Auckland Grammar School

Headmaster's Prize Giving Address 2011

The result is that Auckland Grammar School holds a special, somewhat independent, niche in the New Zealand education scene, in large part because we have remained constant, determined, committed and totally focused on the things that we believe make us different and special, and which contribute to our boys enjoying an excellent educational experience. The School stands for a style of education that is definitely not old fashioned or conservative but rather demanding, knowledge-driven, competitive and rigorous. We aim to provide our boys with the structure, values and educational opportunities that will enable them to go to the outside world as well rounded, confident young men who can mix it with the very best and be worldly citizens of our country.

Read More

ERO Review Aug/Sep 2011

Click below to see a summary of the recent ERO Review of Auckland Grammar School and the link to the full ERO report from the ERO website.

Read More

AGS Mountain Biking - NZ Champions Oct 2011

On 29 October Grammar entered 3 teams in the National Mountain Bike Relay Champs in Rotorua. The Under 19 Team of T Fox, L Callesen and H Bloor were National Champions winning Gold Medals, shirt and a plaque. The Under 16 team of R Craggs, J Fisher, J Callesen, and K Tetley were second in New Zealand and won silver medals.

Read More

Grammar Chess National Champions 2011

The Senior A Auckland Grammar School Chess Team of Hans Gao (3D), Daniel Shen (5A), Luke Li (3C) and Alex Huang (6D) did the school proud easily retaining North Island and New Zealand titles to add to their Auckland Championship title. This is the fourth successive year that Grammar has achieved this feat.

Read More

Premier Basketball Win Back-to-Back Auckland Championships

The Premier Basketball side, coached by Dave McKay and managed by Charles Laing, completed a fine season in real style by defeating perennially strong Westlake Boys' High School in the Auckland Championship final 70-64.

Read More

Winter Tournament - August 2011

Nine Grammar teams competed in various tournments around the country. The Premier Table Tennis team beat Macleans College in the final of their National tournament to crown a superb season. Basketball also went close reaching their final, but lost to Northern Region champions Rosmini College. 1st XI Football and U15 Rugby both had excellent tournaments both losing narrowly at the semi-final stage but both won their play-off match for 3rd place, the 1st XI beating MAGS and U15's defeating Napier Boys' High. For full results click the 'Read More' button.

Read More

 John Morris Resigns after 19 years as Headmaster

The Board of Trustees of Auckland Grammar School today announced that John Morris has given notice of his resignation as Headmaster to be effective in late 2012.

The Board will now undertake the process of seeking a new Headmaster for only the third time in the last 60 years. John Morris will continue to lead the School until he leaves at the end of September 2012.

As Headmaster, John Morris has been a visionary leader guiding the School through a period of massive structural and policy change. As a result of his leadership Auckland Grammar School has consistently maintained its position as one of the top ranked state school in New Zealand.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jeff Blackburn said, “John has continued the Auckland Grammar School tradition by being a remarkable Headmaster. As a professional leader he has enhanced the Grammar ethos of the pursuit of excellence. John is stepping down at the top of his game. The Board thanks him for his outstanding contribution to Auckland Grammar School and wishes him every success ahead.”

“The 2011 ERO Report is a fitting endorsement of John’s leadership. ERO awarded Grammar the top rating of a 5 year review cycle which recognised the significant success of Grammar boys at a regional, national and international level in a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural endeavours.”

John’s leadership in education stretches beyond Auckland Grammar School. During his time as Headmaster he has chaired both the Education Forum and the Cambridge Schools’ Association, introduced Cambridge International Qualifications to New Zealand and was a long-standing member of the University of Auckland Council. In addition John has sat on a number of Government Think Tanks on Education. He has also been heavily involved in sports leadership and was Chairman of New Zealand Football for six years and represented NZ Football on the FIFA Technical Committee for four years.

After nearly 20 years of outstanding school leadership at Auckland Grammar John is looking forward to new and different opportunities.
 

New Zealand World Rugby Champions!

South African Rugby Legend Hosts Grammar U15 Rugby Team

Members of Auckland Grammar School's Junior Premier Rugby Teams were put through their paces by South African Rugby legend and RWC 2011 MasterCard Ambassador Bobby Skinstad yesterday, before gaining exclusive access to the South African Captain's Run at North Harbour Stadium.Eighteen students enjoyed a Coaching Clinic with the former South African Rugby Captain, gaining tips and asking Skinstad about the preparations that go into training for a Rugby World Cup.

Skinstad then hosted the students at the South African Captain's Run, the final training session ahead of the team's RWC 2011 match against Samoa, before leading them on a VIP Tour of North Harbour Stadium.Both experiences, part of MasterCard's Worldwide Partnership with RWC 2011, were intended to provide the students with unforgettable Rugby memories.

The Coaching Clinic and South African Captain's Run is another great example of the opportunities that this Tournament is providing for grassroots teams to benefit from the knowledge and experience of some of the world's best players.

Captain of Auckland Grammar School's U15A Team, Robert Harris, said: "Having the opportunity to train with Bobby Skinstad, one of the great South African Rugby players, and watch the South African team as they prepare for a Rugby World Cup match has been truly unforgettable. I know that we will benefit hugely from what we have learnt through this experience and the knowledge and advice passed on by a true Rugby great."

Grammar Old Boys Playing in Rugby World Cup 2011

TONGA

Andrew Mei’ilei
Samisoni Fisilau
Sione Kalamafoni
 

FIJI

Napolioni Nalaga

IRELAND

Geordan Murphy

SAMOA

Daniel Leo
Taiasina Tuifu’a
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
 

Junior A Debating take Auckland Title

On 19 September 2011 the Junior A Debating team, coached by Mrs Rachel Lory, won a very closely fought final against Westlake Boys' High School negating the moot 'That the Government should impose a fat tax'. The three adjudicators voted unanimously in favour of the Grammar team who showed great expertise in the art of debating.

L to R: Chris Oldham, Sam Stead, Hamish Burns
 

Chorus Gets Third at Nationals

Under the inspired and enthusiastic direction of old boy Mr Campbell Rehu, the chorus has a new image and a new name - GrammAcoustix - and we were delighted to see them gain third place in the finals for "Young Men in Harmony", Chorus Finals 2011. To get through to the national final and then to come third nationally is amazing in this their first year in the competition; congratulations to all involved.
 

English Channel Swim

A little slice of history was made on Saturday 2nd July when six boys from Auckland Grammar School became the first New Zealand school team to complete a successful relay crossing of the English Channel.

The team members; Freddie Bassett (17), Callum Morrison (17), Sam Benson (17), Terry Kim (15), Toby Harknett (14) and Toto Laurenson (14) completed the 34 km swim in 10 hours and 5 minutes. Water temperatures during the swim varied from 14 degrees to 15 degrees and are similar to the winter temperatures in the Hauraki Gulf where the team has been training for more than a year to prepare for this challenge. Like all crossings of the channel, no wetsuits are allowed as that would depart from the original feat of Captain Webb in 1875.

The team were competing against Wellington College, a private school from Crowthorne in England and defeated them by about three hours in the race but owing to the difficult nature of the swim both teams can be seen as victorious on this occasion.

The six boys are part of an eleven strong Auckland Grammar School touring team which will also contest races in the British Long Distance Swimming Association's championships at Lake Bala in Wales next weekend and two swims in the Republic of Ireland (a 6km ocean swim and a 2km river swim).

MAADI Cup Assembly Videos

 MAADI Cup Assembly Prizes

 Kapa Haka Group perform at assembly 

Grammar Excels at Maadi Cup - 2 April 2011

Grammar Rowing had its best ever Maadi Cup Regatta winning three Gold and two Silver medals. The U18 4's won the Springbok Shield for the first time and then completed the double by winning the Maadi Cup in the U18 8's final. 

The Maadi Cup is arguably the most prestigious sporting trophy in New Zealand secondary school sport. The Maadi Cup has been raced since 1955 and in most years has been the preserve of private schools although more recently Hamilton Boys' High have dominated the event winning the trophy for four consecutive years. The year however a brilliantly prepared and coached Senior 8 from Grammar predominated.

After winning the North Island Secondary School Regatta, Grammar was undoubtedly one of the favourites along with Christ's College from Christchurch, Westlake Boys and Hamilton Boys. In the final Hamilton shot out to the lead but after 300m the Grammar 8 nudged ahead and retained the lead throughout the race.

Congratulations must go to the entire coaching staff led by Bruce Jones and Ian Bright, well supported by three recent Old Boy coaches who have contributed greatly to the success of this season, and also to the Senior 8 who have been magnificent all season in their dedication, commitment and desire.

The Senior 8 with Head Coach Bruce Jones and his assistant Ian Bright, with the Maadi Cup.

See more photos of the Regatta.

• Term Calendar
• Ad Augusta Magazine
• Staff & Student Intranet
• Leadership Programme
• Centennial Theatre
• Venturelodge
• Employment Opportunities