FUTURE GENERATION
Empowering Local Wahine Growing up in the Far North, Joey Rogers, was taught by her grandmother that if you do the work, people will come. Basic, honest values which, combined with Rogers’ passion, is fueling her in her role as the Head of Auckland Girls’ Grammar School’s - Unit. Maori “My role is Te Pouwhakarae o Nga- Tumanako o Kahurangi,” Rogers explains, “so in regards to Auckland Girls’ Grammar, you have Heads of Faculties and you have Deans, however, in Kahurangi, the pouwhakarae encompasses all of that.” The aim of the unit is to nurture, mentor, encourage and celebrate - women at the school; a role which is a perfect fit for Rogers. young Maori “I’m very passionate; so passionate sometimes I get misread!” she laughs. “I mean, passion is passion. I grew up with my grandmother in a small town called Ahipara and she taught me the values. She used to say to me, “Moko, mahia te mahi ka haere mai te iwi,” (do the work and the people will come) and so I’ll never forget that. “So, yes, I am passionate, and the kaitiaki (tutor teachers) of kahurangi are passionate. And the staff in the school support us, and the more we share, the more understanding there is. So it’s about sharing knowledge – and our kaupapa’s right into that.” Kahurangi’s been a part of Auckland Girls’ for more than 30 years and the AGGS unit is thriving. Says Rogers, “Our girls in Kahurangi strive for excellence in every form; not just academically, but as - women. That is the essence of our kaupapa, that they young Maori have opportunities like every student in this school; whether they’re - unit or in the mainstream, the goal is the same. So we in the Maori have common goals - but how we get there, under our values and our tikanga, is how we get there in Kahurangi. And it’s for our girls to
walk out of those gates with their ‘all’ intact; of knowing who they are and where they’re from as Maori. - and Knowing their culture as Maori - world as being strong in the Maori well as the Pakeha world, and the ever-changing world out there.” Rogers believes that ethos is the Kahurangi drive, first and foremost. She says the unit has excellent kaitiaki (tutor teachers) who are helping students go from strength to strength, supported not only by AGGS but also their families. “We really encourage those connections and the importance of connecting and communicating with the whanau and driving the reciprocal approach with our whanau,” explains Rogers. “It’s important that our whanau lead the way with us and are there with us. We support them and in turn they support us, the kaitiaki of Kahurangi, so that our girls get the best of everything.” And with AGGS’ covid-delayed Open Day now on Wednesday 26 August, Rogers has one message for parents wanting to check the school out: “Auckland Girls’ Grammar? I mean, why not? The opportunities here to support and nurture and guide young women are amazing. For me, coming from an all-girls school (Queen Victoria), y’know, I’d do it all over again. The strength of young women growing together, the support of the school, the opportunities that are here – whether it’s academic, whether it’s sports, whether it’s science. Whatever it is, it’s the pastoral care and the nurturing - and staff who really understand the makeup of a wahine, of a woman. That’s first and foremost.” www.aggs.school.nz
AUCKLAND GIRLS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA
OPEN DAY 2019
Wednesday 26th August 2020 9.30am – 12.30pm We invite you to visit our school on Wednesday 26th August. Our senior students will lead school tours throughout the morning and our Principal will give short talks at 10am, 11am and 12 noon.
Information Evening – Wednesday 26th August 6.30pm – 8.00pm. All prospective students for 2021 and their parents are very welcome to attend this evening. The evening will also be useful for students who are interested in enrolling into Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi, our Maori Whanau Unit. give short talks at 10.00am, 11.00am and 12 noon. Auckland Girls’ Grammar School welcomes enrolments from throughout the Auckland region and we hope that you will take this opportunity to find out more about us.
Educated at Auckland Girls’ Equipped for the World
Parking at Gate 2, Howe Street, Newton
For more information please phone 307 4180 or email enrol@aggs.school.nz
84 PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2020
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
