Choirs in Fine Voice at Big Sing

Congratulations to our three choirs who performed at the Big Sing Auckland Regionals this week.
Music teacher Ms Fletcher said, "On Tuesday, we had Melodica performing for the first time at Big Sing, and they did an amazing job. Big thanks to Charlotte Nicklin for all her efforts.
"On Thursday, the Centennial Choir and Gloriana also did an outstanding job. They performed wonderfully at the Gala in the evening. Special thanks to choir directors Catherine Oxenham and Terence Maskell for their invaluable help with the choirs."
Results from the regionals should be known on Monday, including whether the choirs progress to the Finale or Cadenza shows.

Prefects Raising Spirits

Thanks to our wonderful Prefects for a fantastic Spirit Week.
This student-led initiative aims to build pride in MAGS and its values, and it is hoped that it will become an annual fixture.
This week, Prefects organised a  Teachers v Students football game that finished in a 2-2 draw, delivered appreciation cards, and hired themselves out to students and staff, raising $1053 towards the Lion Fund.
There was also music in the quads, a 'Merch Day', when students could wear MAGS-branded apparel, and a jump jam session in the F.W. Gamble Hall at lunchtime today.

Wearable Art Winners

Last Friday, MAGS Wearable Art Co-Curricular Group competed in the Toi Wearable Art competition, part of the National Show Quest Competition for 2024.
They came away with an award for ‘Creative Storytelling’ for the garment ‘Seraphim’ that was Designed by Year 12 Phoebe Newcombe and Year 10 Leonna Banzuela – together with our creative team: Oli Neary, Maya Woolford, Sona McCormack, Kithi Bandara, Anushka Shukla, Bevon Argo, Elena Shmauk, Allie Bygrave and others, who pitched in throughout.
The group, led by Mrs Gauntlett and Ms Cooper, has been a fun and creative space for students of all years to develop sewing and sculptural skills within the context of wearable art.
Modelled by Phoebe Newcombe, ‘Seraphim’ competed against 32 other garments at the Aotea Centre.
Made from mostly donated and recycled materials, the garment is described by Phoebe: "Seraphims are heavenly beings, an uncanny twist on a typical angel, with sprawling wings and countless all-seeing eyes. It exudes Lovecraftian grace, something beyond the limits of our comprehension. Its intentions, whether they be good or evil, are unknown. Our garment’s wings are made from hundreds of recycled paper feathers stuck onto recycled cardboard bases, the bodice made from recycled cardboard layered with repurposed fabric and faux feathers. The skirt is also made from repurposed fabric.”

40 Hour Challenge This Weekend

Interact has already reached its $5000 fundraising goal for World Vision but wants to push that total on, with the 40 Hour Challenge starting at 8pm today and running to midday Sunday. 
Participants can choose any activity or challenge they would like to complete during this time and then get friends or family to sponsor them.
For this challenge, World Vision has partnered with communities who are working to fight climate change. This is a global movement to restore forests in countries like Timor-Leste, who have lost 90% of their original forests.
You can donate to the challenge here

Chamber Music Groups Wow Judges

This year, three MAGS ensembles joined musicians from across New Zealand for the Chamber Music Contest at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre.
Moonstars, pictured above, .png, and A.C.E  all received fantastic feedback from the adjudicators.
Moonstars, competing in the 'Original Composition' category, performed The Wandering Compass, composed by MAGS student Zoe Burnett.
.png and A.C.E embraced a Shostakovich theme. .png performed Piano Trio No.2 in E minor, 4th Movement, while A.C.E performed 5 Pieces Two Violins and Piano.
Despite nerves, it was a memorable day for many of our musicians. They embraced the challenge and delivered performances that impressed the judges.

Ngā Manu Kōrero Success

MAGS had four students speaking this week at the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero ki te Waitematā competition held at Ngā Puna o Waiōrea – Western Springs College.
Awanui Hope (Senior Māori), Oscar Duffy (Senior English), Bella Dunn (Junior Māori) and Katie Watkinson (Junior English) were selected to represent MAGS.
MAGS co-hosted the competition once again alongside Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kotuku.
Katie Watkinson placed first in the Tā Turi Kara – Junior English section, which means she has qualified for the National PPTA Ngā Manu Kōrero competition in Week 8 of Term 3 (which MAGS is also co-hosting) at Spark Arena.
Oscar Duffy placed third overall in the Korimako – Senior English section, and he placed first for the Impromptu Speech category. Awanui placed fourth overall and Bella placed seventh overall, a great first attempt in Year 9! 
HOF Māori Ms Paul, said, "We were very proud of our māngai (representatives), as well as our wider Puna student community, who attended the event to tautoko their peers. The running of the event went relatively smoothly, and we look forward to the upcoming kaupapa in Term 3."  

Multiple Fans for Mathematician

Mathematics teacher and YouTuber Subash Chandar K (aka infinityplusone) was a huge hit with students when he visited MAGS on Wednesday.
As well as addressing a Year 12 Assembly, Subash worked with Mathematics classes during the day and took questions from students.
He spoke about his educational journey and the resilience it takes to succeed as well as his love of learning and meeting challenges.
There were long queues for his signature and/or a selfie after he spoke to students.
Subash, a South Auckland secondary school teacher, has won awards for his inspiring work as a mathematics and statistics teacher, and has built up a huge following for his YouTube channel across New Zealand, with many MAGS students among those who turn to his videos for help.

The Power of Reading

Reading is the major key to student success.
Students who read regularly cope better at school in all subjects.
They also develop a wide vocabulary and are able to become better speakers and writers. For these reasons, the school recommends that students read for at least 30 minutes a day. We encourage parents and caregivers to support this by positively discussing reading with their children and encouraging their efforts to do so. 
Research has shown also that there are other benefits from reading such as increased mental stimulation, stress reduction, memory improvement and improved focus and concentration!

Mooting Team Marches On

In their debut year, the school's Mooting Team has reached the Quarter Finals of the ASLM Mooting Competition. 
The team consisting of Ryan Antia, Lachlan Paul, Eliza Rodger and Stephanie Zhang have won all three rounds of the general tournament. Their last win was by far the toughest moot to date as the opposition had a very easy case to defend for the admission of evidence. But despite these odds, the MAGS team, through probing questions and logical arguments, won the case.
Year 11 student Lachlan said, “It is extremely rewarding to register wins in our maiden year, in a competition dominated by schools with a long history of mooting and fielding multiple professionally coached teams.”