Latest News
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Student Initiative: Our Courage NZ
Senior Prefect I. J. Mellis-Glynn has recently started a student-run mental health initiative aimed at normalising conversations around mental health. Called Our Courage, students interview prominent New Zealanders, such as sports and TV stars, radio personalities and politicians, and share their stories across social media.
The vision of Our Courage is...Senior Prefect I. J. Mellis-Glynn has recently started a student-run mental health initiative aimed at normalising conversations around mental health. Called Our Courage, students interview prominent New Zealanders, such as sports and TV stars, radio personalities and politicians, and share their stories across social media.
The vision of Our Courage is that the interviews will encourage more New Zealanders to talk about their mental health, to seek help if they are struggling, and to rally around friends and family who might be experiencing this.
Working with 2020 Dux Nathan Chen and fellow Prefect B. J. Ross, Mellis-Glynn went on The Rock Drive Show last week to speak about the initiative with hosts Jay and Duncan. Click here to listen to his interview.
To find out more and to view some of the interviews the group has already conducted, you can follow Our Courage on Facebook and Instagram.
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2021 Polyfest Competition
In its 45th year, the annual Polyfest competition involved many schools from throughout Auckland. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the festival dates were pushed back to their original date of mid-March to the end of Term 1.
Auckland Grammar had the Kapa Haka, Samoan and Tongan groups performing, and the Tongan group...In its 45th year, the annual Polyfest competition involved many schools from throughout Auckland. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the festival dates were pushed back to their original date of mid-March to the end of Term 1.
Auckland Grammar had the Kapa Haka, Samoan and Tongan groups performing, and the Tongan group performed for the first time in a decade. The Kapa Haka group, led by Form 6 student J. T. Murray, performed early on the Saturday morning. There were six pieces in the group's repertoire, and a fantastic end result when they placed third in the Mau Rākau category.
The Tongan group did extremely well for their first effort in many years. Led by senior students W. S. T. Halafuka, F. H. F .U. Saafi, S. V. L. L. Takataka and A. T. L. Taumoepeau, they performed two items with distinction, the Ma-ulu-ulu and the Mako, which demand discipline, timing, and grace. The gained second place in the Mako, which is an excellent result and a special thank you to Salesi Katoa for his expert tutorship.
The Samoan Group was led by Prefects B. F. Peleti-Fuimaono and T. W. M. Tuatagaloa. With eight sections in the Samoan section, seven of these being song and dance, it is extremely difficult therefore to win major placings in such a highly contested stage.
The group was fortunate to have a number of experienced dancers, including J. G. P. Fuafiva, D. K. Lokeni and N .S. S. Maka. They helped to set the tone, leading from the front, showing expertise and passion.
The group placed third in the Toniga, the Fa'ataupati and the Sasa, and second in both the Fuataimi and the Manaia, which gave the group an overall placing of second for the competition, a massive achievement.
This is the best result Auckland Grammar School has achieved since its entry to the festival in 1988, and the groups wish to thank the Headmaster, the Leadership Team, staff and students for their ongoing support.
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Farewell to Mr Ben Skeen
This morning in assembly, Auckland Grammar School farewells a long serving and senior member of staff, Associate Headmaster - Junior School Mr Ben Skeen, who next term begins a new challenge as Headmaster of St Paul's Collegiate School.
Mr Skeen's contributions to Auckland Grammar School have been diverse and extensive over...This morning in assembly, Auckland Grammar School farewells a long serving and senior member of staff, Associate Headmaster - Junior School Mr Ben Skeen, who next term begins a new challenge as Headmaster of St Paul's Collegiate School.
Mr Skeen's contributions to Auckland Grammar School have been diverse and extensive over the past 15 years. His contributions have had a direct influence on the School's strategic direction, academically and holistically.
Mr Skeen has helped set and maintain the highest of standards for students and staff he has done so understanding of the traditions that are important to our School. This understanding was reflected in his considerable support of the School's 150th year in 2019, where he oversaw numerous aspects of the celebrations that took place over 10 days.
In each of the roles Mr Skeen has performed as a representative of Auckland Grammar School he has accepted the self-imposed challenge of helping make our School 'better than before'. That has including having a growth mindset in his personal and professional approach as well as challenging each of you to to do the same - to better yourself and understand who you are.
Mr Skeen started at Auckland Grammar School as a teacher of History in 2007, who was a story teller at heart, encouraging those he taught to have a love of the subject. Since starting as a history teacher, Mr Skeen's contributions to the School have been diverse. They have included:
- A role of Assistant Housemaster from 2008 to 2012, a role he performed alongside his teaching duties and strong involvement particularly in the sport of rugby.
- Master in Charge of Leadership programmes from 2009. The area of student leadership is something Mr Skeen has been passionate about and he held this role until he was appointed Associate Headmaster in 2015. As Master in Charge of Leadership he designed and led the India Immersion Programme on 4 occasions where students were given the opportunity to experience another culture and connect and work with communities at the margins of society.
He introduced the Form 6 Leadership programme at Venturelodge, the Form 4 leadership programmes, Prefect mentoring and Student Leadership Seminars. These are all programmes that have continued to evolve at Grammar. Mr Skeen was also the Form 3 and 4 Associate Dean from 2010 - 2012 before being appointed the Form 5 Dean in 2014, a role he held for two years.
In an extracurricular sense Mr Skeen was a distance running squad coach from 2007 - 2012 and Master in Charge of Rugby for 5 years.
He was a 1st XV Rugby Assistant Coach, for eight years concluding only after the School's 150th match here at home on the No. 1 field in 2019.
During this time the 1st XV made the 1A semi-final 6 times and between 2012-2015, the 1st XV made the final four years in a row, winning the 1A championship in 2014. The 1st XV also won the coveted Moascar Cup twice during his tenure. Of note is that the team beat King's College seven out of the 10 games he was involved with, including five in a row which is very rare indeed.
Away from School life, globally Mr Skeen has been better known by rugby fans as a television match official a role that saw him officiate in 68 internationals, 3 World Cups and a Lions Tour. The experiences he has had internationally have informed his practice as a teacher and senior staff member.
Mr Skeen was appointed as Associate Headmaster in 2015, a role that has seen him influence the daily operations of the School with you and staff, including emergency protocols and crisis management, School communications, School Events, the Boarding House, the oversight of School timetable and the oversight of Student Services.
Mr Skeen has also had direct input into developing the School's focus on character education including programmes that addresses the harmful effects of pornography, the use social media, cultural diversity, religion, gender diversity, vaping and a variety of social issues. And, to the School he is the guy who reads out daily notices in assembly in his trademark dulcet tones.Mr Skeen is a proud Grammar man, who has lived the Grammar Way over the last 15 years earning credibility and respect amongst his colleagues, the parent community and you, the student body.
He will be a highly effective Headmaster who we thank for his 15 years of service to and influence of Auckland Grammar School. We wish him and his family every success in this exciting new chapter in their lives.
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The Player's Shield for Cricket
Prior to the Easter break, the 1st XI Cricket team played King's College where the 1st XI dismissed King's in the 40th over for 92 runs. The 1st XI remained calm and reaching the modest total of 93 inside 26 overs to claim a dominant win.
For this particular fixture, the...Prior to the Easter break, the 1st XI Cricket team played King's College where the 1st XI dismissed King's in the 40th over for 92 runs. The 1st XI remained calm and reaching the modest total of 93 inside 26 overs to claim a dominant win.
For this particular fixture, the two sides competed for the Player's Shield, which Auckland Grammar School has only recently received.
Congratulations to the 1st XI team for their win, and Captain J. T. Todd crossed stage this morning to receive the Player's Shield on behalf of the team and the School's congratulations.