tū Tangata rōpū is a whānau-centred rōpū where academic and personal excellence is concurrently achieved. Activities have been aimed to nurture students through Māori values and behaviours to enhance their knowledge in Māori tikanga.

The students aspire for leadership roles within the school and embrace and practise Māori tikanga/kaupapa. In 2021, the Tū Tangata rōpū is over 70 strong with many diverse nationalities making up the group.

An annual visit to the Navy Marae – Te Taua Moana – embraces and strengthens connections between students, staff and whānau of the students. Students also learn more regarding school and Tū Tangata values and practise waiata and haka throughout the day. Students also have a chance to learn from each other and lead through maraebased activities. A huge thank you to the TGS and Navy Marae staff and the Navy for allowing the students to use and experience Te Taua Moana Takapuna Grammar students at the Te Taua Moana Marae. Marae and for the support the Navy provides to this kaupapa.

2021 Readers Cup Winners

Last month the TGS Library hosted the school's annual Year 9 Readers' Cup. Eight teams of competing Abigail Goosen, Audrey Melhuish, students had Libby Signal and Aimee Rumball. to answer quiz questions on a series of short stories they had been hard at work reading and studying prior to the competition.

Third place went to Kaia Schneebeli, Zara Ahmed, Isobel Johnston and Peach Jacobson (30/50 points); second to Lilah Furlong, Pippa Edwards, Libby Ramsay and Annabelle Murray (31.5/50 points); and first to Aimee Rumball, Abigail Goosen, Audrey Melhuish and Libby Signal, who scored an impressive 41.5/50 points.

The winning team will now go on to compete in the North Shore Readers' Cup competition. Special thanks to the many senior student librarians who helped out with the organisation and running of our competition.