MAGS Farewells Mrs Anisi

MAGS bid a very fond farewell today to Mrs Anisi, our Pasifika Initiatives Coordinator, in the W.O.H Gibbs Room. 
Mrs Anisi, who is retiring, was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues from her 38 years in teaching and 13 years at MAGS.
Staff members, including Mr Drumm, Deputy Principal Ms Hayes, and our Pasifika Liaison Mr Liuliu-Afoa, paid tribute to Mrs Anisi's dedication, steely resolve and heart of gold when it came to uplifting Pasifika students.
Mr Drumm said, "Va has been the face of Pasifika education at MAGS. Her work over many years with both Api and Danny has set a high expectation culture for our Pasifika community with students thriving in this environment."
Ms Hayes, who met Mrs Anisi when she began teaching in 1998 at Auckland Girls Grammar, said, "Students know that Va always has their back, but they also know not to push her and to behave in a way that is respectful to all, this is why often the mere sight of Va can change students' behaviour!"

She added, "Over her time at MAGS Va has supported numerous Pasifika initiatives and student success. The list is many and varied and includes: being part of a group of staff to set up Komiti Faufautua, being a member of the group that established the Health Science Academies, establishing the student Pasifika Committee, establishing the annual Pasifika Awards Dinner, establishing the Siapo mentor classes, encouraging, motivating and championing students to have scholarship success – both NZQA and tertiary scholarships, allowing many students to feel comfortable in their skin and embracing their culture, being one of the teachers in charge of the Samoan group, and supporting the local economy by buying thousands of pizzas as rewards for students."
Mr Liuliu-Afoa, pictured below, said, "What I admire most is the strength with love; even in the toughest moments there is the desire to succeed and uplift our culture and have it honoured. Farewell not just goodbye but thank you. Thanks for years of service, wisdom, and what it looks like to lead with courage and conviction. Your legacy will not leave but will stay in the office and with every young person’s life you have touched."
Mrs Anisi said, in her family, "Education was the dream and the expectation."
In that regard, she paid tribute to her mentor, Mrs Toesulu Brown.
"She showed me how to hold onto balance: pursue education, but never forget who you are. Succeed, but always be proud as a Samoan, as Pasifika, as a teacher, and as a parent."
Mrs Anisi said her success with Pasifika students at MAGS wouldn't have been possible without the support of senior leadership and her colleagues across all departments. 
"That is what I have always hoped for — that through the MAGS Pasifika Initiatives we’ve been able to give our students balance, maintain their Pasifika identity while seeking out opportunities and choices."
You can see more photos from Mrs Anisi's farewell here

Service Lions Recognised

Yesterday’s Service Lions Assembly celebrated students for their ongoing contributions to MAGS and the wider community. 
Students receiving the Service Lion badge for the first time were formally acknowledged, while those earning a re-award were presented with certificates.
The recipients were announced by Service Pillar Lead Teacher Miss Goff and congratulated by Mr Drumm, along with Albertian guest speaker, Alyssa Houma.
A proud and successful MAGS alumna, Alyssa, pictured right, reflected on how her years at school (2015-2019) were defined by service, leadership, and a commitment to excellence. She encouraged students to remember that true service begins at home and should not be undertaken for recognition.
Special recognition awards were presented to:
Outstanding Contribution to the Sports Pillar: James Milne
Outstanding Contribution to the Arts Pillar: Issie Hasler
Outstanding Contribution to the Academic Pillar: Amy Jordan
The John Stradwick Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Service Pillar: Epeli Prescott
The Leah Murray Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Service Pillar: Claudia Wen
Our girls choir, Gloriana, directed by Ms Yu, also featured at the assembly, singing Seal Lullaby, as pictured below.
You can view the full list of Service Lion recipients here and more photos from the assembly here

New Board of Trustees Elected

MAGS has a new Board of Trustees following the recently held election.
The seven parent-elected representatives are: Melissa Absolum, Nigel Cottle, Tui Gallagher, Duncan Garner, Catherine Murphy, Aiolupotea Ofisa Tonu'u and LeeAnn Yare.
The teacher representative on the board is Tom Dale, while the student representative is Francesca-Eti Tonu’u.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 

It was a pleasure to welcome back Albertian and UFC fighter Kai Kara France, who, as part of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), addressed an assembly of Te Puna o Wairaka students on Wednesday.
Kai, who was at MAGS from 2006-2010, shared how his Māori heritage anchored him and told students he was on his own reo journey, with full immersion classes coming up next year.
He also spoke about how he became passionate about martial arts and kept re-setting his career goals in the UFC so that he constantly improved. He urged students to identify what they were passionate about and to follow their dreams and to always work hard.
At the assembly, Puna students also performed karakia and haka before everyone adjourned to the Te Puna Wānaga for 'Kai with Kai' where the UFC fighter was popular with students wanting selfies. 
Puna students also presented Kai with gifts, including pounamu, and performed a final haka in his honour.
This is the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Born of activism, the week grew from a single ‘Māori Language Day’ set up in 1972. By 1975 Te Wiki was established and its gains are being recognised and celebrated 50 years on. 

A Brief History of Te Reo at MAGS

During the 1980s, a small number of MAGS students studied Te Reo via the Correspondence School.
Usually these were students who had studied the language at another school before moving to MAGS. In 1990, Te Reo was introduced as an option subject for Year 9 students.
In 1994, the school hosted the Māori and Pacific Islands festival and for the first time a MAGS group was entered in the Māori section, coming a creditable third overall. This group, pictured below, was also heavily involved in the powhiri that opened the festival.
In 1997, Tawhirimatea Williams, who was to become Head Prefect in 2001, was the school’s first ever contestant in the Ngā Manu Kōrero Competition. He won the Auckland Competition, then went on to win the National Competition. Tawhirimatea, pictured right with then-Headmaster Mr Taylor, had further success over the rest of his time at MAGS.
In 2003, the school founded the first form class for Māori students. This was originally known as Te Puna o Wairaka Rumaki Reo and was aimed at fostering both language and culture. The concept has expanded, and in 2025 there are now four form classes known as Te Puna, each with their own form teacher.

– Greg Cave, Archivist

Scholarship Dance Concert Celebrates Excellence

The annual Dance Scholarship Concert was held in the Performing Arts rooms last Friday, September 12.
Director of Arts Co-curricular Ms Cesan said, "The evening opened with a Bollywood performance by the Year 12 Extension group, and then we were treated to the live performances of our eight Scholarship student submissions.
"All of the pieces were beautifully performed interpretations of the choreographers' vision.
"The evening was wound up by the Year 13 Leavers Dance, which paid homage to all the dances that the group have performed over their five years at MAGS."

Photos / James Jansen

Mental Health Awareness Week: Top Up Together

As Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) approaches, we invite students and their whānau to embrace this year's theme: Top Up Together.
This national campaign, from October 6-12, encourages us to connect with others while incorporating the five ways to wellbeing into our daily lives. 
We recommend getting a headstart during the upcoming school holidays.
Research consistently shows that social connection is fundamental to our wellbeing. It provides purpose and belonging, helps us feel valued, and contributes to our happiness and sense of security. Evidence demonstrates that activities involving social interaction – such as volunteering, shared learning, physical activity, cultural practices, and community events – have a consistently positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Mental Health Awareness Week Activities
Throughout the week, students and staff will receive daily emails featuring practical ideas for making the most of MHAW.
We're also hosting Funky Sock Friday, when people can show off their best or most unusual socks while supporting a great cause through gold coin donations to mental health initiatives.
Additionally, student speakers will share insights at each year level assembly, focusing on the five ways to wellbeing and practical strategies for supporting mental health, with special emphasis on maintaining wellbeing during exam season.

For comprehensive information about the Five Ways to Wellbeing, visit here

Health Centre Update

The start of Term 4 sees some changes in the Health Centre at MAGS.
With the retirement of Ade Brierley, we have a new Registered Nurse, Anita Lin, joining our team. 

The Health Centre hours from Monday, October 6 will be:
Monday              9am-3pm 
Tuesday             9am-3pm
Wednesday        9am-3pm
Thursday            9.30am-3pm
Friday                 9am-3pm
 
This is also a good time to remind caregivers of our medication processes. For any students requiring medication within a school day, this must be arranged with the Health Centre staff. This ensures all medication is given in a controlled and safe manner. Please do not drop any medication to school receptions or staff members (other than the nurses).
To organise any medication administration or for any questions, please contact the Health Centre on 021 781 386 or email [email protected]

More Success at Goethe Awards

MAGS has again enjoyed great success in the Goethe Society Examinations in oral German held in August.
Year 10
Gold Awards: Ben Spreitzer, Lucia Laskey, Luna Nicholson-Brown. Silver Awards: Alice Barton, Caoillin Coen.
Year 11
Ryan Paget (Highly Commended)
Year 12
Isobel Knowles (3rd)
Year 13
Karsten Price (1st), Nora Pecher (2nd) Advantaged Speaker), Hugo LeCren (3rd), James Bateman (Distinction), Lars Stock (Highly Commended), Victor Coen (Commended).

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser Awards

This term, Interact had a very successful fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand, a charity that supports those with cystic fibrosis, selling 2000 chocolate fish to support them.
For each chocolate fish, Interact made 50% of proceeds. On the final Thursday of their fundraiser they held a bake sale at interval and lunch, selling cooked goods and chocolate fish.
Overall, Interact managed to fundraise $1325.80.
On Tuesday, Jan Weir and Chloe Hunt from CFNZ, pictured above, came and recognised our most involved fundraisers with certificates.

Interact Fundraisers Coming Up

Camp Quality 
For 40 years, Camp Quality has been running epic camps for children aged 5–16 living with cancer, providing amazing activities like kayaking, archery, campfires, and fun games.
They started with just 22 campers and now give joy to over 300 across the country each year. Every camp is 100% volunteer-run and funded purely through donations.
Camp Quality is the chosen charity for the Aramex Kiwi Walk & Run Trail Series, which is a series of fun, scenic trail events across NZ that let people walk or run different distances while enjoying a friendly and community vibe. You can support Camp Quality if you enter here for the next event, which will be held at the Auckland Botanical Gardens on Saturday, September 27.
If you are over the age of 20 and would be keen to volunteer as a companion on a camp, check out the Camp Quality website for volunteer info here

Shave for a Cure
Supporting Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ, this year Shave for a Cure turns 25. 
Money raised helps families across Aotearoa and funds groundbreaking research.
And it’s not just about shaving anymore; you can cut or buzz your hair to stand with those facing blood cancer. Every day in NZ, eight people hear those life-changing words: “You have blood cancer.” Shave for a Cure reminds them that no one fights alone. Students can sign up to fundraise here
Interact is going big with awareness events, fundraising, and a massive Shave Event & Camp Quality Bake Sale on Friday, October 17.
This is a chance to do something bold, something memorable, and something that really changes lives. 

Success at Chinese Song Contest

Congratulations to students James Gu, Joshua Li and Hanyang Liu, who recently represented MAGS at the New Zealand Chinese Song Contest 2025 and won second prize in the Chinese background category
The contest, organised by the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington, aims to inspire greater interest in Mandarin language and Chinese culture among New Zealand students while providing a platform to showcase their singing talents. 

From the Archives: 75 Years Ago (Part 2)

In 1950 the Prime Minister was Sidney Holland and the Governor General was Lord (later Baron) Freyberg, who opened the Empire Games.
The school’s roll at the beginning of the year was 787 and the Headmaster was William Caradus, who was the school’s second Headmaster and had been on the staff since 1922.
There was no officially designated Deputy Headmaster but George Coldham was designated as “First Assistant”. He was also a foundation member of staff and gives his name to the Coldham Language Prize awarded each year at Prizegiving.
Jack Jenkin, who taught Woodwork, was a foundation pupil, a member of the 1st XV in 1922 and 1923 and a Prefect in 1923. He joined the staff in 1930 and retired in 1963. He is also remembered at Prizegiving with the J.H. Jenkin Memorial Prize for Woodwork.
The 1950 Albertian records the examination results from 1949. Ronald Keam, who was Dux in 1949, gained first place in the University Entrance Scholarship Examinations. He was to have a distinguished career as a Geophysicist at Auckland University. His son Nigel attended the school from 1976 to 1980.

In sport, the Rowing Eight won the Head of the Harbour, and the 1st XV came second in the Auckland competition. The most successful team was the 1st XI Football Team, which won the Auckland Championship and the knockout competition. This team contained two players who were later to be inducted into the Hall of Distinction. Les Mills represented New Zealand in a number of Olympic and Commonwealth games both as an athlete and later as an official. He was mayor of Auckland from 1990 to 1998 and is probably best known as the founder of the Les Mills fitness centres. Karl Stead was professor of English at Auckland University from 1968 to 1986 but he is best known as a prolific author and poet.
The shield in the photo of the football team is the Beswick Shield, which has been won by the school numerous times. The coach, Jack Horrocks, was a member of the team which had also won the Beswick Shield in 1931. Jack’s sons, Roger and Nigel, both attended the school in the 1950s and 1960s.
Finally, Les Mills and Karl Stead were also members of the school athletic team. Another member of this team was Terry Lipscombe, who won both the long jump and triple jump events at the athletic sports. The following year (1951) he won both events again, setting a record in the triple jump of 43 feet, 10.5 inches (approximately 13.37 metres). This is the longest standing athletics record for the school.

– Greg Cave, Archivist

Auckland Normal Intermediate 80^th Jubilee

More Disruptions on Rail Network

There are more planned rail closures through the school holidays and throughout the rest of the year as the opening of the City Rail Link gets closer, necessitating essential track upgrades across the rail network.
You can see the summary of these partial and full closures on the AT website here