DECEMBER 2021
Success IN A PANDEMIC THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
AWARDS SEASON Celebrating excellence
MAGS ART SHOW Bigger and better
ORIENTEERING
BOYS
National Champions again
Contents 4-5
20-28
6-9
29-35
10-11
36-38
12-15
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From the Headmaster School News
Mount Albert Grammar School Alberton Avenue Mount Albert Auckland 1025
Community
Ph 09 846 2044 www.mags.school.nz The Lion is the official magazine of Mount Albert Grammar School
Academic News
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Prizegivings Sport
MAGS Foundation Key dates
16-19
Performing Arts
Editorial and advertising inquiries to editor Graham Hepburn communications@mags.school.nz ph 09 846 2044, x 8236
Cover photo: Head Girl Hana Hilson and Head Boy Marcus Savelio. Photo: PhotoLife
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Designed & printed by ICG
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16-17 THE LION
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Maybe that is the silver lining from the past 18 months. As they navigate their way through the Covid haze, there is the potential for this group of young people to emerge better prepared for the world ahead of them – resilient, committed to fairness and equity, a strength of character that will steel their core for whatever the future may throw at them. Just like those legendary generations of New Zealanders who faced overwhelming adversity in the
past, so too are these defining times for our current students. The sea has been rough, but our young people have held the helm and steered us with confidence! And we are grateful.
FROM THE HEADMASTER
hard work and commitment to the online lessons that had been part of their lives for the previous months. We could sense the strength and resolve in our young people – something that is going to be invaluable in the examination period and beyond. Covid has tested us as a community. Along with the challenges, it has also presented opportunities around our core purpose of growing good young people. So many have seized upon the current context to ‘step up’ through both service and leadership. Our Prefect Executive group along with many others have been a constant presence as they reached out to the student community, providing reassurance and hope. Their 2021 experience has bound them tightly as a team. Many of those leaders are formally recognised in the pages that follow. The instinctive care and concern of our students has been a fantastic endorsement of our MAGS Way Values. Rarely would we find such an opportunity to test what we espouse to be true in our school culture – yet our students have delivered time and time again.
Per Angusta Ad Augusta Patrick Drumm Headmaster
Senior students return in October after a long lockdown.
Mr Drumm with the Prefect Executive.
An Extraordinary
YEAR
Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm Our 2021 summer edition of The Lion comes to you after a most extraordinary year for all in our MAGS community. As we exited a brief Covid lockdown in March, little did we know that, by midAugust, we would once again be forced off our school site, this time for a period of months as Covid returned to Auckland. Throughout our 100 years, MAGS has grown into a school that can boast physical resources the envy of every other state school in the country. From our ASB MAGS Farm on the slopes of Mount Albert, down to School House at the bottom of Alberton Ave (and everything in between), our school offers facilities that support a breadth of learning so unique to the MAGS education. 4
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A ‘normal’ school day begins well before 7.00am with the sounds of students arriving for sports practices, music rehearsals and before-school subject lessons. It is not uncommon for those sounds to continue on well after formal lessons have concluded with parent and community groups engaged on site into the early evening hours. And the term ‘weekend’ is a misnomer when it comes to MAGS. In many ways our school week never really ends with Saturdays often our busiest when we can host up to 3000 people throughout the day for co-curricular activities. But for a large amount of time this year our school has been void of the sounds of our people. Our iconic main building,
Publilius Syrus
classrooms, school fields and gymnasiums – usually teeming with human activity – have stood by in a ghostly, soul-less silence. It has been a stark reminder that schools need people! In fact, our purpose as a school ceases without the presence of human beings breathing life into the bricks and mortar. Late October saw the school begin to breathe again (this time through a facemask!) as our senior students and staff returned in person to salvage what remained of the academic year in the lead-up to NCEA examinations. It was a display of courage and confidence. It quickly became obvious that students were returning to school in good academic shape – a reflection of their
Our Year 13 Leavers enjoy their final day.
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BY EXAMPLE
Hana Hilson Head Girl Leadership to me means being able to constantly adapt when placed in changing circumstances so that you can bring a group together and create a safe environment for ideas to flow within. This year I have realised that leadership isn’t always about being the one person that can do everything, you need to instead know when and how to delegate, because you always have a team with you. A key part of my leadership was being able to relate to others, I took the time to learn and understand, accepting criticism and advice, allowing me to adapt my leadership style. The most important thing I had to remember while leading was that I was a voice for those who didn’t t have one, and this provided me with constant motivation to complete all my jobs to the best of my ability. Marcus Savelio Head Boy Since taking up my first role of leadership in Year 9, the question remained with me: “Am I good
PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA 6
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enough to be a leader?”. The question lingered from being the Deputy Year Level Representative in Year 9, overall representative in Year 10, member of the Pasifika Council in Year 11, co-leader of the MAGS Megacrew in Year 12, then acquiring the role of Head Boy in Year 13. Each role came with unique challenges. Regardless of obstacles, it was the people
with me, and the relationships built that made every second worth it. If there is anything I’ll take away, it would be the words of my Year 9 Form Teacher, Mr Elliot Moka: “What makes a great leader is one that genuinely cares for the people they lead.” It is in this regard that I hope to have made an impact on the school. I hope to have inspired my Pasifika brothers and sisters as well as everyone I have crossed paths with, enabling them to grow and reach their potential. I am beyond grateful for the time invested in me at MAGS. If not for an amazing community of people, I would not be where I am today. Tali Afeli Deputy Head Boy My time here at Mount Albert Grammar has been a time I will treasure forever. Being a student here at MAGS I’ve always had one goal: to support our Pasifika students. Being full Samoan, a Deputy Head Boy, The Samoan Group Leader, Arts Prefect and the Centennial Choir Head Chorister, I hope to have inspired many of our brown faces within MAGS that anything is achievable. This year has been very disruptive, but it has also taught me a lot of things about leadership. It’s not always about the “leadership role” you have been given, but it’s also about the leadership nature within us all as students that makes us all leaders. My time here at MAGS has made me who I am today, with the help of my friends and teachers, in particular Miss Anisi, Miss Cesan and Miss French. Edie Ancell Deputy Head Girl Leadership to me is contributing to something bigger than yourself. This year has taught me so much about myself and leadership as a whole. Working with such an amazing team of Prefects has inspired me to better myself each day as well as providing an enjoyable environment to grow in. I believe that being a good leader is about empowering and encouraging others to grow.
Receiving my role this year has given me the opportunity to help others in the school as well as open many doors into my future. I am forever grateful for this school and what it has given me for the last five years and I am honoured to have been a Deputy Head Girl in 2021. William BellPurchas Deputy Head Boy What a journey. I am incredibly proud to be a part of such an amazing, supportive and talented community at MAGS, and so privileged to have had the opportunity to lead the school this year. 2021 has been one of two contrasting parts. It presented both huge successes and opportunities where many memories were made, and many challenges and obstacles. Leadership is about presence no matter what, and, in my opinion, we made it through many of these obstacles – in style! The year as a leader has taught me the power of togetherness. What we have accomplished as a school – a team – in my time here has only been possible as a result of the immense commitment of everyone to all their academic, arts, service and sporting endeavours, and most importantly to each other.
Maria Boow Deputy Head Girl
SCHOOL NEWS
LEADING
In what has been a tough year, our Prefect Executive had to call on their individual strengths and each other to lead their fellow students through a year disrupted by lockdowns. Despite months spent in isolation, they showed true leadership as they found innovative ways to stay in touch with their peers and emphasise the importance of connection and looking after your mental health. Here, they reflect on what leadership means to them.
Over the past year I have watched many leaders try to navigate the overwhelming chain of events we have faced. Through this, I have learnt many things. They have shown me that a true leader is compassionate, they understand the strength that comes when people work together and they allow space and time for everyone to learn their role, themselves included. I think most importantly I have realised that no one person can lead by themselves, every voice adds value and when these voices are actively listened to the opportunity is created for leaders to respond to the needs of the people they serve and for communities to be empowered to reach their full potential. I am thankful for my family, friends, school, prefects, the exec, and everyone in our MAGS community. We have come together, supported each other, and shown incredible resilience this year to lead us through these recent hardships to a glorious summer ahead.
My message to anyone, no matter what year level, is that it is never too late. It took me time to find my feet at MAGS, to meet people who brought out the best in me and to find opportunities that truly excited me. Your time at MAGS is one where you discover who you are, and this takes time. I want to wish all future leaders of MAGS all the best – exciting times are to come. I want to thank my friends, peers and MAGS staff for the incredible support and memories made over the past five years. While leading the school this year has been incredibly rewarding, it has been challenging, and it would not have been possible without the incredible love and support of my two mums and younger sibling. Thank you all for everything.
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Year 10 student QiQi Deng (pictured at right with his Junior Debating Team members Sneha Mandadi, Ryan Antia and Nishka Arora) has been named a Top 10 Speaker by Auckland Schools’ Debating. At the Junior Championships earlier in the year, when the team finished fourth out of 46 teams, Qi Qi won the award for Top Speaker at the whole event, which featured 138 speakers. The team won seven out of their 10 debates this year through the Junior Open and Junior Championships, proving themselves as one of the top junior teams in Auckland. They won four out of five Junior Open debates; lost the octo-finals to ACG; won three debates at the Junior Championships but lost the octo-finals of the Junior Champs to ACG. QiQi said, “The highlight from this debating season came after the Junior Championships. We were standing outside incredible to realise that this was the same team that only won one debate the Sir Owen Glenn Building at The University of Auckland, last year, and that was because the other team didn’t show up! Although we and I realised how well the team had done this year. It was lost the octo-finals that day, it didn’t tarnish a great season.”
GEOGRAPHY QUIZ WINNERS After an enforced hiatus last year, the Auckland Central region round of the Maatangi Whenua Year 11 Geography competition was held once more – at St Cuthbert’s in early August. Geography Teacher Ms Hobbs said, “MAGS had two teams, and possession of the trophy, which we have held since 2016. Eighteen teams were entered from a diverse range of schools such as Pakuranga and St Kent’s, and it was clear from the outset that this was going to be a close race.” As the different rounds were worth different amounts of points, it was difficult to judge who had the advantage as teams
GERMAN EXAMS success In the Auckland-wide Goethe Society German-speaking examinations held in early August before lockdown, MAGS had some great results. 8
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swapped positions but both MAGS teams were in the hunt after perfect scores in the Old School Geography round and, for once, decent scores in the modelling round. Going into the last set of questions, any one of five different schools could lift the title. In a nail-biting finish just oneand-a-half points separated the top three. The final scores were: 1st – MAGS A, 141 points 2nd – Avondale, 140 points 3rd – MAGS B, 139.5 points
MAGS gaining the top two marks in Turangawaewae. “For all our worldly knowledge, it was our expertise in Aotearoa that gave us victory for a fifth successive competition and saw the trophy return to its usual place on our shelf.” Congratulations to:
MAGS A – Liam Helliwell 11CSN, Dylan Kinsler 11SMH, Jason Jacob 11PHR MAGS B – Luka Johnson 11SMH, Matthew Radcliffe 11FST, Liam Spencer 11SAL
SCHOOL NEWS
DEBATING
DIGITAL Week The last week of Term 2 was Digital Week. During this time, the student Digital Leaders were involved in activities to promote good online behaviour. There were three online quizzes with a commendable 972 student entries in total. On the Tuesday of that week, the group ran Digital Day in the Caradus Quad. There was a raffle with all proceeds going to Youthline, and 200 students answered digital safety questions to win some sweets, and others contributed ideas via Post-it notes on the positive aspects of social media. Many thanks to PB Tech for supporting the raffle by donating the $100 voucher prize. Congratulations to the following prizewinners of our Digital Week: Digital Day Raffle for Youthline First Prize – $100 PB Tech Voucher – Mayann Ioane Second Prize – $30 The Warehouse Voucher – Jonathon Yu Third Prize – Bluetooth Speaker – Nikau Hopwood Online Digital Safety Quizzes Monday winner – James Rayment Tuesday winner – Vanessa Liu Wednesday winner – Emina Tiatia All three won a $30 The Warehouse Voucher
EUREKA!
Awards Congratulations to Matthew Batcheler and Jennifer Zhang, who were named as two of the eight finalists for the prestigious Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards. The awards challenge Year 12 & 13 students and tertiary students to deliver a 12-minute presentation about how an application of science or technology will benefit New Zealand. Matthew presented about combating pests, and Jennifer about cleaning up our waterways. Victor Qiu made it to the semifinals with his presentation about communicating with augmented reality. In normal times, Jennifer and Matthew would have made their 12-minute presentations to the National Finals judges in Wellington before attending an awards presentation and gala dinner.
Ms Hobbs said, “Looking back at the scorecard, the point of difference was
Year 13: 2nd Helen Wen, 3rd= Mekal Covic, Rosa Jack, Jonathan Shaw-Lewis. Distinction: Devendra Johnston (Year 12). In the advantaged speaker category: 1st Emil Hinchliff (Year 11), 2nd Atia Leonhartsberger, 3rd Mena Ren-Fritzke. Year 12: 2nd Karen Zheng, 3rd= Hannah Jordan, Lucy Makinson, Molly Cavanagh. Distinction: Louise Clarke. Year 11: 2nd= Anatol Coen, Nick Lees. Distinction: Mehak Sehgal.
In the advantaged speaker category: 1st Mattis Elwarth, 2nd Sam Carryer (Year 10). Year 10: Gold award: Jake Orr. Silver awards: Lucy Le, Ella Nguyen, Priyansh Singh, Satvik Sudi, Willa Suvalko. Bronze award: Adriana Hall. Year 9: Gold awards: Ariana Kralicek, Victor Coen. Silver awards: Nora Pecher (advantaged speaker), Anna Batcheler, Henry Hills, Divya Desai, Adeeba Yoosuf, Esther Huang. Bronze award: James Bateman.
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COMMUNITY
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S
Award
On June 19, two Albertians received their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at a ceremony held at Pukekohe High School. Claudia Woods and Milly Bayfield attended with Duke of Ed Award Leader Mr Belson and their families to receive their award from Sarah Hillary. Mackenzie Brabant and Norah Anderson (2020) have also recently completed their Gold Award.
The Governor-General was present and, in her speech, the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy said: “This award ceremony is well-deserved recognition for a challenge completed ... there’s a great feeling of satisfaction that the moment has finally come and all the hard work and time spent has paid off.” Duke of Ed Award Leader Mr Belson said, “This is the pinnacle of the Award scheme and one which has taken at least a year of
commitment to serving the community, meeting new challenges and demonstrating perseverance and resilience. Students have had opportunities to learn life skills, make connections and engage with their community. I am so proud of their commitment and efforts in completing this prestigious award. “Congratulations to all recipients on their outstanding achievement.”
Claudia Woods and Milly Bayfield (pictured left and right respectively) with Mr Belson.
WORLD
Vision
Prior to the lockdown, our Interact Committee came up with some inventive ways to raise $2500 for World Vision. Lucy Makinson raised an amazing $526.40, which included proceeds from a harp concert she held. Among the other top fundraisers were Year 9 student Silas Papprill, who raised $435; Deputy Head Boy William Bell-Purchas, who collected $240, and Rosie De Pledge, who brought in $215. Money was also raised through a bake sale held at school. 10
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Peace WEEK
Our 2021 Peer Mediators and Counselling team brought us a busy and inspirational Youth Peace Week (August 2-8), with guest speakers coming into MAGS, Spoken Word Poetry, and messages of peace written to peers on koru shapes with the theme for the week of ‘Inner Peace for Outward Action’. On the Monday, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman gave a fascinating speech about fleeing her home country of Iran and coming to New Zealand as a refugee. She talked to students about how she has coped with the sexism she has endured during Green MP Golriz Ghahraman is pictured with Counsellors Matt Judd and Marianne Wilson, and her working life and the online hatred she has Peer Mediators Ayyan Ali, who thanked her and presented her with a bouquet at the conclusion of her speech, William Bell-Purchas and Maria Boow. received as an MP. She also spoke about disarmament and ethical choices, as well as answering questions from students about campaigning and storytelling to help people with their everything from mental health to international trade. mental health. On the Wednesday, Voices of Hope co-founder Genevieve On the same day, there were powerful Spoken Word Mora (pictured top right) spoke to a Year 12 Assembly about her performances in the Library, including one by Reet Kamra and struggles with mental health and provided some advice about Sonia Airehrour (pictured top left). maintaining mental wellbeing. Voices of Hope uses advocacy,
ENTREPRENEURS
Give Back Five Year 13 Business students got together earlier this year to set up Mākohakoha Candles as part of their Young Enterprise business project. They were so successful that they won a Young Enterprise award for Excellence in Creative Thinking at the regional awards held in October, and have donated $1000 to MAGS for leadership and mentoring programmes for Pasifika and Māori students.
The five students (pictured with their award are from left: Sparssh Singh, Kuresa Tapula’aia, Justin Hemara, Jack Morgan and Troy Middleton) saw firsthand the challenges that lockdown caused to the mental health of Māori and Pasifika students. So Mākohakoha Candles was formed with a
social goal to both bring awareness and attention to this issue and support Māori and Pasifika mental health and leadership at MAGS by donating a percentage of their revenue to MAGS.
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Careers
MAGS officially has the Toughest Guys and Gals in Auckland after winning the team challenges in Helensville on August 5. Our 12PE and 11OE classes competed in the Auckland Secondary School 2021 Tough Guy/Gal Challenge for their practical performance assessment. The students had been training hard, having written up and completed training programs leading up to the event, understanding how and why training
impacts performance as well as the underlying physiology that allows our bodies to compete in high endurance events. PE teacher Mr Scaife said, “There were some notable performances from a few who were emulating our NZ athletes in Tokyo, making it onto the podium, including Thomas Aish, Eva Wadsworth, Molly McGowan, Emily Rednall, Baxter Hilson and Daniel Wood, who combined to take the honours of both the toughest male and
ACADEMIC NEWS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
female school as they battled the conditions against 20-plus other schools and over 1000 participants. “Students found the challenge fun and completed the course with some strong times being posted all-round and memories they will hold onto for life! “All of our students were exceptional on the trip and a really positive experience was enjoyed by all.”
A bumper crowd of parents and students from both MAGS and Marist took advantage of this year’s Future Pathways Expo held on the evening of August 3 in the MH Building. With MAGS’ faculties showcasing their offerings and Deans offering advice, students had the opportunity to also talk to providers – such as universities and training organisations – to help navigate their subjects and intended pathways through the remainder of school and beyond. Careers Administrator Jan Connor said, “Several providers offered interactive opportunities and all commented on the great questions and engagement from the crowd – ensuring for them a most enjoyable evening.” Year 13 Business Studies students also took the opportunity to sell their products (among them candles, hats, diffusers and lip balm) to guests, with stalls set up on the upper level.
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VISUAL
SCIENCE
The Gold Award winners are: Charlie Forbes and Jacob Miller for their work The Art of War on Nematodes, which looked at new ways to control microscopic animals (nematodes) that destroy crops. Ryan Shen for his work on To Drink or Not to Drink, which focussed on delivering clean and sustainable drinking water to places without clean water.
The MAGS Art Show is not only a great community event and fundraiser for the school but also a chance for out talented Visual Art students to show off their skills and sell their artworks. Independent judges are brought in to evaluate their efforts and present the top awards, and there are also teacher awards as well as the People’s Choice Award that is voted on by the public. On this page are the top works of the 2021 MAGS Art Show.
ACADEMIC NEWS
Art
Two classes were involved in the science fair this year: 10SEO taught by Ms Nisha and 10GIB taught by Mr Huang. They started on their projects in Term 1, when they had to come up with a subject/topic to focus on. They planned and trialled their projects in Term 1, and began their investigations at the start of Term 2. They finished the write-ups at the end of Term 2, and judging took place on Wednesday, August 4, when they set up their exhibits in the CS Building. The panel of judges included Assistant HOF Science Mr Hinds, Mr Drumm and some Science teachers. They judged on originality, process, skill and presentation. The winners of the MAGS Science Fair were supposed to go on to the Auckland Science Fair held at Mount Roskill Grammar.
Teacher’s Award Photography: Wilhelmina Heeringa ‘At the Adults Table’
Charlie Forbes and Jacob Miller won Gold for ‘The Art of War on Nematodes’.
The Silver Award winners are: Rosa Fox, Ava Siakimotu – Caught Dirty Handed Eric Hu, Samuel Reeves – Drinking About the Future Felix McElwee, Owen Frear – Ruby or not Ruby Chelsea Wijntjes, Evie Gregory – SPF in the Sea
Teacher’s Award Painting: Charlotte Mann ‘Tuhono ki Te whenua’
Teacher’s Award Design: Luka Jakich ‘Civilization’
Senior Award 1st in Painting: Lucy Woodall ‘The Mask’
Senior Award 1st in Photography: Finn Pilcher ‘The Sleepy Boy’
Top Junior Award: Misaki Nakamura ‘Where are my baby teeth?’
Ryan Shen also won Gold for ‘To Drink or Not to Drink’. Teacher’s Award Mixed Media: Elka Aitchison ‘Web of Existence’
Team Vectorious (consisting of Matthew Batcheler, Cole Hickey, Grace Duan and Nicole Muir, pictured left) won their Auckland region heat in early August and were to proceed to the semifinals of the EPro8 Challenge before lockdown hit. Our other three teams in the senior section finished 8th, 10th and 11th. The EPro8 Challenge is an annual inter-school science and engineering competition. 14
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Senior Award 1st in Design: Jorja Stevens ‘Can’t handle this’
People’s Choice Award: Jessica Gurnsey ‘ Can I say something…’
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Congratulations to our Chamber Orchestra, which received a Bronze Award, and the Jazz Band, which was Highly Commended, at the KBB Music Festival in August. The Jazz Band also received a Silver Award from the Auckland Jazz and Blues Festival, which was held just before KBB. In further recognition of our
musicians, Kavita Sayers was nominated for ‘Best Soloist’ at KBB for her trombone version of Monti’s Csardas with the Symphony Orchestra. Daniel Zhang was also nominated – for ‘Best Solo Violinist’ of the festival with the Chamber Orchestra. We had two orchestras and our Jazz Band competing at the KBB Music Festival.
Our Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Mrs Shih, performed a rather demanding repertoire, with two pieces that showcased soloists Mekal Covic (Cello) and Daniel Zhang (Violin). They also performed Beethoven’s Coriolanus Overture. Our Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mrs Moon, performed its most difficult
PERFORMING ARTS
KBB music FESTIVAL
programme so far, and finished with a spectacular performance of Ravel’s Bolero. Our Jazz Band, conducted by Mr Watson, has been working hard all year honing its repertoire, and its performance at KBB was well received.
Daniel Zhang was nominated for ‘Best Solo Violinist’ of the festival for his work with the Chamber Orchestra.
Kavita Sayers was nominated for ‘Best Soloist’ at KBB for her trombone version of Monti’s Csardas with the Symphony Orchestra.
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PERFORMING ARTS
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR
Full of madcap energy, the Year 13 Production of The Government Inspector proved a huge hit with four sold-out shows during early August in the E9 Drama Room. HoD Drama Mr Urquhart said, “It has been a fun run with four sold-out nights. The commitment and creativity from the students has been clearly evident on stage.” The play, written by Nikolai Gogol, is well-loved in Russian culture, having a similar stature to the works of Oscar Wilde in British culture. It follows a
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group of corrupt officials from a small rural village in Russia after they catch wind that they are to be inspected by someone… incognito. Meanwhile, a lowly copying clerk has been running up his bills in the local inn. Clearly this must be the secret Government Inspector. Mr Urquhart said, “There has been a madcap energy springing from the rehearsals and continuing into the show. The characterisation has been larger than life and the facial hair even larger. “Left-field ideas have been
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explored and thrown into the mix. The best example of this is the chamber quartet who, instead of playing classical music, played reggae. “Unbeknownst to the audience or cast, secret staff soloists were organised for the final song of the evening. We were lucky enough to be joined on-stage by Mr Watson, Mr Dale as well as the Headmaster Mr Drumm himself. Their surprise performances capped off evenings that were full of laughter and joy. “But the lion’s share of the
credit must go to the students themselves. The cast, the crew and the band have been stellar, particularly in the build-up to opening night. Their commitment and joy has been apparent on stage and I am grateful for that. I want to congratulate the Year 13 students on what will likely be their final performance at MAGS and wish them the best in all they attempt to do.” Photos / Chloe Innes and Sanskriti Roy
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PRIZEGIVINGS Marcus Savelio received the FW Gamble Memorial Cup for the Best All-Round Boy in Year 13.
Rosa Jack and Matthew Batcheler were awarded the C.P. Liddell Scholarships.
SENIOR Prizegiving Hana Hilson was awarded The Prefects’ Cup for the Best All-Round Girl in Year 13.
Head Girl Hana Hilson and Head Boy Marcus Savelio have been named the Best All-Round Year 13 students as part of Senior Prizegiving 2021. With Covid restrictions in place, there was no formal assembly this year to recognise our top achievers and academics. The announcement of Boys and Girls Dux and Boys and Girls Proxime Accessit was 20
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also postponed until next year, and will be made at the Scholars Assembly planned for next March. Ella Vuetilovoni was awarded the Woolf Fisher Memorial Scholarship, while Matthew Batcheler and Rosa Jack received the C.P. Liddell Scholarship. Deputy Head Boy Tali Afele and Pasilika Ulugia-Pua were honoured for Service to the School with the Isaac Gray Cup and the Girls’ Foundation Cup respectively. Tali was also a co-winner, along with Deputy Head Girl Maria Boow, of the Neville Watson Memorial Prize for the Student who Best Typifies the Spirit of Mount Albert Grammar School. Maria was also awarded the Sylvia Lamb Benevolence Cup. The Harry Wichman Cup for Best AllRound Year 12 Boy was awarded to Manas Chigurukota, while the The Linda Fraser Cup for Best All-Round Year 12 Girl was awarded to Greeshma Kasuganti. The Warwick Gibbs Cup for the Best AllRound Boy in Year 11 was awarded to Sahil Kirpalani, and the Brian Murphy Cup for the Best All-Round Girl in Year 11 was awarded to Bella Houghton.
The Sylvia Lamb Benevolence Cup was awarded to Maria Boow.
Lorielle Cowley received The Yevette Williams Cup for Effort for Year 12 Girls.
GOLD
Lions
The prestigious Gold Lion is awarded to students who have gained all four lions – in Academia, Arts, Service and Sport. In 2021, Gold Lions were awarded to Wilhelmina Heeringa, Justin Hemara, Rosa Jack, Breanna Waka and Lucy Woodall.
Nicole Muir received the Jim Greatbanks Engineering Scholarship.
The Girls’ Foundation Cup for Service to the School was awarded to Pasilika Ulugia-Pua and the Isaac Gray Cup for Service to the School was awarded to Tali Afele.
Ella Vuetilovoni received the Woolf Fisher Memorial Scholarship.
The Linda Fraser Cup for Best All-Round Year 12 Girl was awarded to Greeshma Kasuganti.
The Hanson Cup for Senior Progress and Endeavour in Year 12 was awarded to Jack Millar.
The recipients of the Neville Watson Memorial Prize for the student who Best Typifies the Spirit of Mount Albert Grammar School are Tali Afele and Maria Boow.
The Harry Wichman Cup for Best All-round Year 12 Boy was awarded to Manas Chigurukota.
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MUSIC AWARDS
The International Student Award for the Best All-Round International Girl was awarded to Anna Kozawa from Japan, and the International Student Award for the Best All-Round International Boy was awarded to Mingi Cho from South Korea.
The Jo Williams Cup for Diligence in Year 11 was awarded to Emily Rednall.
Performance Award Yujia Karen Zheng Contemporary Vocals Abbie Barrera Rock Guitar Matthew McFadden Bass Guitar Sam Mandeno-Clay Beatmaster – Best Percussionist Fairuz Khairunnisa Brass Section Leadership Oliver Bulman String Section Leadership Helen Wen Woodwind Section Leadership Rosa Jack Most promising Musician Classical Jessica Niko-Tuifao Most promising musician Contemporary Tevita Ripley Most promising Composer Josh Li
NEW trophies
Most promising Chorister Boys Isaiah Ninn Most promising Chorister Girls Anouk Blackburn
The Warwick Gibbs Cup for the Best All-Round Boy in Year 11 was awarded to Sahil Kirpalani.
The Brian Murphy Cup for the Best All-Round Girl in Year 11 was awarded to Bella Houghton.
Junior Service Lions Ryan Antia Nishka Arora Zoe Burnett Harshavardhan Tammina Jonathon Yu
SERVICE LIONS
Service is one of MAGS’ Four Pillars, one that allow students to give back to their peers and their community. This year, 91 students have put in an amazing effort across many groups and activities to gain their Service Lion despite the adversity and disruptions we have experienced.
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Senior Service Lions Hannah Adye, Tali Afele, Kaemon Ah Kuoi-Simich, Ayyan Ali, Sathvika Alle, Holly Appleby, Matthew Batcheler, William BellPurchas , Rishita Bharani, Arnav Bhatiani, Henri Blakeley, Emeline Bloomfield, Samara Brain, Katie Bui, Oliver Bulman, Amelia Caltaux, Jasper Cameron, Nate Carroll, Molly Cavanagh, Tiara Chettiar, Nikitha Chinthalacheruvu, Freya Coulson, Lauren Cudmore, Chau Anh Dang, Brieana Davidson, Sunny Davies, Rosie De Pledge, Matthew Denby, Grace Duan, Angus Edwards, Chloe Fernley, Leilani Ginnen,
DRAMA, MEDIA AND SPOKEN WORD AWARDS Most promising Drama student Nathan Setefano Most Conscientious Drama Student Tabea Leonhardt Creative Vison Award Ruby Wilson Most Promising Spoken Word Artist Sonia Airehrour Most Promising Filmmaker Stefan Moon
CULTURAL AND SPECIAL
Commitment to Cultural Activities Pasilika Ulugia-Pua Fletcher Trophy Vedant Sheth
VISUAL ARTS
Silver Shot Photography award Christina Nielsen Photo wizard award Oliver Peters Emerging photographic Artist Otis Chaplow
PAINTING AND DESIGN
Commitment in painting Cassie Robinson Most promising Pasifika student Ullrich Von Reiche Most improved artist Polly Tse Most Improved designer Claire Munneke Most dedicated Visual Arts student Gillia Nguyen
PRIZEGIVINGS
ARTS ATTITUDEAwards
DANCE AWARDS
Most promising Female dancer Bella Krikorian Boyzdance trophy - Most promising Male dancer Komai Waqalevu Most conscientious Dance student Nyra Kanwar Most improved Dancer Bree Tipene Most innovative choreographer Ella Sutton Commitment to Extra Curricular Dance Esme Lloyd
Taiarahia Moataane-Mika was awarded the Robert Willmott Memorial Prize for Quality of Effort for Year 11 Boys.
Nishera Gnanendra, Leo Grachev, Nofolisi Hala, Wilhelmina Heeringa, Justin Hemara, Rahul Hendriksen, Hana Hilson, Humeera Imran, Rosa Jack, Maitreyi Jaywant, Nina Jia, Char’lee Jones, Reet Kamra, Greeshma Kasuganti, Fairuz Khairunnisa, Imogen King, Yasmin Lakeman, Jessica Lal, Shantelle Lee, Tabea Leonhardt, Dasha Leonhartsberger, Charlotte Mann, Xavier Milbank, Jack Millar, Ella Mitchell, Hannah Moy, Laura Muir, Isaiah Nin, Nidha Nureen, Calvin Pooley, Shreya Prakash, Victor Qiu, Sri Keeru Rangu, Maggie Robins, Sanskriti Roy, Keertana Sannidhanam, Thanushree Saragadam, Marcus Savelio, Kavita Sayers, Heeju Shim, Fiorenza Tan, Isabella Taouma, Genevieve Taua, Boston Tofa, Pasilika Ulugia-Pua, Ullrich Von Reiche, Ella Vuetilovoni, Eva Wadsworth, Helen Wen, Ruby Wilson, Vivienne Hei Man Wong, Lucy Woodall, David Wu, Veronica Zuo.
Sonia Airehrour was named Most Promising Spoken Word Artist.
Josh Li was named Most promising Composer.
YEAR 13
Art
LIONS
REAWARD: Ullrich Von Reiche, Lucy Woodall, Samara Brain, Laura Muir, Tali Afele, Marcus Savelio, Willa Miekle, Maitreyi Jaywant, Fairuz Khairunnisa. NEW AWARD: Gilla Nguyen, Mekal Covic, Henri Blakeley, Holly Appleby, Charlotte Mann , Justin
Bella Krikorian was named Most Promising Female Dancer.
Hemara, Nofolisi Halo, Oliver Bulman, Matthew Denby, Reet Kamra, Grace Duan, Ella Vuetilovoni, Kavita Sayers, Quinn Pham, Daniel Zhan, Elka Aitchison, Xavier Milbank, William Bell-Purchas, Dasha Leonhartsberger, Chloe Innes, Wilhelmina Heeringa, Jasper Cameron, Ruby Wilson, Rahul Hendriksen, Breanna Waka, Rosa Jack, Jessica Gurnsey.
Tevita Ripley was named Most Promising Contemporary Musician.
YEAR 12
RE-AWARD: Sonia Airehrour NEW AWARD: Josh Li, Max Cumberpatch, Daisy Purdon, Isaac Chisholm, Isaiah Ninn, Manas Chigurukota, Sam MandenoClay.
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PRIZEGIVINGS Max Cumberpatch and Molly Cavanagh were named Best Male Actor and Best Female Actor and are shown here in a performance of The Government Inspector.
ARTS Awards
Boys Dux Artium Marcus Savelio and Girls Dux Artium Lucy Woodall are pictured with Mr Drumm after receiving their trophies.
Lucy Woodall and Marcus Savelio have been named 2021 Girls’ and Boys’ Dux Artium respectively in this year’s Arts Awards. Lucy, who is a student of Media Studies, Design and Painting, is an Arts Prefect and Arts Leader in Visual Arts, and a two-time Arts Lion recipient. As part of the Arts Awards, Lucy was also the recipient of the 2021 Senior Arts Cup and Trophy for Excellence in Design. Earlier in the year, she won a 2021 Pat Hanley Creativity award, and was judged the best in Senior Painting at the MAGS Art show. She has also been a participant in Senior Debating and Spoken Word. Director of Arts Co-curricular Jacqui Cesan said, “Lucy is a tireless contributor to Visual Arts projects and murals at MAGS.” Head Boy Marcus Savelio, who is a student of Dance, Drama and Media Studies, is an
Pasilika Ulugia-Pua won the award for Commitment to Cultural Activities for her service to multiple groups in her time at MAGS.
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Arts Leader in Dance, and a three-time Arts Lion recipient. As part of the Arts Awards, Marcus, who was Junior Arts Dux in 2018, was a recipient of the 2021 Senior Arts awards for Leadership, Performance and Service in Dance, and Excellence in Film Making in Media Studies. He is a dance leader and choreographer for the award-winning MAGS Mega Crew and The Pride. Marcus was also a Dance Leader for the Boys Dance project, a member of the Centennial Choir, Samoan Group and Ball Band. Ms Cesan said, “Marcus has made a huge contribution to the Arts and Arts projects in his time at MAGS.” She added, “This year’s Dux Artiums are multiple Arts Lion recipients and both have
been recognised not only with Arts Awards but also through success in competition. “Both Lucy and Marcus have also been inspiring Arts leaders and have excelled as creatives and in performance. Both have also amassed an impressive array of excellence credits in Arts subjects. But, most of all, both have involved themselves in multiple Arts and groups across their time at MAGS.” Deputy Head Boy Tali Afele was a close contender for Dux Artium. He received the Choir Award for his leadership and example to the Centennial Choir and the school. He also won the Most Outstanding Solo Performance in Dance for his performance in Peacock, the Pasifika Leadership Award for his leadership of the Samoan Group, and was the recipient of the Bruce Taylor Trophy, which is awarded to the Most Dedicated All-Round Arts Student. Tali has consistently
Top Visual Arts Students (left to right): Jessica Gurnsey (Excellence in Painting), Wilhelmina Heeringa (Most Innovative Photographer), Dasha Leonhartsberger (Leadership in Painting, Innovation in Design and Service to the School in Visual Arts), and Atia Leonhartsberger (Innovation in Painting).
MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Deputy Head Boy Tali Afele with an impressive array of awards.
and passionately supported all Arts and cultural initiatives in his time at MAGS. Fairuz Khairunnisa, who won the award for Outstanding Arts Service, was also recognised in music as “Best Drummer” and was the recipient of the KBB Cup. Ms Cesan said, “Arts Service is not about just support; it’s about the willingness to be part of any initiative that assists the Arts in our school. Fairuz Khairunnisa has made herself available to all, playing in multiple music groups and at an array of school events, and has given support as a drummer for cultural groups as well as supporting Drama and Dance when ever asked.” The Centennial Boys Choir won the award for Excellence in Extra-Curricular Representation for their outstanding performance at The Auckland Big Sing, where they won four awards and were selected for the NZ finals in Christchurch,
which unfortunately did not go ahead because of Covid-19. They also won the trophy for the Most Outstanding Group performance in Music. Co-Leader of the Choir Henri Blakeley was awarded the John Wilmott trophy for Service to the choral programme. Samara Brain won the award for Excellence in Arts Management as well as two awards in Dance for Excellence in Performance and Excellence in Choreography. Ms Cesan said, “Organisation and communication is essential for Arts to function and the Arts Director and department heads rely on our wonderful Arts Prefects to help with this. Samara was given the award for her skill in management and communication between students and management in the Arts in a very difficult year.”
Lucy Woodall’s work was judged the best senior painting at the MAGS Art Show.
Samara Brain won the award for Excellence in Arts Management as well as two awards in Dance for Excellence in Performance and Excellence in Choreography.
Mekal Covic won the award for most innovative Composer/Arranger for the second year in a row for the piece he wrote for the Moonstars chamber group, which also won Best Performance of an Original Composition for Moonstars at the Auckland Chamber Music competition.
Fairuz Khairunnisa in action for the Jazz Band.
The Centennial Boys Choir won trophies for Excellence in Extra-Curricular Representation and the Most Outstanding Group performance in Music.
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PRIZEGIVINGS
TE PUNA O WAIRAKA Awards
PasifikaAwards
Head Boy Marcus Savelio was named Top Year 13 Pasifika Academic and Best All Round Pasifika Student in this year’s Pasifika Prizegiving. The prizegiving dinner, which was meant to be held in October, was postponed to midDecember in the hope it could
still go ahead. In the meantime, the top award winners were presented with their trophies. Marcus, along with Tali Afele, also won the The Tagaloa Peter Su’a Award for Performing Arts. Tali picked up several awards: he was the sole recipient of
The Tupuola Apisaloma Taulapiu Cup for Cultural Leadership went to Tali Afele and Melenaite Tuamoheloa.
Tali Afele won the Ulugia-Pua Award for Outstanding Services to Mount Albert Grammar School.
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MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
the Ulugia-Pua Award for Outstanding Services to Mount Albert Grammar School, and was awarded the Ah Kuoi Family Cup for Services to MAGS Pasifika (along with Pasilika Ulugia-Pua), and the Tupuola Apisaloma Taulapiu Cup for Cultural Leadership (along with
The Top Year 13 Pasifika Sportswoman was Sylvia Brunt and the Top Year 13 Pasifika Sportsman was Stanley Iongi.
The Tagaloa Peter Su’a Award for Performing Arts went to Tali Afele and Marcus Savelio.
Melenaite Tuamoheloa) The Top Year 13 Pasifika Sportswoman was rugby player and athlete Sylvia Brunt and the Top Year 13 Pasifika Sportsman was rugby league player Stanley Iongi. Te Puna o Wairaka Kapa Haka with Charlotte Mann at centre.
Top Year 13 Pasifika Academic and Best All Round Pasifika Student Marcus Savelio.
The Ah Kuoi Family Cup for Services to MAGS Pasifika was awarded to Tali Afele and Pasilika Ulugia-Pua
Breanna Waka has been named Te Puna o Wairaka’s Top Senior Academic and the AllRound Top Senior Student. Another victim of Covid-19, the Te Puna o Wairaka Awards were announced this year without the usual prizegiving dinner. Te Arini Roberts was named Top Junior Academic and Top
All-Round Top Junior Girl, while Pomare Schultz was named Top All-Round Junior Boy and received the award for Top Junior Sports Achievement. Charlotte Mann received awards for Contribution to Kapa Haka and for Services to Puna and the Wider Community. The Top Senior Māori
Top Junior Sports Achievement winner Pomare Schultz leading the haka for the U14s before their game against Westlake Boys High.
Language Orator was Waimarie Tawera and the Top Junior Māori Language Orator was Awanui Hope, who placed 4th at the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition, having only missed out on 3rd place by
Charlotte Mann received awards for Contribution to Kapa Haka and for Services to Puna and the Wider Community.
five points, with the top three speakers all from Kura Kaupapa Māori (full immersion schools). Char’lee Jones received the award for Top Senior Sports Achievement.
Breanna Waka, Te Puna’s Top Senior Academic and Top All-Round Senior Student.
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Awards
Sylvia Brunt and Luke Clements were named Victrix Ludorum and Victor Ludorum respectively in the 2021 Sports Awards. Due to Covid restrictions, the format for this year’s awards was somewhat different to past years – held outdoors for ventilation, and with masks and social distancing. Luke Clements was named Victor Ludorum for his achievements as the Boys Captain of MAGS Athletics, which he has been a member of since Year 9, earning his five years of service to Premier sport this year. He is the New Zealand Secondary Schools and Auckland Secondary Schools open Steeplechase champion and has been named MAGS Senior Athletics Champion. Luke was also a member of the winning 4x 400m Senior Boys relay team. He is also co-captain of the Boys 1st XI Hockey team, having also played in this team for all his five
years at MAGS. Luke has been MAGS Senior Boys Crosscountry Champion the last three years as well as competing for the Champion Boys Orienteering team and representing NZSS in the Orienteering World Champs in Estonia as a Junior. Sylvia was named Victrix Ludorum for her achievements as Captain of the Rugby Girls 1st XV, who were named Auckland Champions this year. Sylvia also played for the inaugural Blues Women’s Team, the Farah Palmer Cup Auckland Storm team and attended the Black Ferns Development camp. She has played in the NZ Condor 7s team, which also won the World 7s tournament. Sylvia has won the MAGS Girls Player of the Year trophy and the Player with the Highest Representative Honours trophy, both for Rugby.
Tarin Love won the Olympic Cup for Outstanding Boys Achievement in Sport. Tarin is Captain of the Premier Boys Squash team that won the Premier Auckland season as well as the Auckland Champs tournament. He was a member of the MAGS team that has won two national titles and was selected for the NZSS team to compete in 2020 and 2021. Tarin also won the MAGS Senior Squash Champion trophy this year and received his certificate for five years of service to a Premier team. Hannah Adye won the Te Aroha Keenan Cup for Outstanding Girls’ Achievement in Sport. Hannah is Girls Captain of the MAGS Athletics Team. She is the current NZSS Open Women’s Pole Vault Champion, the Auckland Secondary Open Girls Champion and the New Zealand Junior Women’s Champion.
SPORT
SPORTS
ROAD
Running
On August 17, 14 students represented MAGS at the Auckland Road Running Race Champs held at Pulman Park in Papakura. Our runners had to contend with strong winds, making some areas of the course challenging. Some were representing MAGS for the first time in a distance running event. Two students gained top 10 finishes in their categories. Year 9 student Nina Chalmers completed the Junior Girls 3km course in a time of 11:28 to finish ninth. This was another commendable effort by her, having performed consistently well across the other inter-school distance running events this year. In a highly competitive Senior Boys category, Year 13 student Luke Clements finished fourth in the 6km race with a time of 18:56. This effort continues to show why he is one of the stronger distance runners in Auckland Secondary Schools competition. There were good results from other students, who finished in the top half of their races. Some of these races had more than 70 participants. They included: Oscar Vink: 40th Junior Boys Jesse Burge: 39th Intermediate Boys Samuel Manders: 42nd Intermediate Boys Oliver Fox: 23rd Senior Boys
LACROSSE Our Lacrosse Girls Premiers were undefeated coming into the Final of the One Day Tournament at Avondale Racecourse on August 12 but
The Softball Boys Premiers won the Headmaster’s Cup for team of the year after winning their eighth straight national title.
Hannah Adye won the Te Aroha Keenan Cup for Outstanding Girls’ Achievement in Sport.
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MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Victor Ludorum Luke Clements.
once again came up against their nemesis in Epsom Girls Grammar. EGGS took the final 8-1, meaning our Lacrosse Girls
finished second once more. In pool play, our Lacrosse Girls beat Pukekohe High School 5-1, Mount Roskill Grammar 6-4, and Diocesan 6-0 to reach the semifinal against Westlake Girls High School. They won that game 4-3.
Tarin Love won the Olympic Cup for Outstanding Boys Achievement in Sport.
Victrix Ludorum Sylvia Brunt.
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MAGS Orienteering Boys team has successfully defended its National Schools title, running out convincing winners in Hawkes Bay in July. In complex and difficult, hilly terrain, the Boys won the Top Schools Trophy for overall team and the Premier Points trophy. This is the third time in a row that MAGS has won the Top Schools Trophy,
amassing 428 points ahead of Pukekohe High in 2nd on 311. The Girls equalled their best-ever result from last year, finishing 3rd overall, 40 points ahead of their nearest rivals. Top results came from James Milne, who was National Champion in the Junior Boys category for both the Long and the Sprint events; and there were topfive performances from Ella
Edwards (5th – Long), Daniel Wood (4th – Sprint), Molly McGowan (5th – Sprint). In the Relay, the Intermediate Girls finished 3rd (Ella Edwards, Kate Rogers, Eve Thompson), the Intermediate Boys were 2nd (Oscar Vink, Luka Johnson, Sam Carryer), and the Senior Boys were 3rd (Daniel Wood, Callum Wishart, Tom Aish).
SPORT
ORIENTEERING
NETBALL
On August 4, MAGS sent Year 9, Year 10 and Premier Netball teams to the Combined Points Tournament. Our Year 9s played well, winning 4 out of 5 pool games. The Year 10s did even better, winning all four pool games and their quarter-final against Whangarei Girls High School before playing AGGS in the semi-final. A tightly contested game ended in a 22-all draw, resulting in the teams going in to extra time and playing until the first team scored a two-goal advantage. Our Year 10s eventually came through with the win but due to time constraints they had to play their final 10 minutes later against St Dominic’s, who had drawn the bye and gone straight through to the final. Director of Netball Kathy Henry said, “They lost graciously to a very skilled and composed St Dominic’s team.” Our Premier team did not move beyond pool play after a couple of close losses.
TOP OF THE CLASS
IN SCHOOL MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT Services we offer Maintenance and Management
The Ah Kuoi Family Cup for Services to MAGS Pasifika was awarded to Tali Afele and Pasilika Ulugia-Pua
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MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
•
Drainage and irrigation –
•
Line-marking
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Goal post installation and removal
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Fertilisation and spraying
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Building and asset maintenance
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Cricket wicket maintenance and
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After school hours maintenance
renovations
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Full time grounds people
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Design and development
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Gardening and landscape services
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Sports field construction and
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Park furniture design and build
renovation
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Playground builds and maintenance
visit us at: www.rs.kiwi.nz
installation and repairs •
Mowing of surrounds and school grounds
contact:
0800 265 000 info@rs.kiwi.nz
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SPORT
RUGBY Our Rugby Boys 1st XV didn’t get the chance to play their semifinal in the 1A Championship but they did pick up three pieces of silverware this season. They reclaimed the Jubilee Cup with a 25-22 victory over St Kentigern College in a see-sawing match at Eden Park in June. In a game that was a curtain-raiser to the Blues v Force Super Rugby match, St Kentigern got out to a 15-6 lead before MAGS hit back with an unconverted try before halftime. MAGS took the lead in the second half when Kyan Alo scored on
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the wing, with captain Tama Anderson converting a wide kick. That lead was extended to 25-15 before St Kent’s countered with a late converted try. After that MAGS held strong in defence to take the Jubilee Cup, which is up every year in the game against St Kent’s. In July, our 1st XV won the Grammar Jubilee Cup 26-25 against Auckland Grammar then retained the Geoff Moon Memorial Cup in an arm-wrestle of a match with Aorere College, with MAGS eventually winning 17-11. In September, some of our Rugby Boys were also named in the Blues and Auckland U18 squads. First XV Captain Tama Anderson, Riki Ruben and Ben Skelton were selected in the Blues U18 squad, while TJ Aloi, Henare Leefe, Jovis Meredith and TK Parkinson were chosen for the Auckland U18 squad.
In their second season of playing XVs, our Rugby Girls 1st XV were named Auckland champions in September after the season was abandoned. The Girls had beaten Manurewa High 29-22 in the semifinal the day before the Alert Level 4 lockdown was called, and were due to face Auckland Girls Grammar in the final. Some of our Rugby Girls were also named in the Auckland Central/West U18 squad: Yoko Tsukushi, Daele Vaea, Mayann Ioane, Wainouna Kaleopa, Eisha Chandra and Stella-Rose Woodman.
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SPORT
Swimming
SQUASH
2021 NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Riley McCracken and Tarin Love were selected for the NZSS Squash Team.
Having lost two top players from last year, MAGS’ Squash Boys Premiers were seeded 6th out of 32 boys teams for the New Zealand Secondary Schools National Teams Squash Championship held in Tauranga from August 6-8. The team – Tarin Love (Captain), Jaeswan Kwam, Riley McCracken, Max Conder and Harrison Wills – played their first match against Cambridge High School (seeded 27) and won 5-0. In the afternoon, the Boys played Taupo Nui-a-Tia College (seeded 11) and won 4-1. This set up a quarterfinal, with the third seeds Marlborough College, which was a very close encounter at two matches all going into the final game, with Marlborough winning to take the tie 3-2. This meant MAGS’ final two ties were playing off for 5th to 8th placing.
The next tie against St John’s College, Hastings (seeded 7) was won 4/1, and the final tie was for 5/6th against Hamilton Boys High School (seeded 5) was lost 3-2, with three of the five matches going to 3/2 – a very close contest. This meant MAGS came 6th in line with their seeding. At the conclusion of the tournament, the New Zealand Secondary School Squash Association named a NZ team that normally plays against a number of the Australian Secondary School State Teams and then a best-of-three Test match series against the Australian Team. This year two of our team were selected – Tarin Love in the Senior Boys Team and Riley McCracken in the Junior Boys Team. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Test series and associated matches were not played.
Some incredible Individual and Relay results helped MAGS to second place in the country (Co-ed Schools) at the NZ Secondary School Swimming Championships. The Mount Albert Grammar Aquatic Academy took to the North Shore to compete against the best swimmers in the country In the last week of the July School Holidays. After great success at the North Island Secondary School Championships, the team continued its great form at the Sir Own Glenn National Aquatic Pool again against 700-plus athletes. Hunter Dobson won four gold medals in his six-medal haul and there were golds for Amber George (4 NZSS Medals in total), Thomas (TJ) Murray, (5 NZSS Medals), Quin Walden (3 NZSS Medals), Edie Ancell (2 NZSS Medals), Tony Tua-Tagaloa, Isla Marsh and Anna McGowan. There were plenty of top 10 finishes as well as plenty of personal best times on display. 34
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After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the MAGS Art Show returned bigger and better than ever in early August. Art Show Committee Chair Sandra Fischer said at the time, “The irony of just scraping in before lockdown was certainly not lost on the Art Show Committee. The team is still incredulous at the near miss this year. But this is the new normal we need to accept, and there are certainly bigger challenges that our community are facing at the moment given the uncertainty.” She added, “The good news is that this year’s show was a great success; we beat the previous show sales with a respectable sales total of nearly $240,000 of both commercial and student art. “The team is finalising the accounts to determine the returns to the school, which will comprise commission from the
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MAGS FOUNDATION
MAGS Art Show sales, raffles and silent auctions held through the event and, of course, support from our generous sponsors. “We are very proud to say this year that the funds raised will go towards the Lion Fund, which is a newly created fund to help MAGS students participate fully in school activities that they hadn’t been able to previously due to funds available. Given that our community is experiencing, yet again, the hardships of a lockdown, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate cause.” More than 50 volunteers contributed to making the Art Show such a success this year. Ms Fischer said, “We have been inundated with great feedback from our community, artists and purchasers, which has been fantastic to receive after the months of planning by the Committee and the hours given up by the volunteers.”
MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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Farm
ASB MAGS
Not much changes on the ASB MAGS Farm, apart from there being no students to learn and help with farm work for most of the second half of the year due to lockdown. Even without students, the animals have needed lots of care and maintenance. Our lambs’ tails have been docked to keep the flystrike at bay over the warmer months. This is the first opportunity to get up close with the new lambs and some big lambs have been produced this year. They have continued to grow well which is a combination of new genetics, better animal health and the work that has been put into pasture renovation over the last two years. We have also had our first (and last) October lambs, which was a pleasant surprise! Calves have been weaned and made ready for the sale yards, along with new calves purchased for our last lot to raise. Fortunately, sale yards and stock agents remain operational during Level 3 so trading stock was an option. We currently have our last 12 calves being raised on milk from our dairy cows. These will help keep the grass down over summer until we re-grass again in April. Our Gold kiwifruit block has begun flowering. This is great news as it has been a work in
progress for the last two years. If the bees get busy, we expect a small crop of fruit next year and a crop closer to full yield in 2023. This is an exciting addition to the ASB MAGS Farm and fits in nicely with the Year 13 curriculum. Unfortunately, the Year 10 students did not get a chance to plant out their vege gardens in Term 3. Seedlings were grown in the greenhouse so we have taken it upon ourselves to plant the vege gardens for them. This was a large task, so fingers crossed that the three Year 10 classes can get back to school and have some satisfaction from their limited time studying agriculture in 2021. We finally emptied our native tree nursery and we have also planted some other more mature specimens. These will help provide our stock with shelter once they get big enough. For now, we need maximum growth, and the recent rain has helped this. These mature trees were kindly provided by SPICE (Sandringham Project In Community Empowerment).
It is not always rosy on the farm, however. We have had a high soil moisture level for most of winter and spring. This had made some paddocks incredibly wet and provided challenges with animal health. Noticeably, the sheep began to limp due to scald and foot rot bacteria in the soil. This requires constant foot trimming, dipping and treatment to manage it. Prevention is the best method of treatment with new rams providing better genetics for future MAGS Farm sheep. Paddock drainage is on the cards this summer also, with some already underway. This helps our pasture to breathe and provide a less desirable habitat for nasty soil bacteria! In closing, it has been a shame that we have not had students around over the last 10 weeks. Spring provides great learning opportunities for students who may otherwise not have this experience, but we are looking forward to next year where this will all happen again. Peter Brice Farm Manager
GIRLS HOSTEL INVITES
applications
Outside the property that will become Centennial House, at the time that it was bought, are, from left, Board of Trustees Chair Greg Moyle, Headmaster Patrick Drumm, and Associate Principal Jo Williams.
We are excited to announce that from Term 2, 2022 we will be able to offer our girls the opportunity to board at Mount Albert Grammar School in Centennial House. The newly refurbished property can accommodate up to 28 female students and is located in a safe and beautiful residential street – six minutes’ walk from school. Headmaster Patrick Drumm said, “MAGS girls have been an intrinsic part of our school journey for the past 22 years, and the decision to provide them with boarding opportunities from next year is significant. “Centennial House will stand as a symbol of that promise as we call on our first girl boarders to help lead us into the second 100 years of the MAGS story.” If your daughter would like the opportunity to join the MAGS hostel experience, please contact Clare Leon-Brown: cleonbrown@mags.school.nz
KEY DATES 2022 TERM 1
TERM 2
TERM 4
28 January Friday Senior re-enrolment
2 May Monday Start of Term 2
17 October Monday Start of Term 4
2 February Wednesday Year 9 students only start school
7 July Thursday Last day of classes for Term 2
6 December Tuesday Junior Prizegiving (Year 10)
3 February Thursday Full school in 14 April Thursday Last day of classes for Term 1 15 April Friday Good Friday End of Term 1
8 July Friday Staff Only Administration Day End of Term 2
TERM 3 25 July Monday Start of Term 3 29 September Thursday Last day of classes for Term 3 30 September Friday Staff Only Day End of Term 3
7 December Wednesday Junior Prizegiving (Year 9) Last day of classes for Term 4 8 December Thursday Staff Only Administration Day 9 December Friday Staff Only Administration Day End of Term 4
2022 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 31 January Monday Auckland Anniversary Day 7 February Monday Waitangi Day holiday observed 15 April Friday Good Friday 18 April Monday Easter Monday 26 April Monday Anzac Day holiday observed 6 June Monday Queen’s Birthday 24 June Friday Matariki 24 October Monday Labour Day
Please refer to our website www.mags.school.nz for the full Calendar, including all sporting, arts, cultural and academic events 38
MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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