![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/7ae71abbbf69fb11f76a12c1622a7395.jpg?20230515) ![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/f097db40ad4d9c5f22971811bdfa98a2.jpg?20240612) Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Mount Albert Grammar School.
Winter months can prove a particular challenge for those students who are involved in activities both before and after the formal school day.
The lack of daylight hours sees many of our sporting and arts activities being carried out either well before the sun has risen – or well after it has set.
But there is hope on the horizon – literally! Today’s winter solstice marks a turning point in the year with a promise of a steady increase in daylight hours in the weeks ahead.
Despite the season, there has been anything but a hibernation in school activities. A fantastic Spirit Week has seen students celebrating all of the good things in their school. Thank you to our senior student leaders for driving this important part of our MAGS culture.
And our performing artists have been dominating the landscape.
Three MAGS choirs performed at The Big Sing Auckland choral championships this week, and tonight we have our musicians showcasing their talent at the ‘Slam the Jams’ music concert.
Our dancers compete next week in YouDance before our own MAGS dance concert is held in the final week of term.
Thank you to all of our students who are rising above the depths of winter, and are remaining faithful to commitments across our MAGS pillars.
You bring much needed warmth and light to our school at this time of the year!
Have a good weekend.
Patrick Drumm
Headmaster
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Click here for the Calendar
Thursday, June 27
School finishes early, at 1pm.
Friday, June 28
Matariki holiday
Wednesday, July 3
Night at the Classics music concert, Raye Freedman Arts Centre, 7pm
Thursday, July 4
Three-Way Conferences. No classes.
Friday, July 5
Three-Way Conferences. No classes.
End of Term 2
Photo Essays
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/cf5e066e89964bf1f719519363a38d85.gif?20240618)
Lacrosse Premier Girls v Diocesan
Click here
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/aaa96af020a50149f7775b2660b716bc.gif?20240618)
Rugby Girls 1st XV v Auckland Girls Grammar
Click here
Trials and Registrations
Click here
Fixtures and Results
Click here
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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.
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Choirs in Fine Voice at Big Sing |
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/19690f5025cf74109275b1b3fcc40fde.jpg?20240621) 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.
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![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/57a2f0509632a10cd98a633bed7402b7.jpg?20240619) |
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/dbd8d82973ce1f748f40b4bc2a388153.jpg?20240618) ![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/3226509ac195a9aa0a6a5f8d3040723c.jpg?20240618) 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 |
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/df2c86f5abae5e7bc2fc3b5f62f77a9e.png?20240621) 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
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Chamber Music Groups Wow Judges
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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.
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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."
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Multiple Fans for Mathematician |
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/e4c3a4ffd4a88a17041606232528fcc6.jpg?20240621) 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.
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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!
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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.” |
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![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/ea83ec599c2f5d199f61db3f88e8ae96.jpg?20240620) Tickets for Night at the Classics will be on sale through iticket from next Tuesday. ![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/22e98923a7b09290e8f9dc3e1be253b8.png?20240621) ![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/ab74cecce2e939d00ec6dbfb3d8c7689.jpg?20240614)
YouDance provides a great opportunity to come and see MAGS scholarship choreography and excellence performances in this showcase of excellence in youth dance.
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Class, ID Photos Available to Order
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Parents and students have been emailed with instructions about ordering Mentor Class and ID Photos online.
Students who were present for their photos have been issued with a shoot key code so photos can be ordered from PhotoLife.
Students will not have a code if they were not at MAGS when the photos were taken (due to issues such as late enrolments/starts).
Photos will be delivered to school for free if ordered by July 3. |
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The term dates for 2025 have now been finalised and can be viewed on our website here
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Orienteering Boys Top Forest Champs
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![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/84b2a7a48e4042dfed913c15d66aa303.jpeg?20240620) On Tuesday, about 20 students headed out to Woodhill Forest for the Auckland Forest Orienteering Championships.
All competitors took on the forest and completed the challenging courses.
Top podium results were achieved for Tahi Harris, 1st in Intermediate Boys, and Reuben Adye, 2nd in Senior Boys.
There were top five placings for Oscar Vink (4th Senior Boys), Charlie Milne (5th Intermediate Boys) and an impressive 4th placing for Reuben Butterworth in the Junior Boys race.
At the end of the day, Hugh Skinner (acting Captain of the Boys Orienteering team) was presented with the Top Boys School Award for the highest overall points from the event.
TIC Mrs Mackinlay-Milne said, "Thanks to the parents and Mrs Muir for transport and organisation of the team."
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The Auckland Secondary Schools Gymsports Championships took place at Pulman Park last Thursday with two students competing: Year 9s Mila Morton and Chloe Petrie.
Chloe had a busy day, competing in three disciplines with good success. She gained the following results: Trampoline (B Grade): Gold, Tumbling: Bronze, Artistic (Step 7): 5th.
Mila competed in the Trampoline (National Category) and finished 8th in a strong competition out of 16 competitors.
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Wrestlers Take on Aussies |
![](https://dispatch.bridge.school.nz/uploads/34/ea876626e5844ae70c4e8357bae49811.jpg?20240621) Congratulations to Max Shallard, pictured left, who won silver at the Australian Wrestling National Championships in the U20 61kg category. Ryan Harding also had a good tournament at the Melbourne State Sport Centre, coming fourth in the U17 80kg category. |
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Today, the Football Boys 1st XI are playing Rosmini at 6pm at North Harbour Stadium, while the Basketball Premier Girls have no game but the Boys are away to Saint Kentigern at 6.30pm.
Tomorrow, the Netball Premiers play McAuley High at 9.30am at Auckland Netball, and the Rugby Boys 1st XV are away to St Paul's College at 2.30pm.
On Monday, the Rugby Girls 1st XV are at home to Kelston Girls at 4pm, on the Sir B.G. Williams Field.
On Wednesday, the Football Girls 1st XI are away to Saint Kentigern at 4pm, the Rugby League 1st XIII face Aorere College at 4pm on the Sir B.G. Williams Field, and the Hockey Boys 1st XI play Westlake Boys 2nd XI at Auckland Grammar at 6.45pm.
On Thursday, the Hockey Girls 1st XI are away to St Cuthbert's at 2pm, and the Lacrosse Premier Girls are away to Westlake Girls at 4pm.
For updated fixtures and results, click here
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