Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dear Parents,

Further to our communications over the last few days, the Ministry of Education has lifted the direction for Auckland schools to remain closed for physical attendance and instruction, with effect from today (Wednesday 1 February). This means that Auckland schools can now make their own decisions about reopening tomorrow. It will be no surprise to you that our decision is to re-open for instruction on campus.

The School day will begin tomorrow (Thursday 2 February) with assembly at 9am and thereafter, normal timetabled classes for a Thursday will operate. No lessons will be provided on GrammarNet on Thursday or Friday. We are expecting all students, who can return safely to campus tomorrow, to do so. A shortened lunch will operate on both days, with a 3pm finish.

If your personal circumstances are such that you cannot transport your son to school safely tomorrow, then he should stay home. In that case, please access the Parent Portal to inform us of your son’s absence if it is not safe for him to travel.

GrammarNet

Our congratulations to students for their positive responses to online lessons over the last 24 hours. The login rate on Tuesday was over 85% across all year levels, including Form 3 students, who only received login details and an online orientation yesterday afternoon. Teachers have been impressed with engagement levels in the online lessons they provided today with over 90% logging in to complete class work by midday.

It is our expectation that all students will have completed all of the work set by their teachers by the time they return to School.

Tibbs House

Boarders are welcome to return to the hostel this evening, ready for school tomorrow. Families who will not be able to safely return to campus should contact Mr Haszard as soon as possible.

Support

We realise that the current weather conditions may continue to negatively affect some families. As a School, we are available to offer immediate support with uniforms and other school essentials as required. Please do contact my Executive Assistant, Debbie Watson, via email at ea@ags.school.nz if you need to access such support or you know of a family or families who may benefit from the Grammar community rallying around them, as we are happy to contact them.

As we return to campus, Head Prefect Q. H. D. Te Tamaki and the Prefect team will be rallying interested students to join them in creating a student army to assist families who need help cleaning up homes and properties. We look forward to sharing further details about how to access such support in the coming days.

Tim O’Connor
Headmaster

Over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, the Auckland Grammar School Rowing squad competed at the North Island Club Championships held at Lake Karapiro.

The main goal of the Regatta was to test crew combinations. The squad had some fantastic races, with the best result achieved by the Under 16 Eight crew, who were third in their final.

The Rowing squad is now getting ready for the annual Head of Harbour regatta on Saturday 11 February to be held at Lake Pupuke in Takapuna. The squad would be happy to see as many Grammar supporters as possible on the bank.

Pictured are our 2023 senior student leaders. Back row from left: A. K. Baker, R. G. H. Reidy, P. H. J. Morunga and M. E. Parkinson. Front row: Deputy Head Prefect J. A. Mora and Head Prefect Q. H. D. Te Tamaki.

On Wednesday 25 January in the first full School assembly for the year, the Headmaster announced the student leaders who will lead the student body for the 2023 academic year.

The Head Prefect for 2023 is Q. H. D. Te Tamaki 7C

The 2023 Head Prefect is a young man who has made the most of the opportunities presented to him and has embraced School life, academically and outside the classroom. 

Quinlan has worked in a positive and proactive manner to achieve exemplary academic grades in AS Physical Education, Physics, Maths and Chemistry in 2022. Quinlan is sitting A Level Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics alongside AS Business Studies this year.

He has been committed to the wider life of the School throughout his tenure at Grammar, including playing as a member of the 1st XV Rugby team in 2022. He has also been a member of the Interact group, Kapa Haka and was involved with the Tuakana-Teina mentoring programme.

Masters involved with this young man describe him as self-disciplined, resilient, determined and engaging. His enthusiasm and positivity along with his maturity and self-discipline have seen him earn the respect of his peers and staff alike. 

Quinlan has acted with integrity in all aspects of School life. He has lived the School’s values, showing respect, humility and courage in his actions and general demeanour to progress his education and help define who he is.

The Deputy Head Prefect for 2022 is J. A. Mora 7E

The 2023 Deputy Head Prefect is a diligent student who has been committed to his studies and extracurricular activities throughout his tenure.

Jamie secured sound grades in his AS examinations in 2022 and this year is studying A Level Business Studies, English and Geography, alongside AS Economics. 

Jamie has been actively involved in School life as a member of the Senior Athletics team, the Distance Squad and the Schools Interact Group. He earned Colours for Athletics last year and was awarded the Hugh Poland Award, the Greville Cup, the Donald Lane Cup, the Maxwell Cronin Cup and the Wilson Cup for Athletics and Distance Running in 2022.

Jamie was also the National Senior Road Race Champion with a very impressive performance of 18:12 at the end of last year.

Masters have described Jamie as responsible, capable, mature and determined. He is a contributor with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. 

Jamie is a focused and capable young man who has lived The Grammar Way, leading by example, while being comfortable in who he is.

There are four Senior Prefects who will assist the Head and Deputy Head Prefect for 2023:

A. K. Baker 7A

Angus is a capable academic student who achieved exemplary grades in AS English, Economics, History, French and A Level Maths last year, and this year his subjects are studying A Level Economics, History, French and English. In 2022, he earned the Eric Hooton prize, Certificate in History and the P. J. Anderson Prize for Form 6 History.

He has contributed to School life in an extensive manner and displayed character in his approach. He has been involved with the Chronicle Committee, earned Duke of Edinburgh Gold, the Interact Group, Literati and the Model United Nations Assembly. He is the also the 2023 Head Boy of Tibbs House.

P. H. J. Morunga 7C1

Preston achieved sound academic grades in NCEA Level 2 last year. He is studying Accounting, English, Economics, Mathematics and Te Reo Maori at NCEA Level 3 this year. In 2022 he was second in class and earned certificates in Accounting and English.

He was a member of the 1st XV Rugby team in 2022 and was also involved with Water Polo.

M. E. Parkinson 7C1

Monty earned sound academic grades in NCEA Level 2 last year. This year he is studying NCEA Level 3 Business Studies, Economics, English, Geography and Physical Education.

In 2022, he earned a certificate in Business Studies and Physical Education and the Josh Hartner Memorial Award for character, effort and leadership potential.

He is an active and well-rounded student who has been a member of the Athletics Intermediate team, the Interact Group, the 1st XV Rugby and Premier Touch teams. He is also the Deputy Head Boy of Tibbs House.

R. G. H. Reidy 7D

Robson achieved sound academic grades in AS Digital Media and Design, English, French, Geography and History in 2022. This year he is studying A Level English, History, Digital Art Photography and AS Economics.

He has been a member of the Senior Open Debating team, the Interact Group, Literati and the 1st XV Rugby team.

The inaugural Rangitahi Cricket Festival will be held on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 January, with the inaugural Pasifika and Māori Schoolboys teams playing three T20 matches in what is designed to be a celebration of culture and cricket.

Auckland Grammar School is delighted to congratulate the four students who have made the New Zealand Pasifika Schoolboys XI team: Form 4 student J. S. McNaughton, Form 5 students K. D. Cossill and N. G. McNaughton and Form 6 student O. M. Su’a.

The team will take on the New Zealand Māori Schoolboys team on Tuesday 24 January at the Shore Road Domain from 2:30pm, before two further games on Wednesday January 25 at the Shore Road Domain at 10:30am and at the Ōrākei Domain at 2:30pm.

After the end of Term 4, 28 athletes represented Auckland Grammar School at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics and Road Race Championships in Inglewood from Friday 9 – Sunday 11 December. Most of the team were young and competing for the first time at nationals, but the team displayed great enthusiasm and resilience and consequently achieved some impressive results.

In the Junior competition, Form 4 student C. P. Wagener finished third in the 3000m in 8:39.47, followed closely by Form 5 student A. V. Wilkins in fourth place. Form 3 student L. C. R. Thomson qualified for the semi-finals of the 100m event, and fellow classmate M. K. Jacobs impressed with eighth place in the Shot Put with a throw of 11.37m.

Form 4 student C. G. Howlett was sixth in both the 400m and the 300m hurdles. The final highlight of the junior competition were the relays, where Howlett and Thomson alongside Form 3 student M. M. Browne and Form 4 student S. C Paris secured bronze in the 4x100m. Howlett then combined with Wagener, Wilkins and Form 4 student S. C. Randerson to win gold in the 4x400m relay.

In the senior grade, first-year senior J. A. Thomson ran a strong 100m and 200m, both of which led him into the semi-finals. Even though he ran the eighth fastest time, he missed the 100m finals due to being in a fast heat. Other qualifications for semi-finals included Form 5 student R. W. Fitzpatrick and Form 6 student J. E. M. Park in the 800m, while Form 6 student Q. R. Gardiner-Hall was fifth in the racewalk.

In the road races on Sunday, the School was represented by eight competitors in the Year 9 category who performed well, with Form 3 students M. J. K. Capamagian , X. R. Clark, T. C. L. MacDonald, A. A. McPherson, J. A. Smith and M. E. Wilkins combining to win bronze in the six-man team.

In the Junior race, C. P. Wagener and A. V. Wilkins contested a sprint finish to decide silver and bronze, with Wilkins just edging his team-mate by two seconds in a time of 12:20. Form 4 student K. J. Moyle also finished strongly and these three claimed the three-man team gold.

In the Senior 6km race, Form 6 student J. A. Mora was in control from start to finish. Consequently, he became the National Senior Road Race Champion with an impressive performance of 18:12, which, once confirmed, will set the new Under 18 Men’s National record.