The Lion - July 2016

LION THE

MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL July 2016

The Lion is the official magazine of Mount Albert Grammar School Editorial enquiries to editor Estelle Sarney esarney@mags.school.nz, ph 09 846 2044, x 8236 Advertising enquiries to Tim Kay, MAGS Foundation tkay@mags.school.nz, ph 09 846 2044 x 8127 Mount Albert Grammar School Alberton Avenue Mount Albert Auckland 1025

Cover photo: MAGS Strings comprises, from left, Anvilly Huang, Kauri May, Arien Okan, Emma Moon, Kate Ploeg, Victoria Ting and Anton Aish. See story page 38.

Photographed by Photography teacher Mr Peter Rees.

Designed by Blueriver Creative

Ph 09 846 2044

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www.mags.school.nz

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Contents 4 - 5 6 - 13

From the Headmaster

School News

14 - 23

Academic News

24 - 27

Community

28 - 33

International Students

34 - 43

Performing Arts

44 - 57

Sport

58 - 63

MAGS Foundation

64 - 66

Corridors - Albertian News

67

26

40

Key Dates

53

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From the Headmaster It is a pleasure to present to you the first edition of The Lion for 2016.

As I come to the end of my second school term as Headmaster I continue to be amazed at the breadth of opportunity offered by a Mount Albert Grammar School education. The following pages attest to this. For someone new to the MAGS community there is no better place to learn about what makes our school so special than on the sports sideline, sitting in the audience of a performing arts production, or supporting the many service activities our students are drawn to.

Rubbing shoulders with the people of MAGS quickly provides an insight into what matters most in a school. Those innate human needs - to feel connected, to be part of something successful, to know that you will be challenged but also cared for when you walk through our gates – these values provide the important pre-

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cursors to learning and build the confidence our young people need to thrive and succeed.

The many strategic arms of what we do as a school community can be linked through a common purpose – to improve the engagement, learning and achievement of every MAGS student.

It’s a reminder that the worth of our co-curricular programmes outside the classroom will ultimately be measured by the success of our students inside the classroom. There are no shortcuts here when it comes to our core business as a school. Students must reach their academic potential during their time with us, or everything else we do is in vain.

Here at MAGS we place high value on the connection between the curricular and the co-curricular. We know that those students who commit to our sports, arts and service programmes end up producing better academic results. The same can be said for our staff who generously give of their time to work with students long after the bell has gone for the end of the day. The benefits for those staff and students are immense – better connections, better relationships, better learning! It is no coincidence that you will often find our most successful staff and students leading school activities in their spare time.

“Music is a secret exercise in arithmetic of the soul, unaware of its act of counting.”

-- Gottfried Leibniz, philosopher and mathematician.

As reflected on the front cover of this publication, our music programme is a fantastic example of the connection between learning inside and outside of the classroom. Music as a performing art nurtures the soul of our school. It provides a creative avenue for young people, allowing them to express themselves in a positive way while at the same time building our school community.

The seven young people on the cover are all highly successful MAGS students in their own right. Their ability in the art of music is paralleled by their academic success in the classroom – something that should come as no surprise. The support of parents has undoubtedly been a critical factor in their success, as well as the care of teachers and mentors. But it has ultimately been their own determination, planning and hard work that has seen them succeed in their journey to become an excellent musician. We find students who show these attributes in music, sport or another activity almost unconsciously transfer them to the

classroom setting, helping them succeed there, too. Intellectually, honing their ability at an activity such as music also helps train the mind to grasp other subjects – many musicians, for example, are also excellent at maths and science.

A big challenge for MAGS in the future will be to ensure that we continue to offer a personalised learning experience for each student. With 2700 individuals walking through our gates each morning, it is important that each person can sit at their dinner table at night and relate positive personal experiences from their day at school. Further building our music programme will be a step in strengthening this goal.

I am grateful to everyone involved in our performing arts programmes here at MAGS. As a school community we all have the luxury of enjoying the fruits of your hard work at performances and concerts. I encourage every student to consider involving themselves in this important part of life at Mount Albert Grammar School.

Per Angusta Ad Augusta Patrick Drumm

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Mr Drumm with, from left, daughters Georgina and Jessica, wife Anna, mother Barbara and father Denis (absent is son Thomas)

Powhiri for new Headmaster, Patrick Drumm Mount Albert Grammar School’s new Headmaster, Mr Patrick Drumm, was officially welcomed to his role with a powhiri on 27 January.

Students of the school’s Te Puna o Wairaka whanau unit helped perform the ceremony, held in the FW Gamble Hall. In attendance were members of MAGS’ Board of Trustees, staff, Prefects, representatives from Mr Drumm’s former school, Botany Downs Secondary College, and members of his family.

Botany kaumatua Mr George Stirling and Chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees Mr Ian Marshall wished Mr Drumm well in his new role. Welcoming him on behalf of Mount Albert Grammar were Mr Paul McKinley, Mr Gerald Urquhart and students Uenuku Malesala and Kaaka Te Pou Kohere.

In his speech, Mr Drumm acknowledged Mount Albert Grammar’s heritage, values and high standing among New Zealand schools.

“Mount Albert Grammar is the centre of this wonderful community, where I have lived all my life, and you the students are at the heart of the school. I’m looking forward to working with you and the staff to help you continue to succeed.”

The powhiri was also a welcome for staff members joining the school this year.

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Staff News

Welcome to our new staff Staff new to MAGS in 2016 introduce themselves to the school community:

Fiona Barker

came to MAGS from the Ministry of Education, where she was Senior Advisor in the Network Team. Before that she worked at another Auckland school for 11 years. She is a Deputy Principal responsible for Curriculum and Maori and Pasifika achievement.

She also still teaches some Music classes. In her spare time she enjoys escaping to Great Barrier Island with her family.

Frances Brown has joined MAGS from

another Auckland school as a Learning Support Teacher. In her spare time she loves watching top level boxing, and enjoyed Joseph Parker’s recent match.

Elly Cho went to the University of Otago and worked at South Island schools before coming to MAGS. She teaches Japanese and Chinese. She recently developed her skills in painting and is keen to continue.

Max Denisov came to MAGS from a Wellington school to teach Business Studies, Technology and Mathematics. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, ride his motorbike and go hunting and fishing.

Richard Fullerton has come to MAGS from another Auckland school to teach Agricultural and Horticultural Science. He is a keen tennis player, tramper, snow cave builder and kayaker.

Stuart Halstead has joined the Commerce Department as a Business Studies teacher. He previously spent 12 years in the corporate world managing sales and marketing of household brands. He also taught in the tertiary sector in New Zealand and overseas.

Stuart has three children at high school on Waiheke Island, where he lives with his veterinarian wife Sally and two threelegged cats (Sally had to remove a leg from each of them). He is a regular fisherman and a leader in the local sea scout group.

The family loves the great outdoors and camp out regularly at the region’s most beautiful locations.

Justin Hinds has come to MAGS from another Auckland school as a Chemistry and Science. He is often asked if he is American, even though he was born in Auckland and doesn’t think he has an accent.

Isabelle Kember has joined MAGS

from another Auckland school as an English teacher. She loves trawling second-hand bookstores, going for bush-walks and making the most of Auckland’s fantastic music and arts scene.

Clare Lyons has joined MAGS as a Teacher Aide in the Learning Centre. She arrived in New Zealand in December after spending four months travelling through South East Asia on her way here from London. She previously trained as a Primary teacher. In her spare time she enjoys playing an Irish sport called ‘camogie’ which involves a wooden stick called a hurl and a small round ball called a sliotar. She is looking forward to exploring more of New Zealand.

Reina Mollgaard has come to MAGS from another Auckland school to teach Japanese.

Even though she has lived in New Zealand for 25 years she still can’t eat Marmite.

Nicole Paulin came

to MAGS from the University of Otago and the University of Canterbury. She teaches Physical Education, Mathematics and Music. She grew up in Clyde in the South Island, which she still claims to be the best place in New Zealand.

Kelly Roberts has joined the Sports Department as a Sports Administrator. Previously she was temping part time between caring for her 13-month-old baby. She loves all things sporty, and says nothing beats going home to her whanau, laughing and making memories.

Lisa Stewart has arrived at MAGS fresh from completing her university training, as a teacher of Technology and Design & Visual Communication. She loves trivia and is known to become very competitive at quiz nights.

Jordan Tua has come to MAGS after

completing a double degree at the University of Otago – a Bachelor of Arts in Maori and Spanish and a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business. He is a Maori language teacher and a teacher aide in the Learning Support Centre. In his spare time he loves playing rugby union and rugby league.

Sarah Vincent came to MAGS from another Auckland school as a Mathematics teacher. In her spare time she loves going to the beach in the summer and skiing in the winter, and spending time with her family.

Peter Walters came to MAGS from another Auckland school, and teaches Te Reo Maori. In his spare times he takes part in competitive Kapa Haka with his West Aucklandbased team Nga Tumanako.

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Prefects’ Camp Over the weekend of 20-22 February, 54 Prefects managed to survive the activities of the 2016 Prefects’ Camp and still smile about them. Amazingly, so did the staff! Despite sore muscles, tired eyes and sore jaws from constant talking and laughing, all agreed it was amazing experience. The Prefects are determined to keep their new friendships alive into the future.

They also managed to think about their differing leadership styles and brainstorm on achievable goals for the year. The staff were very impressed with the inspiring and thoughtful speeches and with the pride they have for their school.

Our new Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm also enjoyed the camp, but must have wondered what he’d got himself into as he was bush crashing with a group of “lost” students on the orienteering activity. Everyone assured him that the discussion about who they were going to eat first was a distraction from the physical challenge they were all enduring.

Thanks must go again to the staff who gave up their weekend, and to Mr and Mrs Sangster for being incredible hosts.

Mr Paul Ferner, Head of Guidance

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School News

Peer Support Leaders welcome Year 9 students Year 9 students were welcomed to Mount Albert Grammar School with a powhiri on 2 February.

Held in the FW Gamble Hall, the ceremony was attended by members of the Board of Trustees, staff and parents. It included waiata by students of Te Puna o Wairaka, and speeches in te reo by student Uenuku Malesala and Year 9 Boys’ Dean Mr Gerald Urquhart.

Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm welcomed the new Year 9 students to the school, and urged them to make the most of the opportunities presented to them.

Associate Principal Mr Paul McKinley, who is charge of Junior Boys, and Deputy Principal Ms Jo Williams, in charge of Junior Girls, introduced the Year 9 Boys’ and Girls’ Deans, Mr Urquhart and Ms Grace Leaso. They read out the students’ Form Classes, and their Form Teachers then took them to show them their Form Rooms and meet their Year 13 Peer Support leaders.

The Peer Support leaders then spent the rest of the day helping the students get to know their classmates, showing them around the school and helping them understand their timetable. The leaders will keep in touch with their Form Classes throughout the year to help the Year 9 students settle into MAGS.

Year 9 Parents’ Evening The Albertian Quad was full as several hundred parents and students gathered for the annual Year 9 Parents’ Evening 9 February.

Drinks and nibbles were followed by an introduction to the Friends of MAGS parents’ group by Chairwoman Ms Nealie Barker.

Parents then moved into the hall for a welcome from Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm, who noted that the Year 9 intake for 2016 was the highest ever at 550 students. Mr Drumm spoke about the special nature of the Junior School, and the pathways and opportunities available to students as they moved through Mount Albert Grammar over the next five years.

Year 13 Peer Support Leaders, who helped throughout the evening, guided parents to their children’s Form classes, where Form Teachers spoke about the curriculum and school procedures.

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Leadership Assembly This year’s Prefects, Arts and Sports Leaders were presented with their badges at the Senior Leadership Assembly on 12 February.

The ceremony was attended by parents, Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm, representatives of the Board of Trustees, senior staff and guest speaker Mr Daniel Xu (right).

Mr Xu attended MAGS from 2003-2007, graduating as a Prefect and Dux, and last year completed a PhD in BioMechatronics at the University of Auckland. At university, he led a team to win the Microsoft Imagine Cup competition and represented New Zealand at the world finals in Russia. On his return, he launched a product called UVLens to help pre-school children stay safe in the sun. In 2015, he won the National AMP Scholarship and is currently working in his own start-up business, developing technology to help people live healthier outdoor lives.

Mr Xu shared some of his memories of MAGS with the Year 9 and 13 students in attendance, and encouraged them to treasure their time at the school.

“The people I met here are still among my best friends - so reach out, get to know people, help those you can.”

Year 13 was a time to begin living life “more deliberately - set your goals and build routines into your life that will help you achieve them.”

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School News Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm with the Head Prefects of 2016, from left, Deputy Head Boy Kahu Boyd, Deputy Head Girl Alex Thompson, Head Boy Tom Butler, Head Girl Leilani Ioelu, Deputy Head Boy Jacob Marsh and Deputy Head Girl Caitlin Pritchard.

Prefects and their families gathered for an afternoon tea following the ceremony.

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ANZAC Service A moving speech by Year 13 student Emma Hughes was a highlight of the 2016 Mount Albert Grammar School ANZAC Service, held in the FW Gamble Hall on 15 April.

Emma spoke of the loss of her Great Grandfather in World War II, when her Grandmother was only six months old. She said speaking with her Grandmother about the tragedy made her understand how the deaths of those in service affects families and communities for generations.

“My Grandmother told me how she was envious of other children who still had their fathers when she was growing up, and that feeling only intensified as she grew older. Her life has been full of ‘What ifs’ and ‘What might have beens’.

“ANZAC Day is a time to not only honour those who have fought, but also to value the people surrounding us.”

The service was attended Year 9 and 13 students, Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm, Past President of the Albertians Association Mr Ben Stallworthy, and a number of Albertians. Albertian bagpiper Mr Andrew Wilkie piped dignitaries into and from the hall. Attending on behalf of returned servicemen was Mr Bill Ashdown, President of the Pt Chevalier Memorial RSA. Te Puna o Wairaka played an important role this year, presenting a welcome haka to dignitaries and singing a waiata following a speech in te reo by student Uenuku Malesala.

Head Boy Tom Butler and Head Girl Leilani Ioelu gave a joint speech about the significance of ANZAC Day to all New Zealanders, regardless of race or religion.

As at every ANZAC Service, the names of 50 fallen Albertians were read aloud, the Ode of Remembrance was read in English and Maori, and a laying of wreaths at the school memorial wall was performed during the Last Post and Reveille, as the school flag was lowered and raised.

Albertians then attended a lunch at School House, where the guest speakers were Mr Drumm and the Chairman of the MAGS Foundation, Mr Peter Thorp.

MAGS Prefects also played a key role in the community ANZAC Service at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall on 25 April.

US Ambassador visits MAGS The United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Mr Mark Gilbert, spoke with Year 11-13 students on a visit to Mount Albert Grammar on 9 May. Mr Gilbert was accompanied by Ms Katherine Gleeman, Education USA representative at the US Consulate in Auckland.

The Ambassador spoke to the Year 11 and 12 students about politics in the US, including reading the Gettysburg Address. He spoke about the role of President and the achievements of current President Barack Obama. He stressed the importance of voting.

After the assembly Mr Gilbert conducted an informal Q & A session with 30 Prefects.

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Mr Gilbert with, from left, Head of Careers Mr Kubi Witten-Hannah, Head Boy Tom Butler, Head Girl Leilani Ioelu and Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm

School News

Coaching expert works with captains and teachers Internationally renowned coaching expert Dr Ralph Pim made one of his biannual visits to Mount Albert Grammar School on 15 March to work with our sports leaders and teachers.

Dr Pim’s visits are facilitated by Aktive Auckland Sport in liaison with MAGS’ Director of Sports Academies, Mr Geoff Moon.

Dr Pim recently retired from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he was a Professor of Physical Education and Director of Competitive Sports. He is recognised as a global expert in the development of character and leadership through sport, and regularly travels to other countries to share his values-based programme.

Aktive has been working with Dr Pim over the past three years designing a programme called Talent, Leadership and Character (TLC), which supports coaches and athletes in achieving top results not only through the development of talent, but also character and leadership qualities.

During his first visit, Dr Pim spent time with MAGS’ sports captains focusing on the mental skills of a leader, how to

develop mental toughness and apply it in game situations.

He then spoke with teachers about how the same characterdevelopment tools used in sport can be applied to classroom settings, and how they can help promote and enforce the MAGS Way set of values.

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Record results in 2015 NCEA and Scholarship exams put MAGS among top 5 schools in New Zealand Mount Albert Grammar School students gained a record 104 Scholarships in the 2015 NCEA exams, the fifth highest among all New Zealand secondary schools. The total surpasses our 2014 tally of 88. Scholarships represent the pinnacle of academic achievement for secondary students. Out total was gained across 18 subjects, also the the most ever, and included seven at Outstanding level.

Among the Scholarship winners were Riki Guernier and Bruno Batinica, whose results placed them as NZQA Outstanding Scholars, among the top 68 students in the country, awarding them each $5000 per year for three years toward their tertiary studies. Riki, our Boy Dux of 2015, gained 5 Scholarships, including 3 at Outstanding level; Bruno gained 4 Scholarships, with 2 Outstanding.

Our Mathematics students were once again dominant, gaining 28 Calculus Scholarships, including 3 Outstanding, and 13 in Statistics, with 1 Outstanding - a total of 41 across the Department.

Sincere congratulations to our students on their achievements; acknowledgement is made of the academic ability, preparation and perseverance required of them to reach such degrees of success.

Scholarships were achieved Accounting, Art History, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese, Dance, Design, Drama, Economics, English, History, Media Studies, Painting, Physical Education, Physics, Statistics and Te Reo Maori.

Outstanding Scholarships were achieved in Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics and Statistics.

Particular acknowledgement is made of the following students who achieved multiple Scholarship success:

Bruno Batinica Alex Boyd 4 Scholarships, 3 Scholarships incl 2 Outstanding

Jessica Chen 4 Scholarships

Hannah Dowsett 3 Scholarships

Grace Drummond 3 Scholarships

Riki Guernier Caitlyn 5 Scholarships, Jelleyman incl 2 Outstanding 3 Scholarships

Hamish Esther Ji Jelleyman 3 Scholarships 3 Scholarships, incl 1 Outstanding

Hrishikesh Max Johansson-Pugh Kodthuguli 3 Scholarships 3 Scholarships

Yixin Ma 4 Scholarships

Aakash Rajay 3 Scholarships

Michael Soffe 3 Scholarships

MAGS students also attained our best ever results in NCEA Levels 1-3, once again exceeding the national average and equalling or surpassing averages for schools in the higher Decile 8-10 bracket (MAGS is Decile 7). In the graphs, MAGS figures are shown in the black line.

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Academic news

Science teachers visit MAGS to learn from the best A group of 21 science teachers from around New Zealand toured Mount Albert Grammar’s Science Faculty on 5 May to see best practice science teaching in action.

The visit by the 13 secondary and 9 primary teachers was organised by the Science Teaching Leadership Programme, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and facilitated by the Royal Society of New Zealand. MAGS’ Science Faculty Pedagogical Leader Ms Paula Calver says the aim of the programme is to bring a future-oriented focus to science teaching across the country to better meet the needs of industry and innovative employers.

The teachers were able to observe science classes taking part in modern learning activities that focus on scientific literacy, analytical thinking and active engagement. They then met with Ms Calver and Head of Science Ms Ang Whitlam to discuss the change process used to redevelop our curriculum and teaching methods.

“MAGS’ approach has been very methodical and balanced,” says Ms Calver. “We have looked at what was working well with current practice, gathered evidence to test our assumptions about our programme, made changes and carefully monitored the impact of those changes before moving on to further development. We have used student focus groups to ensure we are on the right path and which aspects of the educational research conclusions will work best in our context.”

Ms Calver said the visiting teachers were impressed with both our engaging teachers and learning activities, and with the behaviour and level of discussion among our students.

“These teachers will return to their schools with the intention of working toward similar changes in their programmes. By hosting their visit, we have extended our national network of science teachers to increase the discussion and resource sharing to make positive change nation-wide.”

Careers Head to attend American university conference MAGS Head of Careers Mr Kubi Witten-Hannah has been granted a prestigious scholarship to the United States to learn how students can best gain admission to American universities.

Mr Witten-Hannah will attend a conference run by the International Association for College Admission Counseling at Rutgers University in New Jersey in July, and then tour 17 universities in that state, New York City, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. He will be one of a group of careers counsellors from around the world there to learn what American universities look for when assessing scholarship applications from overseas students, and to build networks.

Mr Witten-Hannah was nominated by the United States Consulate in Auckland, and believes he is the first New Zealander to win the scholarship.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to take a closer look at tertiary education in the United States, and learn how to create more opportunities for MAGS students to go there,” says Mr Witten-Hannah.

He added that New Zealand students were fortunate in that they lived in the only country in the world where all our universities are in the top 500 out of about 10,000 globally.

“So all our universities are excellent. American universities simply offer a different experience for those students who wish to explore tertiary education outside New Zealand.”

About 10 Albertians are currently attending American universities.

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Scholars’ Assembly Some of MAGS’ most successful Year 13 students from 2015 returned to the school for the Scholars’ Assembly on 22 February.

Among them were Riki Guernier and Bruno Batinica, whose results placed them as NZQA Outstanding Scholars, among the top 68 students in the country, awarding them each $5000 per year for three years toward their tertiary studies. Riki, our Boy Dux of 2015, gained 5 Scholarships, including 3 at Outstanding level; Bruno gained 4 Scholarships, with 2 Outstanding.

Other students in attendance who will have their names inscribed on the Honours Board for Scholars were Alexander Boyd, Jessica Chen, Hannah Dowsett, Grace Drummond, Caitlyn Jelleyman, Hamish Jelleyman, Esther Ji, Max Johansson-Pugh, Hrishikesh Kodthuguli, Yixin Ma, Aakash Rajay and Michael Soffe.

Some of MAGS’ top scholars from 2015: Back row from left: Raja Gummadavelly, Aakash Rajay, Hrishikesh Kodthuguli, Bruno Batinica, Riki Guernier, Nathan RhodesHasler; MIddle row: Ross Porter, Michael Soffe, Hamish Jelleyman, Max JohanssonPugh, Ella Bone, Hannah Dowsett; Front row: Lan Huang, Jessica Chen, Caitlyn Jelleyman, Grace Drummond

2015 Girl Dux Jessica Chen was the recipient of the June Gray Charitable Trust Tertiary Education Scholarship, awarded to a girl student who has shown excellent academic results and leadership skills.

The Assembly honoured all students who gain NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 with Excellence in 2015, with each awarded a Scholar Lion.

Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm commended the students for their hard work, organisation and dedication, and thanked the school network and parents for their support of the students’ endeavor. He made particular mention of teachers who devoted much time and effort in helping our students achieve their best.

Many parents attended the ceremony, and the afternoon tea held afterwards in the staff room.

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June Gray Scholarship winner Jessica Chen with, from left, MAGS’ Director of Advancement Mr Tim Kay, Mr Bill Boyd, Ms Noeleen Taylor, Mr Brian McMath and Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm.

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Academic news

Outdoor Education Scuba Diving Mount Albert Grammar School’s Outdoor Education programme offered a scuba diving course for the first time this year.

Initially run for the school’s two Year 12 classes, the course was taken by professional instructor Mr Robert Elmes of Elmesie Scuba.

Students took part in classroom theory sessions and water instruction at the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre, before their first dive in the open sea at Goat Island.

They could then choose to continue training with Mr Elmes to gain their dive ticket.

Head of Outdoor Education, Mr Darren Whitehead, says the school decided to add scuba diving to the programme to increase the variety of experiences offered, and help students learn a new skill that few would have had the opportunity to try.

There were three NCEA Achievement Standards attached to the course - Performance, Risk Management and Personal and Social Responsibility. Students were assessed and awarded credits towards NCEA Level 2.

As the conclusion of a four-week course, the Year 12 students who took part were able to transfer the skills and knowledge they gained in the pool to an outdoor coastal setting.

The two days spent at Goat Island were perfect for diving, with warm conditions and good visibility in the marine reserve. Students had to demonstrate various skills including regulator recoveries, removal and clearing of their mask as well as the ability to maintain and control their buoyancy. All the students performed well and their attitude and approach to the unit was commended by Mr Elmes.

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Surfing

At the beginning of Term 1, the two Year 12 Outdoor Education classes spent four days at the AdventureWorks Challenge course on Carrington Road next to Unitec. While participating in ground based Adventure Based Learning activities, Low and High Rope elements, the students were able to develop their personal and social responsibility. The activities were all group based where students were continually provided with the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and trust the teamwork of their classmates.

On 5 February the Year 13 Outdoor Education class visited Piha Beach as part of an experience surfing day. This allowed the students to try surfing and begin to evaluate the role outdoor pursuits play in influencing well-being. The class was instructed

by Rapu New Zealand Surf and Snow Tour instructors who discussed water safety, surfing rules and how to stand up on a board while riding a wave.

In preparation for a Leadership assessment, the Year 13 Outdoor Education class spent two days learning how to facilitate High Rope elements. On their return to school, they then lead a group of Year 10 Outdoor Education students in ground based communication and co-operation activities.

This was followed by each Year 10 Outdoor Education class visiting the AdventureWorks Challenge course themselves and participating in high elements such as the Centipede, where the climber climbs three dangling pieces of timber with staples inserted at intervals, the Burma Bridge where the climber walks across a single foot cable holding onto two hand ropes, the Sherpa Crossing, where the climber steps across wooden platforms, and the Suspended Climbing Wall with extra challenges such as trying to hongi a butterfly-shaped climbing hold.

Academic news

High Ropes

On 12 and 15 February, the Year 11 Outdoor Education classes also visited Piha Beach. By using self-management and compliance with instruction strategies, the students were able to demonstrate responsibility in the outdoors.

In week seven, after lessons in both the classroom and the pool, our six Year 10 Outdoor Education classes ended their Surfing unit with their own trip to Piha Beach. This enabled them to use the skills developed across the term in a controlled outdoor environment and learn to surf.

All of the Year 13 students did a fantastic job of leading their younger students and extended their leadership skills in a unique and demanding outdoor setting.

Kayaking Year 13 Outdoor Education class completed their three-day sea kayaking expedition around the Hauraki Gulf from 15-17 March.

The class paddled from St Heliers Bay to Browns Island and on to Motuihe Island where they set up camp under fly shelters.

They cooked as a group before completing a short orienteering exercise around the island. The next day, they paddled across to Motutapu Island to explore its beautiful coastline before returning to Motuihe Island for a water transfer group exercise. With the wind swinging around to the east to be at our backs on the third day, everyone enjoyed catching the rolling swell back to St Heliers Bay. This trip provided students with a real life event to focus on safety management issues and strategies. The students were given the opportunity to lead the class, which included monitoring identified risks, implementing risk reduction strategies, holding briefings, communicating on hand-held radios, map-reading and pace-setting.

After initially being delayed due to strong winds, the Year 11 Outdoor Education classes traveled up to Whangaparaoa Peninsula for a day of sea kayaking. Entering the water at Tindalls Bay, the class explored the coast to Army Bay and back.

This trip provided students with the chance to fully develop their forward power stroke to further develop an understanding of how the body functions during exercise.

Thanks to Auckland Canoe and Kayak for their quality equipment and experienced instructors.

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Art students learn from one of New Zealand’s best In the last week of Term 1, Year 10 and 12 Painting classes were given the opportunity to work with one of New Zealand’s top artists, Ms Sam Mitchell. The 2010 Wallace Award winner helped students create an acrylic painting in her signature style, working directly onto perspex. She brought in one of her works for students to use as an example (right, top left).

Ms Mitchell was at MAGS for three days conducting workshops for six classes, rising to the challenge of working with some quite large classes. She said she really enjoyed her time here and commented on the enthusiasm of the students.

Year 10 student Natalie Schoonbee said working with Ms Mitchell introduced her to a different way of painting.

“She opened up our eyes to the various styles and inspirations we can use in our own work.”

Year 12 student Eleanor Fletcher said: “Experimenting with texture and depth was a challenge; it has been such a great experience.”

The MAGS Foundation made Ms Mitchell’s visit possible with its inaugural Artist in Residence Grant, funded by proceeds from the annual MAGS Fine Art Show. The students’ works will be available to view at this year’s Art Show in August.

Ms Mitchell will return later in the year to demonstrate ceramic painting, and will assist us to make fuller use of the school kiln.

Junior Art Year 9 and 10 Art classes have been busy with two exhibitions in the Small Gallery in E Block to start the year.

In Term 1 they showed a collection of drawings, curated

by Year 10 students Ella McCool-Reay and William Kung (right).

Early in Term 2 the Art Club, led by Ms Andre Sampson, installed an impressive cardboard city. Year 9 and 10 students worked individually and in groups through Term 1 to construct buildings out of cardboard boxes, then as a team installed their work in the gallery.

This show was invited to be part of the ‘Future Cities’ exhibition at the Malcolm Smith Galley, Uxbridge Centre in Howick in June. The Malcolm Smith Gallery is curated

by Albertian Mr Balamohan Shingade.

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Academic news

Trip to France A group of 21 French language students spent four weeks in France across the April holidays, accompanied by Head of Languages Ms Helen Selaries and teacher Ms Stephanie Steele.

During the first week the Year 12 and 13 students spent half their days at Mount Albert Grammar’s sister school in Paris, Sainte Croix de Neuilly, with their French exchange buddies, and the rest of their time sightseeing.

For the second and third weeks they were on holiday with their exchange families - some enjoyed a spring holiday in Paris, others were taken on trips to rural France or to other European countries.

In the final week the MAGS group went on a tour of south-west France, before reuniting with their exchange families for their last night in Paris.

Ms Selaries says the annual exchange with students from Sainte Croix de Neuilly is a valuable way for French language students to gain real life experience in speaking the language in day to day situations, as well as learning about French culture.

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History trip to Vietnam In the last two weeks of the 2015-2016 summer holidays, MAGS sent 19 History students and three teachers to Vietnam.

The focus of the trip was to study the people, landmarks, and culture that exist in a developing country that has had thousands of years of tumultuous history. The trip was organised by the Head of History Ms Shameen Hayat, and was the first by the MAGS History Department in some years. The trip was a great success and the school is looking to send another group of History students on an overseas trip in the years to come.

The students were incredibly interested in all the sites and places we visited and the trip was a genuine eye-opener and learning experience for all who went. The tour started in the bustling metropolis of Hanoi, and worked its way down through the centre of the long, narrow country, to Ho Chi Minh City, formally known as Saigon.

Some of the highlights from a historical viewpoint (although they were sombre at times) were visiting My Lai – the village of the infamous massacre of 1968; Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum; the famous Cu Chi tunnels – where Vietnamese soldiers lived and hid from the Americans during the war; the National Cemetery, and the gruesome War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which featured photos and information on Agent Orange victims. Other spots of special historical significance were various temples, pagodas, tombs, and citadels, some of which were up to 1000 years old.

Culturally, however, it could be argued that the students learned even more than from the historical sites, particularly in the way they interacted with local people. All students made an

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effort to learn some of the local language (although to be fair, this was mainly to try to ‘haggle’ shop assistants down to get lower prices on souvenirs). ‘Xin chao’ (hello), ‘cam on’ (thanks), ‘com da’ (no ice), and ‘oi choi oi, mac qua’ (oh my god, too expensive) were among the most commonly spoken phrases.

Getting out to the rice paddies and visiting villages was the best way of seeing how regular people get by in a developing, socialist country. The country was also getting ready for Tet – the lunar new year holiday, which meant beautiful lanterns, lights and flowers were being put up on every street corner.

The students tried many things that were new to them, including haggling for products, staying on an overnight train, sleeping under mosquito nets, holding snakes, having shots at a firing range with AK47 and M16 rifles, and getting suits and dresses custom-made. For many, simply crossing the road was a major thrill and a daily challenge that needed serious thought and consideration, especially in the major cities, where road rules were occasionally little more than aspirational. Other highlights were the numerous boat trips and bike rides that the students went on which gave us a new visual perspective on the country, and eating out at numerous restaurants, trying the local cuisine.

The Vietnam trip of 2016 was sensational fun and all the MAGS students had a terrific attitude. They learned not only about Vietnamese history, but also how people live in a foreign country. The History department looks forward to unveiling details about its next exciting adventure.

Mr Joseph Payne, History teacher

Academic news

Senior students step into teachers’ shoes First thing on a Monday is a fun time to be in a Junior PE class - it’s when Senior students from the Year 12 Sports Leadership and Year 13 Sports Coaching classes take the reins from PE teachers.

About 50 Senior students work in pairs across eight Junior classes, totalling about 240 students. Four other Senior classes take on similar teaching throughout the week. They plan, run and review sessions featuring a variety of sports and games, including football, netball, touch, American football and ultimate frisbee.

Head of PE Mr Mark Dempster says the sessions provide a great leadership opportunity for the Senior students.

“The Year 12s evaluate leadership strategies that contribute to the effective functioning of a group. The Year 13s are learning how to plan a beginner coaching session, take it, then review the session to continually improve and work towards coaching a team within the school.

“It’s also a great opportunity for our Junior students to be taught by their peers.”The lessons include a fun warm up game, followed by skill learning and a game relating to the skills being taught. The sessions run for six weeks until the end of term.

Olivia Humphrey won a day with a CFO

Luke Howlett won an award for his 3D trophy design

MAGS Business students attend university camp Year 13 students Olivia Humphrey and Luke Howlett were among 70 selected from across New Zealand to attend the Massey Business Bootcamp in the second week of the April holidays.

The five-day camp is designed to immerse the students in the business world and connect them wiith experts and industry specialists.

The students heard from guest speakers from around the world, business owners and successful entrepreneurs. They visited three national and multi-national companies and took part in teambuilding exercises. Luke won the HP Team Challenge award for his 3D design of a trophy that represented teamwork. Olivia won a day with the My Food Bag’s Chief Finance Officer, Ms Hannah Howard, a huge opportunity for the budding entrepreneur.

Luke’s says “I found the most memorable event on the camp was when we visited Freadom - a software company that started in a university dorm and now has over 150,000 active customers, including VISA and the Bank of England. It was intriguing to see how much drive and passion they had for their business, so much so that the business founders would sleep in their office

so they didn’t have to waste time traveling home. It is now a multi-million dollar company. Olivia and I both came away with a wealth of real business knowledge and truly inspired to work in business and to start our own business ventures. It was also a great opportunity to meet like-minded students.”

Olivia says “The boot camp was an incredible experience that no amount of money could buy. I feel really lucky to of been able to learn from so many people who are so successful, and have gone through the struggles of the business world that we will soon be facing. The five days were exhausting and mentally challenging, but a world of knowledge came out of the Massey Bootcamp. Luke and I had to live with 70 other competitive bootcampers which was a challenge, but we made some amazing friends and connections that will benefit us as we enter the business world. A highlight would have to be seeing our names on the NZX building on Queen Street, as well as winning the award to spend the day with My Food Bag’s CFO. A special thank you to Loren and Jeff Stangl for their ongoing support and expertise.”

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Seven receive Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Gold Award Five Albertians and Prefect Katy MacKenzie received their Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Gold Awards from the Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, at a ceremony in Auckland on Saturday, 30 April.

2012 Head Girl Hayley Becht, 2014 Deputy Head Girl Alexandra Chaptynova, 2015 students Harry Duncan, Aakash Rajay amd Michael Soffe and Katy attended with their families, Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm and the teacher in charge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award programme at MAGS, Mr Andy Belson. Prefect Alex Thompson has also completed her Gold Award but was overseas.

The Governor-General presented each student with their award and had a chat about what they had done to achieve it. In his speech, Sir Jerry said,

“This award recognises the efforts you have made over a lengthy period. You and your family, friends and supporters can be rightfully proud of your achievement. Participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award is about more then learning valuable life skills. It is also about recognising the importance and benefits that flow from service to the community.”

Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm and teacher Mr Andy Belson with the Gold Award recipients, from left, Alexandra Chaptynova, Michael Soffe, Hayley Becht, Katy MacKenzie, Harry Duncan and Aakash Rajay.

Absent is Alex Thompson.

Mr Belson said achieving the Gold Award was a huge achievement and demands at least a year of commitment to serving the community, meeting new challenges and working with others.

Bronze and Silver Awards In addition to the 7 Gold recipents this year, a further 29 students were awarded their Bronze and Silver Awards at assembly on 14 March.

The programme challenges young people to achieve goals through persistence, voluntary participation and challenge to the individual in categories of Service, Skill, Physical Activity and Adventurous Journey. Be it giving time to an organisation once a week over six months, or tramping 40km through the Waitakeres, all these students have met and overcome challenges along the way.

Recipients of the Bronze Award were: Anton Aish,Victoria Brosnahan, Catherine Butler, Cleo Chambers, Karen Geng, Liam Grozev, Lucy Harding, Brooke Harris,Nadine Hidalgo, Hannah Houghton, Sushma Kuncha, Miriam Leonhardt, Rose Malcolm, Victoria Marsh, Oliver Mathiesen, Oliver Ng, Will Newton, Tayla O’Brien, Dylan Owen, Liam Price, Farah Rahman, Shontae Roache, Eamon Sadler, Nicholas Sykes, Rachel Simpson Recipients of the Silver Award were: Rhys Kontze, Ruby Johnston, Sanaz Samadian, Kushali Tuinder

Shave for a Cure One the last day of Term 1, 22 brave students lined up in the Albertian Quad to have their hair shaved off for charity.

Shave for a Cure is the annual fundraiser for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

MAGS takes part each year, and volunteers gather sponsors ahead of the big day. More than $7200 was raised this year, thanks for the efforts of the student organisers - Deputy Head Boy Jacob Marsh, Rayna Bhika and the Interact fundraising group.

Those brave enough to lose their hair had a large and supportive audience cheering their efforts. The MAGS Jazz Band provided the music.

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Twenty three students from the MAGS Environment Club travelled to Motutapu Island on Sunday, 15 May to take part in a volunteer planting day.

The Motutapu Restoration Trust holds the days once a fortnight and our students were keen to get involved in this massive project. Despite the unseasonably warm weather and steep terrain, the students rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. The end result was that nearly 1000 pioneer (or primary) species of tree were put in the ground.

It was an amazing day, with everyone now feeling a sense of accomplishment and “ownership” in the project. The students will always have a sense of attachment to Motutapu, as their efforts played a crucial role in restoring this 1500ha island to its original state.

Community

Students volunteer for Motutapu tree-planting We were also fortunate enough to hear the call of a handful of saddleback (or tieke) on the way back to the island homestead. It was the first time many of the students had heard the distinct call of the tieke as the bird is all but extinct on mainland New Zealand.

A special thank you to teachers Ms Jitika Austin and Mr Brent Booker for assisting through the day.

The MAGS Environment Club’s motto is “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something”. The students involved in this project were the embodiment of this. MAGS is immensely proud of their contribution.

Mr Michael Ashby, teacher in charge of the Environment Club

Blood Donor Day About 120 students and 20 staff gave blood at the annual Blood Donor Day at Mount Albert Grammar School on 12 May. School Nurse Ms Monica Haworth said MAGS was a big supporter of the day, which provided between 80-120 units of blood for hospitals. The blood is used for blood transfusions of whole blood, platelets, Factor VIII clotting, and if any of the whole blood is not used with in its time limit these units would be separated for transfusions of iron, white cells and plasma.

Each unit of blood could help at least three patients.

“Our Student Health Committee leads the project, recruiting students aged 16 and over, and assisting on the day,” says Ms Haworth. “MAGS is one of the biggest school collection centres for NZ Blood, and we’re very grateful to the students who donate, and their parents for encouraging them to do so.”

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Relay for Life MAGS raises more than $45,000 for cancer charity Mount Albert Grammar’s support of the Relay for Life fundraising event was bigger than ever this year, with 124 students taking part in the weekend and more than $45,000 raised through sponsorship and a school mufti day.

Last year we raised more than $28,000 for the Cancer Society, the most of any school in Auckland, and set a target of $30,000 this year. Surpassing it by such a margin is testament to the enthusiasm of the students who took part, and the drive of the organising teachers - Ms Alayna Pulham, Mr Tom Clark and Ms Sarnia Slabbert. Students Theresa Anisi, Aimee Hunt and Bailey Bennett each raised more than $1000. Our total was the highest of all participating groups throughout the country.

Following a Mufti Day on 11 March, through which $5000 was raised, 124 students and a group of teachers and parents gathered at the AUT Millenium Stadium in Mairangi Bay over 19-20 March. The aim was to walk or run as many laps of a 400m course as possible over 18 hours. In all the MAGS team ran more than 7000 laps, equivalent to around 2800km or 66 marathons. Two students, Anton Aish and Nick Sykes, ran 211 laps, the equivalent of 84.4km each.

When students weren’t running or walking, they could take part in activities such as ripper tag, scrabble, Project Runway, board games in the tent and tug of war.

Ms Pulham said the students’ behaviour was exemplary, and she was proud of how they had exceeded their target in such a positive way.

On 4 April a cheque for $46,125 was presented at assembly to representatives from the Cancer Society.

The society’s Auckland/Northland Chief Executive Mr John Loof thanked students and staff for their outstanding efforts, saying the money would go towards funding cancer research and supporting sufferers of cancer and their families.

The Society also invited MAGS students to visit their cancer research labs to see the work they have helped to fund.

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Community Ms Gina Fergusson and Mr John Loof of the Cancer Society accept the MAGS donation cheque from students William Lever and Natasha Baxendale.

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International students’ welcomed with orientation day and barbecue Our 31 new International Students enjoyed a three-day Orientation programme run by Mount Albert Grammar School’s International Department. This term we welcome new students from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Colombia and Chile.

On 28 January the group was welcomed to the school by student leaders from China, Thailand, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. They were given a tour of the school and were able to ask questions. Thanks to teachers Ms Li Wang, Ms Han Cham and Ms Juan Chen for their help in settling in our new students.

On 2 February the students were in the audience for the official powhiri (Maori welcome) to all students new to MAGS. Our student leaders returned to help them meet their Form Class and Form Teacher, and understand their timetable.

On 11 February the group went on a bus tour of Auckland, visiting Devonport, where they explored the tunnels on North Head, Bastion Point, and Mission Bay, where they had lunch on the beach.

A week later all International students enjoyed a Kiwi-style barbecue under the trees on the front lawn of Mount Albert Grammar School.

Acting International Director Mr Ian Cole said the lunchtime barbecue gave MAGS’ 100 International students the opportunity to come together for a fun occasion, and for new students to meet those already attending MAGS.

Meet our International Prefects Guiting (Lucy) Lu and Sky Nguyen are MAGS’ International Boy and Girl Prefects for 2016.

Lucy came to MAGS from Guangzhou in China two and a half years ago, and last year attained NCEA Level 2 with Excellence. She is a top table tennis player, last year winning the New Zealand Under 18 and Under 21 Championships, and coming second in the Women’s Open grade.

Sky is from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and is also in his third year at MAGS and, like Lucy, attained Level 2 with Excellence last year. He is also a Prefect for the School House boys’ boarding hostel, and hopes to once again play for the MAGS’ Under 19 Basketball team this season.

Both say they enjoy the friendly and supportive atmosphere among their fellow students, teachers and the International Office staff.

“I also enjoy the culture of School House,” says Sky. “I have both Kiwi and International student friends, and it’s nice mixing between the two.”

“We’re looking forward to helping new International students settle into MAGS,” says Lucy, “Lots of people helped us and now it’s time for us to help others.”

Both students plan to stay in New Zealand after completing their studies at MAGS this year. Lucy is aiming to study Medicine at Auckland or Otago, and Sky is planning for an Engineering Degree at Auckland University.

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International student news

International Committee

This year’s International Committee includes a six Kiwi Prefects.

International Prefects Guiting (Lucy) Lu of China and Sky Nguyen of Vietnam will be supported by Luke Fitzgerald, Daphney Erlano, Christopher Lim, Laura Bayfield, Damon Trumper and Claire Liu. Acting International Director Mr Ian Cole says he is delighted with the number of Kiwi Prefects on the committee. “They bring such strength and diversity in terms in leadership, sports, music and language skills. Looking now at the whole committee, Laura, Damon and Luke are very sporty, Claire and Chris are very musical and speak Chinese fluently, plus Daphney is learning Chinese and went to China on the school trip last year. Her family comes from the Philippines which also gives her great understanding of the challenges faced by International students, particularly when they first arrive.”

Mr Cole is planning to use their collective abilities to launch two new initiatives this year - a music group to work alongside the International Choir, and a Culture Club, which will be a social support and friendship group aimed at forging closer links with local students.

International students win Scholar Lions Five International students were awarded Scholar Lions at the Scholars’ Assembly on 22 February.

Pictured with International Dean, Mr Ian Cole are, from left, Qicheng (Bob) Wang, Keyu (Nancy) Chen, Guiting (Lucy) Lu, Sky Nguyen and Xinyi (Kyra) Zhang.

Scholar Lions are awarded to students who attain NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3 with Excellence. Each of the students pictured gained Level 2 with Excellence.

They are now working on attaining Level 3.

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French, Fijian and South American students arrive at MAGS

from Fiji.

French students Tanguy and Alexis with Tyra

The mix of nationalities in MAGS’ International Student group has broadened with the arrival of a student from Fiji, France, Colombia and Chile.

Tyra Sharma, 15, has arrived from Suva, Fiji, to begin her studies in Year 11. She intends to complete her schooling at Mount Albert Grammar.

Tanguy Bessou and Alexis Dubois both 16, travelled from France to spend Term 2 gaining a taste of New Zealand education.

Both come from towns near Paris, and are used to schools much smaller in size than the 2700 students who attend MAGS. “It is interesting experiencing another culture,” says Tanguy.

“Everything is different than in France - the food, weather and

Alejandro and Yinneth from Colombia with Jurgen from Chile

of course the language. We are looking forward to exploring Auckland.”

Alejandro Garzon and Yinneth Caballero are both from Colombia. Alejandro, 14, is in Year 9 and has returned to MAGS after starting at the school in Term 4 of 2015.

Yinneth, 17 is in Year 12 and looking forward to continuing with her sport of swimming at MAGS. She took part in the School Swimming Sports on 16 February, and has joined the MAGS Aquatic Academy.

Jurgen Karl Madariaga, 18, is from Chile and has joined Year 12 classes. A talented rugby player, Jurgen has joined the Rugby Academy and is hoping to play for a school team.

Students take part in Speech competition Two International students took part in the English language Race Unity Speech Awards in March.

Luru Zeng (left) and Qiyue (Rita) Cai are both from China and in Year 12 at MAGS. Luru has been here for two years, and Rita for nine months. They each gave a speech of at least six minutes long on a subject of their choice concerning race unity. Luru spoke about racially controversial police shootings overseas, and Rita focused on bullying, and how small actions by bystanders to help could create significant change in the long term.

Both girls say they enjoyed the experience.

“We had to think about issues concerning race unity, which isn’t something that necessarily comes up in daily life,” says Luru.

“As well as having to write a speech entirely in English, the competition also gave us good experience in dealing with the pressure of public speaking.”

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International student news

International students get a taste of rugby A team of 18 International students had a taste of New Zealand’s national game when they took part in a Rippa Rugby tournament at Sacred Heart College on 13 May. The tournament between International students from 5 schools was organised by Auckland Rugby, which also provided coaching support to Prefect Luke Fitzpatrick in his training sessions with the students.

Luke and International Prefect Sky Nguyen worked together preparing the students for the tournament. Of the 25 originally in the squad, 12 boys and six girls were selected and rotated through three games across the day. MAGS lost two but won their game against Howick College 12-0.

Sky says bringing together a group of students from a range of countries for a new activity was a good bonding exercise. The students came from France, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, China, Vietnam and Fiji. “They had to use English as a common language and learn how to communicate on the field. Their communication got better through the day.”

Luke, who is a Kiwi representative on the International Committee, used to played rugby before switching to basketball.

He says he enjoyed the coaching experience, and meeting new people both within the school and at the tournament.

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International Camp The annual International Student Camp was bigger than ever this Year, with 61 students attending Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges over the weekend of 18-20 March.

Divided into teams of boys and girls of mixed nationalities, the students took part in kayaking, archery, air rifle shooting, a confidence course, high ropes course and the notorious mudslide.

On the second evening they enjoyed a campfire and night walk.

Leading the teams were International Prefects Guiting (Lucy) Lu and Sky Nguyen, and the Kiwi Prefects who are members of the International Committee, Luke Fitzgerald, Daphney Erlano, Christopher Lim, Laura Bayfield, Damon Trumper and Claire Liu. Sky said he saw many students in his team grow in confidence over the weekend. “They opened up to give things a go and make friends.”

Lucy felt the teams of mixed ages also helped younger students to settle into their new lives in New Zealand and get to know their fellow International students.

The Kiwi Prefects say they also gained from the experience, having to step up in leadership roles and develop new ways of communicating with students who do not have English as a first language.

“We had to learn how to organise our team, and help them go outside their comfort zone,” says Daphney.

Acting International Director Mr Ian Cole commended the Prefects for their work preparing the students for camp, and helping them make the most of opportunities during the weekend.

Mr Cole also thanked the adult helpers who attended - Ms Li Wang, Ms Pam Hutchins, Mr Theo van Zyl and Ms Ann Dempsey.

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International student news International student members of the Japanese group (black costumes), Chinese group (blue), Indian and Kapa Haka groups. Back row from left: Muga Shishido, Hyung-Kyu (Jason) Kim, Olivier Niyitegeka, Ryunosuke (Luke) Komagata, Taiki Ando; Front row: Keyu (Nancy) Chen, Kiwi Prefects Claire Liu and Daphney Erlano, Raajasa Devabhakthini, Misa Watanuki.

International students at Polyfest The 2016 ASB Polyfest held in Auckland in March gave some of MAGS’ International students the opportunity to represent their own cultures, and others the chance to learn about those from another country.

language and dance. I was interested to learn haka, songs and some Te Reo Maori. In Rwanda we have a cultural dance of warriors called Intore dancing to the sounds of traditional drums, and I was interested to compare Intore with Maori haka.

“I felt at home staying on the marae with other students, because I have seen that the Maori people possess good humour and always express generosity to others, including visitors from Rwanda. I have made good friends, including Kahukura who teaches me Te Reo Maori, and Niua who teaches me how to play rugby!

I felt privileged to stay on a marae, a place of significant cultural importance.

Year 12 student Olivier Niyitegeka is from Rwanda, and was welcomed into MAGS’ Kapa Haka group. Olivier (seen at far right) wrote a report about the similarities he found between Maori culture and his upbringing in Rwanda: “I felt privileged to be part of MAGS’ Kapa Haka group because I was born and raised in Rwanda where my culture and tradition is similar to Maori, especially in the areas of food,

“I have had no family since I was a baby and grew up in an orphanage, which had a similar community lifestyle to that I experienced in the past six weeks with the Kapa Haka group. We shared together and every parent took care of us. On the marae we slept in the same room on mattresses lined against the walls, ate together in the dining room, helped with chores and spent time together learning all about Maori traditions. It was ultimately like a family.

“I sincerely honour and acknowledge everyone in the Kapa Haka group, the parents and the staff for their support, and for welcoming me to learn more about their culture in their land.

Ki a koutou katoa” 33

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Performing Arts

Grimm’s Tales a collection of gems The 2016 school production of Grimm’s Tales enjoyed an outstanding season which saw full houses and delighted cast and crew.

More than 70 students were involved on stage and behind the scenes of the show, held at the Playhouse Theatre in Glen Eden from 18-21 May. Drama teacher Ms Jessica Rigold selected eight of the Grimm brothers’ tales to interpret - four dramas and four comedies. Award-winning student singer songwriter Jenna Ackerman wrote an original score for the show, and dances were choreographed by top Dance student Oliver Mathiesen.

Students Jonathan Buckman and Brooke Walker wrote original scenes that depicted aspects of the Grimm brothers’ lives growing up in Germany. They were inserted between each tale as a way of introducing the following story, with Jonathan playing Wilhelm Grimm and fellow Drama student Elliot PatonSimpson playing his brother Jacob.

entertainment shows us equally outlandish and horrifying characters and situations.”

While she selected the tales, the students did the rest of the creative work to bring the production to the stage, including scripting, music, choreography, design and artwork, costumes, lighting, sound and backstage organisation.

“I have been privileged to work with such students - their discipline and hard work when deadlines were approaching were awesome,” said Ms Rigold. “They show that our future is in good hands.”

“We wanted to give the audience more than a performance of the brothers’ stories,” says Jonathan. “We thought also telling stories of the brothers’ lives and the events that shaped their work would be interesting.”

Ms Rigold said that while stories of magic and encounters with characters such as the Pied Piper and the Handsome Prince may seem far-fetched, “a quick look at today’s news and popular

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Dance Concert – History in Motion Mount Albert Grammar’s annual Dance Concert was this year titled History in Motion, with pieces themed around events, issues and iconic moments of each decade of the 20th century. Dance styles covered those seen throughout the decades.

Held at the Centennial Theatre at Auckland Grammar School on 12 April, the 29 piece show featured performances from Year 9-13 Dance students, and choreography by Senior students.

Head of Dance Ms Jacqui Cesan was delighted with the standard of performance, and proud of how the students had put together such an impressive show so early in the year.

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Performing Arts

MAGS Strings in demand Mount Albert Grammar’s award-winning Strings group has become a go-to act for Auckland Council event organisers.

The group, featured on the cover of this magazine, won Silver at the Auckland Secondary Schools KBB Music Festival last year. They have since been booked for a number of council functions.

Among the events at which they’ve performed have been the opening of the Heritage Festival and a Superdiversity Stocktake, and events at the Town Hall and Pah Homestead Wallace Arts Centre.

Head of Music Ms Milica Zjajic-Moon says that although the group’s performances are intended as background music, they often turn into mini-concerts, with guests gathered in front of the students listening to and applauding each piece.

“People often say ‘They are so good and so focused. This is the best music we have had. You must be so proud of them!’. And yes, I am very proud indeed,” says Ms Zjajic-Moon.

MAGS Strings comprises, from left, Anvilly Huang, Kauri May, Arien Okan, Emma Moon, Kate Ploeg, Victoria Ting and Anton Aish.

Hannah Houghton

Kauri May

Violinists selected for prestigious groups Year 11 student Hannah Houghton and Year 13 Prefect Kauri May each won selection into New Zealand groups to display and hone their skill with the violin.

Hannah was chosen as a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. She and her fellow orchestra members gathered in Christchurch in the April holidays to take part in an intense six-day course, culminating in two public performances.

The course is widely regarded as a significant training ground for young players aspiring to membership of the New Zealand Youth Orchestra, and ultimately to a career as a professional musician.

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Kauri was selected as one of only 30 musicians from throughout New Zealand to attend the 2016 Adam Summer School for Chamber Music, run by the New Zealand String Quartet and held in Nelson in February. Applicants had to perform at tertiary level or above. Kauri not only won a place, but at the end of the course was named as the winner of the Donald Armstrong Award for the student who made outstanding progress during the summer school.

Both girls are members of MAGS’ Orchestra and Kauri is also part of MAGS Strings, overseen by Head of Music Ms Milica Zjajic-Moon.

Performing Arts

MAGS dancers 2nd in NZ competition The MAGS Megacrew came 2nd out of 15 high schools at the New Zealand Hip Hop Championships held in Auckland on 1 May.

Wrassky-Bulmer and Celia Hext. Jackson is part of the ID Co crew The Bradas which won the Gold medal at the World Hip Hop Championships last year.

More than 90 students auditioned for the crew, for which 34 were selected. The students, ranging from Year 9-13, trained through the April holidays. They were led by Year 13 Dance student Jackson Tuarae, who composed most of their dance’s choreography, assisted by fellow Year 13 students Maria

Dance teacher Ms Samantha French said the students were truly deserving of their 2nd place. “Most students had not performed in this competition before, and were extremely committed and passionate.”

MAGS dancers in Auckland champion team Year 13 Dance students Celia Hext and Maria Wrassky-Bulmer were part of the eight-member dance crew Masque which won the Varsity section of the Auckland Hip Hop Championships on 27 February.

Held at the Vodafone Events Centre in front of a full house of more than 800 people, the all-girl team were up against 14 other boy and girl crews in the age 13-18 category.

MAGS’ Head of Dance Ms Jacqui Cesan said Masque was the clear winner in its section. She was also proud of other MAGS students who competed in crews under the umbrella of dance company ID Co, directed by Albertian Mr Josh Cesan.

Year 9 boys Faolan Okan, William Tuarae and Ben Rawnsley were part of Swagganauts, which came 3rd in their division in their first outing at the competition. Year 12 student Jaimee McLaughlan’s group Shique came 5th in their category, while novice team Recruits, featuring Year 12 student Louis Dan-Tyrell, was named Most Promising New Crew - all these teams qualified for the National Championships to be held later this year.

The Swagganauts came 3rd

Another novice group, Clique, featuring Holly and Janelle Kara, Eva Williams, Maddi Bencich, Amelia Worsley, Estella Wason and Peri Bailey, coached by Dance teacher Ms Samantha French, was also praised by judges for the high standard of their performance.

“These dancers have committed every weekend since January to their training, and showed that dedication to training really pays off,” said Ms Cesan.

The MAGS girls of Clique

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Polyfest Mount Albert Grammar made a strong impression at the 2016 ASB Polyfest, with our largest group of students ever taking part, and winning three awards.

More than 300 students took the stage at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 17-19 March, with groups representing the cultures of Maori, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, China, Japan, India and Korea.

The Tongan group came 2nd in the Mako category, the Cook Islands group won the non-competitive Cook Islands division, and MAGS’ Kapa Haka came 8th equal, two places better than last year and retaining their place in the prestigious Kapa Haka First Division.

Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm, who is Chairman of the Polyfest Trust, said the students’ performances represented outstanding dedication through many hours of rehearsals over the past two months, costume making and fundraising.

“The students and the teachers and community members who oversaw each group deserve high praise for the quality of their performances, and for representing Mount Albert Grammar so well at what is the largest festival of its kind in the world.”

Mr Drumm hosted Prime Minister Mr John Key during his visit to the festival on Friday, 18 March. Mr Key attended a VIP function, where members of MAGS’ Te Puna o Wairaka performed waiata, and then visited the Cook Islands stage and walked through the grounds speaking with students.

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Performing Arts

Year 13 Drama production of Comrade Savage

Year 13 Drama students performed the play Comrade Savage, written by Alan Brunton, in the Drama room on Wednesday and Thursday, 6-7 April. This respected but little known New Zealand play chronicles the life of Labour leader Michael Joseph Savage, from his birth in outback Australia to his death in 1940 while still serving as the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

2016 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Labour Party in New Zealand. The play studies a man who was elected as the working-class’s first Prime Minister in 1935, and venerated with an intensity that equalled that given Franklin Roosevelt in the United States.

In some homes his photograph was displayed, in others he was despised. He led a party that implemented social reform, establishing the Welfare State that aided the unemployed, and established the principle of free education and health care.

Audience feedback: “I can’t think of a better example of what drama should be in relation to both text choice and performance. The balance was just right.”

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“What a treat – our very own socio-political history - education wrapped up in entertainment!”

“It was thought provoking, and insightful into early NZ politics.”

“It was interesting to talk to my grandfather about the play; he was born not long before Joe Savage died while he was in power – and to hear why he was exalted as one of the greatest New Zealanders of all time. Savage was a defender of the working class, he believed in social security – people could at any point be destitute – so under him people knew they wouldn’t lose everything if they had an accident. His government implemented the welfare state, introducing the unemployment benefit, free medical care and free education.

And it was interesting to hear about the controversies over the fact that the same men who had been conscientious objectors in WWI, introduced enforced conscription in WWII”.

- Elliot Paton-Simpson, Year 13 (pictured above left, in centre)

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Performing Arts

Sport

Rowing Gold – Auckland Champs Silver and Bronze – NISS Champs

Futsal Girls – New Zealand Champions

Athletics Gold, Silver and Bronze – Auckland Champs Gold and Bronze – NISS Champs

Orienteering Gold - AKSS Relay Champs Silver - NISS Champs

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Sport Canoe Polo Girls - Northern Region Tournament winners

Softball Premier Boys – New Zealand Champions

Swimming Gold, Silver and Bronze at National Championships

Touch Mixed team – Auckland Champions

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Athletics Sport

The Athletics year started well with three new records set at the school athletics championships at Mt Smart Stadium on 2 March. Two new track records went to Hannah Houghton and Holly Bannister, in the Junior and Intermediate Girls 3000m events respectively. Hannah improved the record by a huge 23s, down to 11mins 27.47s, and Holly went 4s under the old record, running 12mins 13.03s. The other record went to Athletics Captain, Paige Witehira in the Intermediate Girls Javelin - she extended the previous best performance by 2.14m to 32.14m.

Boys were well represented on the day with rugby players prominent across a range of events. The top Senior Boys were Niven Longopoa and Caleb Clarke. Niven won the 110m hurdles, 400m and long jump, with Caleb taking out the 100m/200m sprint double. Leo Rusher claimed the same Intermediate sprint double as Caleb, and Dylan Moon won the Intermediate 100m hurdles, 400m, high jump and triple jump.

A week after the school championships, 61 MAGS athletes competed at the Central/West Zone meeting, also at Mt Smart. The best performance of the meeting for MAGS was by Paige Witehira in the Intermediate Girls Javelin. She threw a personal best of 36.93m to add over 3m to the Greater Auckland record. She also won the triple jump.

Several other athletes also scored double victories; Theane Van Zyl (JG 800m/1500m), Christopher U’Ren (JB 300m/800m), Kalisi Longopoa (IG 100m/100mH), Dylan Moon (IB HJ/100mH), Matt Brenan (SB 800m/3000m), Niven Longopoa (SB 110mH/LJ) and Caleb Clarke (SB 100m/200m).

Overall MAGS was the dominant school at this competition with 28 athletes winning their events and 5 relay teams winning their races. 40 athletes earned qualification to the Greater Auckland Championships by placing in the top three of their event from this meeting.

The Greater Auckland Championships were highlighted by the long jumping of Niven Longopoa. He won the title with a wind assisted 7.13m jump and backed this up with a Gold in the 110m hurdles. The other Senior title at this meet went to Caleb Clarke in the 200m.

Caleb also claimed a Silver in the 100m, as did Nikola Vikena in the Junior 200m event. Other Silver medalists were: Intermediate Girls Kalisi Longopoa (80m hurdles) and Paige Witehira, (triple jump). Bronze medals were won by Paige (IG javelin), Niven (SB 100m), Maddy Gordon (IG 400m), Hannah Houghton (IG 3000m), Thomas Barlow (SB javelin) and Latonya Lole (JG discus).

To round off a successful championships MAGS relay teams gained three more Bronze medals. The Junior and Intermediate Boys 4x 100m teams finished third in the final as did the Open Girls 4x 400m team.

Nine athletes gained selection into the Auckland team for the North Island Championships, also held at Mt Smart this year. Kalisi Longopoa provided the outstanding performance of the meeting for MAGS, winning the Intermediate Girls 80m hurdles in a very smart time of 12.14s. She also picked up another title as the lead-off runner in the Auckland 4 x100m team that won the final.

The other MAGS athlete to gain a top three finish was Paige Witehira, who placed third in the Javelin with a very strong throw of 35.43m, to round out a good season. Nikola Vikena was just outside the medals finishing fourth in the Junior Boys 200m with a personal best of 24.65s.

Mr Brent Booker, teacher in charge of Athletics

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Cricket First XI Boys A meritorious term for the First XI Cricket team, with four wins and only one loss to start the year, following a comprehensive victory over St Paul’s, Hamilton pre-season.

To be fair, our pool was probably the easier side of the draw and the going was tougher in the play-offs, but we did enough to gain Top 4 status going into Term 4.

Lack of runs was an ongoing issue on slow pitches, but newcomers and Year 11’s Kush Warule and Jesse Gage showed composure and promise with the bat at times, and Katene Clarke was belligerent without being prolific.

Fraser Campbell bowled exceptionally without huge reward, Alec Shackleton continues to develop in his off-spinning infancy, Josh Oliver (Year 11) was consistently good on debut and all other bowlers had their moments. Attacking Captaincy and great teamwork allowed us to defend some below-par scores.

Ironically, in the Secondary Schools’ Cup final it was the bowling and fielding that let us down after James Pickering and Fraser Campbell excelled with the bat.

Many of the Squad, along with some Second XI players, now look forward to a tour to UK and Europe, leaving on June 25. The team will visit and train at Lords, play 10 games in England, three in Belgium and one in Paris.

They will take in the sights of London, Dubai, Paris, Salisbury and Bath as well as visit war sites and graves in Ypers and Passchendaele, and perform a wreath-laying ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Thanks to all supporting staff, groups, parents and companies in particular Blueprint Diesel Company, CricHQ and Resene for their support.

Mr Tony Sail, Head of Cricket Premier One Day Competition - Pool B 2nd Place – 4 wins, 1 loss In a match reduced to 30 overs, MAGS scored a comprehensive 134 run win over Macleans College with Katene Clarke and Fraser Campbell scoring 80 and 49

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respectively. The next match against Auckland Grammar was in complete contrast to the first as MAGS succumbed to a 109 run loss. Only Jack Henderson and Connor Wilson reached double figures and Fraser Campbell and Alex Shackleton took two wickets each in economical spells. When asked to bat first

by Rosmini, James Pickering (35) and newcomer, Kush Warule (64), laid a good foundation for the MAGS score of 224.

The failure of MAGS to take early wickets due to a series of dropped catches had the team under considerable pressure.

But inspired spells of bowling by Katene Clarke (3 for 14) were instrumental in leading the team to a 24 run win. A good display by the MAGS bowlers had Liston all out for 94 with Henry Russell and Alec Shackleton taking 3 wickets each. A quick-fire innings of 31 saw MAGS achieve the win in the 25th over. When put in to bat by Rangitoto, the MAGS batsmen took to their bowlers as they scored 246 with Katene Clarke (53) and Caleb Cherrie (33) leading the way. In reply Rangitoto batted steadily, but a six over spell by Jack Henderson (5 for 21) proved the turning point as MAGS won by 102 runs.

Premier One Day Competition – Top Six 4th Place – 1 win, 2 losses Qualified for Premier Two Day Championship Competition MAGS had no answer to the St Kentigern bowlers as they were skittled for 54 runs and lost their first match in the top six competition by 8 wickets. Against Westlake, Fraser Campbell took two early wickets but the team struggled to make further breakthroughs until the last five overs when they surprisingly bowled them all out for 232. In response, MAGS lost wickets regularly with only Andrew Munro (32) providing resistance, as the team lost by 123 runs. With MAGS vying against King’s and Auckland Grammar for the final place in the Two Day Championship Competition, a win against King’s was imperative. With MAGS struggling to score runs off the bat, the King’s bowlers did their team no favours by bowling 47 wides as MAGS reached 166, with Max Thomson (27) top scoring.

A good 10 over spell by Alec Shackleton kept King’s in check before Henry Russell (5 for 24) took the ball and wound up the King’s innings in the 42nd over, giving MAGS a 44 run win.

By placing second in Pool B of the Premier One Day Competition, MAGS gained the right to play in the quarterfinal of this knockout tournament against King’s who had placed second in Pool A. Early wickets had MAGS in some bother at 10 for 3, but Fraser Campbell (42) and newly promoted Jesse Gage (39) staged a good fightback and, with some useful contributions later on, MAGS reached 178 in its 50 overs.

Two wickets to Henry Russell in the second over had King’s in trouble and just as King’s seemed to be getting away, Katene Clarke took two crucial wickets. MAGS continued to make breakthroughs with Clarke (5 for 32) leading the way as King’s were all out for 129.

Having been well beaten by Auckland Grammar early in the year, the semi-final match was going to be a tough challenge for MAGS. A bright start to their innings by MAGS was cut short as both openers were out with the score on 40. After a useful 50 run partnership by Kush Warule and Jesse Gage (34) both batsmen were out in quick succession. Unfortunately wickets fell regularly after that as MAGS struggled through to 162. Despite an early wicket to Fraser Campbell, Grammar made good progress in reply. When three wickets were lost in quick succession, the odds still seemed to favour Grammar at 104 for 5 with capable batsmen still to come. But as MAGS gained hope and began to lift, the pressure began to tell on Grammar and wickets continued to fall. Five runs required off the last over with one wicket in hand. Run out!! The match was MAGS.

First XI Girls 2016 will be remembered as one of the best seasons so far for Girls cricket at MAGS. The core of our squad, having played together for several years, continued to grow in strength and were joined by several talented Year 9 students. We started with a home win against Baradene and while our second game against Takapuna was rained off, we then went on to beat Diocesan at home in Round 3 scoring an impressive 147/1 off our 20 overs.

Round 4 saw a very special victory against St Kent’s, our first ever win against them in 11 meetings. An emphatic win against Glendowie in the final round, when Emily Thurman took six wickets, meant MAGS finished the round robin section unbeaten.

Unfortunately the structure of the competition meant a playoff was needed against EGGS for a place in the semi finals. This was a hard-fought game which led to our only loss of the season. A final placing game against Takapuna was again rained off and this year no separate NZCT tournament was staged.

Special mention should go to departing Year 13 players Tarial Lamb, who has Captained the team in outstanding fashion for the last three years, and Ella Neighbours, whose time at MAGS has seen her take both a hat trick and a double hat trick of wickets.

The final against St Kent’s was going to provide a stern challenge to MAGS, but recent performances had instilled some confidence in the team. Batting first, MAGS made a steady start but had lost three wickets for 48 after 17 overs. James Pickering scored a well compiled 61, before Fraser Campbell took over centre stage, scoring 78 runs at a run a ball, leading MAGS to 199 for 8, well supported by Andrew Munro. The two prize St Kent’s wickets were taken by Fraser Campbell in the 1st and 5th overs which gave MAGS much hope, but loose bowling and a dropped catch kept St Kent’s right in the match. Although MAGS worked hard in the field, they could not contain the batsmen and a century 4th wicket stand had St Kent’s well on top at 156 for 4 after 34 overs. They pushed on to victory in the 44th over without further loss.

Highlights of Term 1 play Batting (* Not out) Katene Clarke 80 vs Macleans College Fraser Campbell 78 v St Kentigern College Kush Warule 64 vs Rosmini College James Pickering 62 vs St Kentigern College Katene Clarke 53 v Rangitoto College Bowling Jack Henderson 5 for 21 vs Rangitoto College Henry Russell 5 for 24 v King’s College Katene Clarke 5 for 32 vs King’s College

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Sport

Auckland Knockout Tournament for a place in the National Secondary School Boys’ First XI Cup Competition - Losing Finalist

MAGS Cross Country Races 2016 Nearly 1200 students took part in the MAGS 2016 Cross Country races on 11 and 13 May, with the school farm providing ideal terrain.

The event is compulsory for Year 9 and 10 students, with some Senior students who are keen on distance running joining in too.

A number of staff members also took part, including Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm and Associate Principal Mr Paul McKinley.

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The route around the school fields and farm comprised 3-4km for Year 9 and 10 students, and 5km for Senior students. Wet weather did not deter the boys on Wednesday; conditions were more pleasant for the girls on Friday.

The top place-getters in each category will go on to compete against runners from other schools over the next few months.

Year 9 Boys: 1st Christopher U’Ren (centre), 2nd Samuel Chote (left), 3rd Flynn O’Loughlin

Year 9 Girls: 1st Meadow Simpson (centre), 2nd Theane van Zyl (left), 3rd Pippi Butterworth

Year 10 Boys: 1st Eyob Tekalion (centre), 2nd Ali Abbaspour-Mojdehi (left), 3rd Josh Pracey

Year 10 Girls: 1st Billie Taylor (centre), 2nd Lili Tse (left), 3rd Holly Bannister

Max Thomson (centre) won the Senior Boys race, Martin Lyon (left) came 2nd, with James Kirkham 3rd.

The Senior Girls race was won by Hannah Houghton (centre), 2nd was Amelia Jack (left), with Fia Jones 3rd.

Mount Albert Grammar School

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Sport

Orienteering Orienteering has taken off at MAGS this year in terms of both numbers of students and results.

After a couple of preliminary training sessions for newcomers, it was straight into the Term 1 AKSS Sprint Series – five 2-3km races held after school on various school campuses. Almost 60 MAGS students took part, most in Western Zone and a few in Central Zone – the keenest did both! The stand-out performance was from Adam Bateman who made a clean sweep of all five races in Junior Boys (West). After five races on points, Oli Mathiesen qualified 2nd in Senior Boys, Theresa Boyd 5th in Senior Girls, Jonty De Pledge 2nd in Intermediate Boys and Isla Thompson 4th in Junior Girls, with many other MAGS students close behind especially in Intermediate and Junior Boys. In total 29 MAGS students qualified for Sprint Finals.

At the two-race Finals Day held on 9 April at University of Auckland Epsom Campus and Massey University Albany, the MAGS team had mixed fortunes. The top performers were Adam Bateman, who won the Silver Medal in Junior Boys and Theresa Boyd, placed 5th in Senior Girls.

In parallel with the Sprint Series, 30 students began farmland navigation and running training in preparation for the AKSS Relay and Individual (Long) Championships, with 20 students also committing to the North Island Championships in the April holidays.

The AKSS Relay championships were held at Ambury Regional Park in the final week of Term 1. MAGS fielded nine teams of three across all grades except Intermediate girls – our biggest ever participation rate. Four MAGS teams took Top 5 places in their grades. The most exciting finish saw the Junior Boys B team 52

Mount Albert Grammar School

of Daniel Carroll, Mitchell Cooper and Aidan Skinner slip past the A boys for a 3rd that was agonisingly close to 2nd – a 1 second margin after more than an hour of racing. MAGS Junior Boys A team followed soon after to take 4th. In Intermediate Boys it was Bronze again for MAGS (Jonty de Pledge, Liam Grozev and Liam Thompson), while the Senior Girls A team of Theresa Boyd, Rosa Henderson and Lara Middlebrook pulled off a strong 4th place. Most excitingly, the cumulative team performance saw MAGS-O awarded the Top Schools trophy.

The NISS Champs followed, a three-day competition held in Hawkes Bay with 61 schools participating. MAGS was represented by 16 boys and 4 girls. Adam Bateman continued his strong form with 4th in both Sprint and Long races and his Junior Boys Relay team took 3rd place on Day 3. Mitchell Cooper, Theresa Boyd, Ben Dean, Liam Thompson and Gabriel Dean also pulled off strong performances which saw MAGS in 2nd place overall by the end of Day 2. In tough conditions the team pulled off a string of clean runs in the relays and came 2nd overall, our best ever result at this level.

The AKSS Individual Long Championships at the start of Term 2 were attended by 29 MAGS orienteers, with Ben Dean taking a Bronze medal in Senior Boys, Theresa Boyd 5th in Senior Girls and Liam Thompson 5th in Intermediate Boys.

Following the MAGS team’s success, five MAGS orienteers were selected for the Auckland Regional Schools Team: Theresa Boyd, Liam Thompson, Liam Grozev, Adam Bateman and Jonty De Pledge. The Auckland team contested to the Regional Challenge Trophy against other New Zealand regional teams at Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

Sport

Rowing Auckland Gold medals and North Island Silver were highlights of a season that has been one of rebuilding for MAGSROW. We finished with 55 boy and girl rowers, the majority at U15 and U16 level. The Under 15 Boys Four won Gold at the Head of the Harbour and Silver at North Islands, and the U18 Boys Pair of Cole Brann and MAGS Head Boy Tom Butler won Bronze at North Islands.

Both these crews made A Finals at the Maadi Cup National Championships, held this year in Twizel in the South Island.

We also took a group of promising Under 15 rowers, all of whom made B Finals at what is the largest high school sporting event in the southern hemisphere.

Director of Rowing Mr Will Maling is excited about the 201617 season for which MAGSROW is now preparing, as he foresees a number of crews poised for success.

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Softball Chasing the New Zealand title for the fourth consecutive year, our Premier Boys lost only one game on the way to the NZSS Final against Waimea Boys College, which they won 4-3.

Played in Hastings from 4-8 April, the boys played 12 games with heart and spirit, any errors being brushed off with swift composure. The team had total belief in itself and came from behind in a few games, winning most in convincing fashion. Scores included 13-3 against Tawa College and 15-0 against Wanganui High School.

Max Earley, Harley Maynard, Blake Wardrope and Cameron Sutton were selected for the NZSS Division 1 Tournament Team and Stu Kinghorn who was selected as coach. Toby Bourgeois and Zeyvien Ward were named in the NZSS Tournament Rest Team.

Earlier in the season the boys made it five in a row when they won the Auckland Central Zone Championship on 14 March, beating Auckland Grammar 2-0 at the May Road pitch.

The boys were unbeaten in the Central Division League; pool play included big wins over Dilworth (23-0), Papatoetoe (14-1) and Rutherford (12-0).

Crossover play for the semi-final against Green Bay High School saw a much tighter game, resulting in a 2-0 win for MAGS. The final was another tough match, but MAGS prevailed to retain their Auckland title.

Thanks to staff member Ms Kelly Johnston for taking on the role of scorer, and a huge thanks for the parental support on game days.

The team is very fortunate to have the continuity of coach Mr Stu Kinghorn, a former Black Sox and grandparent of one of the players.

The Premier Girls also did well, winning the Second Division of the North Island Championships after beating Aorere College 11-0 at Prince Edward Park in Papakura.

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A highlight was the Prefects v Teachers Kickboard Relay, won by the team of Head Girl Leilani Ioelu after much spirited cheering from students.

At the Swimming New Zealand Division 2 Championships in Invercargill from 9-12 March, Year 10 swimmer Bede Aitu won an outstanding 12 medals Bede won 7 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze in invidual events, a Silver medal with his Club relay team, and a Gold and a Bronze in Auckland Regional relay teams.

Year 11 student Liam Grozev, last year’s Junior Victor Ludorum, also starred, winning 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.

MAGS’ 2016 Swimming Champions, from left, Jesse Tu’inukuafe (Junior Boys), Katherine Grozev (Senior Girls), Bede Aitu (Intermediate Boys joint winner), Brearna Crawford (Junior Girls), Yinhu Cui (Senior Boys), Flynn Oberdries (Intermediate Boys joint winner). Absent: Sinead Kelly (Intermediate Girls).

The year started well with three new records set and another equalled by talented new Year 9 student Brearna Crawford at the annual MAGS Swimming Sports on 16 February at the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre.

Brearna set new records for the 25m and 50 Breastroke and 25m Butterfly, and equalled the school record for 100m Breaststroke. She is a member of the MAGS Aquatic Academy and MAGS Swimming Club.

The Junior Form Class Relay was one by 9CVT (Y9 Girls), 9MKE (Y9 Boys), 10MKN (Y10 Girls) and 10SCF (Y10 Boys).

At the Auckland Swimming Open Championship from 3-6 March, MAGS’ 2016 Senior Girls’ Swimming Champion Katherine Grozev won Silver in the 50m backstroke and Junior Girls Champion Brearna Crawford won Bronze in the 50m breaststroke. The Auckland Open is for swimmers aged from 13-20+.

The National Age Group Championships were held in Wellington from 18-22 April, and once again MAGS swimmers took away a haul of medals.

Year 9 student Brearna Crawford won seven medals, Year 10 student George Smith won five, and Year 12 Katherine Grozev completed the takings with a Bronze in the 50m backstroke.

Brearna won Silver in the 200m breaststroke and Bronze in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, 200m and 400m individual medley, and as part of the 4x 100m medley relay.

George won Gold in the 100m butterfly, Silver in the 100m freestyle, and Bronze in the 50m and 200m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

Touch Mixed team wins Auckland Regional Competition On 19 March the MAGS Mixed Touch team competed in the Auckland Regional Competition with the aim of qualifying for the National Tournament in December.

It was going to be a tough day with captain Paul Roache away with the First XV camp, and Lahaina- Lee Upu-Toparea and Paris Shum at Polyfest. With a round robin draw, meaning there would be no semis or finals, the team knew they needed to start well to progress through the day without having to rely on a count back.

Led by Henry Tetini and Abigail Roache, the team began with two convincing 9-0 wins over Howick College and Glendowie College, and another strong 6-3 victory over Alfriston College.

MAGS were only one game away from claiming the title.

Facing Macleans College, who were also undefeated thus far, MAGS fought back after being 2-0 down early in the game to come away with a 7-5 win. They were the Auckland Regional Champions and qualified for the National Tournament as the number one team from this region.

A special mention must go to Abigail Roache, Moanekah Va’ai and Joshlyn Samupo Munokoa, who were the only three girls and played full games throughout the day. Also to Riley Price and Nathaniel Kost who joined the team for the tournament.

The Senior Girls team came 2nd in their division, also qualifying them to compete at Nationals in December.

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Sport

Swimming

New Zealand Selections and Awards Archery

Lacrosse

Emily Cavell – Selected for the NZ Youth team which competed at the Oceania Youth Archery Championships in Tonga from 8-16 April. Emily won Silver and Bronze medals in different divisions.

Georgia Carter - selected for top NZ Lacrosse team the NZBlax to compete in Australia in June against State sides as well as England, Hong Kong, Japanese University and the USA College team.

Athletics

Georgia Houston, Ruby Johnston, Rachel Adams and Nerida Elson – selected for NZ Under 23 team which travelled to Melbourne over ANZAC weekend to play the annual commemorative ANZAC match in Melbourne. New Zealand won 14-2.

Symone Tafuna’i - selected for the NZ Under 20 4x100m team to compete at the World Under 20 Athletics Championships in Poland in July.

Latonya Lole – named Auckland Athletics Junior Sportswoman of the Year for excelling in 100m and 200m running, as well as discus, shot put and long jump

Netball

Basketball

2015 Premier Captain Holly Fowler – contract with Northern Mystics

Sharne Pupuke-Robati and Moanekah Va’ai - selected for NZ Under 16 team to travel to Australia in June for a Trans-Tasman Tournament

Football Nicole Mettam, Malia Steinmetz, ‘Alosi Bloomfield, Jacqui Hand and Samantha Tawharu – selected for NZ Under 17 team that won Oceania Championship in Rarotonga in January, qualifying the team for the 2016 FIFA U17 World Cup in Jordan in September.

Elle Temu - selected for the NZ Secondary Schools team

2015 Premier Goal Shoot Maia Wilson – contract with Central Pulse Other Albertian netballers continuing in the ANZ competition are Jamie-Lee Price (Magic), Erikana Pedersen (Tactix) and Nadia Loveday (Mystics).

Ice Hockey Oliver Curtis – selected for the NZ Youth team that competed at the Youth Winter Olympics in Norway in February.

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Elle Temu

Holly Fowler

Maia Wilson

Jamie-Lee Price

Erikana Pedersen

Nadia Loveday

Sport Rowing Carl Pracey and Jonathan Winter – selected for the NZ Junior squad to compete at the World Rowing Juniors Championships in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in August.

Softball Harley Maynard - named in the NZ Emerging Sox U17 Boys to compete in Sydney in June.

Max Earley and Brock Evans - named in the NZ Development Sox U15 Boys to play in Australia Nerida Elson – named in NZ Junior White Sox (U19) to compete in Hawaii in July

Tag Moanekah Va’ai – selected for NZ Under 21 Womens Tag team that competed in the Trans Tasman series on April 1-3.

The New Zealand team won three of the five game series, taking the overall win. Moanekah, who is still only in Year 10, was the youngest in the team.

Underwater Hockey Finn Hollingworth, Nicholas Sykes, Liam Quinlan, Nathan Browne and Angus Scahill – selected for NZ Under 18 team to compete in the Trans-Tasman Tournament in Hobart in July.

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Meet the MAGS Foundation Trustees In 1972 when the School reached the age of 50 years, the then Mount Albert Grammar School Old Boys Association formed the Mount Albert Grammar School Golden Jubilee Trust, with objectives that included the advancement of the School, its teachers, students and old boys, as well as to provide for the School buildings, amenities, materials and equipment.

In 2009, the name of the Trust was changed to the Mount Albert Grammar School Foundation, and in 2013 the Foundation employed Tim Kay as their Director of Advancement, its first full-time employee.

The MAGS Foundation Statement of Purpose is as follows: 1. Invest in educational excellence 2. Provide resources for MAGS to become New Zealand’s top secondary school 3. Establish the most successful endowment fund of any New Zealand school 4. Provide the financial resources to develop and support the School’s vision, values and tradition The overall Governance of the MAGS Foundation rests with six Trustees, five whom are appointed and one ex officio. The four appointed by the MAGS Albertians Association are Peter Thorp, Greg Taylor, Tim Goulding and Grant Watson; appointed from the School Board of Trustees is Board Chairman Greg Moyle, and finally the MAGS Headmaster, Patrick Drumm, is ex officio.

Peter Thorp – MAGS Foundation Chairman Peter attended MAGS between 1964 and 1968, boarding at School House throughout. In his final year he was Head Prefect of School and School House and Captain of the First XV. He attended the University of Auckland School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1973.

Between 1972 – 1991 he worked at Auckland Law firm Martelli, McKegg, Wells & Cormack, firstly in the Litigation Department and then as a partner. Since 1991 Peter has been a Sole Barrister.

Throughout his legal career he has gained extensive experience before all Courts and a wide range of Tribunals and other bodies. His specialist expertise is in Civil Commercial advice and dispute resolution which includes litigation, mediation, arbitration and negotiation.

Peter’s community involvement has included roles as Chairman of the Kimberley Trust, Chairman of the Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club and Founding Trustee of the Philips Aquatic Centre (now the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre).

He was President of the MAGS Albertians Association between 1989 and 1993, a member of the School Board of Trustees from 1990 and Chairman between 1995 and 2006.

Significant initiatives during that time included the construction of the Aquatic Centre and the inclusion of girl students at MAGS. In 2015 Peter took over the Chairmanship of the MAGS Foundation from Tim Goulding. Major priorities include the establishment of a $10 million Endowment Fund, raising funds for the new Centennial Centre for the MAGS Centenary in 2022 and to oversee its construction, and to raise funds for, upgrade and operate the ASB Bank MAGS Farm.

Greg Moyle Greg epitomises the mantra ‘MAGS for Life’. Since attending MAGS (1968 – 1972) as an out of zone student, Greg’s life has been interwoven with that of the school. He finished his time at MAGS as a Prefect, and went on to become President of the Albertians Association, having been a member since 1988. He has been Chairman of the MAGS Board of Trustees since 2006.

Greg is arguably the founder of the MAGS Foundation as he has actively promoted the concept as a vehicle for ensuring that the culture, traditions and future financial wellbeing of the School are maintained and enhanced.

Greg was also a MAGS parent - his two eldest children, Daniel (1997 – 2001) and Rachel (2000 – 2004) are Albertians.

Rachel was a ‘Foundation’ girl in 2000. It is Greg’s wish that both his young children, Eva (11) and Luke (8) also attend MAGS in due course.

For his service to MAGS and the wider community Greg was inducted into the MAGS Hall of Distinction in 2012.

When the lease on the ASB Bank MAGS Farm came up for renewal in 2013, Greg was instrumental in ensuring that the 58

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land was retained for the school and the greater Mt Albert community. The Bank extended the lease on the land for another 99 years.

Greg has provided items from his extensive New Zealand art collection to decorate the walls of the School and has committed to endow the collection to the School during his lifetime.

Greg’s career has spanned a number of fields – he has worked as an Accountant, Policeman, Lawyer, Army Officer, University Lecturer, Corporate Fraud Investigator, and the for past 28 years has been a Financial Advisor specialising in retirement planning.

Greg’s community interests include being a Rotarian (past President of his club and Assistant District Governor) and a Local Body Politician (Western Bays Community Board, Auckland City Council and Waitemata Local Board). He has also spent time on various professional bodies and Charitable Trusts (Radio Lollipop and the Leukaemia Blood Foundation).

The Foundation will be an important part of the future of MAGS as it will provide the financial support to ensure that the MAGS culture and traditions valued by students, past students and parents are maintained for future generations.

“I want MAGS to be not only the ‘School of Choice’ in Mt Albert but also throughout Auckland and New Zealand.”

Grant attended Mount Albert Grammar School from 1985 to 1989. Grant’s elder brothers Mark and Ritchie also attended Mount Albert Grammar, as did his Father Neville. In his later years at school Grant worked part time at McDonald’s to fund his commercial pilot license.

After leaving school he worked his way through the McDonald’s Management training programme.

Between 1999 and 2001 he completed an Executive MBA through Otago University. In 2002 Grant became a Director of McDonald’s and two years later Chief Operating Officer. In 2005 Grant won New Zealand’s Young Executive of the Year.

In 2006, after 18 years of tenure with McDonald’s, Grant took a four year sabbatical from corporate life. During these four years Grant travelled with his family, sat on the Board of publicly listed company Mr Chips (until it was sold), and developed a tourism accommodation business.

In 2010 Grant was approached by Fonterra to turn around the Anchor Franchise business (a key business under the Fonterra Brands New Zealand umbrella). In addition Grant was given responsibility for the Fonterra New Zealand Foodservice

business and a boutique pastry company (also owned by Fonterra) trading as The Pastry House.

Grant led a complete transformation of the Anchor Franchise business. He also re-established a strong performance trend of The Pastry House business allowing it to be sold in 2013. As Director of the New Zealand Foodservice business Grant sits on the Global Foodservice Leadership Team for Fonterra. This team has been responsible for developing the strategy for one of Fonterra’s key global strategic growth pillars.

Grant took accountability for the Tip Top Ice Cream business in 2013 while retaining his Director roles for the Anchor and Foodservice businesses.

Grant joined the Mount Albert Grammar School Old Boys Golden Jubilee Trust in 2009. During 2012 and 2013 Grant was instrumental in helping the organisation reset its Vision, Purpose, Strategy and Structure. Grant was directly involved with the appointment of the inaugural Director of Advancement Tim Kay. The Mount Albert Grammar School Old Boys Golden Jubilee Trust was repositioned as The Mount Albert Grammar School Foundation and officially launched on 20 March, 2014.

Grant is the father of one young daughter and is a keen sportsman, especially in running, cycling, skiing and scuba diving.

Tim Goulding Tim attended MAGS from 1968 to 1972 in a strong era at MAGS. In his final year they were second in the Auckland First XV competition, losing only one game, won the senior tennis unbeaten, and were third in NZ in University scholarships.

Tim studied at Auckland University and graduated with a LLB.BCom. After a year with international accounting firm Deloittes, he commenced law practice with Daniel Overton & Goulding, following a family tradition of lawyers (grandfather, great uncle, father, sister) in 1978. His specialty is trust and business law and disputes.

Many of his law dealings have been with MAGS colleagues which he has particularly enjoyed, and some of his stable of barristers are MAGS alumni, among them Peter Thorp, Dr John Turner and the late Professor Mike Taggart.

Since 1993 Tim was a Trustee of the MAGS Old Boys Golden

Jubilee Trust which was set up in 1971 by Tim’s father John and other Old Boys. It was the forerunner of the MAGS Foundation.

Tim carried on as a Trustee and then Chairman of the MAGS Foundation up to 2015 when Peter Thorp took over as Chairman.

Tim wishes to give something back to the school and in particular he wants to see MAGS develop the resources to assist its students to receive the very best secondary education and experience, which some saw as exclusively reserved to private schools. One of the key milestones in his time on the MAGS Foundation was the appointment of Tim Kay to the role of Director of Advancement in 2013. The Foundation is well on the way to becoming a significant factor in setting the school apart as one of New Zealand’s best.

He keeps a close finger on the pulse of MAGS through Bronwyn Hantz, a lawyer in his firm, who is married to James, a teacher at the school, a Master at School House, and a coach of the First XV.

Greg Taylor Mount Albert Grammar School has played an important part throughout Greg’s life, to a much greater extent than he expected when sitting in the FW Gamble Hall as a student from 19601964.

Graduating as Dux in 1964, Greg moved on to Auckland University where he completed an Honours degree in History, prior to undertaking postgraduate study in Chicago and, on returning to New Zealand, a Diploma at Auckland Secondary Teachers’ College.

Three years at Otahuhu College and seven years at Auckland Grammar School, as Head of History, were followed by five years as an Inspector of Secondary Schools.

In 1988 Greg succeeded Maurice Hall as Headmaster of Mount Albert Grammar School, the first Old Boy to hold the position. He retired in 2006, highlights of his term being a

continued growth in the School roll and in its achievements, as well as the building of the Aquatic Centre and the progressive introduction of girls, commencing in 2000.

Greg has been married to Noeleen for 45 years and valued her support during his years as Headmaster. Their daughter Olivia chose to attend MAGS and was appointed a School Prefect by her Headmaster, Dale Burden.

Outside the School, Greg have served on the Council of the University of Auckland for eight years and on a number of community trusts with a youth and disability focus. In 2006 he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education.

“It is a privilege to work with the MAGS Foundation. In order for the School to maintain its position as one of the top schools in New Zealand and continue to produce young adults who excel in all areas of life, it is essential that it be well-resourced, for both its outstanding teachers and students.”

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MAGS Foundation

Grant Watson

Chef Michael Meredith is 2016 Albertian of the Year Renowned chef Mr Michael Meredith has been named as Mount Albert Grammar School’s Albertian of the Year.

The presentation of Mr Meredith’s award will be made at the annual Albertians’ Reunion Dinner, to be held at the Northern Club on Thursday, 23 June. Mr Meredith’s citation will be presented on the night by his friend, food writer Ms Nici Wicks.

“I am very surprised, and very honoured, to receive this award,” said Mr Meredith, who still lives in Mount Albert. “It’s a huge thing to be recognised by my former school in this way, and has brought back lots of memories.”

Mr Meredith is best known through his award-winning restaurant Meredith’s in Mt Eden, and for helping to establish the Eat My Lunch social enterprise business, through which customers can buy a lunch and have one donated to a child in need.

Eat My Lunch now delivers meals to 1300 children in Auckland every school day, and is soon to start the service in Hamilton and Wellington.

Mr Meredith received recognition for this initiative through the Restaurant Association Good Neighbour Awards and the New Zealander of the Year Awards last year.

Mr Meredith attended MAGS from 1988-1991. Back then it was a smaller, boys’ only school, and Mr Meredith can’t recall a cooking class being offered. He played rugby league and enjoyed helping on the school farm.

“My elder brother Milton and I had just arrived from Samoa, and MAGS was our first point of contact with New Zealand,” says Mr Meredith. “I might not have felt it at the time, but it helped shape me into who I am today.”

After leaving school, a cooking course ignited his interest in the profession, and he gained work at the reputable restaurants Vinnies, Antoine’s and The Grove. He went on to win a scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America, and worked in New York, Melbourne and Sydney, before returning to Auckland to open his own restaurant in 2007.

Meredith’s is consistently named in Metro magazine’s Top 50 restaurants in Auckland and both the restaurant and Mr Meredith have won numerous awards. One night a week, proceeds from the restaurant are donated to various charities. Among those which have benefited are the SPCA, Home & Family Counselling, Cure Kids, Kidney Kids, Starship National Air Ambulance, Guardian Angels and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Mr Meredith says his philosophy is “to be a positive person and hopefully have a positive influence on those around me.”

“The rest will fall into place. If you don’t stay grounded, humble and appreciative, you won’t be positive and have true success.”

MAGS Foundation

Golf Day 2016 The third Mount Albert Grammar School Foundation fundraising golf day was held at Akarana Golf Club on 31 March.

A record 21 teams took part and over $20,000 was raised for the BG Williams Rugby Endowment Fund.

The winning team was the MAGS Staff team, comprised of Mr Paul Ferner, Mr Allan Sangster, Mr Simon Allen and Mr Max Jeremic.

Master of Ceremonies at the after-match function was sports personality and Albertian Mr Mark Watson. Mr Bryan Williams spoke about the Rugby Endowment Fund, and Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm presented the golf prizes.

The 2017 event will be held at Akarana on Thursday, 16 March.

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Mount Albert Grammar School

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MAGS Foundation

19th - 21st August 2016 Like a wunderkind of the art world, the Mount Albert Grammar School Fine Art Show has, in just two years, achieved great things. With works from both established and emerging artists on sale, it has captured the hearts and minds of collectors and the community alike.

From an inaugural show in 2014 where 200 artists took part, to last year’s event when 450 people attended the opening gala evening, the numbers are as impressive as the painterly talent. To date, the three-day event has brought in more than $110,000 for the school. Money raised goes towards enriching the student environment, including the new artist in residence programme in the Visual Arts department, and to worthy causes within the MAGS community.

“This is a wonderful chance for those associated with the school and members of the public to buy an artwork from a celebrated artist, or support rising talent,” says Nealie Barker, Chair of Friends of MAGS, a parent-run committee that organises the annual show.

This year promises an even finer gathering of artists and appreciators. A visual feast of paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture and photography, the show is a platform where fresh faces such as Erin Simpson and Delicia Sampero can be displayed alongside household names such as Dick Frizzell, John Pule and Emma Bass. Selected Mount Albert Grammar School art students are also chosen to participate.

The exclusive gala evening on Friday, August 19 is a not-to-be-missed occasion. The $40 tickets include canapes, beverages and entertainment and are on sale at www.iticket.co.nz It’s a chance to dress up in your glad rags, meet some fellow MAGS parents and also bid for your personal favourite piece at the art auction. Saturday 20 and Sunday 21st August are free open days where there’s a friendly atmosphere that’s inspiring and entertaining for the whole family.

Look for information in the Mount Albert Grammar School e-newsletter, visit the website at

www.magsartshow.co.nz or sign up to our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Mt Albert

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Mount Albert Grammar School

MAGS Foundation MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL FINE ART SHOW OPENING GALA EVENING FRIDAY, 19th AUGUST FW Gamble Memorial Hall, Mount Albert Grammar School, 6.30pm - 10pm Be the first to view and purchase art works by New Zealand’s accomplished and emerging artists, and by MAGS’ top art students.

Paintings, photography, sculptures, ceramics, art glass.

Beverages and a delicious selection of canapes will be served. $40 per person -visit www.iticket.co.nz to purchase. Tickets are limited so be quick.

FREE ADMISSION WEEKEND Saturday, 20 August, 10am-7pm, Sunday, 21 August, 10am-3pm More than 300 works by New Zealand artists for sale.

Support the Mount Albert Grammar School Fine Art Show and the Mount Albert Grammar School Foundation - Investing in the future of the school

www.magsartshow.co.nz CALL OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS If, as the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, art is the proper task of life, here’s the perfect opportunity to get involved. The Mount Albert Grammar School Fine Art Show needs volunteers to help receipt artwork from the artists, wrap purchased artwork and generally lend a hand. Even if you can spare two hours, it would be greatly appreciated. If you’re keen to help out the school, then volunteering a small amount of time for the Mount Albert Grammar School Fine Art Show is a great way to do it.

Please phone Lorraine Robinson on (09) 8462044 x 8153 or email artshow@mags.school.nz

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From the President of the Albertians Association The Albertians Association is committed to nurturing relationships between the School and past students. The heritage of the Mount Albert Grammar School has changed and evolved with the times and people in its 90 year history.

Each intake of students leaves an indelible mark on the culture of the School.

The area around the School has changed, and the growing variety of cultures among students has added to the greater perspective the School offers in its day to day life. Girls have now been attending the school for 16 years, and it’s hard to imagine what MAGS was like before they arrived. The roll of the School has grown to make it the second largest in the country. The demand for places at MAGS is testament to how well MAGS has taken change in its stride and is better for it.

The challenge of the Albertians Association is to channel this vast collection of past students into opportunities for socialising, exchanging ideas and networking. Whether it be a casual luncheon at the School, the Annual Reunion Dinner or the ANZAC Day Service, there is always an opportunity to reconnect, give back and learn from the School and its people.

The MAGS community grows bigger and more important each day; all aspects of the School are geared towards bringing everyone together to contribute to the greater good.

We have hosted events for the first time in Wellington and London, along with Sydney and Melbourne for our past students. It is inspiring to see so many people take an interest in the School. All this bodes well as we work our way towards the Centennial Jubilee in 2022.

We encourage you to get in touch and spread the word. Like us on Facebook, drop Tim Kay an email (tkay@mags.school.nz) or simply pick up the phone and call. Someone will be happy to help you reconnect.

MAGS for life.

Aftab Moosa

From the Archives

Alpha and Omega Freddie Robertson and Selby Spence were Prefects together in 1928. They both entered the Church, both worked for Church unity and were both Principals of secondary schools.

Frederick Herbert Robertson (1925-1929) had been Dux and Head Prefect in 1929 and a Prefect in 1928. Gamble described him as “the best boy our school has produced.”

He became a Presbyterian Minister. As a young man he led the Christian Order Campaign, a national movement of all nonCatholic Churches. He was one of the Churches representatives on the National Council of Churches and Convenor of the General Assembly’s Board of Education. He founded a children’s home and two old peoples’ homes and was the first Rector of Lindisfarne College, Hastings.

Selby Norman Spence (1927-1928) was also a Prefect and the Head House Prefect. He became an Anglican priest and was Principal of the CMS High School in Karachi [the school was nationalised by the Pakistani Government in 1971]. He left the school after Partition and became Archdeacon of Sindh and Balochistan and later Canon of Lahore Cathedral (the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection) (right).

The Homestead building, Lindisfarne College

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Mount Albert Grammar School

He worked to unite Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Anglican Churches and the Church of Scotland into one Christian entity in northern India. On his 59th birthday he was consecrated Bishop of Karachi in St Paul’s Cathedral, Calcutta (Kolkato) He returned to New Zealand in 1972 and was appointed Assistant Bishop of Waikato and then of Auckland. He was made a Fellow of St John’s College in 1973.

Not only did these two Prefects sit side by side in the 1928 Prefects photograph, their names are together in the goldlettered list in the Hall.

Shelby Spence was born on 1 January 1911 and Freddie Robertson was born on 31 December 1911.

Alpha and Omega.

Brian Murphy, Archivist

The 1925 New Masters Three men joined the staff in 1925. The Albertian of that year reported that “Messrs. E.M. Blaiklock, B.A., S.F. Meiklejohn, M.A., and S. Black joined the staff of the School.”

Each, in his way, had a short tenure and each was a remarkable man.

Edward Musgrave Blaiklock completed an MA in Latin and French with first class honours in his first year here. He introduced soccer into the School and was instrumental in inaugurating a secondary school competition.

He was encouraged to study Greek and left here after three years to take a lectureship at Auckland University College.

Blaiklock wrote a thesis on Euriopides and was awarded a LittD

by The University of New Zealand.

In 1947 he was appointed Professor of Classics. He was also a lay preacher at the Baptist Tabernacle.

To quote WR Richardson, his biographer in Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Black returned to Auckland and was, for a time, a relieving teacher at Henderson High School.

He was soon headhunted by Sir David Henry, Managing Director of New Zealand Forest Products, to move to Tokoroa as Director of Community Services. He was re-energised, coordinating housing for forestry workers, serving on the Tokoroa High School Board of Governors and the Anglican vestry and undertaking speaking engagements to many groups. He was an advocate for social justice. He touched all bases. He died in 1963.

There is a continuation with Haileybury. Derek Scott arrived here, from Australia, to his last School year at Mount Albert Grammar School in 1982. From a standing start he was in the Cricket First XI, Captain of the Rugby First XV and a Prefect. After some university work he returned to Australia and later became the overall principal of Haileybury, which has four campuses in Melbourne and one in China.

Sergeant Frederick Meiklejohn gained a Junior University Scholarship and gained the John Tinline Scholarship for English and graduated with first-class honours in English. He was President of the Student Association. After two years here he acted as a lecturer in English – during the Professor’s absence. He returned in 1928. He had little more than a year left. He died of pneumonia on 25 March 1930.

The 1930 The Albertian reported that:

“… Blaiklock had by now established himself as a natural communicator who could build a close rapport with an audience, carrying them along on the current of his own enthusiasm. He was helped in this by a handsome countenance, an athletic build, a strong clear voice, a commanding presence, backed up by a fluent command of English and a wide reading in his own and related fields.”

For many years he wrote elegant columns for Wilson and Horton publications, under the pen-name Grammaticus.

He also had an international reputation as a biblical scholar. He died in 1983.

Sholto Kairakau Black, like Blaiklock, completed an MA, in English and Economics, while on the staff. He left at the end of 1928 to teach at Timaru Boys’ High School where he stayed for 10 years. He moved to Melbourne and became an assistant master at Haileybury at Brighton Beach for three years before being appointed the fourth Headmaster.

As his biographer on Te Ara, Mere Tunks, mentions: “Black had the difficult time of the Second World War to cope with, as well as a small emerging school with few resources.

He did an enormous amount of work for very little pay. Black believed that the college should provide a cultured environment and a form of teaching that nurtured Christian beliefs.

In his view, in addition to fostering scholarship, schools should encourage humility, humour, kindness, forbearance, helpfulness, trust and loyalty.

Shalto Black with Haileybury boys in 1942

By the time he retired in 1953 the College had an excellent reputation.”

After the war he successfully proposed to remove the cadet corps and encourage more art, music and drama.

“A man of high attainment he commanded the respect of his pupils and promised to have a very successful career as a teacher. His quick sympathies could not but endear him to colleagues and boys alike.

“In the playing-field Mr Meiklejohn took up the task of organising and controlling the School Hockey and this branch of school work will live always as a memorial to his untiring efforts.

“The measure of our sadness at the early death [he was 27] makes greater our sympathy with his parents who lived lovingly and proudly in their hopes of a bright future. To them the loss of a son made harder because of a lost of service so early ended.”

This eulogy is unsigned but the style is that of the Head of English – John Hooper Harvey.

The School’s trophy for the Best Player in the First XI Hockey (Boys) is still awarded as The Meiklejohn Memorial Cup. He is the second young man to die in office. In the year in which Meiklejohn and his colleagues joined the staff, David William Fell M.A. died. Fell joined the staff in 1923 and died on 27 January 1925. He was 26.

So Meiklejohn was the second person to have a brass plaque in the hall for masters who died in office.

These three masters of 1925, despite their short stay, were the most talented group of new men in any one year, with two biographies in Te Ara, and the other with high ability and a life cut short.

Brian Murphy

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Corridors - Albertian News

From the Archives

Albertians ANZAC Lunch Albertians gathered for the annual luncheon at School House that concludes the ANZAC Day Service, held this year on Friday, 15 April.

Two of the six Hanson brothers who attended MAGS and donated the Hanson Cup for Senior Progress and Endeavour.

David is on the left, with Robert. Their brothers were John, Peter, Andrew and Mark. Their mother Betty was on the school board.

Dr Hal Harding - in Memorium Distinguished Albertian Dr Hal Harding passed away on Monday, 23 May, aged 90.

Dr Harding attended MAGS from 1938-1942, finishing his education here as Dux. He was Head Prefect and Head of School House, Captain of the First XV, and in the Athletics and Boxing teams.

He studied Medicine at Otago University, completing his final year at Auckland and gaining a NZ University blue in boxing, also playing senior rugby in both cities. He worked as a house surgeon for Auckland Hospital, then in general practice at Dargaville and Herne Bay. 66

Mount Albert Grammar School

His ties with MAGS remained strong - he was the School House doctor for many years, Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee, President of the then-named Old Boys’ Association, and made a life member of its modern version, the Albertians Association.

A number of Albertians attended Dr Harding’s funeral on Friday, 27 May. A more fulsome obituary will feature in the November issue of The Lion.

Per Angusta, Ad Augusta

Key Dates

October

TERM 4, 2016

Monday

START TERM 3

20

Thursday

MAGS Sports Dinner

26

Tuesday

Parent/Teacher Interviews (4pm-7pm)

21

Friday

28

Thursday

Parent/Teacher Interviews (4pm-7pm)

Service Lions Assembly in the F.W. Gamble Hall (2pm)

1

Monday

Year 9 Information Evening – Balmoral Intermediate families (7pm)

24

Monday

Labour Day

27

Thursday

2

Tuesday

Year 9 Information Evening – Auckland Normal, Kowhai and Ponsonby Intermediate families (7pm)

MAGS Arts Dinner at The Crowne Plaza (7pm)

28

Friday

Year 11 Prizegiving in the F.W. Gamble Hall (1.45pm)

3

Wednesday

Year 9 Information Evening – Blockhouse Bay, Glen Eden and Pasadena families (7pm)

October

25

Pasifika Celebration Dinner, Owairaka Primary School (7pm) 31

Senior Winter Sports Photos

Monday

Senior Prizegiving in the F.W. Gamble Hall (12.30pm)

Saturday

Saint Kentigern College Sports Exchange at MAGS

10

Wednesday

Cultural Group Photos

1

Tuesday

School House Leavers’ Dinner

Year 10-12 Maori Pathways Evening (6.30pm-8pm)

2

Wednesday

Year 8 Girls Testing in the F.W. Gamble Hall (9am)

3

Thursday

Year 8 Boys Testing in the F.W. Gamble Hall (9am)

4

Friday

Te Puna O Wairaka Dinner

7-11

Mon-Fri

Junior Examinations

9

Wednesday

NCEA Examinations Commence

15

Tuesday

Year 8 Academic Catch up and Academy Testing (9am)

6

Tuesday

Year 10 Prizegiving in the F.W. Gamble Hall (9.30am)

11

Thursday

Pathways Evening for Y10-12 families

18

Thursday

Pasifika Pathways Evening (6.30pm-8pm)

19-21

Fri-Sun

Fine Art Show

29-2

Mon-Fri

Winter Tournament Week

7-9

Wed-Fri

Senior Examinations

12-16

Mon-Fri

Senior Examinations

16

Friday

Staff-only Day

20

Tuesday

Junior Bytes Arts Concert

21

Wednesday

Senior Arts Alive Concert

22

Thursday

Senior Exam Results sheet emailed

23

Friday

TERM 3 ENDS

10

Monday

START TERM 4

14

Friday

Junior Winter Sports Photos

18

Tuesday

Year 12 & 13 Media Studies Evening at Event Cinemas

Leavers Dinner at Alexandra Park Raceway (6.30pm)

November

6

December

September

August

July

TERM 3, 2016

Year 9 Prizegiving in the F.W. Gamble Hall (12.30pm) 7

Wednesday

Staff Only Day TERM 4 ENDS

Please refer to our website www.mags.school.nz for the full calendar, including all sporting events.

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