 A Credible School Qualification |
 Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Mount Albert Grammar School.
Over the past week, MAGS students have completed more than 2500 on-line digital assessments to measure their proficiency at reading, writing and mathematics.
These exams (known as Co-Requisites) are a compulsory addition to the NCEA Qualification. To gain NCEA at Level 1, 2 or 3, students must pass all three co-requisite examinations.
These exams have presented a major logistical challenge for the school. While engagement levels of our students have been excellent, the administrative burden on staff and IT systems has been immense – a responsibility that should rest with NZQA rather than schools.
But it is the fact that the additional examinations are even necessary that has exposed a flaw in NCEA as it currently stands. That any student, historically, could graduate with NCEA Level 3 – yet not be deemed literate and numerate – does not reflect well on our national qualification.
And simply tacking on extra measures and requirements to the current NCEA is a further admission of its shortcomings.
The Minister of Education has placed a ‘pause’ on planned changes to NCEA that commenced under the previous government. MAGS, along with many other schools, has responded by offering a more robust alternative course at Level 1 this year – the MCEA.
A huge amount of work will be needed to rebuild confidence in our national qualification. Let’s hope our new Minister and Ministry can build an assessment system that is simple, valid and credible.
It’s not too much to ask for our young people.
Manuia le faaiuga o le vaiaso. Have a good weekend.
Patrick Drumm
Headmaster
|
| |
Click here for the Calendar
Monday, June 3
King's Birthday holiday
Thursday, June 13
Board Show and Market Evening, 4.30pm, E Block and Nairn Building
Friday, June 28
Matariki holiday
Thursday, July 4
Three-Way Conferences. No classes.
Friday, July 5
Three-Way Conferences. No classes.
End of Term 2  Trials and Registrations
Click here
Fixtures and Results
Click here
|
|
Our Lion Fund programme aims to provide financial support to allow every MAGS student to access the breadth of opportunities we offer at our school.
| |  |
 Photos / Lize Deng  The 2024 annual MAGS dance concert, Momentum, was held over two nights this week at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre at EGGS.
Both shows were sold out and the audiences were treated to 70 minutes of a variety of dance styles from cultural dance, Jazz and Contemporary to Hip Hop, Disco and Salsa. All 267 dancers performed with commitment and enthusiasm, demonstrating expertise and performance skill.
Each class danced for performance credits, and the group pieces were
interspersed with some remarkable creative works from Dance Scholarship
students.
Director of Arts Co-curricular Ms Cesan said, “The highlight of the evening was the slick and professional performance by the Senior Dance group who performed a tribute to the iconic choreographer Bob Fosse.”
You can see more photos from the event here  |
Art, Food and Entertainment |
Level Three Production Selling Fast |
Tickets are selling fast to the Level 3 Drama production of 12 Angry Men so those keen to attend are advised to email [email protected] as soon as possible to reserve their seats. |
The 2024 MAGS Photography Competition is open to ALL MAGS students!
It's time to showcase your creativity and passion for photography. This year's theme is movement, capturing and freezing moments 'In Motion'.
Top prize: a $50 Westfield voucher.
There are separate winners for the Junior and Senior categories. You do not need a camera to take amazing photos.
Submissions due end of Week 8.
Learn more and submit here |
 The winning streak for the MAGS mooting team continues, with victory over Mt Roskill Grammar last week.
The mooting team of Ryan Antia, Lachlan Paul, Stephanie Zhang and Eliza Rodger were the plaintiff (the party that brings a legal action) while Mt Roskill were the defence in a case pertaining to defamation.
Ryan said, "The MAGS team were successful in winning the case for their client. Securing another victory in a competition dominated by schools with multiple professionally coached teams is a significant accomplishment for this team." |
|
|
Train Disruptions Around King's Birthday |
 Work on train tracks will impact AT’s train services over King’s Birthday weekend and the following three school days (from this evening until Thursday, June 6).
All AT trains will be replaced by buses from late today until Monday, June 3.
From Tuesday, June 4 until Thursday, June 6, buses will replace Western and Southern line trains between Britomart and Newmarket.
At peak commuting times, Southern Line trains will run between Papakura and Newmarket every 20 minutes.
Additional Southern Line trains will run between Papakura and Waitematā via the Eastern Line every 20 minutes – these trains will stop at all stations between Papakura and Ōtāhuhu, and all stations between Sylvia Park and Britomart.
|
Junior Squash ODT Champions |
 On Wednesday, our Junior Boys Squash team convincingly won their One Day Tournament at Eden Epsom Squash.
Year 10s Eric Wen, Leo Labrum, Oscar Bourne and Declan Kiw were too good for the competition all day, and beat King's College 9-0 in the final. |
 With King's Birthday Weekend upon us, there is a reduced fixture list for Premier teams, but the Football Boys 1st XI are playing today at Bill McKinlay Park – against Selwyn College at 5.45pm.
On Wednesday, the Football Girls 1st XI host Westlake Girls at 4pm, while at the same time the Rugby League 1st XIII host Aorere College, the Squash Premier Boys are at home to Howick College at 4.15pm, and the Hockey Boys 1st XI are playing Sacred Heart 1st XI at Mount Roskill Grammar at 5.45pm.
On Thursday, the Lacrosse Premier Girls play Whangaparaoa High at MAGS at 4pm, and the Hockey Girls play Kristin College at Mt Roskill at 4.45pm.
For updated fixtures and results, click here
|
You can see the web version of the newsletter here
You can unsubscribe here
 |
Copyright © 2024 Mount Albert Grammar School. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
