Champion girls - Mount Albert Grammar School

Champion girls
National titles in
premier football
and lacrosse
VOLUME 8.No3
T E R M 3 . 2 0 1 3 W W W. M A G S . S C H O O L . N Z
THE HEADMASTER
Quarterly
Champion girls
National titles in
premier football
and lacrosse
On the cover: Premier girls’ football and lacrosse teams,
Year 11 Drama performance at Alberton, Physics trip to
NASA Space Camp, spring on the school farm.
Deadline for Term 4 Quarterly: End of Week 4,
Friday 8 November. All articles and photos (JPEGS
must include student names) to Communications Manager,
esarney@mags.school.nz
VOLUME 8.No3
Headmaster’s Report
3
New staff
4
Community service
5
Pasifika, Maori, Careers
6
MAGS farm news
7
Academic news
8-11
Creative writing
12-14
My gratitude to all those parents who have assisted a
sports team or other school activity this winter by giving
their time, effort and/or money. The fundraising machines
of some teams and the parental organisation behind
the scenes are humbling to see. As I keep telling the
students, without the support of adults in a variety of roles
the numerous opportunities our school offers would not
happen. They are very fortunate.
T E R M 3 . 2 0 1 3 W W W. M A G S . S C H O O L . N Z
Mount Albert Grammar School
Alberton Avenue, Mount Albert, Auckland
1025
T (09) 846 2044 F (09) 846 2042
E headmaster@mags.school.nz
School Contacts
Deans 2013
Email
Dean of Year 9 Boys
Mr Philip Kotze
pkotze@mags.school.nz
Dean of Year 9 Girls
Katie McColl
kmcoll@mags.school.nz
Dean of Year10 Boys
Mr Andy Belson
abelson@mags.school.nz
Dean of Year 10 Girls
Ms Va Anisi vanisi@mags.school.nz
Deans of Year11
Ms Helen Sutcliffe
hsutcliffe@mags.school.nz
Mr Kerry Baker kbaker@mags.school.nz
Deans of Year12 Mr Martin Wright
Deans of Year 13
Mr Adam Simpson
Art auction
15
Performing arts
16-17
International Students
18-19
School ball
20
Sports news
21-34
Corridors
35-38
mwright@mags.school.nz
Ms Jess Lythejlythe@mags.school.nz
asimpson@mags.school.nz
Ms Natasha Phynnphyn@mags.school.nz
Attendance Officer
Ms Lee Iswar
attendance@mags.school.nz
International Dean
Mr Ian Cole
icole@mags.school.nz
Senior Dean (Responsibilities in senior school academic monitoring)
School property supporters 39
School calendar
40
Mr Greg Cavegcave@mags.school.nz
Academic Dean (Special responsibility for the Academic Institute)
Mr Warwick Gibbswgibbs@mags.school.nz
Homestays required:
We welcome applications from
caring families within easy travel
distance of the school to provide
short or longer-term homestays for
our international boys and girls.
If you have a spare bedroom and
are interested, please contact Mrs
Corinne Brewer, Homestay Coordinator, ph 846 2044 x 8187,
email: cbrewer@mags.school.nz
2
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students,
Albertians and the Wider
Mount Albert School Community
For all advertising enquiries
in the Quarterly
please contact
Tim Kay
Director of Advancement
tkay@mags.school.nz
Ph (09)815 4034
or
Mobile 021 6366803
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This term there have been many highlights. The series of
Arts productions was outstanding. We have enjoyed the
junior school’s production, Junior Bytes, the seniors’ Arts
Alive show, the annual music concert, the Year 12 drama
Lysistrata and the Year 11 Living History production at
historic Alberton. The students’ performances were as good
as, if not better than, any during my time here in the last ten
years. The talent we have at this school in the Arts is quite
outstanding. They are taught by professionals at the top
of their craft, and it shows. We need now to match these
performances with more support from the wider school
community, and better facilities. While it is wonderful to
have hundreds turning out to watch our sports teams, it’s
a great pity that barely 100 get involved in support of the
Arts performances. The entry charge may be a barrier and
that is being reviewed. The reality is that those not there
are missing some of the country’s top secondary school
talent and an opportunity to support them.
I would like to draw parents’ attention to the growing
number of interruptions to student attendance at school.
Some of the interruptions are caused by subjects that
require students to learn outside the classroom for longer
periods of time than is allocated by the timetable. While
this is very important and recognises that learning takes
place everywhere, it does take students away from other
classes. Sport also takes students out of school. Recently,
we had 163 students away for Tournament Week.
Each student had to get permission from staff in order
to be absent. While away from the traditional learning
environment, students had the opportunity to learn other
things about themselves and others in the context of a
sports trip. These absences are part of wider learning
and are organised and planned by the school. However,
there are a growing number of regional and national
The Headmaster, Dale Burden
representative sides taking students out of school for
tournaments, or the “opportunity to be seen by someone
somewhere”. And finally, too many students are going to
physio during class time, to the point that we have now
banned Year 13s from attending physio during class time
and have put restrictions on all other levels.
I ask parents to help me make the most of their child’s time
at school by looking at the big picture of how many days
your child has already had out of the classroom before
booking a holiday during term time, or allowing your
child to go on a sports trip not connected with the school.
I am never going to make decisions for families and
appreciate that an overseas trip presents plenty of rich
learning opportunities. I only ask that you consider that
time away in light of how much school your child will miss
during the whole year. There is research that supports the
fact that absence from school has a negative impact on
achievement. I invite you to Google this topic for further
reading.
I would like to pay a tribute to the departing Business
Manager, Dr Valda Youdale. She has been outstanding
in her role. The excellent financial position that the school
is in is thanks to her diligent management of the school’s
finances. She has also been an excellent member of the
Senior leadership team and I have always found her a
sensible and intelligent “sounding board” for all sorts of
initiatives and ideas. Valda will be missed, but she leaves
a great legacy and plenty of fond memories.
Finally, I want to extend best wishes to all students sitting
external and internal examinations next term.
Proudly sponsored by
Anne Duncan Real Estate Ltd. MREINZ
LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT (REAA 2008)
www.akelectrical.co.nz
VOLUME 8.No2
TERM 2.2013
Quarterly
3
Community
New staff
New parents’ group
Shave for a Cure
Mr Aubrey Coup
Friends of MAGS
Among the teachers and students who had their hair
shaved off on 29 August in aid of Leukaemia & Blood
Cancer New Zealand was MAGS’ first Pacific Island
girl to take part in this annual fundraiser.Year 13 student
Natahlya Va’ai says
Samoan and Tongan
culture dictates that
girls should not cut
their hair until their
father passes, but her
parents Norman and
Simaima (pictured)
agreed to her request
to break tradition to help this cause. They attended the
event to support her. In keeping with tradition, Natahlya’s
hair was made into a cord that wraps
around the top of flax skirts worn by Pacific
Island people to church and on special
occasions.
“My music teacher passed away in 2010
from leukaemia,” says Natahlya. “I’m not
going to hide my bald head with hats or
scarves, because the whole point of doing
this is to draw attention to the cause.”
About a dozen other students and teachers
joined Natahlya in the school gym to make
the same brave gesture. Art history teacher,
Ms Elianna Gabriel,
had more to lose than
most. Ms Gabriel
(pictured with ESOL
and German teacher
Ms Melanie Bremner)
had grown her hair
since she was eight
years old, until it was
75cm long, reaching
down to her hips.
“My hair was an important part of me, but when I heard
that other people with really long hair were shaving it
off to help others, I thought I could do that too,” says Ms
Gabriel.
Not only did she raise sponsorship money to make the
cut, but Ms Gabriel also donated her hair to a wig-making
organisation that helps cancer-sufferers feel better about
their appearance.
“Hair is a cosmetic thing, and it grows back. This is
something I could choose to do, but many people with
cancer don’t have that choice,” says Ms Gabriel.
Other teachers who took part were Ms Sarnia Slabbert,
Mr Gordon Smith, Mr Adam Simpson and Mr Mark
Rivalland. “As you get older you come into contact with
cancer more and more,” said Ms Gabriel. “I had a friend
die of leukaemia, and have family members who have
survived. Cutting my hair is a small sacrifice compared to
what they’ve been through.”
Together the students and teachers raised about $6000.
Aubrey Coup has joined the Science
department in the field of Biology. Born
and bred in Auckland, Aubrey has taught
previously at Parnell College and, after
enjoying half a gap year, he is pleased
to have returned to teaching. As well as
his passion for the sciences, Aubrey is
addicted to films and has been a long term
Blackcaps supporter.
Ms Andriana Gueorguieva
Andriana Gueorguieva was with us for term
3 relieving Michelle Farmer as a teacher
of Agricultural Science. Originally from
Bulgaria, Andriana lived in Mozambique
and moved to New Zealand in 1998. She
studied at the University of Auckland
where she graduated with a Bachelor of
Science, majoring in Biological Sciences,
and then completed her Graduate
Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) in 2007.
Andriana was at Marcellin College and Diocesan School
for Girls for her teaching placements. She enjoys travelling,
getting to know new cultures and learning new languages.
Michelle Farmer returns to MAGS in term 4.
Mr Simon Allen
Simon Allen has taken over as Head of
Media Studies. Simon worked at Massey
High School in various roles from 2007,
before deciding to join Mount Albert
Grammar’s well resourced Media and
English department.
As well as his passion for films and
music, Simon is addicted to golf and the
outdoors.
************************************
Stop press!
German students top in Auckland
Emily Cavell (left) and Rosa
Henderson were named joint
winners in the Auckland region
of the Goethe Society German
Competition for students who have
completed one year’s study of the
language. Following a written
paper, Emily and Rosa, both in Year 10, were among a
select group of students from competing schools who were
recalled to sit an oral exam. Rosa and Emily performed
outstandingly well and the examiners were unable to
separate them. They were thus awarded joint first prize - a
well-deserved reward for their diligence and perseverance.
4
A new committee of MAGS parents has been launched
to help gather friends of the school and raise funds. It will
operate in tandem with the MAGS Parents group, which
focuses on giving parents an insight into how the school
operates.
Friends of MAGS has been established by Tim Kay, the
Director of Advancement for the Mount Albert Grammar
School Foundation. Its key objectives will be to engage
with MAGS parents and make them feel welcome and
part of the greater MAGS community, partly through
“friend-raising” events, and to host fundraising events for
specific school projects that will directly benefit the school
and our students.
The founding committee is made up of the following
MAGS parents:
Craig Cassidy, Chairman
Ian Moody, Deputy Chairman
Desley Cotton, Secretary
Karen Blanchard
Tom Cooper
Belinda Fellowes
Kyla Harkness
Nathan Inkpen
Mandy Leeson
Sheryl McEwen
Suzanne McNamara
Shelley McSwiney
Ron Murray
Alison Twaddle
Annette Pitovao
Saga Frost
“The Friends of MAGS Committee will bring fresh ideas,
enthusiasm, and ensure parents have the chance to meet
one another in a social setting and form closer ties with
the school,” says Tim Kay.
Meeting dates until the end of the year are:
Tuesday 15 October
Tuesday 5 November
Tuesday 3 December
All will take place at 5pm in the Headmaster’s office.
If you are interested in joining the committee please
contact Tim Kay, ph 815 4034 or email tkay@mags.
school.nz
ASB Community Awards
MAGS’ ASB
Community
Bursary Award
winners attended
a celebratory
luncheon at
Eden Park on 17
September. These
awards celebrate
outstanding
community
From left: Anika Radojkovich, Kuldeep
involvement by
Dalvi, Ruth Lever, Jamie Hucklesby and
Year 13 students
Amelia Scharting.
throughout New
Zealand, both in and out of school. The awards are
part of ASB Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting
sustainable New Zealand communities.
The school was able to nominate five students; each
received $150. The students selected were Amelia
Scharting, Ruth Lever, Jamie Hucklesby, Kuldeep Dalvi
and Anika Radojkovich.
These students were involved in voluntary activities
ranging from mentoring, coaching and tree-planting
through to feeding the elderly, helping at the Citizen’s
Advice Bureau and coaching Special Olympic Gymnasts.
The 200 students at the luncheon came from all over
Auckland and heard a presentation from Mr Wayne
Howett, CEO of Ronald McDonald House, about the work
done in the name of that charity.
Warwick Gibbs
Sports volunteer award
Head girl Amelia Scharting is the first winner of Sport
Auckland’s new monthly award for Student Volunteer of
the Month.
Amelia is a member of the premier lacrosse team, which
won the national title this year, and she also represented
New Zealand in the Lacrosse World Championships in
Canada.
She has also got involved in the growth of the sport at
MAGS. Director of Sport Mr David Long credits Amelia
with doubling the number of girls’ teams this season from
two to four. “Amelia helped in everything that had to be
done in setting up four girls’ lacrosse teams this year,
including sourcing equipment from overseas to enable the
girls to play,” says Mr Long.
New Zealand under-19 women’s lacrosse assistant coach
Jess Evans presented Amelia with a Sanitarium prize
pack. Evans assisted coaching the MAGS’ first team and
enjoyed revisiting the school.
“Volunteers are essential for minority sports such as
lacrosse,” says Ms Evans. “Without the support of
volunteers, lacrosse would not be as popular or as
established as it currently is in New Zealand.”
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly
5
MAGS Farm
Pasifika achievers
Documentary on All Black great
A documentary on MAGS old boy and former All Black
Bryan Williams earned accolades for a group of Pasifika
students.
The six chosen to take part in the Achievers Project run by
the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs were selected for their
leadership, confidence, talent at researching and writing
and success in Media Studies.
Representatives from the Ministry and a film crew from
Attitude Pictures helped mentor the students to make a
two-minute documentary about a Pasifika achiever. The
person they chose could be a former student of their
school, someone who inspired them, was a role model,
and of Pacific Island descent.
The MAGS students chose Bryan Williams as an
Albertian, All Black great, and for his services to
rugby, Pasifika sport, Manu Samoa and to his old school
as a past Director of Rugby. The MAGS filmmakers were acknowledged for being the
most organised group of all the schools involved in the
project, and for producing one of the best documentaries.
The Achievers Project aims to help Pasifika students excel,
to inspire other Pasifika youth and celebrate Pasifika
success.
The Pasifika film-makers with their subject, All Black great
and Albertian Bryan Williams. From left, Mikaela Napa’a,
Shekynah Clarke, Natahlya Va’ai, Bryan Williams, Sane-Va
Ginnen, Luseane Lousi, Eikura William and mentor Brioni Gray
from Attitude Pictures.
Maori assembly
An assembly for Maori students carried inspiring
messages from guest speaker Hayley Clarke, the Finance
& Operations Manager at Fujifilm NZ.
Ms Clarke attended Auckland Girls’ Grammar and
the University of Auckland, completing a Bachelor of
Commerce majoring in accountancy. Her two children
attended MAGS.
She urged Maori students to find out about their personal
and cultural heritage. “You will find strength and support
in learning more about who you are,” said Ms Clarke.
6
When she started at Auckland University there were few
Maori studying accountancy, but there is now greater
focus on nurturing Maori students through tertiary study
thanks to the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
“All over the world there are ethnic groups striving to
maintain their identity,” she said.
Ms Clarke then offered words of advice from Sir Apirana
Ngata, the first Maori to gain a university degree and a
prominent politician and lawyer:
“E tipu, e rea, i ngaa raa o toou ao.”
Grow and branch forth in the days of your world.
“Toou ringa ki te raakau a te Paakehaa hei oranga mo
toou tinana.” Your hand may grasp the material things of
the west so that you may prosper.
“Toou ngaakau ki ngaa taonga o oou tuupuna, hei tikitiki
mo toou maahunga.”
Open your heart to the treasures of your ancestors, make
them adornments for your mind.
Careers
Term 3 is a time when the Careers Centre supports
hundreds of students as they seek information to support
their subject choices for the following year, or their
plans for the next step after they leave school.
More than 400 students have attended appointments
with one or other of the Careers Advisors who are
based in the Centre. These appointments vary from the
“just a quick question” (which almost inevitably leads
to a rather longer question) through to appointments
attended by parents as well as students. It is often easier
for parents to come in to see us either before or after
school and we are very happy to fit in with their other
family and work commitments.
The end of term 3 sees completion of the smaller but
still important task of Year 9 students making their
option choices for Year 10. By the time they finalise
these choices, all Year 9 classes have been visited for
two lessons to encourage them to make well thought
out decisions. All students are reminded to give
consideration to a range of issues, including their
abilities, their interests and their preferences for different
styles of work and so on. There is no urgency about
making actual career decisions at this stage; it is more
important that students reflect on possible broader
pathways and do not restrict any possible future goals
by choices they make now.
For those Year 13 students who are going on to degree
studies, there have been opportunities for course
planning, as staff from universities have visited MAGS
to assist students in the challenges of preparing for
the next stage of their studies. These students have
also been supported through the process of applying
for a range of scholarships and, in some cases,
accommodation for universities outside Auckland. All
Year 13 students have been interviewed at the Careers
Centre during 2013 as part of our programme to work
alongside them on their final year.
Spring babies delight students
Farm manager Larney Palmer is busy – he has a record
41 lambs to keep an eye on, 14 piglets, four “foster”
calves to pair with milking cows, and three or four tours
to give to pre-school groups each week. In short, it’s
spring on the farm.
Auckland’s mild winter was kind to MAGS’ ewes, who
gave birth to the most lambs the farm has raised in any
one year. They are loving the sunny days, and already
have a short coat of thick wool to keep them warm on
chilly nights.
The farm sow had 14 piglets, and Larney says she
barely moved from her pile of hay in the first few days
after the birth to allow her babies to feed and sleep next
to her.
The four foster calves look right at home with their new
mothers, who are happy to feed them to keep their milk
production going.
All these baby animals are enjoyed by pre-school
groups who make the most of spring to plan their visits.
At only $5 a head it’s an affordable way of introducing
city children to a slice of the farming industry on which New Zealand is built. Where else in Auckland can a four-year-old get to
feed a lamb with a bottle of milk? Larney also gives them a shearing demonstration, and the youngsters leave wide-eyed, clutching
handfuls of freshly shorn wool.
Also enjoying the season have been MAGS students studying Agricultural Science. Year 10 students can take the subject as an
option, and from Year 11 it can be taken as a full time course. This year there are six Year 10 classes, four Year 11 classes and
two Year 13 classes. Each class is kept to 10 students for ease of learning and teaching.
MAGS’ farm offers Auckland students a unique opportunity to prepare for further study towards a variety of careers in New
Zealand’s primary sector.
Mrs Pig has been flat out looking after her14 piglets.
Farm tours for pre-school groups are popular at this time of year.
The farm offers opportunities unique to Auckland students.
The piglets at one day old.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly
7
Academic news
Food Technology
Social Sciences
Physics
Year 12 & 13 challenge
Silver medal in barista competition
Quiz teams score high
Trip to NASA Space Camp
Expedition to Peru
Year 13 Food Technology student Charlotte Dunkley beat
professional baristas to win a silver medal at the NZ Culinary
Fare in August.
A student of
Mrs Meenu
Sood, Charlotte
qualified to
compete by
winning gold
in the Auckland
Secondary
Schools’ Barista
Competition.
At the Culinary
Fare, a trade
event where top
Charlotte Dunkley was the only secondary
chefs
and baristas
student among 44 competitors.
from all over
New Zealand compete for honours, Charlotte was the only
secondary student among 44 competitors. She made the final
four and had two judges observing her making coffee and
two judges tasting the end result. “It was distracting, but I just
tried to ignore them,” smiled Charlotte.
Mrs Sood said the judges at the Schools final commented on
Charlotte’s composure under pressure, which would serve her
well if she pursued a career in the hospitality industry.
Charlotte, however, plans to train in early childhood
teaching, so her coffee-making skills will be reserved for
holiday jobs and part-time work.
MAGS’ history and geography teams performed with
distinction at regional competitions in August. Three teams
competed in
the annual
Year 11
History Quiz
against 67
teams from
across the
North Island.
All performed
extremely well
Year 11 History Quiz Team 2. Back row from left:
with Team
Daniel Rudd, Bruno Batinica, Richard Enright.
2 coming
Front row: Max Johansson-Pugh, Nicholas
second equal
Claypole, Matthew Horrocks
on 75 points.
Mount Albert
Grammar has a strong tradition in this competition. In 2012
we came third, in 2011 we came second and in 2010 we
were first. The three teams are to be congratulated for their
superb performance.
Team 1: Hrishikesh Kodthuguli, Finn Campbell, Albert
Carnell - 72 points 6th equal
Team 2: Daniel Rudd, Max Johansson-Pugh, Nicholas
Claypole, - 75 points 2nd equal (pictured)
Team 3: Richard Enright, Bruno Batinica, Matthew Horrocks 73 points 4th equal.
During the July holidays, a group of 26 physics students
attended Space Camp at Huntsville, Alabama. The students
completed several simulated space missions and were
trained in various micro-gravity situations. After graduation
they travelled to the Boeing Factory in Seattle. They toured
the factory, seeing planes being constructed in the largest
building, by volume, in the world.
After 10 days of intense physics, they ended on a relaxed
note at the Disneyland and Universal Studios theme parks in
Los Angeles.
The students would like to thank physics teacher Ms Sarnia
Slabbert, who organised the trip, and the other two teachers
who accompanied them, Mr Ben Conway and Ms Robina
Nisha.
A month-long World Expedition trip to southern Peru
exposed 22 students to a different culture and new
experiences that developed their leadership skills, and
pushed them out of their comfort zones.
The group began their journey at Cusco in the Andes,
coping with the 3200m altitude as they met the locals,
and then went on to the small town of Ollantaytambo
to undertake the trip’s project – helping build the
foundations of a girls’ dormitory at a school.
The group then travelled to Machu Picchu to explore the
historic site, before moving on to Lake Titicaca to visit the
curious Uros Island – floating piles of reeds stacked on
mud on which people live.
The group did their main trek out of Colca Canyon.
They saw Andean Condors, slept in bamboo huts next
to hot springs, and finished the walk at accommodation
called Oasis, where there was a pool of cold, refreshing
mountain water.
They went white-water rafting out of Arequipa, before
travelling back to sea level to the town of Paracas. On
a boat trip to a marine reserve they saw penguins,
pelicans, dolphins and sea lions.
Student Sydney Vari says everyone came home
“feeling different,” not least because of their exposure
to communities that live with far less than most New
Zealanders.
“I feel I speak for the majority of the group when I
say that it was one of the most enjoyable, memorable
experiences of a lifetime. Living in a less fortunate country
and experiencing firsthand the hardship and difficulties
that they experience every day has opened our eyes to
the world.”
The students would like to thank teachers Ms Helen
Sutcliffe and Mr Andy Belson.
Maths
MAGS’ top maths students performed extremely well in a
university maths programme and a national competition. Eleven scholarship students took the MAX programme through
Auckland University during the first semester, equivalent to a
stage one tertiary maths course. Successfully completing this
course enables students to apply for accelerate programmes at
university and provides an easy transition into tertiary study.
In the national Eton Press Senior Maths Competition, three
MAGS students came in the top 100 out of more than 1200
entrants. They were Ryan Cory-Wright, Yr 12, Oliver Chen, Yr
13, and Yixan Ma, Yr 13.
Head of Maths, Mr Allan Sangster, says the students’ results
are proof of MAGS’ high expectations for achievement.
While statistics is considered “easier”, by some, than calculus
at senior level, with the national ratio being 3:1 in favour
of students taking statistics, at MAGS more students opt for
calculus.
Calculus is essential to gaining entry to an engineering degree,
and, consequently, Mr Sangster and Mrs McHardy, who are
both engineering graduates from Auckland University, are
proud that MAGS is one of the highest contributors of students
to Auckland University’s engineering school. “We take pride in nurturing our students from Year 9 to reach
their full potential,” says Mr Sangster.
8
In geography, two teams
competed at the Maatangi
Whenua Year 11
competition at St Cuthbert’s
College. Rebekah Van
Dort, Gilbert Patten-Elliott
and Leon Gibson secured
third place, with the highest
score of the night in the
map skills round. Samuel
Cummins, Jennie Sao and
Oliver Owen were just one
point behind them in fourth
place, this team getting the
top score in the Where are
you? round.
Year 11 Geography Quiz Team.
Back row from left: Samuel Cummins,
Oliver Owen, Gilbert Patten-Elliott,
Leon Gibson. Front: Jennie Sao and
Rebekah Van Dort.
The AGTA Senior Geography Quiz
for Year 13 students was held at
St Cuthbert’s with 28 schools in
attendance. The MAGS team (pictured,
from left) William Turner, Samuel Dale,
Daniel Nisbett and Sean Lawrence
(absent) also did very well in the map
trail round and gained a perfect 10
out of 10 for Geography in the News.
Overall, MAGS finished fifth, missing a place in the final four
playoff by a single point.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly
9
Academic news
Languages
Gateway
Guest Mandarin and Tai Chi teacher
Taking off into the future
This year we are lucky to welcome Qiang Han to
work in our school as a Mandarin language assistant.
He is one of 28 Mandarin Language Assistants from
China, working in 60 New Zealand schools under
this year’s programme, organised by the Confucius
Institute in Auckland with the Ministry of Education.
His role is to assist the teaching of Mandarin more
effectively, to provide information and insight into
Chinese culture and language and to demonstrate
accurate pronunciation and intonation. He brings, by
his presence, the language, culture and country into the
classroom. He provides opportunities for students to hear
a young native speaker, stimulating genuine classroom
communications. He assists teachers by making small
group work possible and more effective, and enables
more students to take part in individual conversations.
Qiang Han is also a very talented Tai Chi exponent and
he has been keen to teach students the exercise, which
they really enjoyed.
Jenelle Chitty didn’t think
she would finish term 3 as
a bit of an expert in New
Zealand’s aviation history,
but that’s what she’s
become through MAGS’
Gateway programme.
Jenelle, Yr 12, spent each
Wednesday for 10 weeks during terms 2 and 3 at MOTAT
as a tour guide assistant. One of her jobs was researching
this country’s aviation highlights so she could speak to
groups at the Aviation Display Hall on Meola Road.
“It was pretty awesome,” says Jenelle of her tour guide
experience. “I helped the educators and had people give
me advice on how to speak to groups. It was fun and
interesting, and I learned a lot.”
She finished her placement with a glowing reference from
MOTAT management, which will help her pursue a career in
travel and tourism.
She is saving money earned from retail work to fund a
Contiki trip around Europe next year so she can observe
other tour guides, and, in 2015, plans to do a travel course.
Commerce
Shadow a Leader Day
Competition success
Year 12 students Luke Butler (pictured) and Phillip
Duncan-Gelder represented Mount Albert Grammar at
the 2013 Auckland Regional
Chinese Bridge Speech
Competition for secondary
students at The University of
Auckland. Luke won first prize,
and Phillip came third. Luke
was selected to participate in
the National Chinese Speech
Competition, and came second.
Congratulations to Luke on this
significant achievement.
Luke continues the tradition of excellence among our
students in this examination. Former students William
Walker and David Tuipulotu both won this competition
and were awarded scholarships to study in China.
Luke will represent New Zealand as an observer in
the semi-final and final of the Chinese Bridge Speech
Competition for foreign secondary students in China
in October. All the costs will be covered by Hanban,
the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a
Foreign Language.
10
The second annual AUT
Business School’s Shadow
a Leader day had 50 AUT
students and 50 Auckland
secondary school students
paired with 50 business
leaders as the leaders
went about their daily
tasks.
Jessica Munro and AUT student
Three MAGS students were
Thomas Goldsbury with Auckland
involved - Jessica Munro,
Waterfront CEO John Dalzell.
Fox Slotemaker and Henry
Photo/Fairfax Media.
Waller.
Jessica joined Auckland Waterfront chief executive John
Dalzell for a day of meetings, progress inspections and
discussions surrounding leadership.
She attended meetings about a conflict of interest and
lease negotiations and visited the Daldy St construction
site where Auckland Waterfront was building a green
park and slow-speed street from Victoria Park to Wynyard
Point. Fox shadowed Trish McClean, the CEO at Retail
World Resourcing, and Henry shadowed Karen Silk, the
General Manager of Westpac Institutional Bank NZ.
Henry was given the opportunity to return to Westpac at
a later date to get guidance on how to pursue a career
in the financial markets.
The programme was part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust
Leadership Week.
Outdoor Education
For videos of this year’s Outdoor Education trips, please
visit the MAGS Outdoor Education YouTube channel at
www.youtube.com/user/MAGSOutdoorEducation
During term
three the
Year 13
Outdoor
Education
class
honed their
mountain
bike skills
at Woodhill
Mountain
Bike Park in
preparation The Year 10 class on the Montana Heritage
Trail in the Waitakeres.
for the 42
Traverse,
a 42km wilderness mountain bike ride in the Tongariro
Forest. The trip included the Whakarewarewa Mountain
Bike Park in Rotorua.
The two Year 12 classes spent the term preparing for
a five-day journey in the central North Island. They
completed a three-day tramp in the Waitakere Ranges
from the
Arataki Visitor
Centre, down
to Karamatura
Valley, over
to Whatipu
and then up to
Karekare.
Their five-day
journey started
at Ohakune.
They tramped
The Year 12 class on their three-day tramp
the ‘Around
to Karekare beach.
the Mountain’
Tongariro track,
mountain biked, abseiled and canoed on Lake Rotoaira.
The Year 11 PE Performance Outdoor Education class
used an overnight tramp to develop their interpersonal
skills, notably effective communication, cooperation and
problem solving. They started near Piha and navigated
their way down to Mercer Bay, past Karekare to Pararaha
Valley Campground. Here they had to set up fly shelters
and cook as small groups. The next day’s challenge was
to navigate their way off-track to Whatipu. This saw the
groups fight their way through dense bush, climb steep
terrain and swim/wrestle their way across a swamp. To
get to the finish they then walked up the long road to Mt
Donald McLean.
Year 10 students learned about bushcraft, including
environmental care, navigation, clothing and equipment.
They visited the Waitakere Ranges to complete an eightkilometre day tramp around the Montana Heritage Trail.
Here they visited the Waitakere Dam and saw impressive
groves of Kauri.
* For high performance outdoor clothing and equipment
made for the toughest
conditions, visit a Macpac
store near you and sign up to their Wilderness Club for
free. Mention your connection to MAGS and receive
20% off the full retail price of all Macpac products in all
stores. 10% of your purchase will return to the MAGS
Outdoor Education department to be used to purchase
clothing and equipment for students to use.
* Outdoor Education thanks Auckland Canoe & Kayak
for its ongoing support. Visit them at 502 Sandringham
Road, Sandringham for
quality advice, equipment,
courses and trips.
A group of 17 students working on their Silver Award
(pictured) went on a two day practice expedition in
the Waitakere Ranges to learn and develop their bush
and campcraft skills. They were expected to navigate,
camp and cook over the weekend in readiness for their
qualifying expedition early next year - a three day,
40km expedition through the Waitakere Ranges. My
thanks to Miss Absolum for accompanying and helping
out on this trip.
We have about 127 students enrolled in the Bronze
programme, some of whom will go on a camp from 23–
25 November and the rest in early 2014. My thanks
goes to Mrs Wilson who is coordinating the Bronze
Award.
It is fantastic to see so many students involved, with the
support of their parents.
Andy Belson
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 11
Creative writing and Visual Arts
Margaret Mahy Starlight Writing
Competition
Prose and poetry from Year 10 students were entered in
this national competition.
The Ones Who Dare
By Rosa Henderson
We used to see the stars.
I stare up at the sky, back hunched like an irate cat to the biting
wind. A crumpled paper flutters across the splintered wood beneath
my feet. It catches on the decrepit leg of an ancient chair, long
welded here by binding orange rust. The paper hangs there, its
secrets folded inside, like a promise discarded and forgotten.
I shrug. We gave up centuries ago.
We cast off our
telescopes, star
maps, hopes
and dreams sending them
into the vast
abyss of the
Darkness; that
desolate void
enveloping
the Earth.
Astringent
anger
dissolved into Ruby Darin, Year 12
abandonment.
Disappointment morphed to ignorance. The Darkness defines us,
inescapable, impenetrable and suffocating. The Ancients looked to
the sky for comfort, but we look up with dread.
I rise, holding a fist up against the endless black. I remember a
wrinkled image I found once. A smear of ink embellished with a
puckered sphere of pale yellow. Underneath, one word: MOON.
A noise from behind startles me. I throw myself behind a row of
shelves and lie, barely daring to breathe. Getting caught here would
result in severe punishment. I stare unflinchingly at the hole in the
ceiling through which the Darkness regards my trembling form
with an icy, watchful eye. A girl’s face appears in the periphery of
my vision. Two luminous eyes gaze at me.
She beckons me forward with a slim finger, her mass of dark curls
too big for her tiny figure. She has a sort of wild appearance, like
an untamed animal. Wordlessly we regard each other. She holds the
crumpled paper and slowly opens it. Although the page is coated in
a thin stratum of dust, it reveals an astounding sight.
She grins at my mouth agape, as I survey the image I’d thought
the Darkness had stolen forever. It is a beautiful chaos of colour
on inky black, like something blown apart and haphazardly stuck
together. A mess of purples, yellows and sunset pinks, as if
someone has thrown a rainbow at the Darkness in a fit of rage and
defiance, and it shattered on impact. Exotic jewels of light stud the
Darkness – the stars.
In that moment, the girl shows me that beyond the Darkness the
stars remain although humanity has condemned them lost forever.
The Coal Sack, the Jewel Box. Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri.
The Southern Cross - used to guide mankind for centuries. The
stars unite us, but no longer in longing. We both know they are
simply held captive by the Darkness. Time passes. It could be
12
minutes or a millennium. The stars hold me in their grip. While
the Darkness fills me with fear; the stars fill me with hope.
The girl clambers onto an ancient, split table. It’s as if she could
reach up and pluck the stars from the prison of human ignorance.
She is silhouetted by the Darkness, hair a tangled nebula in the
wind, skin as dark as the sky above, eyes shining. A sudden urge
compels me to know more about this girl.
“I never caught your name.”
“It’s Delta.” She glances back expectantly. “What’s yours?”
I’d never given much thought to a name. Alone on the streets,
names were a luxury.
I think of the stars, shining and waiting. The stars never give
in. Maybe the only people who ever see a glint of light in the
Darkness are the ones who dare to look up. Like Delta. Like me.
Drawing a deep breath, I announce my new name to the stars
beyond.
“Centauri.”
A Tale of the Stars
By Victoria Ting
Stars are like beautiful lights.
They smile at me with gentle eyes.
I see the Spring to the Seasons,
Aquarius,
Thy godly Greek vase restores life
to the Nile
Hoani Taylor, Year 12
But poor Pisces, fish of the
atmosphere,
Imprisoned in its ropes of horror
Restricted from the infinite blue beyond.
I see Orion, the immense, legendary hunter.
And know that on the other end of the sky lies Scorpius.
The killer.
I wonder, if Ophiuchus did not lie between them,
Would Orion’s existence be known?
Darkness
Year 9 Poetry
By Abbey Lissaman
Shadow
Rippling beneath the blanket of the sky
Darkness stirs
Animal
Roused by the sudden quiet of night
Darkness awakes
Lone owl
Soaring in the inky sky
Darkness arises
Outbreak
Flowing over the landscape
Darkness spreads
Murderer
Destroying all light in its path
Darkness devours
The hunted
Aware of the approaching day
Darkness retreats
Dormant
Peaceful slumber
Darkness sleeps
Waiting…
Waiting for the night to arrive once more.
By Claudia Te Ahuru-Kakahi
My name is Claudia
like Claude or Claudius
if I was in France
or Ancient Rome.
I was 7 pounds, 8 ounces
like 7 blocks of butter.
I was tall like my baby
doll at home
in the toy box
and as long as our mail
box.
I was happy as birds
in the morning
and as quiet as a cat
at night.
Sarah Delfos, Year 13
Sports became my passion
like a netball player shooting a goal
and a rugby player scoring a try.
I guess my name is pretty unique
and different from all the rest.
I think it suits me.
It makes me feel beautiful
and confident.
Rain Drops
By Rohaib Basar
I see the mystical horse, Pegasus.
Its exquisite stature dazzles me.
Her miraculous hooves dig the beginning to Hippocrene,
And the river’s blessed water renews poetry to mankind.
How Pegasus revives beauty to this world!
I see the northern crab, Cancer, the sun to the night sky.
He shines delightfully, like his stars are made of gold.
But the almighty hero, Hercules,
Who killed and placed Leo amongst stars,
Now joins him in the darkness above.
I see Gemini, the twin gods united in heavens,
Longing to realize their inseparable fate as one.
While Virgo, goddess of wheat and agriculture
Grasps Libra, scales of justice,
And regards the plentiful world.
So when I see stars I don’t just see lights.
I see pictures painted in the sky.
I see life unfolding before my eyes.
I see another world.
Like Butterflies and Flowers
Peter Rees, teacher
I lay awake in the palm of the night
within my mum’s soft hands.
Everyone was sprinkling names on my face
like every drop of the rain.
I was so close to be named Jamal
like the shine of the sun, as beautiful as a rose.
But then that one phone call
changed my name
from Jamal to Rohaib.
Everybody thought that name
was unique like every snowflake.
My dad thought my name meant beauty,
my mum thought it was helpful
but to me it meant everything.
Everyone was happy with this name
that my aunty gave to me.
So there I was Rohaib Basar,
like thunder, like wisdom.
I was Rohaib, like the great,
like the powerful me.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 13
Creative writing
He was sweet and chunky ,
like a chocolate chip cookie.
My dad first heard the name
through lines,
telephone lines.
It was unique,
beautiful,
different.
He said to my mum
“What do you think of
the name Tiri?”
When he grew older
he became outgoing,
adventurous and animal friendly
You could even say he was Tarzan,
running around the house like crazy.
My mum said
“Maybe when baby’s
born
we’ll see if she looks
like a Tiri.”
His parents raised him up
wise, strong and smart.
And I did….
In my mum’s eyes
I’m still her little birdie.
Tarzan or a Saviour?
By Joshua Williams
As a new baby arrived into the family,
his name was a mystery
a bit like Shaggy and Scooby.
He was a born leader
known as Joshua Jesse Williams.
His name itself means
SAVIOUR.
Louisa Howse, Year 12
Creative writing and Visual Arts
Art Auction 2013
MAGS talent hammered home
The annual MAGS Art Auction on Thursday, 29 August was even more successful than last year, with more than $12,000
made from the live auction, silent auction, door sales, bar and raffle sales.
All works were by students and art staff, who received 50% commission on their sales. Twenty five paintings were auctioned
on stage by professional auctioneer Michelle Maitland, and an additional 80 pieces were offered in the silent auction.
Students were involved at every stage of the event, from brainstorming their artistic ideas to promoting the auction and
working on the night as waiters, auction spotters and presenters.
This annual event showcases the tremendous artistic talent of our visual arts students and gives these up-and-coming young
artists the opportunity to exhibit to the public and to gain some well-deserved recognition.
Each year art department staff also produce artwork for the auction. This gives the students an opportunity to see that their
teachers are also working artists.
The proceeds from the auction will greatly assist with the growth of the school’s Visual Arts Department. The staff and
students are very grateful for the strong support of our sponsors, local community and businesses.
Over my short lifetime
I have been mistaken
for Tori,
Teri and
Tui,
but I know who I am.
And now you know too!
I’m me.
I’m Tiri.
Bids were made both to professional
auctioneer Michelle Maitland (top
centre) and in silent auction (above).
Photos by Hoani Taylor, Year 12.
Alexandra Dean, Year 12
Student interns at Auckland Art Gallery
Tiri – a Scattering of Seed
By Tiri Soppet
My name means
a cleansing of tapu.
A scattering of seed.
I’m Tiri.
Like the lush green island,
a protected bird sanctuary,
for endangered, native birds.
I was nearly going to be Ellie,
until my aunty
said “Ellie-elephant,”
So that was it No Ellie, instead Tiri.
14
Lauren Walker, Year 11
Year 12 student Adeli Lim took part in a Youth Media Internship at Auckland Art Gallery with 14 other
top art students from across Auckland.
She helped make one of a series of short films that investigated questions about
the gallery. Students had to work together to develop their questions, interview
staff, shoot and edit their short films. The result was a series of professional and
engaging short films which were shown at a special screening at the gallery on 31
August. Thanks to Ms Mulgrew and Ms Jones for organising and supporting their
endeavors.
Adeli’s film was called “What is the value of preserving art?” The other films
made by students were called “What is the importance of viewing art in person?”,
“How does the gender of an artist affect how we view artwork?”, and “What do
children think and feel about art?”
You can watch the films at www.youtube.com by searching for “Youth Media Internship”.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 15
Performing Arts
Junior Bytes
The Junior Bytes concert, held on 13 August at Centennial
Theatre at Auckland Grammar, presented the best of the
junior school’s dance, drama and music in a variety concert.
The programme opened with the Year 9 Dance Academy
presenting Jungle Jam, a dance that was a choreographic
collaboration between the students and their teachers. The
students took on an animal motif to develop their group
pieces. All 27 students participated with enthusiasm and this
was a great start to the show. During the evening Year 9
and 10 drama students presented scenes from Shakespeare,
including scenes from Othello, Macbeth and Hamlet. All
actors gave polished
performances.Year
10 dancers ranged
from a boys’ class
demonstrating their
contemporary and
Hip Hop skills, to a
girls’ class presenting
a jazz dance item.
Year 10 extension
dance performed
a piece based on Kowhaiwhai patterns, and two year 9
students, Nicole Kearney and Oliver Mathiesen, won over
the audience with their duet about a young ballet dancer
and a hip hop dancer who tries to get her attention. Music
and dance items for the junior section of MAGS Got Talent
also showcased the wealth of talent among year 9 and
10 students. From budding
songwriter/singers, such as the
very promising Jenna Ackerman
and Siosiua Atuekaho, through
to some highly skilled jazz
dancers - Brianna King and
Jaimee Mclaughlan and Holly
Grbich. Each performance
was skilled, polished and
entertaining. Judges Sarah
Reid, Gareth Hodges and
Albertian Jennece Morris
chose three items to go to the
final of MAGS Got Talent.
Congratulations Jenna, Siosiua
and Briana and Jaimee.
16
Arts Alive
The Arts Alive concert
presents the best of
MAGS dance, drama
and music for the
year, as well as being
the final opportunity
for group assessment
pieces, and the final
of MAGS Got Talent.
This was a stellar concert this year with some outstanding
performances over all three arts disciplines.In music, we
were entertained by the mixed choir Harmonise, our year
13 Jazz band and by both of the outstanding barbershop
quartets, boys and girls (pictured).
Drama presented scenes from Shakespeare’s Richard
III and Macbeth,as well as a hilarious scene from Cow
by NZ playwright Jo Randerson, in the absurdist theatre
style. Year 13 student Daniel Nisbett also presented an
excellent piece he created around the life and work of
Charlie Chaplin. All levels of NCEA dance presented their
ensemble performances for assessment. Year 11 students
collaborated with their teacher on their performance
while both year 12 and 13 students had dances created
for them by guest choreographers. As well, Dance
Scholarship student
Brosnan Ackerman
choreographed
a beautiful duet,
performed with Michael
James, to a song sung
by his sister and MAGS
Got Talent finalist Jenna.
The quality and variety
of performances in the final of the MAGS got Talent was
high and made the job for judges, Mr Hodges, Ms Reid,
Mr Sinclair and Jennece Morris very difficult. However,
eventually the winner was named as outstanding Year
11 dancer Lisa Mclaughlan, with second and third
places going to two very promising young singers Maia
Waetford and Siosiua Atuekaho.
Lysistrata – an ancient story lives on
scripted short scenes to portray a family living there in
the late 1800s. Each group chose the room they wanted
to perform in and worked in relationship with the space.
The dialogue of most pieces had a theme of the women’s
suffrage and the country being on the cusp of allowing
women the vote.
Head of Drama Dr Lilicherie McGregor said MAGS
was honoured to be included in Alberton’s anniversary
celebrations.
MAGS’ musical talent recognised
An ancient comedy with themes still relevant today,
Lysistrata by Aristophanes was brought to life in August
by Year 12 Drama students in two performances in the
FW Gamble Hall. The play, written in 412BC, tells of a
fiery Athenian woman, Lysistrata, who declared a sex
strike by women in an attempt to end a war.
“Fast forward 2500 years and Aristophanes’ farce
became a reality,” says Head of the Drama Department,
Dr Lilicherie McGregor.
“In Liberia in 2003 peace activist Leymah Gbowee led
a women’s sex strike as part of a peace movement that
helped bring an end to the Liberian Civil War. She was
awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.”
Lysistrata is now taught in secondary schools to encourage
students to think about how they can use their skills and
personal power to bring peace and live collaboratively.
Dr McGregor said the students were privileged to work with
musician Petia Vowel in creating an original score for the
production.
Living History at Alberton
The MAGS Jazz
Band was Highly
Commended and
musician Joshua
Taylor chosen for
a starring role at
the annual KBB
Music Festival
from August 1923.
Held at the Holy
Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, the annual festival showcases
the best in secondary school orchestras, concert bands
and stage bands. This year saw more than130 groups
take part from more than 50 schools across the greater
Auckland region.
MAGS Concert Band performed a festival piece, while
the Jazz Band competed and was Highly Commended.
The Jazz Band is instructed by teacher Mr Benjamin
Sinclair, who is also a MAGS old boy (pictured above
with the band).
Year 12 student Joshua Taylor was selected to star with
the best performers from all schools in the KBB Honours
Orchestra, which performed on the final night. Joshua
plays a range of instruments, and, on this occasion, was
selected for his skill on the double bass.
More accolades for Jenna Ackerman
Year 11 Drama students had the opportunity to stage
a live show in period costume at historic Alberton on
30 August. It was one of the house’s series of events to
celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The show was called Living History and saw the students
perform a range of scenes in different parts of the house
before an audience that moved with them.
The students researched the history of Alberton and
Following her award as Most
Promising Female Artist at
the Auckland SmokeFree
RockQuest earlier this
year, Year 9 student Jenna
Ackerman also won the New
Found Sound band competition
run by the YMCA on Friday,
30 August.
She performed a selection of
original songs and covers in
a 20-minute set, competing
against five other finalist bands from across Auckland.
Jenna had also competed at the national finals of the
Stand Up Stand Out competition the previous evening.
She made the top eight in New Zealand - a huge
achievement for such a young singer.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 17
International
International news
This term we have had 118 International students, from
China, Mongolia, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan,
India, Malaysia, Russia, New Caledonia, Iran, Chile,
Italy, Germany and Switzerland, including more than
20 new students. We have had 16 boys living in School
House.
Successful Albertian
Hu Yi Ming (pictured second from left with banking
colleagues) graduated from MAGS in 2004, gaining the
school’s top grades in NCEA Level 3 and in Scholarship.
He went on to Melbourne University where he graduated
with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with First Class
Honours. He also holds
qualifications as a Chartered
Practising Accountant
(CPA) and a Chartered
Financial Analyst (CFA).
Since graduating, he has
worked for the Reserve Bank of Australia, where he was
recently promoted to work at the Australian Securities
and Investments Commission as an analyst monitoring the
ASX24 derivatives market. Yi Ming is a very successful
young man and an outstanding Albertian.
International sports news
Rugby
This year two Japanese boys have followed in the
footsteps of recent MAGS
international rugby players,
Axel (UK), Axl (Argentina)
and Thibault (France). Kiichi
was with us for the first half
of the year and played for
the 2nd XV, also being a
Above: Takato, and below,
member of our Year 10 Rugby Kiichi.
Academy. Kiichi is a very
good rugby player and impressed the
school coaching team. Takato was with
us for the first 3 weeks of Term 3, and
was a member of our Year 9 Rugby
Academy. He played for a junior
rugby team. The boys lived with the
family of one of the school’s teachers,
also a keen sportsman. Both boys were
taken to rugby games at the local Eden Park, venue of the
2011 Rugby World Cup final held in Auckland, and they
thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being in a leading
rugby school. Kiichi and Takato have benefited hugely
from their time at MAGS and have gained many new
rugby skills.
Football
Christina is from Germany and a fine football player
who was a member of our school’s 2nd XI, which won the
Auckland Senior A championship.
18
Basketball
Our international sports tournaments generate great team
spirit and enthusiasm. The 2013 basketball tournament
was very successful with a great game for 3rd and 4th,
eventually won by Korea over Thailand, 13-12. The final
was a one-sided affair with “China A” winning by 40
points (the team was William, Yuoming, James, Tony and
Gong Lin).
Football tournament
Japan decisively won this exciting tournament, beating
the United Nations team in the final.
Visits to the school
Japanese ‘Coop’ Tour Group
In week 2 of the term we hosted a group of 10 high
school children from Japan, five boys and five girls.
The children had nine hours of dedicated English
instruction from an English teacher. They also enjoyed
being buddied with our students for the rest of their time
with us. On their first day they had a traditional Maori
welcome (Powhiri) performed by our Maori students in
our school hall. They also spent a day in Rotorua, the
famous New Zealand town with geysers, bubbling mud
and hot pools. On their last day they had a farewell
function in the Hall and all students were presented with
certificates. The group presented Mr Burden and Mr Gray
with gifts. Our visitors, a lively group of young students,
will have wonderful memories of their trip and of their
time with us at the school.
Japanese ‘Tohoku’ Tour Group
welcome performed by our Maori students in our school
hall, and on their last day they had a farewell function,
also in the hall, where all students, visitors and locals
were presented with certificates. The visiting children
came onto the stage and spoke, very movingly, of their
experiences of the great earthquake and the tsunami
that followed. The tour chaperone, Tomoko, did a good
job of looking after the children and she took many
photographs and made a video record of the visit. We
also presented Tomoko with a certificate in recognition
of her sterling efforts with the group.
Tomoko and the children produced a lovely hand-made
thank-you card for the school and gave us a customised
NZEDU T-shirt – both occupy pride of place in our
International Student Centre. One student’s mother sent
us a superb book containing a moving pictorial record
of the tsunami. I am sure the children will have wonderful memories
of their trip and of their time with us in the school. The
organiser Mia Evans is to be congratulated for her
efforts in placing this group at MAGS again.
Tahitian swim group
In the final two weeks of Term 2 we hosted a group of
five Tahitian students, in Auckland for swim training at
the Paul Kent Swimming School. They spent some time in
our International English Language class, in a separate
English language programme and going to mainstream
classes with local buddies.
Quiz Night
Congratulations to the teams which competed in this
inaugural Quiz Night at St Mary’s College in Ponsonby.
Teams from
the host
school and
Auckland
Grammar also
took part.
Our team
of Nayuta,
Kento, Hiro
and Christine
took second
place while
our team of Wanli, Aaron, Nancy and Vicky took third
place.
Museum visit
This visit by a group of 10 children from the tsunamidevastated region of Japan took place over 2 weeks and
was funded by Air New Zealand, Auckland City and
MAGS. Students spent six days with buddies at MAGS.
The children really enjoyed being buddied with our
students. On their first day they had a traditional Maori
In August our International English class spent an
interesting day at the Auckland War Memorial Museum,
along with teachers Mr Cole and Mrs Hutchins. They
had a private tour guide and saw a Maori concert.
students in mainstream classes. This programme allows
students to see what the rest of the school does so they
know what to expect when they move to mainstream.
School Ball
Held on the last day of Term 2, the school ball was a
huge success. A group of our students attended and had
a wonderful time.
Outdoor Education
Two of our senior Thai
boys are taking this
subject, Krit (pictured
left) and Kabe. The year
12 students went on the
recent three-day tramp
through the Waitakere
Ranges and really
enjoyed it. Kabe said
“Outdoor Education has
been a good challenge
and experience for me.
I have had to be fit and
positive. I have learned
some useful leadership skills!”
Homestays required
We welcome applications from caring families within
easy travel distance of the school to provide short-term
or longer-term homestays for our international boys and
girls.
If you have a spare bedroom and are interested, please
contact Mrs Corinne Brewer, Homestay Co-ordinator, ph
846 2044 extension 8187, email:
cbrewer@mags.school.nz
Mainstream Day
One of our regular events offers a chance for students in
our intensive English class to spend a day buddied with
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 19
Sport
School Ball 2013 - “Casino Royale”
The annual Mount Albert Grammar School Ball for 2013 was held at The Hotel Pullman in Auckland City. This year’s theme was
“Casino Royale”.
The ball committee worked tirelessly to prepare for the evening and decorate the venue. Attendees walked down a red carpeted
hallway, through the archway and into the magnificent ballroom full of high end-casino decorations.
A highlight of the social side of the evening was the three photo booths and live Facebook feeds that were viewed by over
1000 people as the ball continued through the night. This meant that family and friends could view the photos as the evening
progressed. The photographers were very complimentary of the MAGS students, in particular their friendly and polite manner.
D.J Kieran provided an outstanding music and lighting show and the dance floor was packed all night - four hours of solid
dancing and no doubt some very sore feet.
The students who ran the proceedings on the night organised great themed prizes and their detailed preparations ensured the
evening ran smoothly. My thanks go out to all of the ball committee, led by Bala Murali Shingade and SaneVa Ginnen, and the
parents who gave up their time to help. The students’ behaviour was exemplary and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“The best Ball ever”.
Natasha Phyn
National and Auckland Champions
Mount Albert Grammar School had great success in the winter sporting season - our premier girls’ football and lacrosse teams
won national titles, our top netball team won the Auckland and Upper North Island competitions with the national finals to
come, and our First XI boys’ football team reclaimed the coveted Beswick Trophy in the Auckland league for the 38th time.
The following teams all won their divisions in the Auckland competitions.
Sports
Teams which won their divisions
Badminton Open C
Basketball Girls
U17 Gold and the U15 Gold
Football Boys
First XI, 15B and 13B
Football Girls
First XI, Second XI and Junior A
Lacrosse Girls
Premier Girls, Auckland Division 1 and the AKSS Championship
Netball
AKSS titles for Premier Girls, Senior A, Senior Blue and Senior 5, Intermediate 1, 3 and 4,
Junior 1 and 4
Squash
Premier Boys’ Division 1
Junior Girls’ 1
Underwater hockey
Junior Open
Left: Jade Parris celebrates her winning goal at the National
Girls’ Football Championships with team-mates Amelia Hawkins,
Leah Mettam and Madeleine Cooper. Photo: Phillip Rollo.
Above: The Premier Girls’ Lacrosse team with their national
championship trophy and winners’ medals.
Clockwise
from far left:
The First XI
boys’ football
team with the
Beswick Shield
for winning
the Auckland
league, the
Premier netball
team with
the Upper
North Island
Championship
trophy, the
Premier Boys’
Squash team
and the
Basketball
Girls’U17
Gold team.
20
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 21
Sport
Sports Round-up
Badminton
Eleven teams
were entered
into various
grades,
which
included both
new and
experienced
players.
Our Premier
Badminton
team
under the
leadership of Vivian Washington and Taylor Marston
improved their performance every week. They played
some closely fought games. The C Grade Teams
(pictured) played particularly well this season resulting
in the C1 Open Boys winning their grade and the C2
Open Boys and C Girls teams both finishing in third
place. The C1 team has been a cohesive, committed and
enthusiastic team and they thoroughly deserved their
AKSS title.
Basketball – Boys
The U15 Boys Basketball Team went undefeated in pool
play of the Central Zone competition with six wins. This
qualified them for the finals where they had one win and
one loss to finish second overall in the Central zone.
This qualified them for the Greater Auckland Basketball
Tournament where they finished with one win and two
losses and unfortunately missed out on advancing to the
semi-finals.
The U17 boys finished the Central Zone pool play with
a three win, four loss record overall. Three of the four
losses were between 1-8 points. As the season went on
this team continued to improve and grew stronger as a
group. In the playoff for the plate the U17s won all three
of their games with a total of over 80 points differential
over their opposition.
In the Central Zone Open Grade the senior boys finished
the regular season with seven wins and one loss. The one
loss was to St Peter’s after leading the whole game until
the last 30 seconds. This record qualified the team for the
one off final vs Dilworth. This was a very exciting game
with the MAGS supporters challenging the Dilworth home
crowd in who could make the most noise in support for
their team. The lead changed several times during the
game with MAGS taking the lead with a go ahead three
from Delaney Chaney-Puata with only a few seconds left.
Dilworth managed to make a play in the final stages to
snatch the lead back, resulting in a close loss.
22
Sport
Basketball – Girls
Cycling
After a slow start losing four of the eight games in the
first premier round, the girls started to find their feet in the
dying stages of the Premier League. After a surprise loss
to Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, the girls pulled up
their socks and went into the second half of the Premier
League with new-found determination. Losses came again
to Westlake Girls’ High School and Rangitoto College
but the difference was in the margin – less than 10 points
compared to more than 30 point losses in the first half
of the season. The second game against Massey High
School was another heart-stoppingmatch with Massey
again being the victors by one point. All in all the season
was a bumpy one but it is pleasing to see that our
wonderful girls kept themselves in the Premier League
for another year, and learned more about being a team
and having more self belief and confidence in themselves
and their teammates. So we stayed in the top four of
the Premier League and were placed third, with the
girls all looking forward to the up and coming National
qualifiers.
Term three began with an event that took place right
at the end of term two. The North Island Secondary
School Team Championships, which were held in a chilly
Cambridge over the weekend of 13-14 July. We did not
have enough riders to enter a team for the time trial but
nine riders entered the various age group road races
on Sunday. We had our fair share of “what might have
beens” as Guy Hirst and Logan Crook both had punctures
when they were well placed in the leading bunches of
their respective races. Thomas Gant and Finn WelsfordAkroyd crossed the line together in the Under 16 race.
Jeremy King completed his first ever road race in a
creditable 53rd place in the under 15s. Isobel WelsfordAkroyd, also competing in her first ever road race, was
the standout performer crossing in 18th place and not far
off the leading bunch in the under 14s race. Kirsty Wilson
and Alex Thompson also rode well in their races.
Canoe Polo
We have both juniors and the seniors in the Auckland
Schools’ Canoe Polo Championship. At the time of
writing the competition is not over but the juniors are
probably in line for a podium finish, while the seniors’
remain yet again unbeaten. Mt Albert Grammar has
won this championship for the last three years under the
expert guidance of Mr Andrew Candy, who has brought
his considerable skills and talent to create another
potentially championship winning team.
During the year the senior team has played for Auckland
Canoe Polo Club, where they gained extra training and
experience competing against all age groups. With ACP,
the seniors’ have won the C Grade championship of the
New Zealand Canoe Polo Association.
Cheerleading
Our team of nine cheerleading girls took to the floor in
style for the Schools’ Spectacular on 18 August at the
ASB Stadium in Kohimaramara. They performed well
in the Level 1-2 section and finished a very creditable
third place. The team then rocked the stage at the
Spring Carnival competition on 15 September at the
same venue. They looked great and the team had been
working really hard on their routine since losing some
members. Unfortunately they were deducted a point as
their school chant took longer than 30 seconds. They
finished in fifth place, which the girls were disappointed
with as they were aiming for a medal spot. We’re sure
they will come back stronger from this at the Cheer ‘n’
Dance competition in November.
Our team time trialling was characterised by “near
misses”. In race 4 at the end of term 2, all three teams
posted season best times. But race 5 saw Guy Hirst suffer
a mechanical failure minutes before the start. The other
three riders completed the event but their season best of
25:50:00 had to remain unofficial, as four riders are
needed to record a time. Meanwhile, on a more positive
note, the junior boys and the girls both carved several
seconds of their best times of the year. Race 6 was also
a near wash out as one of the senior boys crashed and
the girls only had three riders and so again didn’t record
a time. At the time of writing we were looking forward to
completing this series with three official and best times on
15 September. Thanks to our brilliant parent supporters
and especially the coaching offered by Neil Welsford
and manager Richard Watkinson
Distance Running
Lydiard Challenge Cup
Mount Albert Grammar had 17
athletes enter the Arthur Lydiard
Challenge Cup, held on 14
September. All athletes ran in
the 10km category. Stand out
performances were achieved in both
the boys’ and girls’ races. In the
boys race MAGS achieved four of
the top five placing’s. Sean Donald
(pictured) won gold, James Stacey
came second, Andrew Battley fourth
and Milan Bonkovich fifth. In the
girls’ event MAGS achieved all of
the top five results. Rebekah Van Dort
was first, followed by Elizabeth Lyon,
Nicole Lawrence, Emma Donald and
Sophie Cooper. The teams awards will be presented later
in the month.
The team consisted of Andrew Battley, Milan Bonkovich,
Sophie Cooper, Thomas Coupe, Emma Donald, Sean
Donald, David Kim, Nicole Lawrence, Flynn Letford,
Elizabeth Lyon, Lewis MacKinnon, Ghan Satjipanon, Erik
Scharting, Timothy Sinclair, James Stacey, Rebekah Van
Dort and Scott Cole.
The boys’ Lydiard Challenge team after their race, from left,
Milan Bonkovich, Andrew Battley, Tim Sinclair, Flynn Letford,
Scott Cole, David Kim (obscured), Sean Donald, Lewis
MacKinnon and James Stacey.
MAGS Xterra Team
The MAGS Distance Squad finished off a very impressive
Xterra winter trail series with a collection of individual
and team awards. The last three of the six races of the
competition saw the team race the regional parks of
Woodhill, Waharau and the Hunua Ranges. Waharau,
the newest race of the series, was the most extreme in
terms of hills and technical running and this event saw
James Stacey running almost a half-marathon off-road with
nearly 1000m of vertical climb in the long course. The
overall results for the series produced three first places to
James Stacey, Sean Donald and Nicole Kearney in their
U20 categories. Most of the MAGS runners would have
placed in the top 10 in the Open category. Finally, the
team achieved the fantastic result of being placed third in
the overall teams’ competition, competing against adult
teams. These outstanding performances are a credit to
hard work put in by a talented group of young runners.
Results
Sean Donald
Andrew Battley
Matthew Brenan
Nicole Kearney
Elizabeth Lyon
Sophie Cooper
James Stacey
MAGS Distance
1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd
3rd 1st 3rd
U20 Short Course
U20 Short Course
U20 Short Course
U20 Short Course
U20 Short Course
U20 Mid Course
U20 Long Course
Teams Competition
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 23
Sport
Sport
Fencing
Following an introductory video shown at a junior
assembly, there has been an overwhelming response
by more than 80 junior students indicating an interest
in fencing, a new sports initiative at MAGS. As a result
we have arranged Mr Kyle MacDonald to come in and
offer two fencing taster sessions, one before and one
after school, to nine groups of students. Those who are
interested can continue with the new squad in Term 4.
Football – Boys
It was another
massive year
of football
action at
MAGS with
13 teams and
close to 200
boys involved
across all
grades.
The First XI
Monty Patterson in full flight.
boys’ football
team, having
already won the Auckland Premier League on points the
week prior, wrapped up the competition with a 3-1 over
Westlake Boys’ High School. This is the 38th time MAGS
has won the Beswick Shield since it was first presented in
1927. Scott Doney scored in the first half and converted a
penalty to bring up his 22nd goal of the season. MAGS’
other point was an own-goal.
In a cliff-hanger Auckland Knockout cup semi-final MAGS
staged a wonderful second half comeback to beat
Glendowie College
3-2.
MAGS went into
the break trailing
2-0, playing second
fiddle to the newly
promoted Glendowie
College. The division
one champions came
to Alberton Avenue
Cameron Hogg saving one of many
full of confidence
after having the most goals through the season.
successful season in
the school’s history, forcing the MAGS team to dig deep
and win this tight encounter.
The end of the 2013 season was a mixed bag for all
members and staff of the First XI football team. On
their return to Auckland, following the NZSS Premier
Tournament, the team was in the final of the Auckland
Knock Out Cup. The game was staged at Bill McKinlay
Park in Panmure. Minus the injured Monty Patterson
MAGS disappointingly lost the final to Westlake Boys’
24
High School 3-0. It appeared that the efforts from an
arduous but successful league campaign had drained a lot
of energy from a young team that had played some fine,
flowing football, during the season. It was a year of almosts and what might have beens for
the other top sides, with the Second XI, 15A and 13A
all coming second in their respective leagues and the
14A coming third. The standard of football was very
competitive across all these grades and while some teams
will be disappointed with second, others have overachieved. In other results of note both the 15B and 13B
won their respective B grades and the Fourth XI took out
the central C division in a tense playoff shootout. Thanks
goes to the many parents who volunteered their time
to coach or manage a team. Football wouldn’t exist at
MAGS without your help.
Football – Girls
The First XI team’s win of the National Championship in
Nelson during Tournament Week was the highlight of
a successful season for the girls’ programme, in which
MAGS was well-represented across all grades. The First XI Girls’ football team lost their captain of
last season along with two other Senior Year 13 team
members, but welcomed a new captain - Parehuia
MacKay, the inclusion of Bella Kingi and Alosi Bloomfield,
Nicole Mettam and Grace Jale - three year nine players
included in the squad this year.
The first game of the league was against Massey High
School . We lost to Massey High last year 1-0 and this
game was for the most part an opportunity to correct that
result. We did this with a 9-0 win, playing some quality
football and scoring some well constructed goals. This set
the platform for what became a very successful season.
The Greater Auckland League became a three team
race with Mount Albert Grammar, Rangitoto College
and Epsom Girls’ Grammar all vying for the top spot. Mt
Albert continued to stay on top of the ladder with some
convincing wins and importantly a better goal difference.
The first real test came when we played Rangitoto at
home. It was a close-fought game, which we dominated
for the most part, however with little more than three
minutes to go we gave away a corner, which resulted
in a goal to Rangitoto. Final score Rangitoto 1 Mount
Albert 0. The following week , a win against Epsom Girls’
Grammar would put us on top of the league again. It was
another hard-fought game against a quality team. Jacqui
Hand scored the only goal of the match from a free kick,
returning us to the top of the league. To defend our 2012
title we needed to win all the remaining four games of the
season, and went on to achieve that, winning the Greater
Auckland League. Out of 11 games we won 10 and lost
only 1. We scored an amazing 63 goals for and had only
one goal scored against us. A truly remarkable season!
The APC Knock Out Cup is a great trophy to be involved
in. Cup football is exciting and dramatic. It also allows
additional competitive games to be played. Having earned
the right to a bye in the first round as winners of the
Auckland Secondary School Girl league there were two
games to win to make the final. Our first game was against
Takapuna Grammar who we had previously beaten 5-0 in
the league game. We beat them this time 3-0, and headed
to the semifinal against Pukekohe High school missing four
of our players who were touring with the NZ U/17 squad
(Deven Jackson, Bella Kingi, Millie Hawkins and Jade
Parris). A reshuffled MAGS team took the field against
Pukekohe on what only can be described as a boggy
pitch. We welcomed Milly Goddard, Anita Killip and
Isobel Douglas to the team. Mount Albert defended bravely
and held on for a 2-1 win.
The final was a repeat of last year’s final against Rangitoto
College and was played in torrential rain at Michaels
Ave Park, Ellerslie. Both sides had opportunities early in
the game but failed to convert. Rangitoto looked strong
from set pieces. Late in the game Rangitoto scored from
a corner after the ball was parried away by goalie Riva
Fuimaono. Although there was little between the two sides
Rangitoto prevailed and won the APC final 1-0. The girls
were disappointed they didn’t manage to defend their title
of last season but were heartened by the fact they had
already secured the Greater Auckland League title.
The Second XI girls had an excellent season under the
coaching of Mr Brent Booker. They didn’t lose a game
and took out the Senior A competition in a final against
Epsom Girls’
Grammar.
The Third XI
and Fourth XI,
managed by
Ms Majolin Tutt
and Ms Sarnia
Slabbert, had
an enjoyable
season in the
social Senior
B grade. The
The Second XI Girls’ Football team, pictured
Fourth XI pipped with coach Mr Brent Booker, were unbeaten
their sister
all season and won the Auckland Senior A
team in the
competition.
final game with
them securing third spot and the Thirds finishing fourth.
Thanks to students Farhan Rahman who did a great job
in coaching the Third XI girls and to Rueben Morris who
refereed many of their games.
The Junior A were managed by Mr Ian Cole and coached
by Mr Eddie Kennedy who had coached them to a win last
year. This year the team had to dig deep with the team
being hard hit through injury and players being called up
for First XI duties. The girls showed tremendous spirit and
won the season on goal difference. Unfortunately, the lack
of substitutes caught up with them and they didn’t make
it to the APC final, but they fought hard and played with
great pride. The Premier Junior grade is very competitive and it proves
that MAGS and girls football in general is in good shape.
Showing the depth the school has in girls’ football,
we were given leave to enter our Junior B team into
the Premier Division 2. This group was coached and
managed by teachers, Mr Matthew Huang and managed
by Ms Margaret Sutton. The girls started tentatively as
they got used to the improved competition, however they
gained confidence and finished a very creditable fourth,
which put them into the top group for the APC where they
were unlucky not to finish higher than fifth.Our Junior
C team, admirably managed by teacher Mrs Jane Uys,
played in the Central Junior B grade and had a fun, and
often muddy season to win the bowl.
Girls’ football is the school’s largest mid-week sport with
nearly 100 girls playing every Wednesday afternoon.
Thanks to Chris Olsen at Kiwishuttles, who with his staff
did an admirable job in getting the girls to and from their
games safely and on time every week.
The depth of talent in MAGS girls’ football was demonstrated
by teams like the Junior A winning their competition on goal
difference.
Gymsports
Four MAGS students competed at the NZSS Gymsports
Championships in August. Each achieved at a high level.
Ruth Lever 3rd place International Grade – Rhythmic Gymnastics
Kate Nicholson 4th place in Elite Grade - Trampolining
Meghan Cotton 5th place in A Grade - Trampolining
Sophie Cooper 2nd place in 6th Grade – Artistic Gymnastics
Ruth Lever has qualified to represent Auckland at the
national championships in Napier in October. Kate
Nicholson competed for NZ in Australia, winning silver
in the synchronised trampolining and coming 10th out of
28.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 25
Sport
Hockey – Boys
Hockey - Girls
In 2013 MAGS played in the inaugural Auckland
Terry Gada (left), Shae Iswar, Jeremy Barnett and Fraser
Campbell close in on a player from Sacred Heart College.
The 2013 squad was very young, including seven Year
10 players in the 15-man squad. This year saw the
introduction of the new Top 8 Supercity competition – the
MAGS team gained entry and they played 13 games in
the double round robin and finished in sixth place. The
second round results showed an improvement in skill and
results, with the best effort coming in the game against
Auckland Grammar where the team drew 2-2 and were
just three minutes away from winning the game. The
team won three, lost eight and drew two games with one
game being abandoned due to the turf flooding and the
umpires deeming it unplayable and dangerous.
Congratulations to Shae Iswar who has been selected for
the Auckland Hockey U15 Premier Boys’ representative
team. Shae will be playing at the National U15
tournament, which is being held at Lloyd Elsmore Park,
Pakuranga during the upcoming holidays.
The Second XI was a talented team, which performed
well when they were all available to play. They were
easily the third best team and with a little luck could have
finished second. They struggled with other schools’ First
XI teams and couldn’t quite win the games that mattered
most at the business end of the season.
In qualifying for the A Grade the U15 team showed they
were a top team. The wins were hard fought and the
boys showed a lot of determination against teams with
standout players but not the teamwork and passing skills
of the MAGS team. The team improved as the season
progressed and this was most evident in the last game
where we beat Sancta Maria College 6-2 to finish third
equal.
26
Supercity competition. The season got off to a miserable
start with star player and captain Hannah Ward, and key
striker Shae Miller out for the season with serious knee
injuries.
MAGS played with pride and passion all season, punching
well above their weight, but a depleted squad with 3
debutants was always going to struggle in a competition of
this quality. They ended the regular season with a 2 win,
6 loss record, having 20 goals scored against them and
scoring seven.
The Supercity plate competition pitted the bottom four
teams against each other. The play-off for sixth place in
the plate final against Baradene College was a nail-biting
affair, with normal time ending in a 0-0 stalemate and then
MAGS taking out the overtime penalty strokes 4-3.
Congratulations to Hannah Elia who was selected in
Auckland U18 Premier Girls’ hockey representative team.
Hannah’s team won the National U18 Premier Girls’
tournament held in Hamilton during the July holidays.
The girls’ hockey Under 15 1 team was composed of year
nine students with a mix of experienced and new players.
Though some of the girls lacked knowledge of the game,
they went out with positive attitudes. The team played in
the Central grade, which was very challenging, but their
commitment and effort shone through until the last minute of
every game. The girls’ skills improved steadily throughout
the season and they managed to muster up a win. In this
Under 15 team, everyone improved, not only as players
but also as a team.
After winning the Open C West competition last year the
Second XI team attempted the challenging B grade. The
team had a rough start to the season which resulted in
losses, but this did not reflect the hard work and effort
put into their game. Each narrow loss was a learning
experience for the girls and it fed their hunger for a win.
Falling short, the team was moved down a grade, but the
girls’ became more driven to succeed. From the luck of the
draw, the first two teams that the girls played were at the
top of the table. This was a challenging start; the girls won
one of the two games, but continued with confidence and
ended the season with five wins and one loss. The girls
started and ended the season with pride coming runners-up
in the West C grade competition.
This team has been together for the past two years and we
have farewelled six valued Year 13 members.
Karate
Congratulations to Year 9 student Casey Murphy who
won a silver medal in the Kyu Male Junior Kata section of
the recent World Cup Karate Champs held at Homebush
Stadium in Sydney.
Sport
Lacrosse – Boys
The boys’ lacrosse season only started at the beginning
of term three and since then the team has had mixed
results, which meant they missed out on qualifying for the
Premier competition in the second round. They are now
faced with lots of travelling to play Orewa College and
Whangaparaoa College before their final game this term
against Mt Roskill Grammar School at Owairaka Domain.
Lacrosse – Girls
What an outstanding
year for Girls’
Lacrosse at MAGS!
Our Premier team
are Auckland and
National champions,
and with the number
of teams doubling
from two to four this
season we look set to
continue our success.
The Auckland A
Competition Cup
final was a hardfought game against
Diocesan on their
home turf. It was not
the ideal start for the Briar Tippett in the National final
MAGS team who was against Cambridge High School.
down early by two
goals, but clawed
their way back to be 2-2 at half time. They gained control
of the game and pulled ahead to win the second half
comfortably 5-1, with the final score a convincing win 7-3
to retain the Auckland Secondary School Premier Girls’
Lacrosse Championship for the second year in a row.
The team welcomed back NZBLAX team members, their
captain Amelia Scharting and Briar Tippett from a trip to
the World Championships in Oshawa.
Lawn Bowls
Congratulations to Year 9 student, Terrence King who has
been selected in the AKSS Lawn Bowls team to compete
in the regional tournament at the end of September in
Whangarei.
Netball
2013 has so far been the most successful season MAGS
netball has ever had, surpassing the highly successful
season last year, and we still have the National
Championship to come in the October school holidays.
Our Premier team won the Upper North Island
competition during Tournament Week, and in the
The Premier team with coaches Paula Smith and TeAroha
Keenan and their Auckland Secondary Schools trophy
Auckland competition we were awarded nine titles and
three runner-up trophies as well as the Carole Craighead
Champion of Champions Trophy for the best overall results
throughout all grades for another consecutive year.
Teams who won their grade included the Premier, Senior
A, Senior 5, Senior Blue, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 3,
Intermediate 4, Junior 1 and the Junior 4.
Runners-up included Senior 2, Intermediate 5 and Junior 2.
There were many highlights during the season; in
particular the performance of our junior teams continues to
be impressive. For the second consecutive year our Junior
2 have not only retained their position in the top grade but
have finished runners up behind the Junior 1. The Junior 3
have also had a great season, working their way into the
JNR B Grade and playing games against A and B teams.
The intermediates and senior teams were stronger this
season with many teams moving into higher grades and
building on their performances from last year.
As with every year, regardless of the teams results, it is
important to thank all the students, teachers and parents
who have made this season possible by giving up their
time to coach, manage, umpire or support our MAGS
netballers week in and week out. Bring on another
successful netball season in 2014!
North Harbour and Combined Points
Tournaments
MAGS have participated in the North Harbour and
Combined Points tournaments for many years and have
a very successful history with both. This season was
no exception with all determined to win for the seventh
consecutive year.
Four teams were entered in the North Harbour tournament
(Premier, Senior A, Year 10A, Year 9A) in June where
MAGS achieved three titles and a runners-up award for
the Year 10A. In August, the Premier, Year 10A and Year
9A competed at the Combined Points Tournament, where
all three teams were unchallenged throughout the day,
convincingly winning all grades and the overall trophy.
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 27
Sport
Rowing
Four members of MAGSROW’s senior squad were selected
for the Auckland region’s Light Blue Squad to compete at
the Queensland State Schools Regatta at the end of term 3.
They were Sam Perry, Todd Martin, Evander Tangiiti and
Jonathan Winter.
To have half the representative eight filled with MAGS
students is a huge achievement and a credit to the
MAGSROW coaching team, led by Mr Will Maling.
The Light Blue Squad comprises 28 boys selected from 12
Auckland schools to train through winter at different clubs.
It was from this squad that the eight were chosen to travel
to Bucca Weir in Bundaberg to compete at the Queensland
competition. The MAGS rowers won two silver and two
bronze medals.
MAGSROW is now well into training for the 2013-2014
season, recruiting novices and preparing for our first day
regatta at Lake Pupuke on October 26.
Rugby
MAGS fielded nine rugby teams in 2013: First XV, 2nd XV,
Under 15s , Under 14 Blue , Under 14 Gold, 4th Grade
(under 76kgs) , 5th Grade (under 68 kgs) , 6th grade
(under 60kgs) and 7th grade (under 52kgs).
The First XV rugby team played 16 games this year for a
season record of won 13, drew 1, lost 2.The highlight of
the season is the selection of Captain Joshua Goodhue
(pictured) into the New
Zealand Secondary
Schools’ Rugby Team
to play both Australia
and Fiji in Sydney. The
First XV team finished in
second place in the round
robin competition and
lost the home semi final
game against Auckland
Grammar. Blake Hohaia
and Leif Schwencke
gained selection in the
Blues Secondary Schools’
team that defeated the
Chiefs Schools’. Highlights of the season included a hard
fought 9–9 draw with World and National Champions St
Kentigern College, followed up by good wins over Sacred
Heart College 24–0, Auckland Grammar 9–6, King’s
College 13–10, Kelston Boys’ 18– 6 and St Peter’s College
10–9. Good pre-season results were wins over Wesley
College 29–7 and St Peter’s School, Cambridge 37–3.
Blake Hohaia scored 10 tries from fullback and George
Edwards’ goal kicking was the best in the competition.
George was asked to kick some pressure goals this season
and was successful on every occasion.
The Second XV rugby team coached by Mr Dewes
and former All Black Brad Mika finished fifth in the 2A
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competition. This team operated close to the First XV and
did a first class job in producing players for the next level,
as a large number of players from this team will step up
to First XV next season. Highlight of the season was a win
over Sacred Heart College who went on to win the 2A
championship.
It was decided this year to field two rugby teams in
the under 14A competition. The Under 14 Blue rugby
team coached by Mr Richie Folomu and assisted by two
parents, Mr Dave Young and Mr John Tetini, set the pace
in the under 14 competition, playing some outstanding
rugby at times. In the semi-finals they were beaten by
Kelston Boys’ High School at home in what was an upset.
The Under 14 Gold Team coached by Mr Tony Sprangers
and assisted by parent Mr Fred Milo, improved as the
season progressed; the win over Auckland Grammar
School 22–21 was the highlight of the season.
The fourth grade rugby team was coached by
grandfather and West Auckland rugby legend Mr Dick
Mickleborough. This year the competition was opened up
so the A and B grade became one competition. The fourth
grade team remained competitive all year and improved
as the season progressed. When this team fronted for
training the Saturday performance would always lift.
A big win over King’s College in the last game was a
positive way to finish the season.
The fifth grade rugby team coached by two parents, Mr
Ron Murray and Mr Ray Brewer, were a credit to the
school. This team had big injury issues and at times would
be stretched for players, however they just got on with
the job and were competitive in every game they played.
Some really good results were achieved in the tough 5A
competition.
The sixth grade team, coached by parent Grant Howlett
and assisted by Mr Kingsley Adams, reached the
semifinals before going down 17-22 to Sacred Heart
College, to a team coached by Sir John Kirwan and Ric
Salizzo. After coming back from a big deficit at half
time this team played with both heart and determination.
The boys made big improvements this season and the
coaching staff need to be congratulated.
The seventh grade Soldiers Rugby team coached by
school groundsman Mr Carlton Lees-Thomas and assisted
by parent Mr Jerry Mellon had an outstanding season,
making the grand final and dropping only two games in
the season. Solomon Dowd was the standout player in
what was a really good team effort. As the only MAGS
team that made Grand Finals day, the seventh grade
team and coaching staff need to be both recognised and
congratulated.
For some players the exposure of individual brilliance and
positive team dynamics helped nurture them in improving
ball skills and enjoying the game more. 2013 saw the introduction of the first College Rugby
League competition, or CRL, in conjunction with Auckland
Rugby League and Vodafone Warriors.
The squad carried 33 players at the beginning of the year.
The team played seven games in Round 1, winning four
of them. Round 2 saw MAGS make the top six, winning
games against Otahuhu College and St Paul’s College but
losing to Kelston Boys’ High School in a close encounter.
The team met St Paul’s College in the semi-final and lost
22-34 in a tight encounter.
Overall it was a good season achieving two major goals.
The first, being the only school in the competition to win a
game against St Paul’s College, and the second, qualifying
for the National Tournament to be held in September.
Rugby League
A ski team and a snowboard team have been entered into
the NISS Ski Championships and NISS Snowboarding
Championships being held at Turoa on Mt Ruapehu.
Though the season was relatively short, the team enjoyed
every moment as they endured some tough competition
with players learning and improving from those games.
Squash
The Premier Boys and Junior B1 Girls teams both came
first in their divisions, and the Junior B2 Girls and
Premier Girls’ teams were both runners-up, wrapping up
a very successful season for MAGS.
The Senior A Boys saw a significant change in the
quality of squash played during the season, and were
committed and positive representatives of the school. The
Senior B Boys’ team of five achieved good results in the
initial rounds, winning a slim majority of their draws. In
the championship round of games they won all of their
draws and were well placed in the overall competition.
The Junior A Boys had an up and down season. They
and the Junior B boys are hoping for a more settled
competition next year.
The Senior Girls B team, consisting of players relatively
new to the sport, was well organised and learned about
teamwork.
Table Tennis
From left: Manager Api Taulapiu, Reuben Porter, Mattais
Heimuli, captain Nathaniel Roache, Sitili Tupouniua and
coach Steve Price at the Auckland Secondary Schools Rugby
League Awards.
On 1 August the Secondary Schools’ Rugby League
breakfast and prizegiving was held at Alexandra Park.
Mount Albert Grammar School, in only their second
season following a long absence from secondary school
rugby league, were rewarded for their achievements by
receiving the prestigious award of Auckland Secondary
Rugby League School of Excellence. Four players were
also presented with the following awards:
Mattais Heimuli (Vice-captain): AKSS Rugby League Player
of the Year
Nathaniel Roache (Captain) and Mattais Heimuli: AKSS
Rugby League Team of the Year
Mattais Heimuli, Rueben Porter and Sitili Tupounuia:
Awarded Warrior Scholarships for its three-week
Development Programme for 2014.
Snowsports
Four teams entered the winter
competition held in term two and two
teams have continued in the spring
competition in term three. The teams
are a mix of experienced and social
players who have enjoyed their Friday
night competition. Congratulations
to Year 10 student, Guiting (Lucy)
Lu (pictured) who recently competed
in the Cathay Pacific Auckland Open Table Tennis
Championships. Her results were very impressive. She
won the 2013 Cathay Pacific Auckland Open Under 18
Girls’ Singles and was runner-up in the Under 15 Girls’
Singles.
Touch
Congratulations to the following six students who have
recently returned from Brisbane where they represented
New Zealand in the following age group Touch teams:
Under 15 Girls’: Jacqueline Hand, Victoria Pone and
Caitlin Pritchard
Under 15 Boys’: Paul Roache and Henry Tetini
Under 17 Girls’: Sade Rihari
Underwater Hockey
The Auckland underwater hockey season finished on a
high, with MAGS winning Auckland School of the Year.
The Junior Boys team won the Auckland title, winning the
final 4-1 over Mahurangi College. The Senior Boys were
runner up to Avondale with a score of 0-5. The Junior
Girls had their best season to date, winning silver after
a 1-3 final against Diocesan, and the Senior Girls came
a commendable fourth after a 1-5 semi-final against
Howick College. Jamie Rutledge won the Auckland
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TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 29
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Junior Sportsmanship
trophy.
To top off the term,
Danyon Kemp, a
student at MAGS
until last year and
now coach of the
Premier Girls team,
won a gold medal at
the U23 Underwater
Hockey World
Championships in
August.
The squad is now
anticipating the
national tournament
to be played during the October holidays.
Wrestling
Matthew Downes competed at the New Zealand Olympic
Wrestling Union National Championships in Dunedin
recently. Matthew came first in the 16yrs and under
58kg freestyle wrestling category and is New Zealand
Champion for 2013 in that category. Matthew also
placed second in the 20yrs and under 60kg Greco
Roman category.
The tri-nations DownUnders Tournament between New
Zealand, USA and Australian teams was held in Auckland
in early July and was a huge success for NZSS Wrestling
as an event. The tournament is held primarily as a dual
meet where teams compete against each other and the
individual match scores are attributed to the team. There
were nearly 100 American wrestlers that made up three
separate teams and dominated the tournament. The New
Zealand Wrestling team that Matthew was part of placed
after the American teams and ahead of the Australian
team. Having so many good American wrestlers to
compete against was a valuable experience for those in
the New Zealand Wrestling team.
Winter Sports Tournament Week
NZSS Junior Boys’ Basketball
Tournament – Rotorua
After an absence in 2012, MAGS were able to bond
a quality team to compete at this tournament. Our key
objectives were twofold. Firstly to develop a player pool
of depth, so players could compete for senior premier
positions within the next two years, and secondly to finish
in the top two positions within our grade.
Due to circumstances outside our control, we found
ourselves playing within the ‘A Grade.’
The first two days of the tournament were blow out wins.
On day one we beat Cambridge High School 91-21,
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Regional Girls’ Basketball Tournament
– Auckland
The Junior Boys’ Basketball came second in the national final,
by one point, to One Tree Hill College.
and St Peter’s School, Cambridge, 102-21. On day two
we won against Trident High School 91-51, and Paeroa
High School 94-34. However, day three saw a change in
quality of teams, and Huanui College provided a much
sterner test, with MAGS prevailing 64-53.
The win qualified us first in our pool, and a semi-final was
played against Whangaparaoa College. The opposition
came out very hard at the beginning, but we were able to
weather the storm and qualified for the final with a 78-49
win.
The final was played against One Tree Hill College. The
game was played at an up tempo pace, with no more
than three points separating either team throughout the
entire game. Opportunities were presented and frittered
away by both teams; however One Tree Hill College
prevailed with a hard fought 67-66 win over MAGS.
Albeit a little disappointed, on reflection we achieved
both our objectives for the season.
Special mention goes to Captain Trent Kimiangatau who
was the stand-out player of this tournament, and was
aptly supported by Nathan Edwards. In addition the
development of younger players Jonty Vink and Joseph
Onyueke gives us confidence the basketball programme
will continue to succeed in fututre years.
Regional Boys’ Basketball Tournament
– Auckland
In the Greater Auckland Basketball Tournament sectional
play the senior boys’ team had wins over Alfriston
College and Westlake Boys’ High School, and one loss
to Massey High School. The team qualified for the semifinals vs Liston College. MAGS battled to overcome early
foul trouble and turnovers but fought to challenge for the
win in the final minutes. Unfortunately, the end result was
a 41-50 loss.
Our team suffered some significant injuries this year
and so the Premier team had to go out looking for more
players a week before Regionals. We invited some Under
15 and Under 17 players to trial and selected Elle Temu,
Liz Beaumont and Taunten King to join the Premier Girls’
team. I am pleased to note that with the injection of these
young players our team was more positive than ever. At
Regionals our pool included our annual foe Westlake
Girls’ High School and again we narrowly lost to them,
resulting in the team finishing second in our pool and
facing Rangitoto College in the semi finals. The semi final
was a game of quarters, we were competitive in three
of the four quarters but our effort in the second quarter
sealed our fate and we were left to play off for third and
fourth.
Our competitor for this game was Massey High School our nemesis for the whole premier season and a team we
had lost to twice by one point each time. The girls were a
little nervous at the team talk, but pointed out how far we
had come in the season and how focused we would need
to be as a team to not only win but release the girls from
their current mental headspace with Massey. After a slow
start in the first quarter the scores were close with MAGS
just slightly up, but the positivity of the girls and the hard
work on court with the continuous subbing helped us to
be up by 10 points halfway through the second quarter.
This was a game changer. Suddenly everyone believed
and there was positive noise from our bench. There were
outstanding performances by Idaho Purcell who was
named our Player of the Match. Luisa Roberts and Jess
Nicholson our captain and vice-captain left it all on the
court. We won by 20 points and that’s with our entire
bench featuring for big minutes. It’s amazing what a bit of
self-belief and team spirit will do to a team, so we head
off to Nationals in Palmerston North in the first week of
October where we are hoping to increase our second
place from last year.
NZSS Cycling Championships Auckland
Seven riders took part in the National Secondary Schools’
Individual Championships held around Mt Wellington
over the weekend of the 7-8 of September. As on so many
occasions this year, our novice riders competed shoulder
to shoulder with riders from experienced and very well
supported teams from across New Zealand. All our riders
recorded creditable times. The highlights were Jeremy
King’s 10th place in the Under 15B grade; Guy Hirst’s 7th
place in the Under 20 criterium and Rasmus Jacobsen’s
27th place in the Under 15A Grade.
NZSS Premier Boys’ Football Tournament
– Taupo
With the Auckland Secondary Schools’ Premier League
title tucked away MAGS departed to the National
Tournament, held for the first time in Taupo. The squad was
minus Liam Jordan who was overseas and also included
a number of players who were carrying knocks after an
arduous season that extended the young squad to the
limit.
The group stage was won beating St Bede’s College
(Christchurch) 6-0, drawing with Tauranga Boys’ College
0-0, and after an early score going down 1-0 eventually
overpowering Nelson College 3-1.
In the quarterfinals, Christchurch Boys’ High School were
beaten 2-0 with under 17 international Monty Patterson
grabbing both goals. The semi final was always going to
be a tough encounter drawn against local rival Auckland
Grammar School. MAGS eventually lost 1-0 after extra
time to a freak goal that took a bad bounce over the
outstretched arm of MAGS goalkeeper Cameron Hogg.
In the third and fourth play off versus St Peter’s School
(Cambridge) MAGS played all the players who
are eligible for 2014 to give the youngsters further
experience. They acquitted themselves well eventually
losing 2-0 to finish in fourth place.
NZSS Premier Girls’ Football
Tournament - Nelson
Our relatively
young First
XI finished
as National
Champions,
having won every
game of the
tournament.
Results: v
Macleans won
Jade Parris in the national final against
6-0, v Hillcrest
Rangitoto College. Photo/Phillip Rollo.
won 5-0, v
Waimea won
1-0, v Nelson Girls won 3-0, QF v St Hildas won 3-0, SF
v Hamilton Girls won 3-1, Final v Rangitoto College won
1-0
Recently crowned Auckland Secondary School Girls’
League Champions for the second year running, the
MAGS girls started the NZ Secondary School Nationals
strongly, topping their pool with three convincing wins
against Macleans College, Hillcrest High School and
Waimea College. Waimea proving to be the hardest pool
game for MAGS and although MAGS dominated the
game they were finding it hard to breakdown the Waimea
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Quarterly 31
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Boys’ First XI Hockey Tournament Napier
The First XI Girls’ Football team with coach Paul Marshall and
their National Championship trophy.
defence to get the opening goal. Perseverance certainly
paid off as attack after attack eventually lead to a goal for
Jacqui Hand (Mt Albert Grammar tournament MVP), which
sealed the win.
The top 16 beckoned for the Mt Albert Grammar girls where
they faced local favourite Nelson College. After a tense
first half Mt Albert Grammar sealed the win with three well
constructed goals, with the final score 3-0.
The quarter final against St Hilda’s Collegiate School was
a tense affair. At halftime the match was nil all. The second
half saw the Mt Albert Grammar girls score three goals
sealing the victory and a place in the semifinal.
Hamilton Girls’ High School were formidable opposition
and had played well throughout the tournament and they
certainly took the semifinal game to Mt Albert going up 1 nil
from a corner. The Mt Albert girls retained their composure
and leveled the game. Mt Albert scored two more goals to
finish the game with a 3-1 win.
Mt Albert Grammar faced their old foe Rangitoto College in
the final. Rangitoto and Mt Albert both with one Auckland
domestic trophy each and having made the final were both
eager to finish the season top and the best team in New
Zealand. The Mt Albert girls were determined to ensure
they would return home as National Champions and played
with passion and accuracy. This was a close game, tensely
fought and the game of the tournament. The defence of both
teams was strong. With five minutes to go, the score at nil
all, and MAGS mounting numerous attacks during a period
of sustained pressure. One of these attacks saw Jade Parris
taken down in the penalty box and a penalty was awarded,
after some accurate exchanges of the ball by the MAGS
team. Jade stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted
the goal. Final score: Mt Albert Grammar 1 - Rangitoto nil.
Many thanks to the amazing parent support in Nelson. Also
a huge thank you to the amazing Jo Pritchard and her band
of fund raisers. A special thanks to Headmaster Mr Burden
for his support during the tournament. Your presence topped
off a wonderful week for MAGS Football.
32
The India Shield Hockey tournament was held in Napier
this year being played at the Park Island Turfs, from 2-6
September. The team finished first in their pool with three
wins from three games against Whangarei Boys’ High
School, Kamo College and Western Heights High School.
Aiming for a top four finish the team took on Hastings
Boys’ High School in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, a
hard fought game unfortunately lead to a loss. The team
went on to finish fifth equal after defeating local Auckland
rivals, Macleans College, and drawing the fifth and sixth
playoff game with Christchurch Boys’ High School. With
only one loss in the whole tournament, it was a frustrating
draw for the MAGS team to meet the eventual winner
of the tournament, Hastings Boys’ High School in the
quarterfinal round.
A special thank you to Earthco Civil Ltd for their
sponsorship of the team at tournament. Finally to the Year
13 players who have played their final game for Mount
Albert Grammar School: Jeremy Barnett, Ryan Goode,
Oscar Lipscombe, Wade Somani and Henry Waller –
thank you for your contribution to MAGS hockey!
Results: vs Whangarei Boys’ High School Win 3-2, vs
Kamo College Win 3-2, vs Western Heights High School
Win 3-0, vs Hastings Boys’ High School Loss 1-4, vs
Macleans College Win 3-2, vs Christchurch Boys’ High
School Draw 2-2.
Player Of the Match Awards: Game One: Wade
Somani, Game Two: Oscar Lipscombe, Game Three: Jack
Henderson, Game Four: Shae Iswar, Game Five: Terry
Gada, Game Six: Shae Iswar
Girls’ 1st XI Hockey Tournament Nelson
The Mount Albert Grammar School First XI girls’ hockey
team returned to the second tier Marie Fry Tournament for
the first time in four years following their second place in
the Chica Gilmour Trophy in 2012.
MAGS, without two key players in injured captain
Hannah Ward and striker Shae Miller, were always
going to struggle at this level of competition. This
was further emphasised with their pool including top
ranked Rangitoto College, Supercity third place-getter
Westlake Girls’ High School (who subsequently won
the tournament) and top Tauranga school, Otumoetai
College.
MAGS began the tournament showing good form with
a hard-fought 4-2 loss to Rangitoto College. Despite the
margin they pushed the number one seeds, competing in
every facet of the game and took a great deal of pride
from the game. However, the team could not follow
up this performance in their second game of the day,
going down 1-0 against Otumoetai College in an error
Sport
ridden and lack-lustre performance. On the second day a
dominant Westlake Girls’ consigned MAGS to last in their
pool with a 3-0 win.
The crucial cross-over on Wednesday was against St
Peter’s School, Cambridge. A must win if they were to
escape relegation for 2014. Despite an early goal, the
injury and illness stricken MAGS team could not withstand
a hungry St Peter’s attack and ended the game 4-1 down.
The remaining two games were all about MAGS pride
and the team showed their tenacity with a good 3-1
win over Waimea College before going down 1-0 to
Greymouth High School in their last game.
Overall, while a disappointing 14th place, the team has
every reason to be proud of their performance. The girls
certainly learned a great deal about pride, perseverance
and resilience, which hopefully will hold them in good
stead for years to come.
Most valuable player for the tournament was awarded to
stand-in Captain, Briar Tippett for her positive, never say
die attitude both on and off the field.
Game Statistics
One win and five losses
Six goals for and 14 goals against
Goal scorers: Celine Pearn; Lauren Blanchard; Emma
Donald; Hannah Elia; Courtney Wright; Briar Tippett
Girls’ Lacrosse National Championship
- Cambridge
MAGS defended
their title
convincingly, winning
every game of the
tournament. They
saw off Epsom Girls
Grammar 14-5 in
the semi-final, and
claimed the final
8-3 over Cambridge
High School.
In all MAGS scored 63 goals across the tournament
and conceded only 27. The Most Valued Players of the
tournament were Georgia Carter and Briar Tippett. Most
Improved were Matia Grace and Luisa Roberts.
Special thanks to the team’s Albertian coaches Valdimir
Boykov and Olivia Hext.
UNISS Netball Tournament – Auckland
In a replay of the Auckland Secondary Schools final,
MAGS beat Baradene 36-19 to take out the Upper North
Island Secondary Schools’ Netball Championship in
Auckland on 6 September, for the seventh year in a row.
Maia Wilson, Jamie-Lee Price, Holly Fowler and Chiara
Semple were later named in the Tournament team.
Captain Jamie-Lee
Price was named
Mid-Courter of the
Tournament.
Over the five day
tournament at the
Howick Pakuranga
Netball Centre,
MAGS won all
10 games they
played. Co-coach TeAroha Keenan says the team’s
dominance was underlined in the final, which they won
convincingly.
“But we’re not expecting that going into the New
Zealand Secondary Schools’ final,” says Ms Keenan.
“We will be challenged; there are a lot of little things we
need to tidy up before then.”
She and co-coach Paula Smith are looking forward to
the girls having four weeks of dedicated training with
the Premier team. Two positions in the 10-person squad
are up for grabs as they will be retrial led.
The team will be hoping to retain their NZSS title during
week two of the upcoming holidays, which will be
played at the Auckland Netball Centre. Keep an eye on
the website for the draw and progress details.
NZ Under 15 Rugby Tournament Auckland
MAGS hosted this keenly watched tournament, which
saw 16 teams from around the country play 48 games
over five days at Marist Rugby Club in Mt Wellington.
MAGS was unable to defend the title we won last year,
but competed well and came third. This team has been
well coached by two parents who are former All Blacks
- Ofisa Tonu’u and Eroni Clarke. The boys made real
gains and a number of players will be ready to step up
to the First XV in the next couple of seasons, including
Isaiah Papalii, Niven Longopoa, Waimana KapaReidlinger, Salyn Tonu’u, Caleb Clarke, Richmond Patea,
Paul Roache and Robb Cobb.
NZSS Rugby League Championships –
Papakura
MAGS First XIII rugby league team was unable to claim
the national secondary schools title on 6 September,
bowing out 18-24 to Kelston Boys High School.
But they left the competition knowing they made it all the
way to the final for the first time and five members of the
MAGS First XIII were named in the Team of Merit at the
New Zealand Rugby League Secondary Schools Awards
at Mt Smart Stadium on 5 September. Irae Simone
received the Vodafone Warriors Best Back Award.
The five players picked for the Team of Merit were
Brody Lam, John Tapueluelu, Irae Simone, Nathaniel
VOLUME 8.No3
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Quarterly 33
corridors
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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
ALBERTIANS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
NZSS Swimming Championships –
Hamilton
The First XIII Rugby League team, coached by former Warrior
Steve Price, made the National final for the first time, coming
runner up to Kelston Boys High School.
Roache and Connor Purcell. Speakers during the evening
included Mayor of Auckland Len Brown, Vic Tamati from Its
Not OK!, Warriors players Ben Henry and Glen Fishiiahi,
Dain Guttenbeil and Tony Iro from the NZRL and Wallace
Haumaha from NZ Police. All the speakers focused on a
common theme, asking the players to take what they were
learning in their roles as team members and players and
applying this to their lives. Key words and phrases used
by many of the speakers included discipline, courage,
respect, leadership, making good choices, building good
relationships with their team mates, visitors from the
other schools, and their wider community. Mount Albert
Grammar captain Nathaniel Roache put it most succinctly
when he said “Good players make good people and good
people better players”, which earned him applause from
the group.
A small team of three athletes travelled to Hamilton to
compete at this event. The competition attracted the
best school aged swimmers in the country, including
participants in the recent World Youth
Games and a Junior World Record
holder. Despite the high standard of
competition and small size of our team
our swimmers punched above their
weight, finishing a respectable mid-table.
Tyler Jerrom 15-year-old boys’ grade:
Gold in 50m Butterfly
Bronze in 100m Butterfly
Fourth in Open Butterfly skins
Sixth in 50m freestyle
Tenth in 200m Butterfly in 15 year old
Boys’ grade
Hana Newnham-McGrath 13-year-old girls’ grade:
Bronze in 100m Breaststroke
Fifth in 50m Breaststroke
Charlotte Pritchard 16-years and over girls’ grade:
Fourth in 100m Butterfly
Firth in 50m Butterfly
Seventh in 200m Butterfly,
Seventh in 50m Freestyle
Seventh in 50m Backstroke
Ninth in 100m Backstroke
No 35 September 2013
Congratulations
Albertians in world championship teams
Teams that won gold in August at the World Youth Netball Cup
held in Glasgow and the Under-23 Underwater Hockey World
Championships in Hungary included MAGS students who graduated
last year.
In the netball final on 31 August New Zealand beat Australia 52-47.
Among the players were Erikana Pedersen and Nadia Loveday, two
stars of MAGS’ Premier team in 2012.
The under-23 underwater hockey team also played Australia in
their final on 29 August, beating them 4-2. The New Zealand team
included Danyon Kemp and Matt Trevalyan, who played for MAGS
until last year. Danyon is still with us as coach of the Premier girls’
team. Also in the New Zealand team were Albertians Cali Manly
(2006-2011) and Logan Kemp (2004-2008).
Logan has also returned to MAGS as the coach of our Premier boys’
team. A number of past MAGS students were in the various New
Zealand underwater hockey age group teams that won a total of four
gold and two silver medals, including James Rowe and Sam Schulz.
MAGS congratulates all members of the New Zealand teams on their
championships, particularly our young alumni.
The World Youth Netball Cup champion team includes
recent MAGS students Erikana Pedersen (bottom left) and
Nadia Loveday (standing right of World Netball President
Molly Rhone).
Thank you to our supporters
Mount Albert Grammar School thanks the following charitable trusts for their support with sports teams accommodation
and/or transport costs to winter sports tournaments in 2013.
From left: Erikana Pedersen in action,
and Danyon Kemp (number 4) at U23
Underwater Hockey World Champs.
MAGS city boy named Young Maori Farmer of the Year
Jordan Smith, a student at MAGS from 2004-2006, has won the 2013 Ahuwhenua Young
Maori Farmer of the Year award. Jordan, 22, grew up in Blockhouse Bay but says he always
wanted to be a farmer, so applied to attend the only Auckland school that had a farm on its
campus, Mt Albert Grammar.
He studied Agriculture with Mrs Farmer in years 10 and 11, and in a Radio New Zealand
interview says those studies “ignited a passion for farming.” Farm manager Larney Palmer
remembers Jordan as a quiet boy who “grew and grew” during his time at the school.
Mrs Farmer helped Jordan get accepted into a dairy farming course, and he now works on a
beef and sheep farm near Te Kuiti. You can listen to him speak about his progress, and what
he loves about farming, at this web address:
Jordan Smith with runner-up
www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2565124
Te Moana Sidney.
One of his best comments that every student could relate to regards overcoming a “blip” in his
career progress when he went to a farm job that wasn’t right for him. “There are always rocky
patches with anything you do, that’s just life. Things aren’t always going to go your way. You just have to keep the attitude
that there will be a brighter day tomorrow. Things have a funny way of working out.”
34
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 35
corridors
From the archives
From the archives
The Boxer
No, not the Simon and Garfunkel song, rather the boxer
Dudley Walter Rollinson (1934-1939), who switched
schools for a month so he could claim the college boxing
title.
When Rollinson arrived at MAGS he was put into 3B
under the tender ministrations of Mr CT (‘Sticky’) Harris,
then on to 4B with Mr CP (‘Pop’) Worley. In Lower 5 he
had the gruff, no-nonsense Mr JG (‘Butch’) Brown as a
form master followed in Upper 5 Latin by the energetic
and booming Mr HL (‘Jas’) Calder.
At the end of Term 2 (20 August 1937) he left for Sacred
Heart College. The Sacred Heart College Old Boys’
Association has a record of him arriving on 7 September
1937. The encyclopaedic Tony Waters, author of
Confortare: A history of Sacred Heart College, Auckland
1903-2003 (pg97) wrote:
“Such was the rivalry among boxers that one of Mt
Albert Grammar’s champion boxers, Dudley Rollinson,
enrolled at Sacred Heart in the third term of 1937
for what is believed to be the sole purpose of beating
college champion Rod McKenzie and taking the college
heavyweight boxing title. After winning the title he left the
college before the end of the year [Kerry says 8 October
1937] and returned to Mt Albert Grammar.”
In 1938 Rollinson spent another year in the fifth form, this
time in Senior 5 with Mr HL (‘Herb’) Towers. He was a
Prefect, a rower, a rugby player, and no one would fight
him so he was unopposed boxing champion.
That year, 1938, was the School’s greatest sporting
year. We really did win everything. The even-tempered
Headmaster Gamble said in his report for 1938:
“We can properly view with satisfaction that in team-work
the school figured with unusual prominence this year.”
Dud Rollinson had a sixth year here in 6BC(i) with Mr W
(‘Granny’) Caradus. He was Head Prefect, a member of
the First XV, in the Senior Athletics team (he won the shot
put), the choir, Sergeant Major of B Company, Captain of
Rowing and, of course Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
The Albertian 1939 (pg54) reported that: “In presenting the
school Heavyweight Boxing Champion, D.W. Rollinson with
his prizes, Mr Bush congratulated him on being the Auckland
Cruiser-weight champion. Rollinson had missed only by a
fraction the New Zealand Championship at Invercargill.”
A report in the same magazine on the Head of the Harbour
rowing race stated: “The runner of Number seven’s
[Rollinson’s] seat broke, putting him completely out of action.
Realising that his useless weight was a hindrance to the crew
he threw his oar out and dived after it. By this time Sacred
Heart had increased their lead to three lengths.”
In the book Tradition and Change about MAGS first 75
years, the late sports historian NAC McMillan writes that
Rollinson was “--- New Zealand Universities heavyweight
champion, 1941. Bad eyesight precluded him from war
service.” McMillan states that Rollinson ran a bus service
and cinema in Waiuku during and after the war. He was
New Zealand light-heavyweight champion 1947 and 1948.
He coached boxing and worked as a sales representative.
He moved to Sydney, where he died in 1983.
For one with poor eyesight to be such a determined boxer,
and to later run a bus service and cinema, is a measure of a
man who did not shrink from challenges.
Brian Murphy, Archivist
MAGS’ boxing heyday - a photo of “Champions of Mt Albert Grammar School” shows DW Rollinson at far left.
Published in the Auckland Star on October 21, 1939.
36
The MAGS metric men
Three men of Mt Albert Grammar played significant roles
in the metrification of New Zealand.
The first was Ian D Stevenson (1924-1927). He began
in a humble way as a cadet on 5 shillings per week
and progressed to an MSc (Hons) degree and work
within The New Zealand Railways in charge of Electrical
Engineering. He became chairman of the Physics Section
of the RSNZ. 1
He was appointed Chairman of the Metric Advisory
Board set up in February 1969. In order to give
metrification a human face Stevenson worked with
the parents of a baby girl and named her Miss Metric
and her progress was used to show the progress of
metrification in press releases.
Stevenson’s board produced a 10- minute film for theatre
distribution and produced displays for shopping malls
and give-away items such as calendars, cubic decimetres,
a 150mm ruler and much else.
By mid 1974 the Board had over 300 people on its
planning committees and had 74 registered speakers.
It had industry–oriented circulars, guides and booklets.
Building and construction, transportation and a wide
range of manufacturing and processing industries had
largely completed the changeover. By the time that
Parliament had passed the Weights and Measures
Amendment Act (1976) it had set the scene for the
outlawing of imperial measurements. 2
That it all went a great deal better that it might have is a
testament to Ian Stevenson’s guiding hand.
Sydney L Moses (1923-1925) was a man of parts. As
well as being a prefect he was an action-man; two years
in the First XV and senior record holder in the 100, 220
and 440 yards. Post-school he won the New Zealand
Tourist Trophy motorcycle races in 1931, 1933 and
1934. He represented New Zealand in the Isle of Man TT
in 1933. In the Second World War he rose to the rank of
Major. 3
On returning from war he held several managerial
positions before being selected as Chairman of the
Decimal Currency Board in 1964. The Board was
charged with changing the duo-decimal currency system
(12 pence to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound) to
a decimal system.
The Board introduced a cartoon character called “Mr
Dollar” (who had European and Maori incarnations) and
while Mr Dollar appeared in the same media as Miss
Metric, the new, powerful medium of television saw the
animated Mr Dollar complete with backing group and a
catchy jingle. During 1966 he could be heard with: ‘The
tenth of July next year, when pounds, shillings and pence
become dollars and cents”.
When the changeover came at midnight on Monday 10
July 1967, 27 million new bank notes in $1, $2, $5,
$10, $20 and $100 denominations and 165 million new
Albertian Sir Robert Muldoon, then the Finance Minister, with
examples of the new decimal currency in 1967.
Photo courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library,
Wellington.
coins in 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c (still called a shilling), 20c,
50c, were all set to go. Old currency remained legal
tender but as it was returned to banks it was withdrawn.
However sixpence, shilling and florin coins had precise
decimal equivalents and remained in circulation longer
before being demonetised.
As Syd Moses said, “No change is made without
inconvenience” 4. He went on to say that people would
find the change much easier by using the two values as
stepping-stones. People could offer a little more money
and then get the right change back. “I’ll be surprised
if we haven’t managed to complete the changeover by
about this time next year”. So it proved to be.
The other player in the money makeover was one of
the smallest boys in the school, Rawlings Scholar and
captain of the Intermediate B soccer team. Robert D
Muldoon (1933-1936). 5 He left school early and
became an arrears clerk for Fletcher Construction.
In 1939 he joined the army and served in the South
Pacific and Italy where he completed his accountancy
examinations. On his return, in 1947, he joined the
Junior Nationals and in 1960 he was elected MP for
Tamaki. In 1963 he was Under-Secretary for Finance
VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 37
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
with responsibility for the introduction of decimal
currency. 6
Moses’ Board had members representing Treasury, the
Reserve Bank, the Post Office, the trading banks and
commerce.
A Coinage Design Advisory Committee to advise the
Government was established. The obverse was to
be, with Her Majesty’s approval, the left-facing effigy
designed by Arnold Machin – the same head as that on
all UK postage stamps. There was much discussion of the
reverse, the bizarre and the avant-garde were rejected in
favour of the safe.
The Coinage Act 1933 was replaced by the Decimal
Currency Act 1964 which gave the legal framework for
the changeover.
The Post Office had decimal stamps ready for release
on Decimal Currency Day (18 definitive stamps, four
postal fiscals, six Government Life Insurance, four Ross
Dependency). 7
Before the big day the banks were closed for four days
(including a weekend). Prime Minister Keith Holyoake
and by-now-Finance Minister Muldoon made soothing
speeches predicting that the change would cause no
worry. And apart from a few grumpy old people who
took the new notes back to a bank demanding that they
exchange the play money dollar for a real ten shilling
note, there was no real worry.
Syd Moses’ Board and Rob Muldoon’s acumen ensured a
smooth transition.
Seldom has a single school produced three men who
have influenced the daily lives of all the member of a
nation’s citizens.
Brian Murphy, Archivist
1. Brown, J.G. (1971), Mount Albert Grammar School Golden Jubilee p: 68
(Broughtwood)
2. Joseph P Reid, President Emeritus, Canadian Metric Association (USMA Website:
hard core of up-to-tricks House Boys.
He was at School at the same time as drummer Frank
Gibson Jr. They got together when Frank went looking
for the boy who scribbled “Monk” on a wall. Frank
guessed, correctly, that it was not a reference to a man
in a religious order, but the jazz pianist and composer
Theolonius Monk. Frank and Murray established a lifetime friendship and played countless gigs together.
Like Monk, McNabb was a keyboard player and
composer. He not only had a long career in improvised
music, he helped pay the bills by writing commercials,
including the Crunchie train robbery advertisement. He
worked on soundtracks for film and television including
Once Were Warriors and Broken English. He wrote the
wonderful award-winning America’s Cup song Sailing
Away. He lived up to his belief that “the new man must
have the courage to be new.” He was diagnosed with
cancer and as his life came to a close he continued to
perform. He said of death, “---it’s just a process ... I’ll be
all right as long as I keep giggling”. Her died on 9 June
this year, aged 66.
Brian Murphy, Archivist
Foundation Trustees
“The Foundation Board is fully committed to ensuring that
all members of the school community and its affiliate groups
work together for the common good of strengthening
the vision, values and aims of MAGS in a very real and
purposeful manner.” Tim Goulding
Tim Goulding
Greg Moyle
Greg Taylor
Grant Wilson
Dale Burden
Community support for
MAGS
Mount Albert Grammar School
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Metric usage and metrification in other countries.)
3. Stone, RCJ. (1997), Tradition and Change: Mount Albert Grammar School: The
First Seventy-Five Years p 384 (Mount Albert Grammar School).
4. Southland Times (undated, unpaginated – on Stuff website).
5. Stone, ibid. p 385.
6. Wikipedia (Robert Muldoon)
7. Campbell Paterson Ltd: Catalogue of New Zealand Stamps. Permanent Pages
OD1(A), OD1(B), X3, RD5, Temporary page Z8.
Obituary
Murray Wallace McNabb, Musician
At Mount Albert Grammar School 1960-1965.
Murray McNabb started here in 3B. He was then in the
4B French, Senior 5, Senior 5 again, 6 General and 6
General again. He played cricket and rugby and was
engaged in athletics. In his last year he was the Flight
Commander in the ATC and a prefect. The only other
prefect in his class was Dave McIntyre, and there was a
38
Association Executive List
PRESIDENT
Ben Stallworthy Ben.Stallworthy@aucklandtransport.govt.nz
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Maelen Tagelagi tagmed@vodafone.co.nz
MINUTES SECRETARY
Tim Kay
tkay@mags.school.nz
TREASURER
Kent Routen
kent@kiwisemarketing.co.nz
COMMITTEE
Danica Atkins
danica.atkins@gmail.com
David Griffin
david@cglord.co.nz
Dale Griffiths
dale@wvp.co.nz
Brett Kingstone b.kingstone@kbhs.school.nz
Aftab Moosa
supermoosa@gmail.com
Greg Moyle
greg@akld.nzfp.co.nz
Brian Murphy
bmurphy@mags.school.nz
Michael Riley
Michael.Riley@aucklandtransport.govt.nz
Greg Taylor gregt@iconz.co.nz
Dale Burden
headmaster@mags.school.nz
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VOLUME 8.No3
TERM 3.2013
Quarterly 39
TERM 4 CALENDAR
October
November
14
Monday
Term 4 Commences
Hall of Distinction Ceremony in F.W. Gamble Hall at 2.10pm
18
Friday
Arts Lions Ceremony in F.W. Gamble Hall at 2.10pm
21
Monday
Albertian of the Year Ceremony in F.W. Gamble Hall at 2.10pm
22
Tuesday
Annual Sports Dinner at Alexandra Park Raceway at 6.30pm
23
Wednesday
Year 10 Market Day
24
Thursday
Year 12 & 13 Media Evening in E Block at 7.00pm
25
Friday
Service Lions Ceremony in F.W. Gamble Hall at 2.10pm
28 Monday Labour Day
29
Tuesday
Arts Dinner at Sorrento in the Park at 7.00pm
30
Wednesday
Pasifika Awards Evening in F.W. Gamble Hall at 7.00pm
31
Thursday
School House Prizegiving at School House
1
Friday
Year 11 Prizegiving in F.W. Gamble Hall at 1.45pm
4
Monday
Years 9-11 Study Leave
Senior Prizegiving in F.W. Gamble Hall at 12.30pm
Leavers Dinner at Ellerslie Event Centre at 6.30pm
7
Thursday
Year 8 Girls Academic Testing am / Academy testing pm
8
Friday
Year 8 Boys Academic Testing am / Academy testing pm
NCEA Examinations commence
December
12-15
Tues-Fri
Junior Examinations
15
Friday
Year 8 Catch up Testing
21
Thursday
Stardome Observatory Trip
23
Saturday
Duke of Edinburgh Camp
28
Thursday
Te Puna Farewell at Waipapa Marae
29-2
Fri-Mon
Year 10 Outdoor Education Trip - Motutapu
3
Tuesday
Year 9 Inter Form Class Competition
4
Wednesday
Year 10 Inter Form Class Competition
5
Thursday
Inter Form Class Competition Winners –
Movie and Lunch at St Lukes
6
Friday
Year 10 Prizegiving at 9.30am in F.W. Gamble Hall
Year 9 Prizegiving at 12.30pm in F.W. Gamble Hall
End of Term 4
2014 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Auckland Anniversary Day
Monday 27 January
Easter Tuesday
Tuesday 22 April
Waitangi Day
Thursday 6 February
Anzac Day
Friday 25 April
Good Friday
Friday 18 April
Queen’s Birthday
Monday 2 June
Easter Monday
Monday 21 April
Labour Day
Monday 27 October
2014 TERM DATES
TERM 1
TERM 2
TERM 3
TERM 4
Tuesday 28 January
Year 9 only
Wednesday 29 January Full school in
Monday 5 May
Monday 21 July
Monday 13 October
to
to
to
to
to
Thursday 17 April
Thursday 17 April
Friday 4 July
Friday 26 September
Tuesday 9 December
Alberton Avenue, Mt Albert, Auckland 1025 Tel: 64 9 846 2044 Fax: 64 9 846 2042 Email: headmaster@mags.school.nz
w w w. m a g s . s c h o o l . n z