 The Journey Has
Just Begun Tēnā koutou, ki te whānau o Mount Albert Grammar School.
The end of our first full five-day school week saw us acknowledge our top scholars from 2023 at our annual Scholars Assembly.
The scale and height of student success on show was impressive with almost 300 students receiving their Scholar Lion for achieving an Excellence Endorsement in their NCEA qualification last year.
We also recognised our NZ Scholarship winners, including Outstanding Scholars (Top 70 in New Zealand) along with two Top Scholars (1st in subject in New Zealand).
A highlight of the awards assembly was welcoming back a large number of our graduates from last year. Their presence (and achievement) was a reminder of our primary purpose as a school … the future success of our students.
It can be easy to measure the worth of a school by simply noting the ‘success of the now’. At MAGS we certainly enjoy bringing home the silverware and celebrating the achievements of our current student body.
Yet we must remember that our true measure of success will be revealed by the people our students become in the future ….. good parents, supportive partners, valuable work colleagues – these are the things that will really matter.
Our broader school values are critical here, and that measure will be many years in the making.
But for now, our newest graduates are making the best start to the next stage of their journey after school.
Congratulations to all of our Scholar Lion recipients.
Per Angusta Ad Augusta
Patrick Drumm
Headmaster
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Click here for the Calendar
Wednesday, February 21
MAGS Athletics Championship Day
Friday, March 29
Good Friday holiday
Monday, April 1
Easter Monday holiday
Tuesday, April 2
School Closed
Thursday, April 11
Last day of classes for Term 1
Friday, April 12
Staff Only Administration Day
End of Term 1
Photo Essays
 MAGS Swimming Sports Day, click here
Trials and Registrations
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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Scholars Assembly recognises top academics |
  MAGS welcomed back many of our top academics to celebrate their and our current students' success in last year's NCEA and Scholarship exams at today's Scholars Assembly.
Those recognised today included Samuel Reeves and Jude Wilson, Top Scholars in German and Technology respectively, while Jacob Miller, Lam Nguyen, Max Stiven and Oliver Tang were acknowledged for being named Outstanding Scholars (placing them among the top 70 Scholarship students in New Zealand).
The June Gray Charitable Trust Tertiary Education Scholarship was also presented today, to Stella Anderson, pictured above right, by Brian McMath, at right.
The success of our students contributed towards record results for MAGS in the 2023 Scholarship exams with an historic 127 Scholarships gained, 19 of which were Outstanding.
Overall, 14 MAGS students gained Scholarship Awards by passing three or more Scholarship subjects or gaining at least two Outstanding Scholarships. These students' names will go up on our Honours Board in the F.W. Gamble Hall.
Chief among them is our 2023 Boys Dux Oliver Tang, who amassed eight Scholarships – in English, Biology (Outstanding), Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, Statistics, Calculus, and Religious Studies.
Lam Nguyen achieved Scholarship in six subjects – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics (O), Calculus (O), and Health and Physical Education. Jacob Miller had three Outstanding results in his five Scholarships – Chemistry (O), Physics, Statistics, Calculus (O), and Geography (O). Max Stiven gained five Scholarships – in Biology (O), Chemistry, Statistics, Accounting, and Economics.
Jay McElwee gained five Scholarships – in Biology, Physics, Statistics, Calculus, and Painting. Ryan Shen gained five Scholarships – in English, Statistics, Geography, Health and Physical Education, and Religious Studies.
Our 2023 Girls Dux Ella Edwards gained four Scholarships – Biology, Statistics, History, and Religious Studies (O).
Anatol Coen achieved four Scholarships – in Chemistry, Physics (O), Statistics and Calculus.
Eric Hu gained four Scholarships – in Biology (O), Chemistry, Physics and Calculus.
Hilarie Reid earned four Scholarships – in English, Biology, Chemistry, and Statistics. Hannah Ellis-Ducobu gained three Scholarships – in Biology, Chemistry, and Statistics. Keira Mulgrew achieved three Scholarships – in Statistics, Design and Economics. Samuel Reeves earned three Scholarships in German (O), Biology, and Chemistry. Hannah Moy gained two Outstanding awards in Biology and Classical Studies.
There were 289 Scholar Lions Award winners for 2023, with 103 in Level 1, 119 in Level 2, and 67 in Level 3. There were 66 students who gained one or more Scholarship, with 20 of them in Year 12 and two in Year 11.
Our Scholars Assembly audience was also treated to a great rendition of Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come by Emma Newland (vocals) and Theo Wright (guitar).
More photos from today's event here
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Scholarship Information Evening |
Mount Albert Grammar School welcomes all parents – and students who may be interested in sitting scholarship exams this year – to attend our information evening on Wednesday, March 6 at 6pm in the F.W. Gamble Hall.
The evening is an opportunity to hear details about the scholarship exam, process for signing up, and hear from current students who have sat the exam.
Scholarship exams are a richly rewarding academic challenge for our students and we look forward to seeing you at the information evening.
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MAGS Arts - Stay Connected - Keep Informed |
There is a huge number of opportunities to get involved in Arts and Culture groups at MAGS, but it is important that students stay abreast of individual group musters and opportunities via the notices, year level classroom pages and MAGS social media.
Any specific enquiries can be made to Director of Arts Jacqui Cesan – [email protected]  |
Pillars Expo Proves Popular |
 Prefects and group leaders did a great job stirring up interest in the Arts, Sports and Service pillars on Tuesday.
The Pillars Expo had students queuing up to find out about and to sign up for groups at lunchtime on the main field. |
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 In 1924, the school’s third year, the roll was 373 at the beginning of Term 2 (May 26).
For the first time in its history, the school boasted a Form 6A (now Year 13).
The main block (the only block) ended at what are now the International Office on the ground floor and room B8. The north wing was not extended until 1930. Construction on the hall had not begun and most of the current fields were gorse-covered wasteland. Playing fields were slowly being developed where the pool carpark is now situated and much of this work was carried out by the students.
In sport, the school had a very successful year, winning the 1st XV Rugby competition in just its third year and coming second in the 1st XI Cricket competition. For the first time the school offered Football as a sport. There was no inter-school competition but the four school teams competed with mixed success in various club competitions. Late in September, the 1st XV travelled to New Plymouth to challenge for the Moascar Cup for the first time. New Plymouth Boys’ High School won 12-3. It was not until 1975 that the school managed to gain this prestigious trophy.
Towards the end of the year the Old Boys’ Association was founded for former students to get together. (This Association is now known as the Albertians Association and former students are encouraged to enjoy their own association.
One of the first events organised by the association was a 'Picture Evening' held at the Lyric Theatre in Symonds Street to raise funds to buy caps for the 1st XV. Another fundraiser was the school concert. Most of the school was involved with a variety of performances and this tradition continued until 1966. Physical Education involved the whole school for fifteen minutes, four days a week and every Wednesday the school had an hour of military drill. The lack of field space made both of these extremely difficult.
Some famous alumni:
A number of students from 1924 went on to make their names in various areas:
Vic Butler was a prefect and a member of the 1st XV and 1st XI Cricket. He was the school’s first All Black, taught at the school from 1930 to 1932 and in 1953 became the foundation headmaster at Mount Roskill Grammar School.
Otto Hintz joined the New Zealand Herald as a reporter and was the editor from 1958 to 1970.
G.L. (Lindsay) Weir was a member of the 1st XI Cricket and was also a member of the 1st XV. He was head prefect in 1926 and represented New Zealand in cricket from 1930 to 1937. He taught at the school from 1938 until 1979 but also spent some time serving overseas during the war.
Sidney Moses played for the 1st XV. He had considerable success in motor-cycle racing, billiards and snooker and was also responsible for organising the introduction of decimal currency in 1967.
Reg Harrop was a prefect and a member of the 1st XV. He was president of the Old Boys’ Association in 1928 and 1929. His grandson is Patrick Drumm, the current Headmaster of Mount Albert Grammar School.
The Staff
Besides the headmaster, there were 14 teachers, many of whom had long careers at the school.
A number of them are still remembered in our annual prizegivings. The F.W. Gamble Cup for the Best All Round Boy in Year 13 is named for the first headmaster. Other teachers still remembered with awards are H.L Calder (History), G.S. Coldham (Languages), R.B. Harvey (Commerce), J.H. Harvey (English), H.L. Towers (Mathematics) and C.P. Worley (Chemistry).
Another award that dates from 1924 is the Fred Free Prize for Reading. This was donated by the parents of Fred Free, a student of the school who died in a tragic accident at the end of 1923.
Footnote: As noted, the 1st XV won the competition in 1924. They also won it 50 years later in 1974 (though they had won it many times in the intervening years). No pressure on the 2024 team!
– Greg Cave, Assistant Archivist  |
Homestay Families Required |
 Our International Department is currently looking for kind and caring families to accommodate our International students.
This is a great opportunity to learn about a different culture and build lasting friendships
Our next student intake is Term 2 – commencing the end of April. There are mainly long-term students arriving, but there is an intake of short-term students later in the year.
Homestays are our most popular style of accommodation as our students benefit from living with an English-speaking family and sharing in the NZ family experience.
What are the expectations of a host family?
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, three meals a day plus snacks and laundry.
The application process
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]
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Tickets on Sale for MAGSROW Quiz Night |
 Join in the fun at the MAGSROW Quiz Night on Saturday, February 24 and help raise funds to support our rowing squad.
A delicious roast dinner is included in your ticket price and there are lots of great auction items up for grabs. Book now here
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 Keep up to date with school news and events on the MAGS App – free from the App Store or Google Play.
MAGS parents can instantly access school announcements, Daily Notices, the Kamar portal, teachers’ contact details, and notify the School if your child is absent.
When notifying absences, you need to load your child’s Student ID number. You should only need to do this once, and this helps us record absences more easily.
Parents and students can check the School Calendar and sync chosen events with their own Calendar, and choose Groups about which they wish to receive Alert Notifications.
There are links to the MAGS Newsletter, Sports, Maps, and more …
Search for “SchoolAppsNZ”, and load the app on to your phone. You can then search for and add as many schools as you want so you can receive alerts from multiple schools. If you are having trouble with this, click here to see how. |
MAGS hosted its annual Swimming Sports Day yesterday, with more than 60 students participating – from experienced club swimmers to Year 9s giving it a go for the first time.
Although there were no school records broken this year, there was still lots of fast and close racing, resulting in two first-equals in two of the girls age groups.
Director of Aquatics Mitch Nairn will be selecting the team for Central Zones soon.
Results for each race are available on fixtures and results on the MAGS website.
You can see more photos from the day here
Results:
Junior Girls (13 and under)
1st = Ava Winn 53
1st = Sammie Visser 53
3rd Navya Sood 29
Intermediate Girls (14-15)
1st Bianca Chan 51
2nd Macy Hains 47
3rd Olivia Wheeler 32
Senior Girls (16 and over)
1st = Kate Wheeler 50
1st = Khalen Quensell 50
3rd Lilaina Marshall 43
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1st Jonny Joseph 54
2nd Alexis Goatley 53
3rd Thomas Humphries 40
Intermediate Boys (14 – 15)
1st Hiro Kuniyasu Tau 50
2nd Tarquinius Schwalger 46
3rd Tarran Tyson 37
Senior Boys (16 and over)
1st Taiga Ueno 52
2nd Kayden Te Anga 45
3rd Palepua Afoa 42 |
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Luis Kerrigan Hits Record Score |
 Last Saturday, Luis Kerrigan hit the highest score ever recorded for MAGS in a competition game.
His 159 vs Rosmini College at MAGS surpassed a score of 155 by former Blackcap Graeme Vivian in 1963.
It was Luis’s second century for the 1st XI following his innings against Hamilton Boys High in a warm-up match in January.
A copy of the scorecard was presented to Luis by Headmaster Mr Drumm at the Year 12 Headmaster's Assembly.
The Boys 1st XI defeated Rosmini College by 150 after posting a record score of 351 when asked to bat first. Skipper Felix Naish scored 67. |
Athletics information to come |
Parental information regarding our school athletics day next Wednesday (February 21) will be emailed out tonight to students who have registered.
Please ensure you read all the necessary details to ensure you know the arrangements around the day and please share this with the students who are competing.
Please note: entries are now closed.
If you have any questions please contact Mr Crossan at [email protected] |
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