Leavers' Big Night

The MAGS 2024 Leavers Ball was a roaring success last Friday evening.
Under the theme of ‘Starry Night’, students enjoyed an evening of dinner, photos (White Door Photography) and music (NZDJ) hosted by the Pullman Hotel in Auckland CBD.
Led by the School Ball Committee and TICs Ms Butler, Mrs Cato and Ms Smith, the ballroom was fitted out in an array of lights, stars, chandeliers and more.
Awards for the evening included those that had been voted on earlier by the Year 13 cohort: ‘Cutest Couple’ – Charlie Heath and Cassie Taylor, pictured right;  ‘Best Bromance’ – Elijah Poliko and Eved Ah Soon; ‘Most Likely to Return as a Teacher’ – Ryan Antia, ‘Most likely to Become Prime Minister’ – Lize Deng; and those selected on the evening: ‘Star of the Night’ – Melbourne Ariki, ‘Best Dressed’ – Queeny Ale, and ‘Best Dance Moves’ – Sam Cotton.

Sign Up for New Payment System

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

Student Publishes Inspirational Book

A Year 13 Business project aimed at building confidence in rangatahi is gaining attention in the publishing world.
Manaia's Taiaha – developed by Year 13 Rimu Frandi as part of the group Rangatahi Narratives – follows Manaia as he draws inspiration from modern and historical Māori leaders.
Rimu said, "The idea for this book idea came from my nephew, Manaia. He is a five-year-old boy who attends Te Kira Maori O Nga Tapuwae. Manaia is fluent in Te Reo Māori, however since birth has experienced hearing loss which has contributed to a slight speech impediment when he speaks English. 

"To help him navigate this challenge, Manaia often turns to children’s books, using them to practise his pronunciation and build his confidence. His journey is the inspiration for our book which features stories of inspiration from modern and historical Maori leaders.
Each of the stories in Manaia’s Taiaha are not only used to captivate young readers but also to support children like Manaia in developing their speech. Through learning about role models who have overcome their own challenges, Manaia and children like him can find encouragement, confidence and what it means to be unapologetically Māori." 
The book was published through YourBooks, who value ethical and environmentally sustainable production methods to lower the use of fossil fuels and minimise their carbon footprint.  
Rimu said, "The writing and illustrations were done by me, taking about two-and-a-half months to complete and an extra two weeks to get published." 
Manaia’s Taiaha has been sold to a kura kaupapa in the Hokianga, the home of one of the leaders in the book, and to people all around New Zealand and Australia. 
The book costs $29.99 and can be ordered by emailing [email protected]

Albertians Association AGM

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Mount Albert Grammar Albertians Association will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at MAGS in the MAGS' W.O.H. Gibbs Room at 6.30pm.
The meeting will confirm the minutes of the 2023 AGM, receive and consider the annual financial statements, and elect officers for 2025.
Please RSVP to [email protected]. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]

Greg Taylor's MAGS Legacy

Greg Taylor, the school’s fifth headmaster, presented the cups to the Victrix Ludorum, Anika Todd, as pictured above, and Victor Ludorum, Oscar Vink, at this year's Senior Prizegiving.
Mr Taylor was the headmaster when the school first admitted girls in 2000, and in 2004 he donated the trophy – The G.G. Taylor Cup – for the school’s top sportswoman, the Victrix Ludorum.
One of the recipients of this trophy, in 2008 and 2009, was Portia Woodman, New Zealand rugby player.
The Victor Ludorum trophy dates from 1922 and was originally awarded to the senior athletics champion.
In 1945 it was repurposed for all-round sporting achievement. Recipients of this trophy include Sir Peter Snell (1957), Sir Bryan Williams (joint winner in 1967 with Bernie Allen), and Olo Brown (1985).
As a student at MAGS, Mr Taylor was no stranger to prizegiving. He received awards at every prizegiving from 1960 to 1964.
In his last year he was Dux of the school and he also received the J.H. Harvey prize for English and the Coldham Prize for Language. Both of these prizes are still awarded annually.
In addition, he received scholarships from the Auckland Savings Bank and the John Williamson Trust – these scholarships have not been awarded for some years.
– Greg Cave, Archivist

Used Uniform Donations

At this time of year, with students leaving school or outgrowing uniforms, parents should be advised that MAGS accepts used uniform items in good conditions to gift to students in need.
You can drop off used uniform items at the Student Centre, which will redistribute them.

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.

Homestay Families Needed

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]