Fencers Strike Gold

Despite long days of intense competition, MAGS' Fencers came away with a big haul of medals at the Secondary School Nationals in Christchurch last weekend.
Coach Kyle Macdonald said, "Armed with epees (and plenty of snacks), the team braved the intensity of the piste — long bouts, tough rivals, and the occasional Italian import from Dunedin. Between cheering each other on and sharing battle tales, the students built strong friendships, forged in the heat of competition."
In the Girls’ Epee Individual, Emi Mason fought brilliantly to 8th place, narrowly missing out against the eventual Italian champion.
A mighty effort from the Girls Epee team brought home a silver medal.
Mr Macdonald said, "Emi provided experience and firepower, while Natalia Perry, Hayab Rodrigues and Kavya Wad fought with determination. When Natalia’s wrist injury forced her out, Kavya stepped in off the bench without missing a beat."
In the Boys’ Epee Individual, MAGS dominated the podium with Martino Caccialupi taking Gold, Nico Meyer the Silver, and Elijah Yarr the Bronze.
The Boys’ Epee Team also took gold, even with Nico largely sidelined by a wrist strain after his silver medal effort.
Mr Macdonald said, "Patrick Barham-Wang stepped in from the first match and performed admirably. Martino and Elijah locked in the lead with steady nerves and sharp blades."

There are more Winter Tournament results and photos in the 'Sports Update' section below

Albertian Shows at Fashion Week

Visual Art Teacher Ms Gauntlett was invited to NZ Fashion Week by Massey University last weekend to see the Graduate Collections, where alumni Finn Mora-Hill (2015-2019), pictured right, was was one of six graduates showcasing their collections.
Ms Gauntlett said, "Massey University’s designs were a stand out and of course Finn’s work (pictured above) was amazing. That crinkle dress!
"Congratulations on your achievements Finn, we still have your logo embedded into our art room sink! Can’t wait to see what you do next."
Finn has founded his own label, Fringes, which is grounded in workwear references and silhouettes, repurposed to reflect the realities of a younger generation.
The Fashion Week collection, In Over Our Heads, was an "exploration of texture and perception, looking at the journey of young professionals coming out of the education system and into the workforce, exploring the contrast of dress codes of these two worlds".

Scholarship Dance Concert

Sports Update

More Winter Tournament Success

In other Winter Tournament results, not only did our Netball Premiers qualify for nationals by finish fifth at UNISS, but so did our Basketball Premier Girls by coming third at their National Qualifying tournament at Takanini that finished last weekend.
The Basketball Premier Boys had a run of losses that dented their chances but came back with three wins in a row to finish 13th.
At NZSS Wrestling, Jason Vincent won the Senior Boys 110kg category, Edison McDrury was 2nd in the Junior Boys 68kg, and Aiden Vincent was 3rd in the Junior Boys 75kg.
The Lacrosse Premier Girls' and Lacrosse Boys' tournaments at Rosmini College also finished last weekend, with the sides finishing eighth and fourth respectively.
Our Rugby League 1st XIII started with three good wins at their NZSS tournament at Takanini but a loss to St Paul's College in the semis and another against Manurewa High in the following playoff meant they finished fourth. Special mention goes to Finn McDrury, pictured below carrying the ball, who made the Tournament Team.
The Underwater Hockey Senior Open team mixed wins and losses at nationals in Wellington to finish sixth.

Curlers End Season on a High

Last night saw the end of the season for the Auckland Curling Championship at Paradice Avondale, and indeed the last curling games at that venue as the new purpose-built Auckland Curling Rink is set to open early next year. TIC Ms Hobbs said, "It has been a terrific and successful season for MAGS.
"Our Girls team, 'For Your Ice Only',  (Maiah Radu, Ma’a Pau’u, Ha Nhi Huynh, Stephanie Zhang and Yuzuki Kawamura) finished a credible 6th in their division. "Meanwhile, our Boys team, 'On Her Majesty’s Sweeping Service' (Riley Hobbs, Sean Cavanagh, Kaelin Olesen, Zander Curnow and Soren Bell), who after winning the minor league final in the curling equivalent of a penalty shootout, finished as Runners Up in the Auckland Champs Boys Division (for the third year in a row)."
The final trophy of the night is always the Spirit of Curling Cup. This award is voted for by the players, coaches and officials and is given to the player who best typifies what curling is about – competitiveness but with sportsmanship and integrity of the highest order.
And this went to Maiah Radu, pictured right, the skip of the Girls team. 
Ms Hobbs added, "Maiah has been playing for MAGS since last year and is part of the Auckland Development Squad – and won a bronze at the National Youth Champs a few weeks ago.
"However, this year for MAGS she has taken on leadership of a team of complete novices. Her unfailing support of her team, her guidance and encouragement and her leadership through example have honed them into a pretty good unit by the end of the season, and this has not gone unnoticed.
"We are immensely proud of her, not least because this is the third year in a row that this award has gone to a MAGS student. Our curlers are our pillars personified."