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 Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Mount Albert Grammar School.
Recent visitors to the school will have noticed the construction activity in Alberton Avenue as a new vehicle accessway is created leading into the Aquatic Centre carpark.
This long-awaited project will ensure pool patrons can access car parking independently off Alberton Avenue without the need to drive through the front of the school – thus ensuring a safer environment for our students.
When the Mount Albert Aquatic Centre was first opened in 1998, the student population of our school was just over 1000. At the time, the impact of an on-site, community pool on school logistics was minimal. Yet, with today’s school of 3500 students needing to co-exist with the over 300,000 annual visitors to the pool, capacity and safety issues have become a significant challenge.
The separate access to the pool is a win-win for both parties. It will allow the Aquatic Centre to continue to serve the wider community across weekdays and weekends. MAGS will also now be able to secure the school after hours – and to safely manage vehicle access throughout the school day.
We are grateful to the people at Auckland Council for enhancing and future-proofing this important community asset – and for making our school safer.
We look forward to the new pool accessway being up and running early in the new year.
Have a great weekend.
Patrick Drumm
Headmaster
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Click here for the Calendar
Wednesday, November 27
Year 9 Interform Competition
Thursday, November 28
Year 10 Interform Competition
Friday, November 29
NCEA Exams End
Tuesday, December 3
Junior Prizegivings
Last Day of Classes for 2024
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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Kaimai Camp Full of Challenges |
 Last week, our Year 10 Outdoor Education students attended a three-day camp at Dickey Flat Adventure Camp in the northern end of the Kaimai Ranges.
Throughout the camp, students remained within the same group of up to 11 students and one teacher.
As a group, they participated in a range of activities chosen to personally challenge them, encourage them to work as part of their group and provide opportunities to further develop their transferable skills.
Activities included tent camping, camp stove cooking, river swimming, initiative activities, team building activities, a low ropes course, a bush walk, a river traverse, a camp quiz/challenge and a night walk.
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Sign Up for New Payment System |
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As previously advised in the newsletter, MAGS has closed Kamar direct payments via the ‘Finance’ tab on the Kamar Portal and is now partnering with Kindo to streamline payments.
Kindo will now be used for donations, fees, sports, school trips, ball tickets etc.– with several payment methods available, including free ones.
MAGS is no longer taking payments directly into our school bank account. If you have an automatic payment already set up to our bank account, please cancel this as soon as possible and create an automatic payment to go directly into your Kindo Wallet.
For more instructions on automatic payments, please click here
Any outstanding credit on your MAGS account will be added to your Kindo Wallet once a Kindo account has been created.
Please see this link for a copy of the document above to help you to sign up to Kindo, whether it is on your computer or using the app on your phone. There is also a Kindo tab on the MAGS website's Parent Portal that can be used to access or set up an account.
You can also click here to set up a Kindo account for MAGS payments.
Please note: Parents who have payments outstanding on their MAGS account will also soon receive a payment request from 'The Growth Collective' – so make sure to check the spam/junk folder on the email account that you use to receive MAGS communications. And make The Growth Collective a trusted sender or add to your contacts.
Parents who have a Kindo account already through another school can use that for MAGS payments using the instructions here
Need assistance? The Kindo Helpdesk is open 8am to 4pm weekdays.
Freephone: 0508 4 KINDO (0508 454 636)
Email: [email protected]
Online Tutorials: support.mykindo.co.nz |
Gateway Work Experience Placements Needed |
Do you have a business or workplace that could offer a MAGS student work experience?
The MAGS Gateway Programme is a employability skills course that supports Year 12 students to gain experience in their chosen career pathway.
We are now planning for 2025 and we are looking for more placements, particularly in the trades.
Students commit to one day a week for 10 weeks across Terms 2 and 3.
Our placements have included trades, retail, beauty and hospitality – and students are trained in health and safety before they start.
If you are able to support a student with unpaid work experience, please contact Karen Caso, our Gateway Coordinator, at [email protected].
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A video has been produced of musical performances on the Roy Clements Treeway by six Senior Music students, directed by HOD Music Mr Watson.
The event took place as part of a STEPS hikoi down from Owairaka maunga in late September as part of Auckland’s Heritage week.
Former MAGS teachers Roy Clements and Christine Treseder Hallett met with Headmaster Mr Drumm, then greeted the walkers on Kerr Taylor Reserve. They then led the group towards the musical performances on the treeway.
You can see the video here
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Device-Free From Next Wednesday |
As per our MAGS tradition, the school will be device-free from next Wednesday, 20 November, until the end of the year. Students should leave their laptops and iPads at home.
The Year 9 and 10 students who needed to borrow a school loaner device have been sent an email with full information, including the fact that all loaner devices for junior students are to be returned before school on Wednesday, 20 November.
Students in years 11-13 with loaner devices have also been sent an email with full information. Their return deadline is the day of their last NZQA exam. |
Order Your Christmas Ham Now! |
 Neat Meat are again helping the Sports Department with fundraising for students in need, with $15 from every ham sold going back to the school.
These are especially delicious and there are only a limited number available. They are great from frozen also.
You can order here
Internet Banking
School Bank Account number: 12-3029-0300684-00
*Please add the Student ID number, if you have one, student's name and the word 'Ham' as a reference. |
Reminder to Empty Lockers |
Please be aware that student lockers must be emptied and locks removed before students leave for the year.
Any remaining locks will be removed during the holidays and any contents will be stored at the Student Centre for collection next year.
Students will need to purchase a new locker next year if they want one. |
 We are excited for 2025 and our new cohort of international students.
We have students arriving from the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Chile, Argentina, Germany and Italy. Stays vary from one term through to a full year.
A host is expected to provide a clean and comfortable bedroom with bed, wardrobe (built-in or free-standing) and drawers, linen and towels, desk and lamp, heating in room and three meals a day plus snacks and laundry.
The application process involves police vetting for all family members over 18 and the completion of an application form.
This is followed by a home visit from the school. This helps us to know a little more about your family’s interests and lifestyle and enables us to make a well-informed student match.
If you would like some further information, or to receive the application forms, please email [email protected] |
Cricket Boys' Final Ambitions |
Come along and support our Cricket Boys 1st XI, who need a win tomorrow when they face Auckland Grammar away at 10.30am to make the Auckland Premier Limited Overs final.
Auckland Grammar sit second behind table-topping Westlake Boys, while our 1st XI sit close behind in third.
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