 Adding Structure Back
Into Our Curriculum |
 Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Mount Albert Grammar School.
The Government announcement this week regarding fast-tracking changes to our school Mathematics Curriculum follows on the heels of changes to the way Literacy is to be taught in schools from next year.
These proposed changes follow the recent release of data showing many (most) Kiwi students struggling to meet expected standards in Year 8 English and Mathematics. This trend is further reflected in other national and international measurements as students progress through the secondary education system.
Rather than pointing fingers at various parts of the teaching sector, it is the quality of our National Curriculum which must be placed under the microscope.
First introduced in 1993, successive iterations have ‘gutted’ much of the knowledge and content that were part of subject syllabi in the past. Instead, there was a deliberate decision by curriculum writers to elevate skills, attitudes and competencies. ‘How’ to learn (and teach) became much more important than ‘what’ was to be learned.
There were even attempts at deconstructing and reinventing subjects. Schools were encouraged to develop their own (local) curriculum leading to wide variation and interpretation of courses depending on where in the country (or city) you might attend school. Any student who moved between schools could not be guaranteed the same content in their courses. Physics in one school could look markedly different than physics in the school down the road.
The flexible design of NCEA and other assessment tools has masked much of the negative impact of the New Zealand Curriculum on student achievement. It is really only the alarm at our declining standing against international measures that has precipitated the current rethink around curriculum. And despite the rhetoric around equity, it has been our most vulnerable learners who have suffered more than any from the current situation.
A knowledge-rich curriculum accompanied by rigorous, valid assessment has been a lynchpin of a MAGS education. We have been prepared to take a lead in this with our own Year 11 MAGS Certificate of Educational Achievement.
But no school in New Zealand should have to write and design its own curriculum and assessment system. Providing every New Zealand teacher and student with a structured and prescribed document to guide their practice must be the number one priority of the Ministry of Education. Valid, reliable, common assessments must align tightly to the document.
Hopefully, recent announcements are a step in the right direction.
Have a good weekend.
Patrick Drumm
Headmaster
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Click here for the Calendar
Monday, August 12
KBB Music Festival Begins
Thursday, August 15
Arts and Culture Photos
Friday, August 16
Arts and Culture Photos
 Friday, August 16
MAGS Quiz Night, F.W. Gamble Hall, 6pm
Friday, August 30
Daffodil Day
Monday, September 2 to Sunday, September 9
Winter Tournament Week
PHOTO ESSAYS
 Netball: Combined Points Tournament
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 Lacrosse Premier Girls v Westlake Girls
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Trials and Registrations
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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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Another Brilliant Art Show |
  The MAGS Art Show was as impressive as ever, thanks to our volunteers, and had sales in excess of $100,000 over the weekend.
The Art Show Committee, pictured above, said, "Massive thanks from MAGS to all our contributors - the Artists, Sponsors, Volunteers, the Art Show team, Student Performers, and all those others who helped make it happen. And of course to our audience – thanks for coming along and making it such a success. We couldn’t do it without you. Hope to see you all again in 2025."
Proceeds from the show will go to the Artist in Residence program at MAGS as well as the proposed new Performing Arts Centre.
You can see more photos from the Art Show here  |
As part of the MAGS Art Show, there was some stunning student artwork on show and for sale that was evaluated by various judges.
And the judges' verdicts are in:
Senior Painting: 1st Prize: Oli Neary, “That’s Not Art - Triptych”, pictured above.
Senior Photography: 1st Prize: Rose Leader, ”Edge of the World”.
Senior Digital Design: 1st Prize: Milo Henshaw, “Connection”.
Top Junior: Ash Norris, “Untitled”.
People’s Choice Award: Misaki Nakamura, “Omedetou”.
You can see all the student winners from the Art Show here  |
Huge Prizes in Puna Raffle |
 Te Puna o Wairaka has organised an amazing raffle to help them fundraise to upgrade Kapa Haka Kākahu (outfits).
There are seven prize packs up for grabs, all worth over $1000. The prize packs have been donated and can be viewed on Instagram @tpowkakahu.
Key details:
Puna will be selling a maximum of 250 tickets for $50 each. There will be seven draws and all tickets will be eligible for each draw.
A NZ Police officer will witness the draw on August 30, 2024.
All payments need to be made to the school by August 28; that is the closing date for entry.
If you would like a ticket, please email [email protected]
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Centennial Choir Fundraiser |
 Tomorrow, the Centennial Choir is holding a fundraising concert in MAGS' Gym 2 to help them attend the Big Sing Finale.
Some tickets are still available so please contact Ms Cesan – [email protected]
There may be limited tickets at the door but you will need to be there by 5.45pm to buy these.
On the night there will be raffles, food and great entertainment including the choir, our Megacrew dancers, the MAGS Got Talent finalists and lots more.
The Big Sing Finale, which features the best secondary school choirs from across the country, takes pace at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, at the end of this month. |
Cook Islands Language Week |
 MAGS celebrated Cook Islands Language Week with language videos posted to our website and varous activities across the week.
The 2024 theme for Cook Islands Māori Language Week is ‘Ātui’ia au ki te vaka o tōku matakeinanga - Connect me to the canoe of my tribe’.
On Tuesday there was a hula dance demonstration, on Wednesday a multi-sports competition in the gym, and on Friday a cultural performance in the gym.  |
New Date for Teams of the Century |
 Our Teams of the Century event has been postponed and will now take place on Friday, September 27 (not August 9).
Join us for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Albertians Association when our Teams of the Century will be announced.
Date: Friday, September 27
Time: 6.30pm
Location: F.W. Gamble Hall
Scan the QR code or use this link to register and secure your spot today! Payment options available online or come in and pay at the school main reception.
We are thrilled to have renowned sports commentator and Albertian Mark Watson as our MC for the evening.
Get ready for an unforgettable event! Don't miss this incredible opportunity to reconnect and reminisce as we announce the Teams of the Century.
*All general enquiries to MAGS Reception – [email protected]
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Chess Players Runners-Up at Regionals |
The MAGS' Chess team, pictured with TIC Mr Frank, are, from left, Jacob Miller, Felix McElwee, Declan Kiw, Victor Coen and Janice Shi.
MAGS' Chess team played in the Auckland regional tournament last Friday.
This tournament was for the winners of the cluster tournaments held during the year.
The MAGS team of Victor Coen, Jacob Miller, Janice Shi, Felix McElwee and Declan Kiw came second to Mount Roskill Grammar.
MAGS narrowly missed out on first place by half a point (19 to 18.5). The MAGS chess team still qualifies for the national tournament in October. |
Arts and Culture Photos Next Week |
Arts, Culture and Service group photos will be taken in the F.W. Gamble Hall by PhotoLife next Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16.
Please see the schedule here |
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 The Senior Division Mooting Team, comprising Year 11 students Lachlan Paul, Eliza Rodger and Stephanie Zhang, and Captain of the team, Year 13 Prefect Ryan Antia, attended the Auckland Schools Legal Mooting Prizegiving last week at Meredith Connell Law Firm, in the city.
Despite competing for the first time this year in the competition, the team remained unbeaten against several experienced and professionally coached teams.
The Prizegiving was held at Meredith Connell’s Courtroom where Ryan Antia was awarded the Kilian and Associates ‘Best Mooter' trophy. This award was presented by Mark Henaghan, Professor at the University of Auckland Law School and member of the Royal Society of NZ.
While presenting the award to Ryan, Head of Competitions Richard Alley stated, “This year there was one really outstanding name, who won by a significant factor. Your mooting has been exceptional and all the judges who judged you this year agree.”
Ryan said, "Hopefully, the establishment of the new MAGS Mooting Club will mark the beginning of a long tradition of excellence in mooting at MAGS." |
 Congratulations to MAGS Science Department for a resounding win over Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls Grammar and St Cuthbert's College at the 2024 North Island Secondary School Science Bowl Competition.
MAGS 1 and MAGS 2 teams qualified 1st and 3rd after the round robin, allowing them to advance into the semifinals, with MAGS 1 vs AGS 2 and MAGS 2 vs AGS 1.
MAGS 1 easily defeated AGS 2 to have a place in the final to defend their title.
MAGS 2, led by Victor Coen, managed to beat AGS 1 due to a last-minute save from Ava Poynter to get a seat in the finals.
The MAGS 1 vs MAG 2 final was a tight battle between the Year 13 team, led by Jacob Miller, and the Year 12 team.
TIC Mr Huang said, "It was back and forth between the two teams but in the end MAGS 1 took it out and are champions for a second year in a row."
Winners – MAGS 1: Jacob Miller, Samuel Reeves, Jonathon Yu, Felix McElwee
Second Place – MAGS 2: Victor Coen, Ava Poynter, Cameron Lai, Macy Li.
Victor also won top individual scorer of the night, with Jacob Miller gaining runner-up.
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Geography Quiz Runners-Up |
  The Auckland regional round of the Maatangi Whenua Year 11 Geography competition saw a range of schools come together at this year’s hosts Diocesan on Wednesday.
As usual, the rounds tested different aspects of geographic knowledge and skills from flags and countries to geography in the news.
It was a close competition with MAGS Blue, consisting of Isobel Knowles and Lucy Richardson, finishing a highly commendable and quintessentially Kiwi fourth despite being a team member short.
Our MAGS Gold team – Joshua Radcliff, Louis Allison and Ronan Simpson – were vying for the lead throughout but, unfortunately in the end, St Cuthbert’s superior Play-Doh sculpting skills saw them pip MAGS at the post for the trophy and MAGS finished second.
TIC Ms Hobbs said, "Both our teams should be proud of carrying on the MAGS Geography legacy that has seen our teams finish as either winners or runners-up of this competition for the past twelve years, and we look forward to competing again next year." |
 The Year 11 Japanese classes participated in a Japanese cultural day event at Takapuna on Tuesday.
The event was organised by five Auckland school teachers from Takapuna Grammar School, Albany Senior High School, Lynfield College, Orewa College and Mount Albert Grammar School to provide opportunities for our students to deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture and use Japanese outside of school in a real life situation.
Nearly 200 students participated and experienced a variety of activities such as kimono dress-up, traditional games and Japan trivia quiz.
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Students on Lifeguard Exchange |
Congratulations to Sophie Rednall and Jack Tyler, who participated in a Junior Lifeguard Exchange to Huntington Beach, California in the July Holidays.
They were hosted by American families for two weeks and guarded from the iconic blue towers, assisted in rescues, jumped from the pier, speed dropped from the surf boats and performed the haka for the Mayor.
They will host American Junior guards at Piha, where Sophie and Jack are both active lifeguards, when they visit NZ this summer. |
Get Your Quiz Night Tickets |
Tickets are now available at the Finance Office for the Annual MAGS Quiz Night, a fun-filled event with prizes for the best outfits and numerous spot prizes.
Join the quest to be named MAGS Quiz Night champion while enjoying food and drinks that are available for purchase. Don't miss out on this exciting evening!
All proceeds will go to the I Have a Dream Foundation. This charity is dedicated to empowering Kiwi kids, helping them navigate their way out of intergenerational challenges and achieve their dreams through mentorship and support throughout their schooling life.
Your participation will not only ensure an enjoyable evening but also contribute to transforming the lives, futures, and communities of children in New Zealand.
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Auckland Champions Recognised |
 Our Football Girls 1st XI and Coach Ms Inwood were recognised at assembly today and presented with their medals as Auckland Champions.
The Girls' next assignment is an APC semifinal game against Rangitoto College next Wednesday at MAGS at 4pm, before they begin preparations for their NZSS Championship games in Nelson during Winter Tournament week next month. |
Netball Combined Points Tournament |
MAGS was unlucky not to retain the Combined Points Championship title for 2024, having won it in 2023.
While all our teams were competitive in pool play, our Year 9 and Year 10 teams both narrowly went down to Hamilton Girls. The Boys were also unfortunate not to progress through to semis, having not lost a game, but drawing against Avondale.
Director of Netball Mrs Henry said, "Our Premier 1 team, whilst winning their pool play games, had an unfortunate crossover with 2023 NZSS Runner-Up Champions St Kentigern where they were soundly beaten. Positives from the day was the debut of a number of players playing Premier 1 for MAGS at Combined Points: Faith Taihia, Muriwai Mikaere and Jorgina Holt.
"Our Premiers are looking forward to putting out a much more competitive performance against St Kentigern this Saturday when we play them again at 9.30am."
More photos from the tournament here |
Three students from MAGS competed in the NZ Secondary School trampoline and Double Mini Trampoline Championships last weekend.
In the Junior Men’s Division (15-21 age):
Eras Viljoen, pictured above left, was 1st in Double Mini Trampoline and 2nd in the Individual Trampoline.
Henru Viljoen, above centre, was 3rd in both Double Mini Trampoline and Individual Trampoline.
In the Sub-Junior Division (13-14 age):
Janko Viljoen, above right, placed 2nd in both Double Mini Trampoline and Individual Trampoline.
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 Today, the Basketball Premier Girls and Boys are playing at home against Northcote College at 6pm and Mt Roskill at 7.30pm respectively.
Tomorrow, the Netball Premiers play St Kentigern at 9.30am at Auckland Netball, while the Rugby Boys 1st XV are away to Kings College at 1.30pm.
On Monday, the Rugby Girls 1st XV play a semifinal against Auckland Girls Grammar at Colin Maiden Park at 4pm.
On Wednesday, the Football Girls 1st XI have an APC knockout semifinal game against Rangitoto College at MAGS at 4pm, and the Hockey Boys 1st XI play Pakuranga High at Lloyd Elsmore Park at 4.30pm.
On Thursday, the Hockey Girls 1st XI play Diocesan at Mt Roskill at 4.45pm.
For updated fixtures and results, click here
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