Outstanding Results Recognised

From left, Mr Drumm, Samuel Reeves, Natasha Deakin, Jacob Miller, Mr Dockery and Mr Gilbert.

Three of MAGS' top academics were recognised for their outstanding Scholarship results at the Top Scholar Awards 2024 held at Parliament on Wednesday.
Following the 2024 Scholarship Exams, Jacob Miller was named a Premier Scholar, while Natasha Deakin (Accounting) and Samuel Reeves (Earth & Space Science) were the Top Scholars in their respective subjects nationwide.
These students were accompanied to the ceremony at Parliament by Mr Drumm, HOF Commerce Mr Gilbert and HOD Earth & Space Science Mr Dockery.
The Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford, presented 12 Premier Awards to students who received Outstanding Scholarships across multiple subjects; while NZQA Board Chair Kevin Jenkins presented awards to the highest achieving student in each of the 37 New Zealand Scholarship subjects.

Changes to School Days for CAA Exams

Parents should have received an email today about provisions for the NZQA Literacy and Numeracy Corequisite Common Assessment Activities (CAA) Exams that will be administered in Week 5 across Tuesday 27th May and Wednesday 28th May.
 
YEAR 9 students: will attend school both days and attend all classes as per normal timetable.
 
YEAR 10 students: ALL Year 10 students will be required to sit the Literacy and Numeracy CAA exams but will only attend school on these TWO days to sit the NZQA CAA exams. 
Each student will receive a separate individual letter advising of the times and rooms in which they will sit these exams.  When they are finished, they will be released and will be expected to return home and complete any other work set. 
 
YEAR 11/12/13 students will be working from home across these two days unless they are sitting the NZQA Corequisite Literacy and/or Numeracy CAA Exams.  Teachers will provide work to be completed at home.
 
YEAR 11/12/13 students required to sit the NZQA CAA exams will receive a separate individual letter advising of the times and rooms in which they will sit these exams.  When they are finished, they will be released and will be expected to return home and complete any other work set. 
 
NOTE: For any students who are unable to work from home over these two days a space can be provided for them to work at school.  Please inform your year level dean if your child will need to be supervised at school during this time.

You can read the full email about the CAA Exams here

Pasifika Prefects for 2025

MAGS is proud to introduce our Pasifika Prefects for 2025.
Back row, from left, Jarom Rowell, Liam Ng Shiu, Erich Retzlaff. Second row: Palepua Afoa, Kiva Carr, Epeli Prescott, Brendan Wright-Akeli, LA Tusialofa, Kingston Ballantyne. Front row: Romi Ropati, Grace Oloi, Manumea Matautia, Kyra-Leigh Masina, Khalen Quensell, Catherine Makasini, Lavinia Craig, Emina Tiatia.

Sign Up for Bubbles and Banter

MAGS is thrilled to invite you to an evening of memories as we celebrate 25 Years of Girls at Mount Albert Grammar at Bubbles and Banter on June 27, 2025, starting at 7pm.

This special complementary event welcomes all past students, parents, staff, and whanau to come together in the W.O.H Gibbs Room for an evening of fun and laughter.  Let’s reminisce, celebrate our achievements, and strengthen the bonds that have shaped our community.
Over the last 25 years the school has changed enormously.  New classroom blocks, dynamic spaces and learning areas have contributed to this. Optional school tours are available at selected times. Take some time to explore, see the school in action and experience the school, both old and new.  
Please register here for this event. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the school: [email protected]

Geography Students Collect Valuable Data

Yesterday, the 13 Geography 2 classes were out on Auckland’s beaches collecting data for their research assessments.
Their focus is the differences between east coast and west coast. First stop was Muriwai in the morning for an analysis of the coastal features, wave data and beach profiles before heading to Point Chev after lunch to collect comparative data.
Next week, the 13 Geography 1 classes will be out with a focus on the physical and cultural vulnerability at Muriwai and following that Year 12 Geography will be completing their river study.
TIC Senior Social Science Ms Hobbs said,"For the Geography department, field work has always been an integral part of our programmes, with hands-on study and seeing geographic processes in action reinforcing what we learn in the classroom. Many of our students take these practical skills with them when they head off for university, studying in areas such as engineering and environmental studies."

Starring Role During Holidays 

Deputy Head Prefect Epeli Prescott spent his school holidays as a featured performer in The Wizard of Ōtāhuhu in a sold-out season at the Māngere Arts Centre.
The production told the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz with a Pacific twist through music, dance and drama.
In the play, Epeli, pictured in red shorts centrestage, was cast as Dorothy’s canine companion, Toto, who remained loyal and protective of her throughout her journey from Rainbow’s End to Sturges Park.

Term 2 Arts Calendar

Next week, Level 1 Drama is performing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
This is a stage adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name. The story follows Christopher, a 15-year-old boy on the autism spectrum, as he navigates the aftermath of finding his neighbour's murdered dog.
For tickets, please email HOD Drama Carmela Hughes at [email protected]

Interform Banner Winners

As the Junior School's Interform Competition continues, this week there were points given out for the best class banners, which are paraded around on finals day.
The winners are pictured above and below, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd from left to right.
The year-long competition is a fun series of challenges, with classes gaining points depending on their placings in each event. Extra points are earned for participation, support, fair play and teamwork.
At the end of the year, Interform Finals Day winners get a pizza lunch while the overall champions for the year enjoy a trip to the movies.

MAGSROW Quiz Night

MAGS Rowing (MAGSROW) is having its annual Quiz Night fundraiser on Saturday, May 24 in the F.W. Gamble Hall, and is inviting the MAGS Community to join in.
You can purchase individual seats or whole tables, so join in for a night of fun! 
There will be online auctions, raffles, and live auctions, so keep a look out for the link and start the bidding.
Plus, you can win prizes on the night for best dressed (there's a theme: 'Things that go together'), as well as the best quiz team.  Email [email protected] if you'd  like more info, or book directly via eventfinda here

Personal Best Certificates

The Junior Excellence Awards for Term 1 were presented to students from Year 9 (pictured above) and Year 10 (pictured below) at assemblies this week.
Certificates are awarded to up to two students from each mentor class at the end of each term. You can see the list of students here
These awards recognise students who have demonstrated personal excellence by doing one or more of the following:
– shown huge improvement in the quality of work
– submitted outstanding work
– shown significantly improved effort
– exemplified the ‘MAGS Way’ values
– been a highly supportive and helpful member of their mentor class
– persevered through hardship to achieve success

Put the Board Show in Your Diary

Can Drive Coming Up for City Mission

Interact is once again undertaking a Can Drive, alongside Westhaven Rotary, in support of Auckland City Mission. 
One in five New Zealanders experience food insecurity and are unsure of where their next meal will come from. Cold and harsh winters can be extremely difficult for thousands of these individuals and families who cannot afford food during these times.
Interact wants to support these people and is encouraging students to bring in canned goods to donate to this cause. 
Interact members will be coming around during AMP in Week 4 to collect non-perishable items such as baked beans, sweet corn, and canned fruit. For Juniors, there will also be interform points up for grabs for the number of cans collected in each class. 
Your support could be life-changing —just one can could bring warmth and hope to someone in need this winter.

Albertian Launches Children's Book

Albertian Lauren Middleton (2012-2016) is launching her debut children's book, Pippa and the Sheep Snatchers (Bateman Books), next month.
The book, which is aimed at ages 8-12, is based around a sheep-stealing epidemic in Dargaville. When Pippa’s woolly best friend Lulabelle gets snatched, she goes on an extraordinary adventure to get her friend back with the help of ex-professional-weightlifter-policeman Mike Te Hira. 
Pippa & the Sheep Snatchers is being published on June 3rd, with a launch event happening at Dorothy Butler Bookstore in Ponsonby on June 8, 4pm-5.30pm. Pre-orders are available here and more details about the launch are here

Second Year 8 Info Evening Next Week

Next week, Mount Albert Grammar School will be holding the last of its two information evenings for prospective Year 9 students in 2026.
These evenings are primarily aimed at in-zone Year 8 parents and guardians, and their sons/daughters. The last one will be held in the F.W. Gamble Hall on Tuesday, May 13, from 7pm-8pm.
To manage numbers, feeder schools have been assigned an evening to attend but if that date does not work there is no problem attending the other evening, and there is no need to RSVP.
May 13: Auckland Normal Intermediate School, Balmoral Intermediate School.
Attendees will get: 
• A visual presentation about Mount Albert Grammar School for Year 9 students in 2026.
• Information about our enrolment procedure for the 2026 intake.
• The opportunity to find out about the academic, sporting, arts and cultural opportunities at MAGS.

Sports Update

MAGS Dominates Relay Champs

The MAGS orienteering team, fresh off their North Island Championship success, took out the top podium spots at the Auckland Relay Champs on Tuesday.
The Championship Relay event, held in wonderful Autumn conditions in the Riverhead Forest, featured challenging courses and difficult terrain.
The boys teams won all three divisions – Junior, Intermediate and Senior, and were awarded the Top Auckland Boys School trophy. In a fantastic display of navigational skill and teamwork, the Senior Girls also took out the Gold medal – claiming victory over Baradene and St Cuthbert's – a huge win for the girls orienteering team. 

Relay Podium Results:
Senior Boys – 1st (James Milne, Reuben Adye, William Wood)
Senior  Girls – 1st (Isabel Spreitzer, Ami McGowan, Anna Batcheler)
Intermediate Boys 1 – 1st (Charlie Milne, Reuben Bruce, Tahi Harris)
Intermediate Boys 2 – 3rd (Cameron Taylor, Logan Steer, Ben Spreitzer)
Junior Boys – 1st (Quinn Harris, Jamie Appleton, Max Morgan)

Upcoming Premier Sport

The Basketball Premier Girls and Boys are both away tonight with the Girls playing Rangitoto College at 6pm and the Boys at St Peter’s College at 7.30pm. The Football Boys 1st XI are also playing this evening – at 7pm at Crum Park against Macleans College.
Tomorrow, our Netball Premiers play Auckland Girls Grammar at Auckland Netball at 11.30am, while the Rugby Boys 1st XV play an away game at Dilworth College at 2.30pm.
On Monday, the Rugby Girls 1st XV play away to Southern Cross Campus at 4pm, and the Football Girls 1st XI are away to Westlake Girls High at 4pm.
On Wednesday, the Football Girls 1st XI are at home to Glendowie College at 4pm, and the Rugby League 1st XIII are at home to Manurewa High at 4pm.
On Thursday, the Hockey Girls 1st XI play Pakuranga College at Lloyd Elsmore Park at 5.45pm.