DECEMBER 2018
National Champions Netballers reclaim NZ title MAGS ART SHOW
Setting a new record
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Prizegivings and dinners
PORTIA WOODMAN
2018 Albertian of the Year
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Mount Albert Grammar School Alberton Avenue Mount Albert Auckland 1025
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Ph 09 846 2044 www.mags.school.nz The Lion is the official magazine of Mount Albert Grammar School Editorial and advertising inquiries to editor Graham Hepburn ghepburn@mags.school.nz ph 09 846 2044, x 8236 Cover photo: Year 13 Premier Netballers (from left to right): Jada Manase, Sharne PupukeRobati, Crystal Maro, Addi Albert-Jones, Ruby Young, Halaevalu Toutaiolepo, Waiana Jones.
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Photo: Ioana Schwalger DECEMBER 2018
Contents
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19-21
54-57
6-11
22-29
58-66
12-18
30-37
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From the Headmaster National Champions
School News
Netballers reclaim NZ title MAGS ART SHOW
Setting a new record
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Prizegivings and dinners
PORTIA WOODMAN
2018 Albertian of the Year
Designed & printed by ICG
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MT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Academic News
Community
Performing Arts Prizegivings
Sport
MAGS Foundation Corridors – Albertian News Key dates
THE LION
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FROM THE HEADMASTER MAGS Netball NZSS Premier team – front row left to right, Latonya Lole, Sharne Pupuke-Robati, Jada Manase, Renata Tusani, Addi Albert-Jones, back row left to right, Catalina Young, Leila Atkins, Dellwyn Fiso, Kalani Posinkovich, Sarah Hann (Coach), Kylie Leota (Assistant Coach), Crystal Maro, Aaliyah Rooney, Ruby Young. Absent: Waiana Jones, Halaevalu Toutaiolepo
CHAMPIONS RISE TO CHALLENGE I am delighted to present you with the 2018 Summer edition of The Lion. We are again at the end of another outstanding year for the young men and women of Mount Albert Grammar School. Their success is a function of a strong school culture – one which respects the integrity of every individual in our school yet appreciates the influence of community in their journey to personal excellence. The Year 13 members of our New Zealand Champion Netballers pictured on the front cover have helped to bring the national 4
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title back to MAGS this year – what an achievement from the team as a whole! As a school we have basked in their glory along with our boys softballers and fencers, who have also captured New Zealand titles. Furthermore, this year 41 MAGS students have represented New Zealand across 15 sporting codes and a staggering 77 students have gained Auckland Championship titles! But it is the journey to success of our whole netball squad as pictured on these pages that is worthy of a special mention. As I sat courtside on finals day among nervous
MAGS parents and supporters, we reminded each other that we had been here before. The past two years had seen some of these very same senior players (and parents) deal with the pain of falling just short of achieving their goals on the national stage. While there was certainly a definitive sweetness to our victory, we must remember that the trophy being held proudly on the front cover does not simply represent a one-off win in the national final, but rather a lengthy journey over many years – a journey of wins and losses and one in which parents, coaches and managers have walked in unison with our students. Our sporting pillar continues to be fundamental in creating the right culture at MAGS. To enter the sporting arena requires the courage to balance the allure of winning against the risk of losing. In many ways the sporting context runs
Albertian of the Year Portia Woodman
counter to a modern-day culture full of ‘excuses’ and ‘blame’ as opposed to personal responsibility and ownership. For many students the time when they are actually playing or training for their chosen sport may be the only time in a week when they do not have their mobile phone in their hand! The sporting context provides instant feedback for competitors – and sometimes that feedback can be painful. There is nowhere to hide in a sporting contest particularly when decisions a competitor makes can have significant consequences for individuals and team-mates! As much as you might want to blame the ref, you soon learn that the ref is always right (even when they are wrong!) But remember … it’s just sport! What a wonderful environment to build grit and resilience – traits that will be critical for future success and will help students view the inevitable failures along the way as
potential learning opportunities. Our New Zealand Champion Netballers have certainly epitomised the resilience required to be true champions – and again we salute you! Almost 1700 MAGS students have represented our school in sport this year. As our school grows to well in excess of 3000 students next year, we want to see our sporting programmes continue to expand in both quality and quantity. Each student who pulls on the Blue and Gold of MAGS is making a statement about their school. They are building on a 97-year legacy of sporting excellence. Some will bring home national titles, many will go on in the future to represent their country at the highest level – but all can aspire to a level of personal excellence in one of the greatest classrooms available … the sporting arena! Our recent Albertian of the Year Dinner
saw Portia Woodman acknowledged as our first Mount Albert Grammar School female recipient of this award. Like all successful people, her journey has been anything but a straight line. In her acceptance speech she shared a whakatauki (proverb) that encapsulated an attitude that has made her a world champion: Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei. Set your goals and aspirations high and only bow to the loftiest of mountains. Congratulations to those who have conquered their own mountains this year and thank you to all who have supported our students on their journey. We are well prepared to scale new heights in 2019. Merry Christmas PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA. Patrick Drumm THE LION
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farewells
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Fiona Barker
Mark Rivalland
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Ms Barker arrived at MAGS at the beginning of 2016 as the Deputy Principal in charge of Curriculum, Māori and Pasifika achievement and of Year 12 students. “My memories of my first few days were being blown away by the history recorded on the walls of the FW Gamble Hall and huge sense of pride that students and the community had in their school. I was also amazed by how many students could squash onto the staircase between E Block and the Technology Block and how such a small canteen fed so many students. “MAGS is an incredibly busy school with so much to offer and I have loved getting to know students and staff alike. I have loved having the opportunity to lead the Mt Albert Kāhui Ako and be involved with the ASB MAGS Farm Advisory Board. I have also really enjoyed watching the MAGnet programmes grow alongside the close relationship with Unitec. The level of success that we are continually celebrating in the arts, sports and service to others, is a credit to the passion and dedication of the MAGS community. “Now, as I prepare to move to Green Bay High School as Principal, I am grateful for all that I have learnt and experienced at MAGS and look forward to hearing about all the future successes.”
Mr Rivalland was approached by Headmaster Dale Burden to join the staff at MAGS because he needed someone with experience to support the senior leadership team. He said, “I was taken aback, on my arrival, to find that the senior team was very experienced and I was joining a well-oiled team. “I arrived at the start of Term 4, 2007 and set about introducing an appraisal system for the staff. I joined the Maths Department, which was being led by Allan Sangster and a close knit team of Catherine Horne and Theo van Zyl, who were the Deans of Year 11. I came to greatly rely on these three people.” “My earliest impression of MAGS was that of a community doing its very best to lift itself to meet the high standards it had set for itself academically, culturally and in sport. The behaviour of the students, their demeanour and their responsiveness to staff was a pleasure to witness. As the years progressed, the bar was constantly raised and the community rose to meet it. “I have been blessed to work with the students in the Interact Club during my time at MAGS. The club has provided many students with the opportunity to engage in activities that are focussed on others, not on self. Fundraising is the major activity for the club and in the 12 years I have been at MAGS the club has raised more than $160,000 with the appeal for the Christchurch earthquake raising nearly $35,000.
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“At the end of 2018 I will have completed 45 years of guiding young people on their road to adulthood – 20 years in South Africa and 25 years in New Zealand. I have worked at nine schools and have been blessed to care for many extraordinary students, some of whom have become friends. “To those who whispered a word that lifted my spirit, those who trusted my judgement or had the confidence to confide in me, you have given me a treasure chest of wonderful, blessed memories, some sad but most of them uplifting and joyful.”
“In January of 2014 I took up the position of Head of the Technology Department and also helped out as Year 11 Dean for a year again in 2015. “During my time at MAGS, I managed Athletics, Cricket, Cross Country, Lacrosse and Orienteering teams. “What I have enjoyed most about teaching at MAGS was most probably my involvement with the deans/pastoral system. “What I am most proud of is not so much outstanding academic achievement of groups in certain courses but more the success of individual students I worked with and taught, to face and overcome challenges and come up with workable solutions to their personal, social and academic problems and obstacles. “I was welcomed into and taken care of by the MAGS community for close on 13 years and for that I am forever grateful.”
HoD COMMERCE
HoD PHYSICS
DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL
Jude Lydia commenced her role as Director International at Mount Albert Grammar in June 2017. She said, “During that time, MAGS had approximately 80 international students, with the majority from China. MAGS was very vulnerable to market changes with all our eggs in one basket so the main task was to grow a diverse student population. “In 2018, our international student population of over 180 students comes from Italy, Spain, Chile, Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, Belgium, Canada, USA, Russia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, Laos, South Korea, France, Sri Lanka, China and Norway. “We have experienced substantial growth in the Vietnamese market, increasing our student population from 3 to 39 and achieving the largest number of
Theo van Zyl HoD TECHNOLOGY
Theo van Zyl started at MAGS in January 2005 as a Technology and Graphics teacher, after arriving from South Africa in December of the previous year. He said, “In mid-2006, I was appointed as Dean of Year 11 Boys while still teaching Technology. I held this position till the end of 2009. “In 2010 I picked up the position of Assistant HoD of the Technology Department, mainly responsible for the Junior Technology programme. “I left MAGS at the end of 2010 for a position at Sancta Maria College but returned to MAGS, mid-year of 2011 to take up the position of TIC Carpentry Skills Training. “I left MAGS for a second time at the end of 2012 to work for a Tertiary Education Provider but then returned to MAGS mid-year of 2013, again as TIC Carpentry Skills Training.
popular part of the MAGS Service pillar. The school now has a very good reputation with the likes of Auckland Council and the Motutapu Restoration Trust, with multiple volunteer activities running throughout the year. For family reasons Michael will be moving down to the sunny Hawkes Bay to be the new Head of General Science at Napier Boys’ High School. “I am sad to be leaving MAGS as I feel like I am now part of the MAGS community.”
Andrew Maunder
Michael Ashby
Jude Lydia
SCHOOL NEWS
STAFF
international students from this market in the secondary sector in NZ. “Being appointed to the board of SIEBA – the peak body for international education in the secondary sector – greatly enhanced my understanding of this sector as my experience of 25 years in international education was in the tertiary sector. “The introduction of new technologies for the recruitment and processing of applications has seen greater efficiencies and supports future growth. “The development of a strong and supportive caring culture amongst the international staff has created a positive work environment. I’m delighted that the international programme at MAGS will be in good hands with the appointment of Bronwyn Watts as the new Director International. “The students have given me both pleasure and pain, and at times I have felt I had returned to my previous life as a social worker but I wouldn’t have changed anything. “I’m retiring to Whanganui to renovate houses and will continue to represent MAGS in the Vietnam market.”
Michael Ashby joined MAGS as a Physics teacher in 2014 after teaching in France and the UK for five years. In 2015 he was made Head of Physics and led the Department through a period of change that included the introduction of two new courses. This allowed a greater number of students to take Physics who in the past would have been excluded from having a Physics pathway as part of their secondary school education. His enthusiasm for the subject has been contagious, and his ability to explain complex ideas in simple terms well-received by his students. His goal of bringing the MAGS telescope “out of retirement” was one of his proudest accomplishments, and has allowed for a large number of MAGS students to have access to an extraordinary telescope, bringing the night sky to life with its wonderful views of the Moon and neighbouring planets. Mr Ashby was also the Environment Club Coordinator, changing the club from an inactive “looks good on paper only” group to an active, contributing and
Andrew Maunder has led the Commerce Department for the past two years. He said, “I would like to thank Mount Albert Grammar School for the opportunity given to me to lead our small but enthusiastic Commerce Department. It has been an exciting two years of learning. Coming back to state sector education was an eye-opening experience, with obvious challenges but definite rewards. “I have always enjoyed teaching Economics, and I must thank my Year 13 students, whose second place in the National Finals of the Monetary Policy Challenge this year was a highlight. I have also enjoyed taking Football teams in the winter, but walking around some of the nicer golf courses in Auckland as Premier Golf Manager was perhaps the most serene experience I have had in 17 years of taking extra-curricular activities. “Two years is only a short time to lead my department and I would have liked more time to continue to lead the team into adapting our teaching and learning for our 21st century learners. However, I’m taking up new opportunities at St Peter’s School in Cambridge where commute times will be significantly shorter, though house prices not significantly cheaper. “Thank you to Senior Management, the Commerce Department, staff and students for making my time at Mount Albert Grammar School such a pleasant and rewarding one.” THE LION
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New Science Block Work is well underway on the new Science Block, which will provide 12 state-of-the-art Science laboratories to help meet the needs of a growing school roll and the increasing demand for Science education from our student body. This facility will help to reintegrate the science learning area and will combine traditional laboratories with independent ‘break-out’ spaces for students.
A large science staff room and resource area will also be incorporated into the build. The new building is future-proofed to allow further expansion and additional rooms in the future. Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm said, “The new Science building is being constructed at an exciting time for science education at MAGS with the current planning underway for the new ASB MAGS Farm Experience Centre.
“This new development will complement our science programmes at MAGS through the emphasis on modern vocational learning in Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences along with Agribusiness.” Excavations have begun for the new building – on the site of the old tennis/ netball courts opposite E Block – and it is expected to be completed in late 2019, and be in use for the First Term of 2020.
TUPUOLA APISALOMA TAULAPIU
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as well as praise from Board of Trustees members – and many others. The common theme was Mr Taulapiu’s willingness to go the extra mile for students, whether it was coming up with initiatives to further their interests or helping them out with food or a pair of school shoes. Proud of his Samoan and Solomon Island roots, Mr Taulapiu has been a driving force in celebrating Pasifika culture, including organising groups for Polyfest. Stories were also told about Mr Taulapiu’s love of rugby league and his dancing skills, something he got to show off at the end of the celebration with a Samoan Siva. Mr Taulapiu was presented with his 25 Years Service Medallion, and his portrait is now up in the hallway of the main building along with other members of staff who have reached that milestone.
through the rounds until they reached the final. Through this time they learned to co-ordinate well as a team, and they honed their debating skills in response to the feedback from the adjudicators. “The final was held at MAGS in the Maurice Hall Building and we were debating against Diocesan Girls. The moot was ‘That this house would not allow anonymous sources for journalists’ and our team was affirming, which means we had to agree with the moot. We won, and David Laxon was awarded the title of Best Speaker for the debate. “This was a great win for the team and an acknowledgement of their dedicated hard work throughout the season.”
New York firefighters visit The school had two special guests on September 7 from the New York Fire Department who spoke about leadership and their experiences during the 9/11 terror attacks. Retired Chief Peter Hayden and Deputy Chief Jay Jonas were accompanied by Auckland Airport fire crew chief Tony Scott, a driving force behind the Memorial Firefighter Stair Climb of the Sky Tower, which takes place on September 11 and honours all of the 343 NYFD firefighters who died in the 2001 attack on the Twin Towers, as well as the 59 NZ firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A selection of students – Prefects, Air Cadets and History students – listened as Mr Jonas
25 YEARS OF SERVICE An overdue recognition of Tupuola Apisaloma Taulapiu’s 25 Years of Service to MAGS was held on October 25 in the F. W. Gamble Hall, with family, friends, colleagues and students gathering to pay tribute to his passion for helping Pasifika students. Overdue because Mr Taulapiu has now been at MAGS for 26 years, despite his insistence that this was his 25th year. Some people claimed he was operating on “Island Time”, others blamed his education at St Paul’s College. What everyone agreed on was Mr Taulapiu’s dedication and commitment to helping Pasifika students since he started as Pasifika Liaison at MAGS in 1992. Tributes poured in from Mr Greg Taylor, Headmaster when Mr Taulapiu joined MAGS, previous Headmaster Mr Dale Burden, and current Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm,
Year 11 students David Laxon, Eric Shen and Vaibhav Nayyar (pictured left to right) have been crowned Auckland Junior Premier Debating champions. The trio competed in the most advanced level of debating for this age group – Year 11
and younger – with 32 teams entered from across Auckland, representing a wide range of schools. They debated every second Wednesday evening at Auckland Grammar School, beginning in March Assistant HoF English Diane Pipe said this is a limited preparation competition, which means the moot is announced one hour before the debate and the teams have one hour to write a six-minute speech on the given topic. They then debate in front of an experienced Auckland Schools Debating adjudicator, who decides which team has debated best and has countered the opposition team’s argument. She said, “The boys had a number of challenging moots and moved successfully
SCHOOL NEWS
DEBATING CHAMPIONS
and Mr Hayden recounted being on the scene of the tragedy and the sort of decisionmaking and leadership that was involved in saving the lives of civilians and colleagues in a dangerously unpredictable situation. Mr Jonas was caught in the North Tower with his crew when it collapsed but survived by staying calm and using his training and experience. Mr Hayden and Mr Scott shared insights on what it takes to be a good leader: training, building trust, personal growth and courage.
HUGO YOUNG
New student representative Year 12 student Hugo Young has been elected as the student representative on the Mount Albert Grammar School Board of Trustees. Hugo said, “I decided to run for the BoT representative because I felt that there needs to be more student voice in the way school is run.” Hugo is studying English, History, Calculus, Media Studies, Accounting and Physics, and swims for fitness. He takes over from Takunda Muzondiwa.
NYFD Deputy Chief Jay Jonas addresses students
THE LION
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SCHOOL NEWS
YOUNG ENTERPRISE Eight Year 10 students took part in a cross-departmental initiative and competed in the GrowingNZ challenge run by Young Enterprise at Trusts Stadium in late June. Students from Technology, Commerce and Science were selected by their faculties for being the keenest and brightest minds. The students were Emeline Bloomfield, Abbie O’Keeffe-Harris, Matthew Batcheler, Vadim Kok, Sunny Davies, Hamesh Govind, Emma Johns and Lucy Flatt. The event was run in conjunction with the Ministry of Primary Industries, Forestry, Wool and Agriculture sectors. Industry specialists put forward some real life industry problems for students to research then invent, design and present a real life solution to the problem.
Business studies teacher Max Denisov said, “It was a fun and intense day. Students were working in teams and competed against other schools and won two out of the three categories MAGS was seeded for. Research, Product Design, Commercial and Presentation skills won the day.” Mr Denisov added: “Organisers commented that this challenge event was probably the most engaging and interesting face-off they oversaw in the last two years. “Special thanks to Year 10 Deans for trying this new crossdepartmental group idea, teachers who put the students forward, and Michelle Farquhar for her organisational magic.”
Aka Bloomfield: Youth MP
AKA BLOOMFIELD
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Aka Bloomfield has been selected as the Youth MP for the Mount Albert Electorate and will serve in the Youth Parliament 2019. She received a phone call from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on October 19 advising of her selection from a large number of candidates. This is a triennial programme where 120 young people are given the opportunity to be part of the Parliamentary process. The programme runs from March to August 2019 and includes a two-day event in Wellington, debating issues in Parliament. Youth MPs will submit potential topics to be discussed at Youth Parliament, deliver projects, engage with the MP who selected them, connect with their peers to understand their views on topics to be discussed at the two-day Youth Parliament event, and access other opportunities. At the Youth Parliament event in July 2019, Youth MPs will learn about parliamentary and government decision-making processes through participating in general and mock legislative debates, sitting on Youth Parliament select committees, and asking parliamentary questions of Ministers.
SCHOOL BALL 2018 The annual Mount Albert Grammar School Ball for 2018 was held at The Pullman Hotel in Auckland City on 7 July with the theme “Starry Night”.
The Ball Committee worked tirelessly to prepare for the evening and decorate the venue. Attendees entered through a draping of brightly lit curtains, walked down a black carpeted hallway lined with balloon clouds, glittering lights and stars, and finally entering the main foyer through a balloon arch. In the main foyer, students could partake in the photographic glitz and glamour side of the evening. White Door Photography
provided three photo booths and three areas of backdrop for students to capture their moment. A live Facebook feed through the night was viewed by over 1000 people as the ball continued. Family and friends could follow the photos as the evening progressed. NZDJ Kieran had the dance floor packed throughout the evening. Students danced to featured music, accompanied by lighting effects, smoke and confetti cannons and Co2 guns. Then came the band – our fantastic talented students, Denzel Kelemete on vocals, Vili Toafa Moli on bass, Tuiaki Otulau on guitar, Aidan Birch on drums and Billy McColl on keyboard. The awards ceremony saw Seamus Stalker and
Rosarina Pillissi crowned King and Queen of the Ball, Zoe and Alec Thompson were awarded Best Twins, the Cutest Couple award went to Arien Okan and Ryan Naran, Holly Kara and Xander-Lee You were Best Dressed, Billy McColl was nominated as ‘Star of the Night’, and Liam Akeli was named Best Dancer. Topping off the awards was the Dynamic Duo that went to Reuben Cato and Tom Barrand. A fantastic night was had by all, including the staff who attended. A big thank you to the committee, in particular Maisy Simpson and Phoebe Sullivan for all their hard work.
Natasha Phyn, Teacher in Charge
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ACADEMIC NEWS
MATHEMATICS Our Calculus students defended their CalcEX title at St Kentigern College on September 25 after winning the inaugural event last year.
GEOGRAPHY For the third year in a row, Geography students at MAGS have won the annual Auckland Geography Teacher’s Association Senior Quiz. And they have been joined in the three-peat stakes by the Year 11 Geographers, who took out the Auckland Central section of the Maatangi Whenua Quiz for the third consecutive year. The Auckland Geography Teacher’s Association Senior Quiz was held at St Cuthbert’s on Wednesday, August 8, with 21 teams competing, and the pressure was on MAGS as defending champions. In the end though, the final tally revealed that not only had the MAGS A team (James Inkson, Hugh Malcolm, Hannah Zwalue and Harrison Zheng, above left, left to right) won by a margin of six points, giving MAGS the trophy for the third year in a row, but also
that the MAGS B team (Tom Barrand, Luke Owen, Angus Robinson and Shalin Shah) had held off Takapuna to finish second. On Tuesday, August 14, it was the turn of the Year 11 Geographers in the Maatangi Whenua Quiz. The Auckland Central section was again at St Cuthbert’s, featuring 16 teams from across the area. The quiz has rounds similar to the senior quiz but also includes skills-based rounds such as map reading and response to hazards. MAGS Team 2 (Ben Batchelor-Cook, Freeman McCall and Aidan Skinner, above right, left to right) finished 18 points ahead of the rest of the field. The MAGS Team 1 (Samantha Persson, Meadow Simpson and Katie Hadfield) finished 5th.
Teachers Michael Walden and Paul McKinney took two teams to the Senior Calculus Team Competition with one team (Miriam Leonhardt, Starry Kuang, Logan Allomes and Caitlin Mitchell) coming out on top and the other (Richard Li, Jonty de Pledge, Harry Thurman and James You) finishing third. Fifteen teams from schools such as St Kentigern, Macleans, Botany and Pakuranga took part in the event, which sees students having to answer questions at the high Merit/Excellence level. Mr Walden said such is MAGS’ dominance of the event, there were light-hearted mutterings about not inviting the school back.
ECONOMICS Mount Albert Grammar School’s team came second in the National Finals of the Monetary Policy Challenge, the premier Economics competition in New Zealand. The team consisted of D’arcy Brown as Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Liam Milbank, Gemma Loveday, Anvilly Huang and Patrick Wong as his committee members. Their task was to present a 10-minute speech on the future direction of the Official Cash Rate, commenting on the current state of the New Zealand economy as they did so. Following this presentation, on July 3, they had an exciting question and answer session with three members of the Reserve Bank as judges, including Deputy Governor of the RBNZ and its Chief Economist John McDermott. In 2018, there were six teams from schools across the country competing in the National Finals. This was the first year that a MAGS team had reached the final, held in Wellington. The reward for some hard effort throughout Term Two was an impressive second place. Though the team missed out on the top prize – attending the next Monetary Policy Statement – they learned some valuable hands-on economic skills and knowledge that they will be able to use in their NCEA examinations.
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Future Pathways
EVENING
Hundreds of people turned out to take advantage of the Future Pathways Evening held at MAGS on August 7.
Left to right: Anvilly Huang, Liam Milbank, Gemma Loveday, D’arcy Brown and Patrick Wong
Parents and students of all year levels were invited to an evening where they could talk to MAGS’ faculty heads about courses, and discuss future pathways with representatives of tertiary institutes. The Maurice Hall Building and Technology Block – where there
were hands-on displays – were packed as students and parents sought out information about courses and careers. More than 50 tertiary institutes and industry providers were represented at the event, which generated lots of positive feedback from the school community. THE LION
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Eight Year 11 students were selected to participate in the North Island Finals of the Brain Bee Challenge, held at the University of Auckland in July. In preparation for the competition, students spent lunchtimes learning the material and as a direct result of their hard work and commitment, MAGS received their best results to date. Working both individually and in teams of four, students were quizzed on an extensive range of neuroscience topics. All of our students performed admirably, with special mention going to Ayleigh Loomes, Eloise Muir, Giles Paton-Simpson and Alexander Pullen, who placed fourth in the team competition. In addition to this fantastic achievement, Alexander also reached the finals of the individual competition, placing eighth overall. The other four participants were Megan Williams, Bailey Bennett, Vaibhav Nayyar and Samantha Speight.
Chemistry and Biology teacher Meng Yang said, "As part of the competition, students also had the opportunity to visit research labs, trying their hand at new techniques, seeing the brain being imaged in real
time and speaking with scientists about their work. These experiences provided invaluable insight into life as a research scientist and hopefully inspired some scientists of tomorrow."
EUREKA! Awards Shalin Shah
Germain Hellriegel-White
Ellen Zhang
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Shalin Shah placed in the top four at the National Finals of the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards in Wellington on September 6 and picked up $5000 for his efforts. The Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards competition challenges secondary school and tertiary undergrads to deliver a 12-minute presentation about how an application of science or technology will benefit New Zealand’s economic, environmental and social wealth and well-being. Shalin's presentation 'Clean Meat: The Answer to Dirty Farming' impressed the judges, and the two other MAGS representatives at the Finals also spoke well. Germain Hellriegel-White delivered his presentation 'The War on Superbugs and our Secret Weapon', with gusto, as did Ellen Zhang ('The Answer is Smaller Than You Think: Nanotechnology'). Ellen was not part of the finals but was invited to present after picking up a $5000 scholarship from Federated Farmers for her presentation in an earlier round of the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards, and she
joined Shalin and Germain as participants in the Governor General’s Young Science Leaders Forum on September 7. HoF Science Aase Diegel said that nearly 60 students submitted entries for the 2018 Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards. “To have two MAGS students amongst the 12 finalists is fantastic – six of the 12 finalists were university students!” Selection for the National Finals meant Shalin and Germain received a Merit Award of $1500 and became members of the Eureka! Alumni Group. And in early July, Shalin travelled to Brisbane for FEAST (Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology) after being selected for one of the Royal Society’s International Science Opportunities. The programme offers a variety of science experiences around the world but being accepted for them is a challenge. As HoD Physics Michael Ashby says, "We’ve been trying for years to get a student on one of these, and we’ve had some very strong candidates."
ACADEMIC NEWS
Brain Bee Challenge
Agriculture & Horticulture Students have enjoyed many exciting field trips through Term 3 and 4, including one courtesy of Auckland Council at Duder Regional Park. Thanks to the kindness of Regional Manager Garry Hewson and Park Ranger Paul, the students were able to take part in weighing lambs, checking ewes' teeth, feet and udders and vaccinating lambs. On September 27, teacher Richard Fullerton’s Year 10 Agriculture class enjoyed a day on a dairy farm courtesy of Taratahi Agricultural Training College. On June 19, 46 Year 11 Agriculture students enjoyed brilliant sunshine as they visited a dairy farm near Patumahoe to learn about pasture management for an internal assessment. Brian Gallagher and Lynette Hickey hosted the visit and asked the students numerous questions before they were taken on a farm tour. HoD Agriculture and Horticulture Esther Hancock said that on the way home the group dropped in to a deer farm to see the different ways these rather flighty creatures have to be managed. The students listened carefully to deer farmer Malcolm Hardie, behaved beautifully and reported that they enjoyed the day very much.
Physical Education Helensville was the destination for 12PE Performance classes competing in the 2018 Tough Guy/Gal Challenge for their practical performance assessment. The students had been training hard and had devised a training programme leading up to the event in August. Some students who trained well found the challenge fun and posted strong times. Most notable was Genevieve Ryan, who was third overall for the Senior Female 6km category. A few students who struggled to stay committed to their training programmes found the run tough, but on reflection have realised that hard work does actually pay off. The course conditions on the day certainly lived up to the event expectations with heavy rain drenching the course for the past couple of weeks, making for tough, muddy terrain and some slippery obstacles. But the sun did finally come out to play just prior to the starting gun. All of the students were exceptional on the trip and a really positive experience was enjoyed by all.
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Hollywood
OUTDOOR EDUCATION Despite sometimes challenging weather, Outdoor Education students have been engaging in a range of adventures. On June 25 & 26, 41 students from the Year 12 Outdoor Education course went on a trip to Rotorua and Taupo. The trip was part of an assessment which involved trip planning, then implementing it and now evaluating it. The students had to look at everything from transport, accommodation, equipment, activity providers and food – and stay to the budget. On the whole, their process was good and what they researched was pretty much the reality of what happened. All the students took part in mountain biking at Whakarewarewa Forest, riding some of the amazing trails that they have there, kayaking on the Waikato River from Taupo to Red’s Farm, and an indoor rock climbing session in Taupo. The students also learned about themselves and their ability to use interpersonal skills in some pretty adverse conditions. It was not the warmest of trips! Teacher Andy Belson said, "Well done to all the students, who participated fully to make this an enjoyable trip. Thank you also to Mr Whitehead, Miss Absolum and Simon Stevens for their help in making this trip possible On July 4, Year 11 Outdoor Education students got a chance to show what they
were made of in the Tough Guy and Gal Challenge run around the ASB MAGS Farm. They had clear but cold conditions as they took on a 6km course with water trails, rope obstacles, mud crossings, open paddock running and hill climbs. HoD Outdoor Education Darren Whitehead said students were taking part in this event as part of their ‘Quality Performance’ and ‘Discovery 101’ units. He said the run allowed them to demonstrate quality movement in the performance of mud running and acted as a source of information to further understand how the body functions in an endurance activity. They also had a lot of fun. The race results were: Boys – 1st Samuel Chote 11DSV – 35.55 min; 2nd Archie Shaw 11HUN – 36.00 min; 3rd Adam Carline 11BRT – 38.09 min. Girls – 1st Pippi Butterworth 11SWT – 43.10 min; 2nd Molly Brittenden 11FRC – 43.42 min; 3rd Sophie Johnson-Chung 11GLL – 44.07 min. Mr Whitehead said a big thank you to the students of 10AHN for their help with marshalling and to Farm Manager Brett Harris for allowing use of the farm. In Term 3, as part of the Year 10 Outdoor Education ‘Tramping’ unit, students hiked the Te Henga Walkway in the Waitakere Ranges,
which connects Te Henga/Bethells Beach and Muriwai Beach. This enabled them to use their skills and knowledge developed in an outdoor environment. The day tramp was along an easy to moderate grade 10km track and took around four hours. Students were tasked with preparing themselves with the most suitable clothing, equipment and food for walking along the beautiful but exposed Auckland West Coast. At the end of September, 12OE students completed an expedition in the Kaimai Ranges, having planned routes, meals and the necessary gear. This was the first time MAGS students had used this venue due to the closure of the Waitakere Ranges and it provided challenging and varied terrain. The two classes had planned to start at different ends, cross in the middle and end where the other had started. Due to a number of factors, all the students ended up at the Waitawheta hut on the night of Day 2, cooked their meals, and were all asleep by 9pm! Mr Belson’s class had climbed over 1640m during the day, covered 17.1km in 11hr 7 mins and were exhausted. The final day saw all students walk out along the beautiful Waitawheta River to finish at Franklin Road.
During the July School Holidays, Year 12 and 13 Media Studies students travelled to Hollywood to get a first-hand look into the world of motion pictures. They went behind the scenes at Paramount, Warner Bros and Universal Studios, to gain an understanding of how movie magic is made. Students were able to call the shots with a master class from international writer/director James Rowe at the New York Film Academy. Students also had the opportunity to tour the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held, and experience the history and atmosphere along Hollywood Boulevard. Media Studies teacher Harriet Walker, said, "We ate seriously large portions of American food, and explored some of the best shopping areas in LA. Our suitcases (and bodies) were definitely a lot heavier on the way home! "Staying in Santa Monica allowed us to experience the very best of LA and enjoy the buzz of the beach and pier. The tour cut together an appreciation of the work required to bring a scene to life, and the metropolitan culture outside of the glitz and glam. Our adventure provided a unique opportunity for our future industry professionals, and left every student with their own experiences and highlights from 10 days in LA."
ACADEMIC NEWS
MEDIA STUDIES TRIP TO
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Judges Balamohan Shingade and John Gow (pictured) had the tough job of picking the best student works of art in a variety of categories at the MAGS Art Show. All student works were assessed by Mr Gow and Mr Shingade in their relevant creative field – painting, digital design, photography, moving image and multi-media pottery. The pair deliberated over the works during the day on Friday, August 17 before the Art Show opened for the ticketed Gala Night, and to the general public on the Saturday and Sunday. And the awards went to: Painting 1st Emily Sharpe – “Portrait” – Yr 12 2nd Alisa Coulson – “Sorry I Made You Lie” – Yr 13 3rd Isaak Glynn – “1963 Was a Long Year” – Yr 13 Photography 1st – Jesse Pilcher – “Surfers Garage” – Year 13 2nd – Jade Chambers – “Maggie” – Year 12 3rd – Karissa Tapu – “Toy Soldier” – Year 13 Design 1st – Grace Twigley – “Shady” – Yr 13 2nd – Kendra Smith – “Ashes to Ashes” – Yr 13 3rd – Lulu Qiu – “Purple Rain” – Yr 13 Top Junior Pip Hawksorth – “Mt Albert” – Yr 9 Highly Commended Nathan Burton – “Western Waves” – Yr 13 Ryan Snook – “Chapstick” – Yr 12 Porcia Meredith – “Embracing Hiapo” – Yr 13 Lauren Appleby – “Ivy” – Yr 11 Rosie Veldkamp – “Stinging Colour” – Yr 11 Teacher Awards 1st – Minseong Kang – “Beautiful Creatures” 2nd – Arien Okan – “Silence” 3rd – Ryan Snook – “Freed” Moving Image Prize Jacob Reynold Muir Denzel Kelemete Ella Brislen Pottery Award Isaac Young-Montgomerie People’s Choice Award Three-way tie with equal votes for: Allie Hawksworth – “You Are Black” Jessica Gurnsey – “Kingfisher” Willa Meikle – “Colour Blind”
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COMMUNITY
Visual Art
QUIZ NIGHT MAGS’ Quiz Night on June 22 saw colourful costumes and lots of laughs as 36 teams competed for the title of champion and raised about $3000, which will go towards Ebenezer Community School in Delhi. About 300 staff, students and families packed the school hall for a fun night organised by the student-led Academic Council and with Physics teacher Pat Barrett as quizmaster. Social Sciences teacher Donna Hobbs kept score with the help of her son Riley and former MAGS teacher Elliot Moka. The eventual winners were V for Vacation (seemingly a mysterious bunch of parents) with the runners-up Osmium. Best costume prizes went to Isaac Munro and Alana Lancaster, while the best dressed team was the Alice in Wonderland tea party. There were generous donations of prizes, products and vouchers from Fresh Collective, Maten Floral Design, Auckland Zoo, The Warehouse, Anne Duncan Real Estate, The University of Auckland and Kings Plant Barn.
BEACH CLEAN-UP
Towards the end of Term 2, the Year 10 Outdoor Education classes went on separate trips to different beaches to clean up rubbish and recyclables and make a big difference to Auckland’s environment. Geraldine King, of 10GOF, reports on her experience: “My class went to Eric Armishaw Reserve, Point Chevalier, while other classes visited Blockhouse Bay, Lynfield Cove Beach, Meola Reef Reserve, Point Chevalier Beach, Westmere Park, Green Bay Beach and Hillsborough Bay. We all had successful visits and removed upwards of 300kg of rubbish and recycling per class from the Waitemata Harbour and Manukau Harbour shorelines. My class covered an area the size of two rugby fields between us and felt very humbled by the difference our small, good deed made for plants, fish, sea birds and people all trying to enjoy the splendid beach. The eight classes found a number of intriguing objects that should not have been there. These included car tyres, fishing nets, gumboots, bricks, fishing line, a car wheel, money and wooden posts. The most common items found were broken glass bottles and plastic. All of this, of course, not helping our environment by being there and therefore it made us all really think about the rubbish that makes its way to our beaches and into our great oceans. We hope you can take from our experience what we have learned, and our new-found passion for fighting ocean pollution and looking after our planet.”
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COMMUNITY
WORLD CHALLENGE
Eleven students had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they organised and undertook a 23-day World Challenge expedition to Laos and Cambodia during July. Accompanied by teachers Mr Belson and Miss Absolum, the students took part in community work, jungle treks, shopping and sightseeing in the two countries. After arriving in the Laotian capital of Vientiane, the students explored shops and markets and sights such as Bhudda Park, the Golden Temple and Triumph Arch. They then had to organise a bus trip south to Pakse before going on to the Four Thousand Islands where the group took a boat ride on the Mekong River through the islands to one named Don Khon.
They then travelled to Cambodia and on to Banlung, from where they embarked on a jungle trek. Mr Belson said of the trek: “It was extremely wet and muddy; almost constant monsoon rains making conditions slippery to say the least! The experience of staying in hammocks, cooking with locals and even having a swim near the waterfall was something the students will not forget – or the constant mossies, bugs and being wet!” After drying out, the group headed to Siem Reap to explore the markets and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. While in Siem Reap, the students organised a cycle tour of Angkor Wat, had a cooking class, did some aerobics, went to the circus, visited many markets, and
attended a responsible traveller workshop. Then it was on to Battambang for a week of working in a local school, where one group of students did planting and clearing of vegetation, while another group built new pathways and areas around a school restaurant that is partially built. They taught some of the children at the school, and donated $1000 to the school for roofing. At the conclusion of their trip, students visited Phnom Penh and the notorious Killing Fields, an experience Mr Belson said that they found very moving. Previously, MAGS has visited Vietnam/ Cambodia, Borneo and Peru on similar expeditions. World Challenge works in partnership with schools to deliver a studentled expedition to the developing world.
Peace Week
Students celebrated Secondary Schools Peace Week in early August with activities such as writing messages of gratitude, creating chalk drawings in the Quad, and by planting a tree on the ASB MAGS Farm. MAGS joined more than 150 schools around New Zealand in celebrating peace in their school community. Guidance Counsellor Marianne Wilson said that MAGS’ Peer Mediators organise the week as an extension of their work as Peace Ambassadors in the school, which involves facilitating respectful relationships among their peers. The week also acts as a commemoration of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This year’s theme was ‘Protect Our Planet’, and the planting of a pohutukawa on the farm was a perfect example of that. Prefect and Peer Mediator Fatima Imran came up with the idea, and Farm Experience Centre Development manager Peter Brice secured a donated pohutukawa from Rainbow Nurseries. The tree – the first to be planted on the farm as part of Peace Week – will provide shade and shelter for the stock and will bear a
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SHAVE FOR A CURE
At lunchtime on August 30 & 31, brave students and teachers queued up to sacrifice their locks in the name of charity, raising about $3000 in the process. They went under the clippers in the Albertian Quad – drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd – to raise funds for Shave for a Cure, the annual fundraiser for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. MAGS takes part each year, and volunteers gather sponsors ahead of the big day, trying to raise awareness about cancer and bring in money for the charity.
Daffodil Day plaque. It is envisaged that more plantings will happen during Peace Week and the driveway up to the farm buildings will eventually be an avenue of trees. Earlier in the week, students were invited to write messages of gratitude, thanks, appreciation and peace to students and teachers on paper doves, which were then handed out. Students also turned the Quad into a sea of colourful and peaceful messages with their chalk drawings, and there was a spoken word Poetry Slam with messages of peace in the Library.
In early September, members of MAGS’ Health Committee were out collecting donations and selling daffodils to raise money for the Cancer Society, collecting $690.90 for the charity. Health Committee Leaders Joanna Laxon and Abby Kelsall, pictured left, and committee members/helpers Charlotte Wilson and Izzy MacKenzie, pictured right, were part of the effort to raise awareness about the effect of cancer on our community. The money they raised will go towards helping with research and with supporting those affected by cancer. THE LION
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PERFORMING ARTS
JUNIOR BYTES AND
ARTS ALIVE
Singers, dancers and actors put on two powerhouse productions to showcase a huge diversity of talent. On Monday, September 24 at the Centennial Theatre, Junior Bytes featured a variety of performances as well as the presentation of Junior Arts Awards. Music items ranged from rock bands to classical piano and choir. All Junior Dance classes performed, presenting a range of themes and all displayed expertise and commitment. For the first time, Spoken Word was part of the programme, and the poetry was accompanied by duet choreography by Year 10 NCEA students. The Drama scenes were entertaining and varied and the audience was very appreciative. On Tuesday, September 25, senior students took to the stage for Arts Alive, with a dazzling array of performances and the presentation of the 2018 Arts Lions. The Music Department again showed its diversity with jazz, gypsy jazz, the
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entertaining funk rock group The Wondercats, stellar classical items from The Moonstars chamber group, and Nadine Hidalgo and Hannah Houghton on piano and violin. Drama presented two polished and entertaining excerpts from the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival submission and the popular Year 13 play The Visit, and a devised solo by Maddi Bencich, who channeled controversial choreographer Martha Graham. Dance items ranged from Hip Hop to contemporary, with the Year 13 Leavers Dance choreographed by Ms Samantha French a crowd favourite. The show concluded with the highly entertaining Prefects Dance – and then 38 senior students were awarded the coveted Arts Lion for their excellence in the Arts.
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PERFORMING ARTS
ANNUAL MUSIC CONCERT The Annual MAGS Music Concert was held on July 3 at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre in Epsom.
Music 360° showcased a variety of musical items from a diverse range of extra-curricular groups that provided the audience with a great evening of entertainment. Classical items from the Symphonic and Chamber orchestras ranged from pieces by NZ composer David Woodcock to a rousing Czardas. Excellence students Hannah Houghton and Nadine Hidalgo gave a wonderful performance of Scherzo by Brahms, and promising baritone singer Tyran Talamaivao sang O Sole Mio accompanied by Ms Moon on piano. The Moon Stars also performed the original composition Balkan Dance by Emma Moon for which they received a chamber music award. Contemporary music items ranged from a fabulous rendition of Brasil by the very popular
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MAGS jazz band to a Bruno Mars hit by the MAGS ball band. As well, the junior girls band Sweet Thai Chilli and the very popular Wonder Cats performed to an enthusiastic response. Two new groups impressed this year. Firstly, the Tongan boys quartet presented a medley of Tongan songs – performed with pride and passion, and the very popular new group playing Gypsy Jazz had the audience tapping their toes. Director Arts Co-Curricular Jacqui Cesan said, “The evening was opened and closed by the Concert Orchestra – the final item Kalinka getting the audience clapping in time to this classic. This was a great way to end the evening. “Thanks to all the music teachers and staff for their commitment to the student performers.”
KBB
Music Festival Three MAGS musical groups went to the KBB Music Festival in August and they all came back with awards.
The Jazz Band won a Silver Award – to go with the Silver they won at the Auckland Jazz Festival the weekend before – while the Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra both collected Bronze Awards. At KBB, the Jazz Band performed a variety of well-known Jazz pieces, plus a student song that MAGS’ Jazz Director arranged for the group.
The Chamber Orchestra performed four pieces, including the original piece Balkan Dance by Emma Moon. Some music directors have asked for permission to perform her piece with their orchestras. And the Symphony Orchestra performed a variety of pieces including one New Zealand piece.
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PERFORMING ARTS
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING
EARNEST THE
GREEN
In late June, both Year 12 Drama classes performed in their productions of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. The play follows the events taking place in a Victorian sitting room as the characters deceive, manipulate, belittle and berate each other – all the while eating cucumber sandwiches. The two sell-out audiences were treated to a night of extreme characterisation and witty wordplay. HoD Drama Gerald Urquhart said, “The audiences were generous with their laughter and support. “A particular delight was when Headmaster Patrick Drumm had an unexpected involvement, giving up his seat for one of the performers during the play. “The students were enthused by the response. A large thank you for all the support of Drama at MAGS.”
ROOM
More than 1000 people turned out to see the school production The Green Room, with almost all of the four performances from August 30 to September 1 at Centennial Theatre selling out. The production, which was largely conceived by two of the leads – Ella Brislen and Seamus Stalker – was centred around a director (Seamus) who laments that he did not get the accolades he was hoping for in his final Broadway show. In an attempt to cheer him up his PA (Ella) and production manager (Billy McColl) start to reminisce about the past, and, in a magical turn of events, all three are whisked into a parallel world of musical theatre. Director Arts Co-curricular Jacqui Cesan said, “The lead actors were all outstanding in their roles. The student choreographers did an amazing job of choreographing for the dancers overseen by Miss French, and the chorus under Mr Jaffrey took on the challenge of learning movement as well as singing with gusto. Mr Sinclair worked with the band and prepared the arrangement of the musical items. All this coupled with Miss Hughes’ inspired script and direction, all came together to present a show that was magical, and all performers – supported by a student production team led by Aislin Reid – performed with fantastic energy and 100 per cent commitment. “We have had lots of great feedback and all students can be justifiably proud of their contribution to its success.” 26
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PERFORMING ARTS
HIP HOP SWAGGANAUTS
Six MAGS students travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to compete at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships held from August 7-12. Faolan Okan, Remy Sutton, William Tuarae (back row, from left to right), Christelle Ridon, Amelia Worsley and Tai Hemana (front row, left to right) joined 4000 dancers from over 50 countries in the competition.
Niu Sila
Year 11 Drama and Year 10 Drama Academy performed the production Niu Sila on August 17 and 18 respectively. Set in 1980s New Zealand, the comedy follows the friendship between a Palagi and a Pasifika boy. Written by acclaimed playwrights Dave Armstrong and Oscar Kightley, it is an often unflinching look at themes around family, culture and stereotype. HoD Drama Gerald Urquhart said, “It was well received by both audiences, with some fantastic feedback from Ms Anisi and Mr Drumm. “It was a challenging rehearsal with some rich discussion around some of the more confronting themes. The growth by the students throughout this process is to be commended.”
The four boys competed in two divisions: Megacrew with their team Yung ID (current NZ champions) and in the Varsity division with Swagganauts. Amelia also represented Yung ID, and Christelle was part of the team Tribe in the Varsity division. The Swagganauts qualified in 6th place in the semis of the Varsity division and made the finals. And, in the Megacrew division, Yung ID also made the finals.
POETRY SLAM
ELLA BRISLEN
Painting Mt Albert green.
On Tuesday, September 4, the library hosted the first ever MAGS Slam, a competition for youth slam poets. The Slam saw 15 Spoken Word poets from high schools across Auckland perform to a panel of veteran poet judges and an audience, with several competitors from the MAGS Spoken Word Group. Stell from St Paul’s College took out the top prize of a selection of poetry books donated by the Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby. Spoken Word Group meets every Monday Lunchtime in E13, and is open to all.
SEAMUS STALKER
Barfoot & Thompson Mt Albert P 09 846 9197 | mtalbert@barfoot.co.nz | 871 New North Road, Mt Albert
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PRIZEGIVINGS
Service Lions Ceremony
The Service Lions of 2018 were awarded at a Special Assembly on October 19, with the guest speaker Sir Ray Avery, a renowned inventor and philanthropist. Sir Ray spoke to the assembly about achieving great things by “dreaming big” and showing no respect for the status quo, something he said that came naturally for Kiwis. Students were awarded the Lions for services to the performing arts, visual arts,
the library, technology, Pasifika, School House and the wider school community. They were presented by Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm and Sir Ray. Sir Ray was presented with $2000, which had been raised by students to go towards paying for a LifePod, one of Sir Ray’s inventions, which is a more affordable and versatile version of an incubator that can be deployed to any country in need.
YEAR 11 PRIZEGIVING Eloise Muir and Vaibhav Nayyar won the top awards at the Year 11 Prizegiving, held in the F.W. Gamble Hall on October 26. They were named the Best All-Round Girl and Boy, winning The Brian Murphy Cup and The Warwick Gibbs Cup respectively. The two other top prizes for Year 11 were won by Bethany Fletcher (The Jo Williams Cup for Diligence) and Eric Shen (The Robert Willmott Memorial Prize for Quality of Effort). Eric also delighted guests at the prizegiving with a Beethoven piano sonata – one of the event’s musical interludes. Eloise has already achieved NCEA Level One with an Endorsement of Excellence. She has attained 90 credits at Excellence level – 70 at Level One, 18 at Level Two and 10 at Level Three. She has no single grade below a Merit. Her extra-curricular activities include a Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, MUNA, the Environmental Club and Relay for Life. She is part of the school orchestra, a confident debater and was a participant in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. She has also represented the school in Fencing. Vaibhav has already achieved NCEA Level 1 and is currently only two credits 30
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SPORTS AWARDS Isaac Munro and Sharne Pupuke-Robati were named Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum respectively at the MAGS Sports Dinner on October 24 at Alexandra Park function centre. High achievers were presented with their Blue Caps (Auckland representatives) and Black Caps (NZ representatives) as well as the school’s top sports prizes. The event was MC’ed by Deputy Principal Tom Murdoch and kicked off with a song from Premier Netballer Latonya Lole. Headmaster Patrick Drumm told the large crowd that while sporting success was to be celebrated, it was only part of the journey at MAGS. Guest speaker on the night was Cameron Calkoen, who was born with cerebral palsy and was told his biggest challenges in life would be walking and talking. He forged a career as a champion athlete and an inspirational speaker, as well as
being an entrepreneur, a fundraising dynamo for charities and an ambassador for the disabled. He told the assembled guests that his athletics and professional career began just by “turning up”, and that was the way to get ahead in life: turn up and give it your best shot. When it came to the big awards, Sharne was named Victrix Ludorum. She is captain of the Girls Premier Basketball team that won the AKSS Basketball title, and came seventh at NZSS Basketball, where she also made the Tournament Team. She also played for NZ U17 Basketball. She is the Premier Netball shooter in the team that was recently crowned National Champions, and that came third in the AKSS competition. She was part of the MAGS Girls Rugby Sevens team that won the AKSS competition, and she is a Tania Dalton
The Premier Netballers were named Team of the Year.
Scholarship Recipient. Isaac, who was named Victor Ludorum, is a member of the Boys’ Softball team that won the Auckland school competition, and won the New Zealand Schools Championship for a sixth year in a row. He is a member of the 2nd XV Rugby team that placed second in the Auckland competition. He is the top skier at MAGS, and is a member of the Premier Water Polo team that competed at NZSS. Team of the Year was the National Champion Premier Netball side, while swimming sensation Brearna Crawford won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Sport (Girls) and Premier Softballer Floyd Nola won the equivalent award for Boys. Orienteering champion Liam Thompson was the inaugural recipient of the Service to MAGS Sport award for sacrificing his chances in a race to help a competitor who had become lost.
The top four students in Year 11 were (left to right) Bethany Fletcher, Eric Shen, Eloise Muir and Vaibhav Nayyar.
shy of achieving Level 2. He has provided service to others in many ways including acting as a volunteer on Motutapu Island, and has taken on the roles of Digital and Technology leader as well as being a school librarian, a member of the Interact club and involved in the Student Academic Council. He is a member of the MAGS Robotics team, represented the school in Orienteering
and is currently completing his Silver Duke of Edinburgh award. He has taken part in MAGS Spoken Word, represented the school in the Brain Bee challenge as well as an Engineering competition and the North Island Secondary Schools Science Bowl Tournament where his team reached the semi-finals. He is also a member of the MAGS Premier Junior Debating team, which recently won the Auckland competition.
Victor Ludorum Isaac Munro and Victrix Ludorum Sharne Pupuke-Robati
Orienteering champion Liam Thompson was the inaugural recipient of the Service to MAGS Sport award.
Softballer Floyd Nola won Outstanding Achievement in Sport (Boys) and swimmer Brearna Crawford won Outstanding Achievement in Sport (Girls).
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PRIZEGIVINGS Teacher Michel Walden with some of the Year 13s.
Deputy Head Girl Rosarina Pillissi is congratulated by Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm.
Rosarina Pillissi and Liam Akeli won the Tagaloa Peter Su’a Award for Performing Arts.
Pasifika
Teacher Simon Allen with his form class.
Year 13 Deans Mr Gordon Smith and Ms Natalie Absolum.
Teachers Waimirirangi Paul and Peter Walters with their Te Puna o Wairaka Year 13s.
Teacher Natasha Phyn, front left, who organises the Leavers’ Dinner, took the chance to say her goodbyes to students.
CELEBRATION DINNER The Pasifika community came together at the annual MAGS Pasifika Dinner to acknowledge and celebrate the success of MAGS Pasifika students in Academia, Sports, the Performing Arts and Service to Pasifika and the school.
Tupuola Apisaloma Taulapiu with Soane Vikena, Pasifika Sportsman of the Year.
Cyprus Taumaoe won the Ah Kuoi Family Cup for Services to Pasifika, presented to her by Liz Ah Kuoi Atmore.
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The Best All Round MAGS Pasifika Student for 2018 is MAGS’ Deputy Head Girl Rosarina Pillissi. She was also named Top Year 13 Pasifika Academic Student and Best All Round. Along with Liam Akeli, she won the Tagaloa Peter Su’a Award for Performing Arts, and Rosarina also won the Ulugia-Pua Award for Outstanding Services to Mount Albert Grammar School. The dinner, on Friday, 26 October at Sorrento in the Park, also acknowledged Tupuola Apisaloma Taulapiu for his 26 years of service as Pasifika Liaison to Mount Albert Grammar School, for which he recently received the 25 Years Service Medallion. He is the first Pasifika person to have been acknowledged for this and he was congratulated and thanked for his
ongoing loyalty and support to Pasifika. He joined the school in 1992, and since that time, he has worked closely with our Pasifika students, the staff and our Pasifika community. He has been part of the school’s strategic plan in raising academic achievement and ensuring the well-being of our students. Top Pasifika Sportswoman and Sportsman awards went to Sharne Pupuke-Robati and Soane Vikena respectively. Floyd Watch, one of the leaders of MAGS’ successful Niuean group at PolyFest, was awarded the Tupuola Apisaloma Taulapiu Cup for Cultural Leadership. Cyprus Taumaoe won the Ah Kuoi Family Cup for Services to Pasifika.
Leavers’ Dinner
The Year 13 students of 2018 enjoyed their last chance to get together at the annual Leavers’ Dinner, held at the Alexandra Park function centre on Monday, October 29. The relaxed evening was MC’ed by Deputy Principal Shameen Hayat. Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm said the school had prepared the Year 13s well for life beyond MAGS but now it was up to them to fulfil their potential and he wished them well with that. Each student received a Graduation Certificate and was welcomed as an Albertian by Mr Aftab Moosa, Albertians Association President. Head Prefects Isaac Munro and Hannah Houghton gave their final speeches, with reflections on their time at MAGS and how far they had come since starting at the school.
Year 13 Deans Ms Natalie Absolum and Mr Gordon Smith also gave speeches, saying it was a privilege to see how much their charges had grown as people since Year 9, and how much they had achieved. Mr Smith issued one last challenge to the Years 13s, saying he wanted them to be the “most valued year group”, setting academic records in their end-of-year exams that would take years to break. Ms Absolum and Mr Smith also featured in the MAGS Leavers’ Video, a humorous look at school life that is always a highlight of the evening.
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PRIZEGIVINGS Hannah Houghton won the Prefects’ Cup for the Best All-Round Girl in Year 13, and Anton Aish received the FW Gamble Memorial Cup for the Best All-Round Boy in Year 13.
SENIOR PRIZEGIVING
Girl and Boy Dux Miriam Leonhardt and Gary He with Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm.
The Mount Albert Grammar School Boy Dux and Girl Dux for 2018 are Gary He and Miriam Leonhardt. The school’s top academic students were named at MAGS’ Senior Prizegiving ceremony in the F.W. Gamble Hall on October 29. The prizegiving was attended by parents, staff, members of the Board of Trustees, representatives of tertiary scholarship providers, and former Headmasters Mr Greg Taylor and Mr Maurice Hall. After a karakia from Matua Peter Walters, Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm opened proceedings by outlining how MAGS’ new Strategic Plan has a theme of ‘personal excellence’ and would build on the Four Pillars of the school: Academic, Sports, The Arts and Service.
Alyssa Houma won the Yvette Williams Cup for Effort for Year 12 Girls.
Head Prefects Hannah Houghton and Isaac Munro, who MC’ed the ceremony, gave their farewell speeches and provided humorous and at times emotional reflections on their time at MAGS. Among the tertiary scholarships awarded were two sponsored by Albertian Mr Chris Liddell, a former executive of Microsoft, General Motors and Xero and now a Chief of Staff at the White House. The Chris Liddell Scholarships are each worth $5000 per year for three years and are granted to students who show strong academic potential and are also good all-rounders. This year’s recipients were Hannah Houghton and Jonathan De Pledge, with the scholarships presented by Mr Liddell’s brother, John. Gary He won the Woolf Fisher Memorial Scholarship.
The Prefects’ Cup for the Best All-Round Girl in Year 13 went to Hannah Houghton, and The FW Gamble Memorial Cup for the Best All-Round Boy in Year 13 went to Anton Aish. The top teaching awards were also presented. Year 9 Boys Dean Kerry Baker received the Herb Towers Travel Prize for a professional development trip overseas. Mr Liddell also awards Teacher Scholarships worth $5000 each for excellence in teaching and contribution to the school, and these went to Olivia Markham (HoD History) and Paul McKinney (Mathematics Teacher). Musical interludes were provided by Nadine Hidalgo, who played a lively medley on the piano, and The Wondercats, who performed a crowd-pleasing rendition of the Michael Jackson hit Man in the Mirror.
Trong Quan Chris Pham was named Best All-Round International Boy, while Nan Huang was Best All-Round International Girl.
Gold Lions were awarded to students who have gained the four lions – Arts, Scholar, Service and Sport. Pictured (from left to right) Janelle Kara, Rachel Simpson, Takunda Muzondiwa, Porcia Meredith, Hannah Houghton, Cleo Chambers, Anton Aish and Kendra Smith.
Jake Paxton won the Hanson Cup for Senior Progress and Endeavour.
Chris Liddell Teacher Scholarships went to Olivia Markham (HoD History) and Paul McKinney (Mathematics Teacher).
Chris Liddell Scholarship winners Hannah Houghton and Jonathan De Pledge with Mr John Liddell.
2019 PREFECTS In late October, MAGS announced the student leadership group for next year.
The Prefect’s role carries great responsibility around service, leadership and guardianship of our school culture. All 2019 Prefects were expected to attend the Prefects Camp in late November, after which the Prefects Executive Team (Head Boy, Head Girl and Deputies) was expected to be announced.
Terrell Peita was the inaugural recipient of the Ruanui-a-Tane Award, while Phoebe Sullivan won the Te Puna o Wairaka Whanau Award for the Best All-Round Maori Student.
Girls: Abbey-Jean Kaipara, Aka Bloomfield, Alyssa Houma, Assina Te Paa-Kolio, Charlotte Barrand, Claudia Saunders, Ella Brislen, Emily Thurman, Eva Williams, Holly Chaafe, India Bulman, Jamila Chen, Karla Akeli, Maraea Ah Kuoi-Atmore, Maxime van Luijken, Sarah Sherlock, Sophie Rippon, Sophie Thomson, Takunda Muzondiwa, Theresa Anisi, Yuwen Mora Ye. Boys: Adam Bateman, Darhys Simone, Dylan Moon, Eli Margison, Frank Anderson, Germain Hellriegel-White, Gio Aguilar, Hasan Pathan, Hayden Aish, Isaac Young Montgomerie, Jake Paxton, Jordan McCrae, Karkeat Low, Lachlan Pearce, Logan Allomes, Orion Schmok, Oscar Graham, Philip Taua, Richard Mann, Thomas Brendolise, Vaughn Mika.
Year 9 Boys Dean Kerry Baker received the Herb Towers Travel Prize.
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Proxime Accessits (from left to right) Amber Yang, Lucy Zhang, Jonathan De Pledge and D’arcy Brown.
Adam Bateman received the Harry Wichman Cup for the Best All-Round Boy in Year 12, and Takunda Muzondiwa won the Linda Fraser Cup for the Best All-Round Girl in Year 12.
Congratulations to all our 2019 Prefects on their appointment. We trust that the 2019 Year 13 student body will support this group in their significant role.
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On an evening of celebration, Lulu Qiu and Billy McColl were named the Girl and Boy Dux Artium of 2018 at the MAGS Arts Dinner on Friday, November 2. Held at Sorrento in the Park, the evening was MC’ed by Billy McColl and Allie Hawksworth, and featured a variety of performances. Headmaster Mr Patrick Drumm spoke about how the Arts were vital in providing a means of expression for students, and because the school was so big they got to perform and test themselves in front of large crowds whether at assemblies or school events. The Gypsy Jazz Band – Amitai Aharon, Gary He, Viliami Moli and Himadri Podder – kicked the evening off in style with Gypsy Swingers. More performances followed throughout the night: Takunda Muzondiwa acted out a scene from Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga; Liam Akeli and Xavier Wong-See delivered physical humour with Body Percussion; and there
was a presentation of a music video by Daniel Mackay, Samuel Dawson and Nicholas Vandervelde for the Two Feet song I Feel Like I’m Drowning. When it came to announcing the Duces Artium, Director Arts Co-curricular Jacqui Cesan said she was spoiled for choice with so many talented students, and it was a close contest. Of Lulu Qiu, Ms Cesan said she had excelled in dance and choreography, and has twice been awarded an Arts Lion, as well as receiving a Service Lion this year for her contribution to the Arts. Ms Cesan said Lulu and another student had also established and managed a junior dance group. “This young lady has also been a huge asset to Arts management, designing a number of the posters and even representative clothing for Arts events and groups over the last three years.” At the Arts Dinner, Lulu was further recognised for her outstanding
contribution to the Arts, winning awards for Outstanding Choreography, Long Service to Dance and Leadership in Design. Ms Cesan said Billy McColl was a student of Drama, Dance, Media Studies and Music, is an Arts Prefect and Arts Leader and has three times been awarded an Arts Lion, and received a Service Lion this year for his contribution to the Arts. Ms Cesan said Billy is the Jazz Band leader, a member of the Choir, a member of The Wondercats band that won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Auckland RockQuest, an outstanding lead in the successful Green Room production, took part in Sheilah Winn Shakespeare and Musical Theatre groups, and represented MAGS at YouDance festival. At the Arts Dinner Billy was also recognised for his contribution to the Jazz band and for Excellence in Dance Performance.
Dance HoD Samantha French with some her dance students.
Lulu Qiu and Billy McColl were named the Girl and Boy Dux Artium.
Best Female Actor Takunda Muzondiwa and Best Male Actor Seamus Stalker with HoD Drama Gerald Urquhart.
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HoD Music Milica Zjajic-Moon with Foster Music Cup winners Nadine Hidalgo (left) and Karen Geng.
Arien Okan won the Gold Exposure: Outstanding Technical Achievement photography award, and the JCNB Cup for Excellence in Dramatic Work.
MCs for the evening, Allie Hawksworth and Billy McColl.
PRIZEGIVINGS
ARTS AWARDS
From left to right: Matua Peter Walters, Phoebe Sullivan, Te Waaka Popata-Henare, Kaharau Mendes, Isaiah Nin, Sheye Semple, Lavina Elliott, Addi Albert-Jones, Breanna Waka and Whaea Waimirirangi Paul.
Te Puna o Wairaka Dinner The sounds of waiata and haka rang out at Te Mahurehure Marae as Te Puna o Wairaka celebrated its top students and farewelled its Year 13 leavers at a special dinner on Friday, November 9. MC’ed by students Assina Te Paa-Kolio and Richard Mann, the event was opened with a karakia from Te Puna’s Matua Peter Walters. Headmaster Patrick Drumm said Te Puna o Wairaka had a lot to celebrate with one of its first graduates, Black Fern rugby player Portia Woodman, recently named Albertian of the Year. Mr Drumm thanked Te Puna o Wairaka students and teachers for helping the school to do better at celebrating Maori culture. One of their initiatives – bilingual signs around MAGS – was about to be put in place. Junior members of Te Puna performed a haka in tribute to the Year 13s, who performed their own thunderous haka towards the end of proceedings. When it came to the awards, Sheye Semple won the Top Senior Academic Award, while Phoebe Sullivan was named All-Round Top Senior Student and won the “Manu Tute” Award For Services to Puna and the wider community. Stella Rose Woodman won the Top Junior Academic Award, while the award for All-Round Top Junior Girl went to Breanna Waka and the All-Round Top Junior Boy was Te Waaka Popata-Henare.
Outgoing leaders Sheye Semple and Kaharau Mendes (at centre) handed over to the 2019 leaders, Kisepi Ma’afu Roberts (second from left) and Assina Te Paa-Kolio (second from right).
Kaharau Mendes received the “He toka tū” Award For Contribution to Kapa Haka, and the award for Top Senior Māori Language Orator. Isaiah Nin was named Top Junior Māori Language Orator. When it came to sports achievement, Addi Albert-Jones won the senior award and Lavina Elliott the junior award. At this year’s dinner, Whaea Waimirirangi Paul and Matua Peter Walters decided to formalise the announcement of the kaitātaki wahine (female leader) and kaitātaki tāne (male leader) of the Kapa Haka for 2019. Sheye Semple (female leader) and Kaharau Mendes (male leader) from this year handed over the ‘mauri’ in the form of a patu and taiaha to the two new leaders, Assina Te Paa-Kolio (female) and Kisepi Ma’afu Roberts (male). Ms Paul said the Year 13s had been an at times challenging group but she had loved working with them and watching their progress. She welcomed them to come back and visit as they would always be part of the whanau. In a beautiful musical interlude, Abbey-Jean Kaipara performed waiata with the backing of Andre Pickering on guitar. In their farewell speeches, Sheye Semple and Kaharau Mendes paid tribute to their Year 13 classmates, saying they had all come a long way in their time at Te Puna o Wairaka.
Phoebe Sullivan, named All-Round Top Senior Student, with Headmaster Patrick Drumm
Sheye Semple, who won the Top Senior Academic Award, with Headmaster Patrick Drumm
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From September 1-9, more than 200 students across 15 teams competed in 10 sports all over the country.
Behind the scenes, there was a massive effort from teachers, coaches, managers, parents and supporters to help our sportspeople push through tournament week. One of the major highlights was the Premier Girls Basketball team winning their final to become Zone 1 Regional Champions. Even sweeter was beating arch-rivals Auckland Girls Grammar 55-53 in the final. MAGS’ Fencing team again returned fantastic results with James Butler winning the Men’s Epee at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Fencing Championships in Christchurch, and joining Charlie Bioletti and Gio Aguilar to claim Gold in the Men’s Epee Teams event. Amey Smith continued her strong form, winning Silver in the Women’s Epee and another Silver in the Women’s Epee Teams event with Zoe Holden and Lucy Henshaw. The Football Boys 1st XI had a great week, coming second in the country after making their national final in Christchurch. They beat long-time foes St Kentigern College 2-1 in the semis but couldn’t get the better of Sacred Heart College in the final, going down 3-0.
The Premier Girls Basketball team were Zone 1 Regional Champions.
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WINTER TOURNAMENT WEEK The Premier Girls claimed the title of Auckland Champions.
Basketball
James Butler won Gold at the Men’s Epee at the NZSS Fencing Championships in Christchurch.
The Premier Netball team came second at UNISS.
The Football Boys 1st XI came second in NZ.
Our Premier Netball team made the final at UNISS in Mount Maunganui but couldn’t contain Epsom Girls Grammar, eventual winners 31-22. A win over Rotorua Boys High saw the Rugby League 1st XIII finish third in the country, after being denied a grand final spot by a semi-final loss to Kelston Boys High. After beating Takapuna Grammar to win the Blues Co-ed Final, the Rugby 1st XV travelled to Palmerston North to play in the NZSS Co-Ed Finals, finishing third with a 16-8 victory over Fielding High School. Continuing his strong form in trampolining, James Dougal claimed Bronze in the Elite Men’s grade at the NZ Secondary Schools Championships held at Tri Star Gymnastics, Mt Roskill. Bailey Bennett placed 11th in the Novice Level 3 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, 11th in the A Grade Women’s Trampolining and 17th in the A Grade Women’s Tumbling. The Basketball Junior Premier Boys started their Regionals campaign strongly with three wins but faltered down the home stretch to finish fourth.
Sharne Pupuke-Robati played for the New Zealand U17 Women’s Team.
Placing seventh in their Regionals, the Basketball Premier Boys ended their campaign with a 94-52 triumph against Selwyn College. In Rotorua, the Hockey Boys 1st XI had a strong tournament, finishing fourth after a couple of losses at the business end of the competition. Playing at MAGS, the Rugby U15 Colts turned on some entertaining rugby for the home crowd, and began with three wins. Two close losses derailed their push for a finals spot but they ended up seventh after a win against St Patrick’s College Town. The Football Girls 1st XI were based in Taupo for Tournament Week and although they ended up 25th, they finished strongly with three wins, including a 9-0 rout of Massey High. The Hockey Girls’ 1st XI started with two losses in Carterton that hampered their prospects, and ended up 17th. In Hamilton, the Lacrosse Premier Girls came up against some tough competition, finishing seventh in New Zealand. Also placing seventh in the country, the Underwater Hockey Junior Open team played their tournament in Rotorua and ended with a 3-1 win over Glendowie College.
MAGS’ Basketball Girls Premiers became Auckland Champions after beating their perennial rivals Auckland Girls Grammar 59-52 in the final on August 24 at the North Shore Events Centre. The Basketball Boys Premiers also played in their competition the same night, finishing as runners-up against an in-form Rosmini College. MAGS Premier Girls went on to become Zone 1 Regional Champions, again beating AGGS in the final, this time 55-53. At the New Zealand Secondary Schools Basketball Championships, the Premier Girls finished seventh and the Premier Boys finished 12th in NZ. Sharne Pupuke-Robati was named in the Tournament Team. Sharne also played for the New Zealand U17 Women’s Team, which competed at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Minsk, Belarus in July. Tessa Talo-Tomokino was picked for and played for the Junior Tall Ferns at the FIBA U18 Asian Championships in Bengaluru India, which finished in early November.
In the July school holidays, Phoenix Sorensen and Denvor Elia were part of the Waitakere West Premiers team that won the U15 National Basketball Championship. The two Year 10 students helped Waitakere go undefeated in pool play, before beating Manawatu in the semifinals 96-76, then coming from behind to win 7958 over Waitaha in the final at the Pulman Arena in Takanini.
Meanwhile, MAGS students Sataan Tawera, Rishon Royce and Theo Coker-Grey just lost in the final at the National U17 Championships where they represented Auckland, who went down 95-90 to Wellington. Sataan, who top-scored for Auckland with 26 points in the final, was also named in the tournament team. He has since been named in the New Zealand Boys Basketball team to compete in the FIBA Oceania U15 Championships this month, to be held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The Premier Boys had a good season but fell short in the Auckland final against Rosmini College.
Archery Lauren Emirali (pictured) won Gold at the 47th Archery New Zealand National Indoor Championships held at Trusts Arena, Henderson, in August. The Year 10 student was competing in the Recurve Intermediate Girls Division. Lauren has been shooting for four years for Mountain Green Archery Club on the summit of Mt Albert. She practises four or five times a week, shooting 500-plus arrows weekly. Lauren holds the New Zealand record for Indoor Intermediate Girls (since July 2018 ) with a score of 528. She is aiming to shoot in the Archery New Zealand National (outdoor) Championships held in Auckland in January next year and the World Indoor Champs to be held in Wellington in April.
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Duathlon and Road Running
CROSS COUNTRY
Two terrific performances by Hannah Houghton (below) and Luke Clements (above) saw them win the Senior Girls and Junior Boys titles respectively at the Auckland Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships held at Saint Kentigern College on September 25. The pair also raced strongly at the New Zealand Schools Cross Country Individual and Relay Championships on June 16 and 17 at Spa Park, Taupo. Luke ran in the Junior Boys (U16) event and finished 9th out of 156 athletes. Luke was the 4th Auckland athlete across the line. Hannah ran in the Senior Girls (U19) event and finished 32nd out of 132 athletes. Hannah was the 5th Auckland athlete across the line. Luke and Hannah were selected to run for Auckland in the New Zealand Schools Cross Country Relays. Luke ran in the Junior Boys team that finished 2nd and was just beaten by Canterbury. Hannah ran in the Senior Girls team that finished 4th.
The Mount Albert Grammar School team of Liam Thompson and Connor Roulston won Silver at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Duathlon Championships held at Pukekohe Race track on August 19 in a time of 49:54. The race, which consisted of a 4.5km run, 17km bike ride and a 2.25km run, was won by Wanganui Collegiate. At the Auckland Road Running Championships at Pulman Park in Takanini, Hannah Houghton and a sixstrong Junior Girls team both won Gold. The change of date for this event – to August 21 – worked out well for MAGS with a team of 23 athletes entering – up from just three athletes in 2017. Hannah won the Senior Girls event run over 4km, while the Junior Girls triumphed over 3km. And Luke Clements picked up a Bronze in the Junior Boys event over 4km.
Liam Thompson and Connor Roulston won Silver at the NZSS Duathlon Championships.
The successful MAGS Road Running team.
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Amey Smith won Silver in the Women’s Epee at the NZSS Fencing Championships.
James Butler, left, and Charlie Bioletti with MAGS Fencing coach Kyle Macdonald.
Fencing
James Butler enjoyed a golden run at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Fencing Championships in Christchurch over the weekend of September 7-9, winning the Men’s Epee and joining Charlie Bioletti and Gio Aguilar to claim Gold in the Men’s Epee Teams Event. Amey Smith continued her strong form, winning Silver in the Women’s Epee and in the Women’s Epee Teams event with Zoe Holden and Lucy Henshaw. At the Auckland Secondary Schools Fencing Finals in June, MAGS won both the Boys and Girls Epee events, with Gio Aguilar and Amey Smith the respective champions. After beating fellow MAGS fencer James Butler in the semifinal, Gio was up against a
Hamilton Boys High student in the final after he had beaten MAGS’ Charlie Bioletti in the other semi. James Butler finished third. On the girls side, MAGS’ Amey Smith and Zoe Holden beat rivals from Kristin to make their way into the final, with Amey’s quick footwork counteracting Zoe’s longer reach. The top three boys also fought in the foil event, uncoached, and reached 8th for Gio, 9th for Charlie and 10th for James to show off their all-round fencing skills. At the Australian National U17 Fencing Championships in Sydney, Amey Smith, Gio Aguilar and James Butler came away with Bronze medals representing New Zealand during the July school holidays. At the Commonwealth Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships in Newcastle, England in late July, James Butler and Charlie Bioletti achieved top eight finishes in the Men’s Cadets Epee event.
James Butler in action at the NZSS Fencing Championships.
In the 21-person NZ squad, James and Charlie were the two highest finishing NZ Boy Cadets and were two of only four team members from both the U17 & U20 NZ squads to reach the last eight in their individual events. The third MAGS team member, Amey Smith, had a harder time of it and tied for 26th in the Girls Cadet event.
GYM SPORT James Dougal (pictured at centre) was crowned the Junior Men’s International Individual Trampoline Champion at the 2018 NZ Gymnastics Championships held in Tauranga in early October. James also won Silver in the Junior Men’s International Synchronised Trampoline event, with partner Regan Langford, only missing out on Gold by 0.075. In July, James won a Silver medal and Michaela Cox a Bronze at the College Sport Gymsport Championships held in Papakura. They were part of a six-strong MAGS team of four girls and two boys, with three competing in Tumbling and three in Trampolining.
In Trampolining, James Dougal placed 2nd in the Men’s Elite Grade, Michaela Cox was 3rd in the Women’s B Grade, and Jack Jones 4th in the Junior Elite Grade. In Tumbling, Sarah Sherlock came 8th in the Women’s Elite Grade, Jamila Chen was 10th in Women’s A Grade, and Jenny Lo 12th in the same division. And James claimed Bronze in the Elite Men’s grade at the NZ Secondary Schools Championships held at Tri Star Gymnastics, Mt Roskill during Winter Tournament Week. Bailey Bennett placed 11th in the Novice Level 3 Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, 11th in the A Grade Women’s Trampolining and 17th in the A Grade Women’s Tumbling. THE LION
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Football
Two students represent NZ Football U-16 Team First XI footballers Luca Taylor and Hayden Aish were part of the NZ team that qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup that will be held in Peru next year. They qualified by beating Tahiti 4-1 in the semifinals of the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship in the Solomon Islands. They then went on to win the Championship against the hosts in a penalty shootout after the sides drew 0-0 at fulltime. Genevieve Ryan was part of the history-making NZ Women’s U17 team that made it to the knockout phase of the Women’s U17 World Cup in Uruguay. As well as the 1st XI’s second place in New Zealand during Winter Tournament Week, there were other Football successes. The Boys U13s won the Knock Out Cup at Mt Wellington’s Bill McKinlay Park in September when they beat Auckland Grammar School 1-0 in the Final. In a closely fought game, MAGS scored just before fulltime to claim the cup. And the Girls Junior A team won the Auckland Premier Girls Junior A League, ending the season unbeaten after only conceding four goals. They downed the only other unbeaten side in the league at the time: Epsom Girls Grammar, 5-2 away. In their last two games in early July, they thumped Rangitoto 5-0 and St Cuthberts 14-0. Head of Football Peter Smith said, “Big thanks to Esther Hancock, who is the team manager, and I am the lucky one who gets to coach this talented group of girls.”
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LUCA TAYLOR
HAYDEN AISH
LACROSSE Premier teams make Auckland finals MAGS Premier Boys Lacrosse team finished runners-up to Rosmini College in their Auckland competition after losing 4-6 in a hard-fought final at Auckland Grammar School at the end of September. In the semis, the Boys came back from four goals down to win in extra time against Mt Roskill Grammar. Against Mt Roskill Grammar, they were down 2-6 at half time but stepped up the pressure in the second half. Captain Zane Harrison had 5 assists, Jack Norris scored 6 goals and Shaan Patel had a great game, scoring 5 goals including the winner 30 seconds into golden point for an 11-10 scoreline. Playing reigning national champions Epsom Girls Grammar away in the Auckland final was always going to be a tough challenge for the Lacrosse Girls Premiers. EGGS is the only side to have beaten our Premier Girls this year, and they were again
too strong, winning 18-5 in early August. The Premier Girls then went on to finish third in the Regional Division 1 tournament at College Rifles. They started with a hard first game, losing to their old-time rivals Epsom Girls Grammar, who went on to win the tournament with no goals scored against them. In the 3rd/4th playoff against Avondale, MAGS kept their heads up for the final game and claimed third place with a 7-6 win. Year 10 students William Couldrey and Sam Nash represented New Zealand at Lacrosse as part of an Under 15 squad that took part in the Australian Lacrosse Association’s U15 National Tournament, held in Melbourne during the first week of the October school holidays. Sam formed part of a rotating mobile midfield combination, while vice-captain William played in goal for every minute of
William Couldrey and Sam Nash represented U15s in Australia.
every game and earned himself Most Valuable Player medals for two of the matches. In September, MAGS’ girls represented Auckland at the NZ U15 & U18 Nationals in Cambridge. Izzy Morley played in the U18 Blue team who got second overall. The other girls were in the U15 and U18 development squads who both got 4th place overall. U15 White: Saira Khan – co-captain, Michaela Cox and Jade Robertson. U18 White: Marieke Richards, Tara Fausett, Molly Brittenden, Niamh Brittenden, Kareena Naran and Resh Bhargav.
Hockey A goal from Cooper Taylor 18 minutes from time was enough to give the Hockey Boys U15 the win in their A Grade Final against Kings College in August. The goal came from a penalty corner and after that the team stayed composed to ensure the 1-0 win. With his running, Hamesh Govind troubled Kings’ defence, while MAGS held firm at the back, including a great save late in the game by the ‘keeper. THE LION
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ORIENTEERING Team to go to World Champs
Netball
Following their NZSS win, the Boys Orienteering team has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Schools Orienteering Championships in Estonia next year. They pulled off a major coup by winning the national title in Christchurch during the last weekend of the July school holidays. A string of impressive results by the 18-strong team of boys wrested the trophy from Napier Boys High School, who had won it the previous 14 years in a row. They beat Napier BHS by 59pts (432pts vs 373pts) with 15 of the team scoring points. Team captain Liam Thompson holds the Boys’ national trophy.
Addi Albert-Jones played for the NZ Secondary Schools team against Australia & England U17.
Netballers selected to represent top teams The foundation for the Netball Premiers becoming national champions in Timaru in October was set with a strong runners-up performance at UNISS in September. At the Mt Maunganui tournament they held their nerve to beat Howick College 31-29 to make the final, which they lost to Epsom Girls Grammar. But as runners-up they qualified for NZSS, going on to beat Westlake Girls High School 32-23 in the Final at the Southern Trust Events Centre. Captain and centre Addi Albert-Jones, Maine-Crystal Maro, Halaevlau Toutaiolepo and Ruby Young all made the tournament team from the NZSS week in Timaru. In August, three teams competed in the Netball Combined Points Tournament at Auckland Netball Centre: Premier 1, the Year 10 Firebirds and the Year 9 Mystics. The tournament was an excellent chance to try combinations and challenge players before they head into the business end of the season. All teams were undefeated after pool play and won their sections so went on to compete in finals play. Premier 1 played One Tree Hill College Premiers in their quarterfinal. With the score being even at the final siren, they went on to play extra time, going down in the end by two goals. The Year 10 Firebirds qualified directly to their semifinal against Westlake Girls High School, winning 15-11. The final was against One Tree Hill Year 10s – with the opposition taking the win 23-17. The Year 9 Mystics played Westlake Girls High Year 9s in their quarter-final. This was a close game with Westlake taking the win 11-9. Addi Albert-Jones, who was a finalist for Auckland Young Sportsperson of the Year, was part of the winning Auckland U19 team at Nationals during the July school holidays – along with fellow MAGS students Maine-Crystal Maro, Ruby Young and Halaevalu Toutaiolepo – and she was also named in the U19 Tournament Team. Among the many MAGS players who represented their clubs at Nationals, two more were selected for tournament teams.
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Latonya Lole, pictured, along with Aaliyah Rooney has been selected for a Netball NZ development camp next year.
Latonya Lole, playing for U15 winners Auckland, and Bethan Grant, playing for Waitakere, were both selected for the U15 Tournament Team and named as Midcourt Players of the Tournament. Joining Latonya in the winning Auckland side were MAGS students Dellwyn Fiso, Wairui Roberts, Melenaite Tuamoheloa and Renata Tusani. In November, Latonya Lole and Aaliyah Rooney were named to take part in the three-day 2019 National Development Camp in Cambridge in January.
The Intermediate Boys relay team (left to right) Daniel Carroll, Luca Eastwood, Mitchell Cooper with their national trophy.
The winning Junior Boys relay team.
In the relays, the Junior Boys (Sam Taylor Sinclair, Daniel Wood, Tom Aish) came first by over four minutes. The Intermediate Boys (Luca Eastwood, Daniel Carroll, Mitchell Cooper) won by two minutes, and the Senior Boys (Thomas Brendolise, Adam Bateman, Liam Thompson) finished third in a very strong competition. In the Junior Boys Sprints, Sam Taylor Sinclair finished third, as did Mitchell Cooper in the Intermediate Boys Sprints, with Liam Thomson fourth. There were other good results in the Sprints, with Daniel Wood 8th, Luca Eastwood 9th, Aidan Skinner 10th, and Adam Bateman 10th.
Tom Aish came third in the Long Distance Junior Boys, with Aidan Skinner 10th in the Long Distance event. This is the third major trophy for MAGS in 15 months after winning the North Island title for the previous two years, as well as representing New Zealand in the World Schools event in Italy last year. One of MAGS’ top competitors, Liam Thompson was selected for the New Zealand Junior Pinestars to compete against the Australian Bushrangers at the Australian Orienteering Championships in Adelaide in September/October.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Congratulations to champion mountain biker Harriet Neradt, who won the NISS Cross-Country champs for U16 Girls held at Papamoa in October. She also came first in the Mixed U16 Relay with two riders from other schools U16 NISS Cross Country (who, like her, are part of the JafaKids champ Harriet Neradt. MTB Academy). Ethan Blanchard has had some great results competing in the U17 section of New Zealand Downhill’s North Island Series, coming third in the second round in Wellington, and sixth in the third round in Napier.
Ethan Blanchard competing in Europe.
He has also competed in Europe this year in four events: two IXS European Cups, one IXS Rookies Cup and one Crankworx world tour event. He placed in the top 10 of every event, with his best result being 3rd in the Rookies Cup.
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RUGBY
1st XV Rugby captain and No. 8 Terrell Peita (pictured above) has had a big year, captaining the NZ Māori U18 team that beat the New Zealand Schools Barbarians and Fiji Schools. He also captained the Blues U18 training camp side, and was nominated for the NZSS First XV Player of the Year. Soane Vikena (pictured right) also picked up national honours, playing for the New Zealand Schools side that beat Tonga Schools, Australia Schools’ Barbarians, and Australia Schools in Brisbane. Soane also joined Terrell in the Blues U18 training camp side that played their Hurricanes U18 counterparts in Taupo during the July school holidays. Starting at hooker, Soane was named player of the match while Joel Cobb, who started on the wing, was the third MAGS rugby player in the development side. In September, MAGS’ 1st XV became Blues Co-ed Champions by beating Takapuna Grammar 36-3. They then travelled to Palmerston North to compete in the NZSS Top 4 Co-ed competition during Winter Tournament Week, finishing third after a 16-8 win over Fielding.
GIRLS 10s
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And Eli Margison and Nikola Vikena have been selected for the 2019 Blues U17 Development Squad. They will be attending a series of development camps at the end of this year and at the start of the new year.
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SEVENS RUGBY Three champion teams
In their debut season, the Rugby Girls 10s swept all before them to become champions for 2018. They won every game during the season, and beat Mount Roskill Grammar 37-17 on August 20 in the final on the Sir B.G. Williams Field after leading 17-5 at halftime. After conceding an early try, MAGS clicked into gear – scoring tries from deep in their own half in a fast and open game. After sealing the win, the Girls thanked supporters, and their hard-working coaches and managers before being presented with their winner’s medals and trophy by Headmaster Patrick Drumm.
Both the Premier Boys and Girls Rugby Sevens teams won at the Auckland Secondary Schools Rugby Sevens competition held in October at Waitemata Rugby Club, qualifying themselves for the NZ Condor Sevens. Both teams won every game they played, with the Boys winning their final 19-7 against Kelston Boys High, and the Girls edging Howick College 36-31. The U15 Boys team completed the trifecta of AKSS Sevens Rugby titles, following on from the Premiers’ wins. Unfortunately, the school could not field an U15 Girls team because the girls had too many other commitments. The U15 Boys came from behind to win the final against De La Salle College 34-14, having beaten National Condor champions Kelston Boys High School in a tight semi-final. However, despite defending their Auckland title, the U15s do not get to go to the Condor Sevens national tournament – like the Premier Boys and Girls – as it is invitation-only at U15 level.
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SNOW SPORTS From left, Moala Graham-Taufa, Elijah Ieriko, First XIII Captain Emmanuel Kelly, Manager Daniel Lynch, Sam Kamu and Lani Graham-Taufa.
RUGBY LEAGUE Strong season for 1st XIII
Four players and the manager from the Rugby League First XIII were recognised at the College Sports Auckland Rugby League Awards. Moala Graham-Taufa was named Fullback of the Year, Elijah Ieriko Second Rower of the Year, Sam Kamu had the double honour of being named MVP of the Premier Competition and Winger of the Year, and Lani Graham-Taufa was Centre of the Year. MAGS teacher Daniel Lynch was named Manager of the Year. It was recognition of a strong season for the team, which finished runners-up to Kelston Boys High School in the Auckland Secondary Schools competition. At the National Tournament, the First XIII came up against Kelston in the semis, and again couldn’t get the better of them, going down 22-6. They put the loss behind them, though, and blew Rotorua Boys off the park with a 26-4 win to finish the tournament in 3rd. Team Manager Daniel Lynch said, “This was a huge step up from last year’s seventh place finish. Overall a very strong year for MAGS rugby league and this was capped off by three selections in the NZ Secondary Schools Team of the Tournament. Moala 50
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Graham -Taufa winning the fullback spot, Lani Graham-Taufa winning a centres spot and Elijah Ieriko winning a second rower place in that very prestigious team.” The Graham-Taufa twins were also named in the New Zealand Residents 16s Rugby League team that played NZ Samoa 16s in Rotorua in July. At the National Youth Tournament in Rotorua, Year 10 student Stanley Iongi picked up the U15 MVP award, crossing for the Auckland Vulcans’ game-winning try in their 16-14 Grand Final victory over Southern. He was also named Man of the Match in the Grand Final, and named in the U15 Merit Team for the tournament.
Two race teams and one slopestyle team represented MAGS at the North Island Secondary Schools Ski Championships at Whakapapa and produced a couple of strong results. Year 13 student Jordan Pickering placed sixth overall in the Senior Men Giant Slalom, and younger brother Andre Pickering, in Year 11, finished 12th overall in the Slopestyle Individual division. Poor weather at Whakapapa over September 17-19, when the competition was held, meant the first two days were cancelled, but on the final day a shortened version of the competition took place. The race teams finished equal 24th and equal 56th, and the Slopestyle team were 14th overall. Teacher in charge Matt Bindon said, “A successful competition and school trip in spite of the weather. Very good results, well done to all the skiers.” The school’s Snowboarders – competing after the skiers – had even worse luck with the weather and their competition was cancelled. Teacher in charge Matthew Huang said the team had a good time regardless.
Softball Bronze at Worlds
Floyd Nola (pictured) and Taine Slaughter won Bronze medals at the Junior Men’s Softball World Championship, held in Prince Albert, Canada in late July. The Junior Black Sox finished third after being beaten by Japan who went on to play eventual winners Australia in the final. Pitcher Taine and outfielder Floyd are part of MAGS six-time national champion team. In late July, Ryan Earley and Maclain Roberts were selected to represent New Zealand in the U15 Boys Softball Team.
The team travelled to Mackay, Australia in September to compete in the U17 Queensland State Championship, an event they won in 2016. Three MAGS students competed in Softball’s Canada Cup for the Emerging Sox (16 & under side) in Surrey, British Columbia. Mikayla Cross, Brooklyn Temu and Beth Reid met up with Albertian Nerida Elson who played in the same competition for the Junior White Sox (U19s). And another Albertian, Taylor Chongnee, was also selected for the Junior White Sox.
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A Medley of Medals
Brearna Crawford has turned in more amazing performances, this time at the State Teams Championships in Canberra, where she has won Gold, two Silver and a Bronze. During the meet in October, taking on Australia’s best, she set two New Zealand Age Group Records, four Auckland Age Records, one World Short Course Championships Qualification time, and 8/8 Personal Best times.
Brearna Crawford celebrating Gold.
She had three swims faster than the winning Open time that won the 2018 NZ Short Course Championships, five swims faster than the top three at Open level, and eight swims faster than the Gold medal winner in the 15yrs age group at NZ Short Course Champs. At the State Teams, she won Gold in the 50m Fly (NZ Record 15yrs, ASA Record, 2018 Rank #16 in the World, 0.1s off the Open NZ Record), Silver in the 50m Breaststroke (NZ Record 15yrs, ASA Record), Silver in the 200 52
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Individual Medley (ASA Record, 0.2s off the NZ Record), and Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke. Around the same time, Edie Ancell won Silver in the 50m Freestyle at the NZ Short Course Championships. At the meet, held on the North Shore, Vasilina Shipilova also finished fourth in 400m Individual Medley. In September, Brearna broke a national age group record, set three Auckland age group records and won eight Golds, three Silvers and one Bronze at the 2018 NZSS Swimming Championships in Wellington. She broke the 15yrs 50m Fly NZ record in a time of 26.98sec, and swam five overall best female times. At the NZSS Swimming Championships, MAGS had more medal winners in Edie Ancell, who took Bronze in the 14yrs 50m Freestyle; Michael Chapman, who won Bronze in the 14yrs 200m Fly; and Bede Aitu, who claimed Bronze in the 16-18yr 50m Breaststroke. The relay team of Edie Ancell, Eva Williams, Vasilina Shipilova and Brearna Crawford won Silver in the 4x50m Freestyle and Bronze in the 4×50 Medley. And Bede Aitu was chosen to represent the Cook Islands at the 2018 Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October, competing in the 50m and 100m Backstroke events. He was the sole participant from all sports for the Cook Islands and was the country’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Leading up to this, Bede competed at the 2018 Oceania Swimming Championships in Papua New Guinea, setting Cook Islands records in the 50m & 100m Backstroke and Breaststroke, and 200m Individual Medley.
Underwater Hockey
NICHOLAS SYKES
SPORT
SPORT
SWIMMING
XTERRA Winning streak continues
For the third year in a row, the MAGS team has won the Auckland Xterra Series. The last of the six trail runs in the series was at Riverhead Forest on September 9 and MAGS came in leading the teams event. The race was through forested and recently deforested areas of Riverhead, and
CLEO CHAMBERS
Premier Underwater Hockey player Nicholas Sykes was named in the Underwater Hockey NZ Under 19 Men’s Team. This team competed in the Trans Tasman Underwater Hockey tournament in October. Nick is heavily involved in MAGS Underwater Hockey, captaining the Premier team and coaching the Junior Open team. He also was selected in the Tournament Team during the Regional Secondary Schools Underwater Hockey Tournament. Cleo Chambers was selected for the NZ U19 Underwater Hockey Women’s Team that played Australia in the bi-annual Age Group Trans Tasman championships held in Rotorua in October. Cleo, who has also represented Auckland, is the captain of MAGS’ Premier Open side and is the only girl in it. She also coaches MAGS’ Junior Girls Underwater Hockey team.
included a huge amount of slippery clay slopes and muddy trails. The MAGS runners all put in a strong performance and their combined race placings contributed to the overall first place for the team. Two runners, Harry Thurman and Oliver Bulman, also won their respective distance divisions.
Overall Placings from Series (combined six races): 1st Harry Thurman (Long course), 2nd Liam Thompson (Long course), 1st Oliver Bulman (Mid course), 2nd Liam Grozev (Mid course), 3rd Jonty De Pledge (Mid course), 2nd Holly Bannister (Short course), 3rd Ella Mitchell (Short course).
Weightlifting Three MAGS weightlifters came away with medals from the Olympic Weightlifting NZ Secondary Schools Nationals. Shuaib Ali (pictured), Thomas Roffey and Tate Walker each won Bronze medals in their weight class. All the boys competing represented MAGS well, and most of the boys were the youngest in their weight class which looks great for the future.
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MAGS FOUNDATION Dance students were among the many performers who entertained guests throughout the weekend.
MAGS ART SHOW 2018
Art Show Committee members Julie Green, Lisa Paniora, Lucille Peters, Trina Bicknell and Clare Mora.
Albertian Artists Grace Popplewell & Oli Mathiesen.
Organisers of this year’s MAGS Art Show are celebrating the most successful show in the event’s five-year history. The art sales, gala evening tickets, raffles and auctions raised $92,000 – a 20 per cent increase on the previous year. While raising money was an important focus for the volunteer team behind the school’s biggest annual fundraising event, the MAGS Art Show Committee says increased student involvement in the show and the collaborative efforts of the Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Music departments were real highlights this year. “It was a stunningly curated show that really brought together our arts and cultural communities. Seeing the talents of our students in the Visual Arts, Dance, Drama and Music, all being celebrated together in one place was a wonderful experience,” says MAGS Art Show Committee chair Lucille Peters. Student artworks featured in the exhibition also increased 30% on last year. “Being part of the MAGS Art Show is incredibly valuable for our students. They get the experience of participating in an 54
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art show, producing work, exhibiting and selling it, and many of them are involved in the show preparation as well, giving them an opportunity to be part of the curation process.” “Before we opened our show it was blessed by Matua Peter Walters, with the support of Matua Hare Paniora MNZM, Whaea Waimirirangi Paul and Te Puna o Wairaka students, and that was the foundation for a really amazing weekend of celebrating the arts and our students.” This year’s MAGS Art Show, held in August, exhibited more than 1000 artworks from established and emerging New Zealand artists, and MAGS visual arts students. The MAGS Art Show Committee funded all the show costs and is thrilled to be contributing a total of almost $70,000 to the MAGS Foundation. Headmaster Patrick Drumm says proceeds from this year’s show will go toward seating and gathering spaces for the school’s
growing student community, and to support the purchase of new instruments, new wardrobe facilities and the MAGS Artist in Residence programme. This year’s Artist in Residence programme saw New Zealand artist Michel Tuffery share insights from his career and develop a permanent art installation with students on the school grounds. Other artist sessions featured moving image artist Naomi Lamb, surrealist painter Joon He Park, architect Lama Tone, CG artist Tim Moss Mason and professional illustrator Jade Robertson. The MAGS Art Show organisers would like to thank all the contributing artists, volunteers and supporters who made the show possible. “The success of this fundraising event also relies heavily on sponsors, suppliers and prize donations, so we would like to extend our grateful thanks for their generosity, with special thanks to our major sponsors ICG, Fuji Xerox and Barfoot & Thompson.”
The Art Show was blessed by Matua Peter Walters, with the support of Matua Hare Paniora, Whaea Waimirirangi Paul and Te Puna o Wairaka students.
Artist Rachel Rush and her husband Graham.
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MAGS FOUNDATION An artist’s impression of the Experience Centre.
ASB MAGS farm
Experience Centre Development Manager Peter Brice (left), with Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor, who visited the farm in August.
Since Peter Brice started as Experience Centre Development Manager in May, momentum has been building around the redevelopment of the farm. The centrepiece of the farm will be the $12 million Experience Centre, with Mr Brice driving its planning, design and funding. The centre will give students and visitors a world-class experience and educational environment with classrooms, an exhibition space and a seminar area – all focused on the Agri-food and Fibre industries. It will have five new classrooms and in addition to the seminar and exhibition spaces it will have shearing and milking
facilities and machinery bays. It will also have a hydroponics building and overlook neighbouring horticulture and viticulture blocks. In the months since he was appointed, Mr Brice has been promoting the vision for the farm with industry leaders, Government politicians and bureaucrats, and educational providers. He has featured in radio interviews, and TVNZ current affairs show Seven Sharp
filmed a segment about plans for the farm and followed Year 12 student Georgia Sinclair, who lives nearby, as she started her day by heading down to the farm. Mr Brice said that in the lead up to the MAGS Future Pathways Evening in August, Nathan Penny (ASB Senior Rural Economist) and Ian Proudfoot (KPMG Global Head of Agribusiness) provide insights into what a career in the Agri-food and Fibre industry may look like.
He said, “It can be expected that more influential leaders from this industry will be talking to the students to improve awareness of what is available after Year 13.” He added: “On the farm, planning is underway for what it will look like in the future. The stream that runs through the property is in desperate need of an upgrade. This will be taking place in the summer with a digger helping to create a more defined channel and rock weirs, along with reinstating blocked culverts and terminating one of the crossings. All stream cleanings will be covered with coir matting to ensure silt control, then planted out and fenced for stock exclusion – all part of best practice agriculture. This will create a great asset for our community’s education at MAGS.” Mr Brice said the Forestry industry is also ensuring careers in the dynamic and diverse sector are not forgotten by providing funding for education to $100,000.
“With 1 billion trees being planted in the next three years, there will be no shortage of valuable employment opportunities in this sector. These range from working on the ground in the regions of NZ along with professional jobs in our cities and other countries around the world. “There are also new scholarships for Maori/Pasifika, and Women moving into forestry thanks to the government’s primary growth partnership. We are proud to have the Forestry Owners Association on board and excited about the project.” On August 22, Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor visited ASB MAGS Farm and responded positively to the redevelopment plans. Mr O’Connor said its location in central Auckland provides a unique opportunity to connect urban New Zealand with rural New Zealand, something that was vital for the prosperity of the Agri-food and
Fibre industries. He had a tour of the farm and took time to talk to Agriculture students about the future of the industry and answered their questions before enjoying morning tea with them. One visible improvement on the farm has been the arrival of a new Honda Pioneer 500 ATV, a gift from Blue Wing Honda. Mr Brice said, “This is an advancement in our Health and Safety from the current Honda ATV. This is such an important part of agriculture: keeping our people in the industry safe. It is an amazing upgrade from our TM250 ATV, which has been an absolute workhorse for the farm. This new machine will help with normal farm duties and also help do some of the smaller work that the tractor has been used for.” He added, “We are lucky enough to have great partners and the list of them is growing.”
TVNZ current affairs show Seven Sharp filmed a segment on the farm about Agriculture and Horticulture opportunities for urban students.
Peter Brice and Farm Manager Brett Harris try out the new Honda ATV.
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The stream that runs through the farm is expected to be rehabilitated this summer, with a more defined channel, rock weirs, plantings, matting for silt control, and fencing for stock exclusion.
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CORRIDORS Broadcaster Mark Watson was MC for the night.
Longtime friend Shannon Leota read Portia Woodman’s Albertian of the Year citation.
Portia Woodman
2018 ALBERTIAN OF THE YEAR
The four Rugby World Cup trophies were on display along with some of the silverware that MAGS teams had won during the year.
Albertians Association President Aftab Moosa presents Portia Woodman with the Albertian of the Year silver plate.
Women’s rugby star Portia Woodman was named 2018 Albertian of the Year at the MAGS Annual Dinner hosted by Mount Albert Grammar School and the Albertians Association at the Northern Club in Auckland City on October 31. Albertians Association President Aftab Moosa addresses guests.
Portia Woodman with the Albertian of the Year silver plate.
The Woodman whanau, including Portia’s mother and father Kathryn and Kawhena.
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Portia Woodman with Albertian and All Black legend Sir Bryan Williams.
Headmaster Patrick Drumm
Portia (2005-09) earned the accolade for 'Services to NZ Sport'. She is the reigning World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, and a Black Ferns member in Sevens and XVs, and has been nominated again for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, a title she won in 2015. She is the only player to have won the World Rugby Player of the Year title in Sevens and XVs. She won a Commonwealth Games Gold medal in Sevens this year, and picked up a Silver medal at the last Olympic Games. While at MAGS, Portia – from Kaikohe and of Ngapuhi descent – starred in Athletics, Netball and Touch Rugby. She was also Victrix Ludorum at MAGS. Accompanying Portia on the night were two trophies she has held aloft: the Women's Sevens and XVs World Cups, as well as the Men's Sevens and XVs World Cups – all currently held by New Zealand. Broadcaster and Albertian Mark Watson MC’ed the event, and paid tribute to Portia’s achievements, particularly winning an Olympic medal. Having covered the Olympic Games, he knew how hard it was to win a medal – even though he knew Portia would be disappointed she did not win Gold. Aftab Moosa, President of the Mount Albert Grammar School Albertians Association, said having alumni such as Portia reinforced
the school’s reputation for excellence, which had spurred rapid growth in the roll and a building programme to keep up with it. But he said the school was more than just bricks and mortar, and to quote a Maori proverb, the most important thing was “the people, the people, the people”. In his speech, Headmaster Patrick Drumm pointed out that Portia came to MAGS because of its Maori immersion unit, Te Puna o Wairaka and was one of its first graduates. He said the school was proud to support such diversity, which was still one of its strengths. He also noted that Portia was the first woman to be receive the Albertian of the Year silver plate, which was presented to her by Mr Moosa. Mr Drumm praised Portia as the world’s best women’s rugby player, and thanked her for taking time in her busy schedule to accept the honour. Portia’s friend Shannon Leota read her citation for Albertian of the Year, recalling her being a fine athlete and fierce competitor at MAGS. She said that just as the All Blacks had a strategy for winning of “just give the ball to Jonah”, she and her Touch Rugby team mates also tried to get the ball to Portia at all costs so they could let her loose. When she spoke, Portia said she was
honoured to be named Albertian of the Year at a school that had such a proud history and tradition of excellence. She remembered looking in awe at the names on the Sports Honours Board. At MAGS, Portia was a star netballer and was told she couldn’t play rugby because her coaches were worried she would get injured. So, she would wipe the mud off her knees from rugby practice before going to netball training. Portia, who was accompanied by her whanau, including mother and father Kathryn and Kawhena Woodman, said she set herself lofty goals so that even if she fell short, she would still achieve great things. She aims to claim that elusive Olympic Gold medal. Albertian Sir Bryan Williams conducted the Toast to the School, and apologised for not pushing Girls Rugby while Portia was at school and he was Director of Rugby. However, he said he would have had a battle on his hands with Netball coach Te Aroha Keenan, who would not have allowed it. He praised Portia for her role in promoting Women’s Rugby to a wider audience and driving the game to greater heights. The evening was closed out with an a cappella version of the School Hymn by students Salote Fiuloi, Tuiaki Fiuloi and Viliami Moli. THE LION
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Memorial Re-dedication In a moving ceremony on September 27, a memorial to Albertian Peter Whitehead (1976-1979) was re-dedicated in the school grounds. Peter, along with a companion, died in a climbing accident on Mt Tutoko in Fiordland in 1985, and his body was never recovered. He was 21 at the time and had embarked on a career in computer software. About a year after Peter’s death, childhood friend Lindsay Esler, his family and the Whitehead family decided to pay a tribute to Peter. A memorial service was held and a kauri was planted beside Meola Creek along what is known now as the Roy Clements Treeway. Beneath the kauri a plaque with the legend ‘Peter Whitehead Memorial Tree’ was embedded in stone. Some time later, the tree died and the plaque-embedded stone
SIR BRYAN IN RUGBY HALL OF FAME Sir Bryan Williams was officially inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on September 12. He joined three of the other four 2018 inductees Liza Burgess (Wales), Ronan O’Gara (Ireland), and Pierre Villepreux (France) at a ceremony in Rugby, England at the home of the Rugby Hall of Fame. The fifth inductee, Stephen Larkham (Australia), had other commitments. Former All Black winger Sir Bryan, who was recently knighted for his services to rugby, is inductee No.141 to the Rugby Hall of Fame. Sir Bryan hung up his All Black boots in 1978 after 113 appearances but continued to play at regional and club levels, before moving into coaching and administration. He attended MAGS from 1963-1967, and was a Prefect and Victor Ludorum in his final year. In addition to starring in the First XV, Sir Bryan also competed in the First XI Cricket team, and in Athletics, where he was a sprint and field champion. Following a stellar career with the All Blacks, and qualifying as a lawyer, Sir Bryan served as President of the NZ Rugby Union, led the development of Manu Samoa, was Director of Rugby at MAGS and is still involved with the Ponsonby Rugby Club.
At the Peter Whitehead Memorial Re-dedication (pictured from left): Bob Whitehead, friends Lindsay Esler and Jacqui Straffon, and Headmaster Patrick Drumm
disappeared – thought to have been dragged out by vandals and rolled into the creek. Many years later, when the plaque was rediscovered in the creek, Mr Clements, a former teacher at MAGS and the father of the Treeway, ensured that it was recovered. When MAGS discovered the significance of the plaque, arrangements got underway
to have it re-dedicated – with Lindsay Esler representing the interests of the Whitehead family. A new plaque was created to explain the significance of the ‘Peter Whitehead Memorial Tree’ plaque. Both plaques now sit beneath a kowhai tree near E Block.
ALBERTIANS LUNCHEON
On September 27, the second Albertians Luncheon of the year saw past students pack out School House for a special presentation by ASB MAGS Farm Experience Centre Manager Peter Brice. Mr Brice gave the assembled Albertians an idea of his rural background and outlined the vision for redeveloping the farm so that it became and educational and industry leader in the Agri-food and Fibre sector. The $12 million Experience Centre will be the centrepiece of the 8.1ha farm and give students and visitors a world-class experience and educational environment with classrooms, an exhibition space and a seminar area. The experience centre will take up to 500 students a year and also demonstrate the innovation, science and environmental best-practice used on farms across New Zealand to around 25,000 Auckland school students every year. Opening proceedings, School House Director Geoff Moon welcomed guests and gave them an idea of the ethos of School House. He pointed out some new additions – mounted photos on the wall of sporting greats such as Sir Peter Snell and Sir Bryan Williams – that were there to inspire boarders to have a go. Headmaster Patrick Drumm said while sport played a big part at the school, it was just one piece of the larger picture as shown by events of the past week, which included Performing Arts concerts by Juniors and Seniors, Calculus students winning the CalcEX challenge, and the re-dedication of the Peter Whitehead Memorial earlier that day. 60
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CORRIDORS
Peter Whitehead
Albertian Authors Prefects from 1958 Wayne Edwards, Maurice Williams and Milton Kayes (left to right).
ASB MAGS Farm Experience Centre Development Manager Peter Brice addresses guests.
Two Albertian authors have each produced recent works that have come to the attention of our archivist, Brian Murphy. The first is a memoir by Professor Russell Stone – As it Was: Growing Up in Grey Lynn and Ponsonby Between the Wars (David Ling Publishing, 2017, 240pp). Professor Stone ONZM, PhD (1936-1940) has written nine books on early Auckland. He is the leading authority in that field. He is also the author of Tradition and Change: Mount Albert Grammar School: The First Seventy-five Years (Mount Albert Grammar School, 1997, 405pp). The second is a political history by Michael Bassett – New Zealand Prime Ministers: From Dick Seddon to John Key (David Ling Publishing, 2017, 594pp). The Hon Dr Michael Bassett CNZM, QSO HhD (1953-1955) has written a number of books including biographies of four New Zealand Prime Ministers. He was an MP from 1972-1990, including various cabinet portfolios. After politics he was Professor of History at the University of Western Ontario.
Authors Professor Russell Stone, left, and Hon Dr Michael Bassett.
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Albertians in Sport
Four Albertians took to the court during the Constellation Cup series against Australia in October. Erikana Pedersen (2008-2012, pictured) made her debut and Maia Wilson (2011-2015) rejoined the Silver Ferns, which already featured Maria Folau (2004). The fourth Albertian was Jamie-Lee Price (2009-13), called up by Australia. Maia, Erikana and Jamie-Lee featured in MAGS teams that won a four-peat of NZSS Netball titles between 2012-15. Also becoming an international was Holly Fowler, who played in the Fast5 Ferns, who won the 2018 Fast5 Netball World Series at the end of October. Both Erikana and Holly will be added to the school Sporting Honours Board. Playing for Central in the Beko Netball League, Maddy Gordon (2016-17) was named Player of the Match in the Grand Final as her team beat Waikato-BOP 62-53 in late July. Maddy played in this side alongside another Albertian, Elle Temu (2012-16), who captained Central to the Beko League win. Maddy and Elle have been selected to play in the 2019 ANZ Premiership competition for Te Wananga O Raukawa Pulse.
LACROSSE: James Stacey, James Devine & Saul Aubertin Three Albertians competed in the New Zealand team at the Lacrosse World Cup in Israel. James Stacey (2011-15), who was our Lacrosse Boys Captain in 2014 and 2015, was joined by James Devine (2005-09) and Saul Aubertin (2013-15) in the men’s team who placed 21st in the world in July.
FOOTBALL: Malia Steinmetz, Samantha Tawharu, Grace Jale & Nicole Mettam Albertians Malia Steinmetz (2015-16), Jacqui Hand (2012-16), Samantha Tawharu (2012-16), Grace Jale (2013-17, pictured) and Nicole Mettam (2013-17) played for New Zealand in the Women’s U20 World Cup held in France in August. New Zealand did not make it past the group phase after narrow losses to the Netherlands and Ghana and a goal-less draw with France.
CORRIDORS
NETBALL
RUGBY: Isaiah Papali’i
RUGBY: Portia Woodman
Last month, Albertian Isaiah Papali’i (2012-16) made his debut for the Kiwis rugby league team against England in the third and final test. He also knocked over the final conversion in the Kiwis’ 34-0 win. It’s been a fast rise for 20-year-old Isaiah, who captained the Junior Kiwis in October, as part of a triple-header when the Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns and Junior Kiwis played their Australian
Portia Woodman (2005-09), the reigning World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, has been nominated again for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, a title she won in 2015. She is the only player to have won the World Rugby Player of the Year title in Sevens and XVs. She won a Commonwealth Games Gold medal in Sevens this year, and picked up a Silver medal at the last Olympic Games. At the end of September, Portia was named 2018 Albertian of the Year at the MAGS Annual Dinner. She earned the accolade for ‘Services to NZ Sport’.
counterparts for the Trans-Tasman Cup at Mt Smart Stadium. Second-rower Isaiah, a former MAGS 1st XV player who won 1st XV Player of the Year in 2016, has been putting in impressive performances at the Warriors and was named Warriors Rookie Player of the Year at the club’s annual awards. Albertian Paul Roache was also named in Junior Kiwis.
RUGBY HOCKEY: Arun & Jared Panchia Arun (left) and Jared Panchia were named in the Black Sticks team heading to the Hockey World Cup in India. On their way, the Black Sticks stopped off in Malaysia to play three games against the national team. Midfielder/defender Arun (2002-06) played his 250th game for the Black Sticks in a win against Canada in October, making him the seventh-most capped Black Stick of all time. Striker Jared (2007-09) could bring up his 100th cap in the pre-tournament series with Malaysia. 62
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Caleb Clarke (2012-16, pictured) is among five Albertians chosen in The Blues squad for next year‘s Super rugby campaign. Joining the centre/wing are props Alex Hodgman (2007-11) and Ezekiel Lindenmuth (2013-15), lock Josh Goodhue (2010-13), and centre Sonny Bill Williams. Ezekiel is a newcomer to the squad, having coming up through the Blues development programme. THE LION
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CORRIDORS
From the Archives
BEFORE THE FARM WAS ESTABLISHED We have some early documents relating to agriculture in schools before the Farm was established on 1 May, 1933. We do not have all those documents, but we have copies of many. What follows is a sample. The first, dated 30 October, 1931 was from NG Gribble, Chairman of the Future Farmers Committee and sent to the Headmaster. (1) “It appears that the grave need of our lads leaving school is apt to be lost sight of in the present time of industrial dislocation ... There should be a gathering of sympathetic interests ... with the idea of preventing the best of our manhood deteriorating through idleness ...” There was much more, including numbered points, and: “I am driven to the conclusion from observations made and talks with police and social workers that moral disintegration is going on owing to the failure to tackle this important matter ...” He has organised a meeting for 10 November, 1931. Also, from Mr Gribble was an undated document of three cyclostyled foolscap pages, this time from the Auckland Youths Farm Settlement Board (Inc). (2) “The object is to form from time to time groups of lads desirous of becoming farmers on their own land ... Each applicant for membership must be of good character and physique and suitably educated.” It goes on and on, it is detailed and prescriptive. While he was obviously good-hearted, the whole thing has a busy-body, I-know-best air to it. There is no evidence that it ever got off the ground. Next up was the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (Inc). A general short letter, dated 4 November, 1931 was sent by the Hon. Secretary of the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Committee of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. It was sent to Mr Gamble. (3) There was an enclosed document, Youth Training Centres in Agriculture. “Camps in tents for 40-60 boys per month established on military lines ...” While it didn’t start well the actual course was excellent and Mr Thomas was clear-eyed about the possible outcomes. (4) A hand-written letter from GV Wild, an Education Department official to the Headmaster (14 June, 1932) exhibits penmanship of a high standard. “May I suggest, quite unofficially, that if you have any strong opinion on this matter of the land, the time appears ripe for your Board to Interest itself in this question.” The Headmaster wrote to the Secretary of the Auckland Grammar School Board on 20 June, 1932 in which he mentioned that the Education Department’s plan for an Auckland Agricultural High School in Glen Eden was indefinitely postponed. “It has been suggested that an Agricultural course may be introduced into the Mount Albert Grammar School.” Mr Gamble went on to say that he was in complete 64
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sympathy and would like to have the support of the Board, that Mr Wild was preparing a report and that staffing would be no problem. A month later, 18 July, 1932, Mr Gamble wrote to Mr Thomas saying that he had been visited by Mr La Trobe (Superintendent of Technical Education) and E Caradus (Senior Secondary Schools Inspector). The visit concerned the terms of the lease of the land. Mr E Caradus was the brother of Mr W Caradus, the Senior Science Master, and NRW Thomas was the brother of Professor APW Thomas, Chairman of the Board. The planets were aligning. Mr Thomas replied two days later saying that the Misses Kerr-Taylor offered to sell at £135 per acre [$15,781 in 2018 dollars] or lease at £50 per annum. Mr Thomas took it upon himself to produce another report giving his views of what the Agriculture course at the School might be. (5) Next, on 21 July, 1932 Mr Gamble wrote to the Board Secretary. “I beg to submit to the Board of Governors, a memorandum in connection with Agricultural instruction at Mount Albert Grammar School. The two great difficulties are in connection: 1. terms of lease of the Kerr-Taylor property, 2. financing of the laboratory farm buildings and material ...” The memorandum ran for nearly six pages and was elegant and comprehensive. (6) Then there were two letters from the no-nonsense, sharp mind of the always-polite, Mr WS La Trobe. Both were dated 5 August, 1932. One was sent to Mr Thomas thanking him for earlier letters. And in regards to the proposed farm he had some things to say, including “Subject to the scheme being carried on without cost to the government, beyond that involved in the actual teaching of the pupils I am prepared to recommend its approval.” He would not be drawn on speculations that Mr Thomas requested. Mr La Trobe ended his very detailed comments on buildings with: “Gas and water in liberal supply would be necessary, as well as proper drainage. The proper location of all the buildings for convenience and efficiency in working is a matter of considerable importance, while the question of suitability and appearance cannot be entirely overlooked.” Mr La Trobe’s second letter was to the Board of Governors and they sent a copy to Mr Gamble. The letter included: “I should also be glad to have further information as to the duties of the proposed additional instructor to take the more technical science and the practical outdoor work. For example, who would perform the ordinary duties of the 30 acre (sic) farm contemplated by the Horticultural Institute with its dairy, apiary, poultry yard, orchard and small fruit garden, vegetable garden, glasshouse, etc.? It would appear that there is work for one or two men on the farm itself without counting the teaching. How is it proposed to provide this labour and management?”
A letter to Mr Gamble on 26 September, 1932 was on the letterhead of the Auckland Boys’ Employment Committee. (7) It was from Mr Park, Principal of Seddon Memorial Technical College, whose Board of Managers were funding the course for unemployed boys. Mr Park was asking schools to provide an “entertainment” and donate any funds raised to aid unemployed boys. Mr Gamble wrote to the Manager of the Auckland Savings Bank on 11 October, 1932 concerning boys returning to the land. It seems that the Bank already had some scheme in mind so that this letter could have sharpened their interest in the Kerr-Taylor land adjacent to the School. The Principal of Massey Agricultural College had got wind of a report by Mr Gamble and it was sent there by Sir George Fowlds. The Principal showed it to senior staff and reported back with: “On the whole we find the scheme of instruction appears to us to be very excellent.” At the end of January 1933, a letter from TB Strong, Director of Education, to the Board: “I am to inform you that the Minister has now definitely approved the establishment of an agricultural course at the Mount Albert Grammar School, the distinct understanding being that neither directly nor indirectly the Government put to any additional expense. There was much more correspondence and many more hurdles to jump but on 1 May, 1933 the Manager of the Auckland Savings Bank wrote to the Board with: “According to the Agreement of Sale and Purchase the Bank is entitled to take possession and occupy the 20 acres being purchased ...” The farm was on its way. From Mr Gribble’s Future Farmer’s Committee through all the correspondence, reports and memoranda, there was one fundamental aim, to give young people a sense of hope and purpose by a return to the land at the bleak time when the western world was in the relentless grip of the Great Depression. Brian Murphy ARCHIVIST
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IN MEMORIAM John Massy Stacpoole OBE 1932-1935 Hall of Distinction inductee John Stacpoole OBE became a student at MAGS in 1932 when the school was 10 years old. He stayed until 1935. He was a diligent student always near the top of the A class. He also took a full part in the life of the school. He rose to be head librarian, represented the school in middle distance running at the inter-secondary school sports, and was in the Hockey 1st XI. It was characteristic of John that, as soon as World War II ended, in which he served as an officer, he went on to the Executive of the Old Boys Association. After qualifying as an architect, and acquiring experience in architectural firms in Auckland and London, John took up his life's work in the architectural division of the Ministry of Works. John's lifelong interest had been the history of our land, its people, and its buildings. The ministry appointed him to supervise the restoration of historic
Auckland and Alberton. Public recognition of his historical conservation work came with the award of the OBE, Officer of the British Empire. John was also an accomplished writer of historical books, and he wrote nine biographies for The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. The Auckland War Memorial Museum made him a Fellow of the Museum. He helped out the Auckland Art Gallery as a member of the Mackelvie Trust of which he was chairman for two decades. He also acted as a benefactor towards the Auckland City Library, to whom he donated hundreds of books on Irish history and life. In 2013, he was inducted into Mount Albert Grammar School's Hall of Distinction, the same year that ASB bank granted a 99-year lease to MAGS of the school farm. John compiled historical evidence that persuaded the bank to continue the lease. John passed away peacefully in September at the age of 98.
Allan Herbert Seagar
Assid Khaleel Corban OBE
1958-1961
1939-1944
Allan, a Commonwealth Games swimmer who features on the Sporting Honours Board, swam for New Zealand at the Perth Commonwealth Games (1962) and Kingston Commonwealth Games (1966), competing in Breaststroke, Backstroke and the Individual Medley. He just missed out on a medal at the 1966 Games, finishing fourth in three events. At MAGS, he was swimming champion in 1961, and played rugby in 1958. He was a top competitor and stalwart of the Piha Surf Life Saving Club and last year was awarded his 50 Year Badge, given to members who have dedicated 50 years of service to Surf Life Saving within New Zealand. He was a highly respected Life Member of the club and long standing Active Reserve (Grey Watch) Patrol Captain. He was also involved in setting up the club's Nippers programme and, as an experienced bricklayer, in the re-build of the clubhouse. He passed away at age 74 in September and is survived by wife Valerie and three sons and their children. 66
buildings, some of which were under the control of the Historic Places Trust, of which inevitably he became a significant member. Among the numerous buildings whose restoration he supervised are the Waimate Mission House, Government House in
MT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
A former Mayor of Waitakere City and Albertian of the Year in 2002, Assid was part of the pioneering Corbans wine-making family in West Auckland and was the Mayor of Henderson Borough from 1974 to 1989, and the first Mayor of Waitakere City in 1989. He was awarded an OBE in 1988. At MAGS he picked up many Academic Certificates, and participated in Athletics, Association Football, Choir, Rifle Club, Boxing, Chess, Drama, and was a Platoon Commander. Assid was a proud Westie and during his decades of public service drove the development of Henderson and the wider area, pushing through projects such as libraries, and sports and swimming complexes. When the Corbans winery site in Henderson was sold in 1992, it was purchased by the Waitakere City Council and has since been transformed into the Corban Estate Arts Centre. Assid had a love of fishing and shooting,
and was passionate about orchids, serving as president of the New Zealand Orchid Society. He passed away in September at age 93 and is survived by wife Miriam, his son and three daughters and their children.
LIONS OF 2018
Farewell and good luck to our Year 13 students
KEY DATES 2019 TERM 1 29 January Tuesday Year 9 students only start school
27 September Friday End of Term 3 (10 weeks)
22 April Monday Easter Monday
TERM 4
23 April Tuesday Day after Easter Monday
30 January Wednesday Full school in
14 October Monday Start of Term 4
12 April Friday End of Term 1 (11 weeks)
6 December Friday End of Term 4 (8 weeks)
TERM 2
2019 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
29 April Monday Start of Term 2 5 July Friday End of Term 2 (10 weeks)
TERM 3 22 July Monday Start of Term 3
25 April Thursday Anzac Day 3 June Monday Queen’s Birthday 28 October Monday Labour Day
28 January Monday Auckland Anniversary Day 6 February Wednesday Waitangi Day 19 April Friday Good Friday
Please refer to our website www.mags.school.nz for the full Calendar, including all sporting events Picture courtesy of Auckland Council
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