This year's guest speaker was Mr Gavin Milne who leaves us on promotion to Dilworth School. The guest presenters were local parlimentarians the Hon David Shearer and Melissa Lee. Congratulations to all the prize winners and to all students who have completed a successful year. Click here to download the full list of junior prize winners.
Sports Awards
Junior Victrix Ludorum - Girls
Caitlin Pritchard
Jack Henderson Best All-Round Boy - Year 9
Caitlin Pritchard, the girls' junior sports dux Victrix Ludorum Te Uranga Royal Best All-Round Girl - Year 9
Grace Drummond Best All-Round Girl - Year 10
Frankie Patten-Eliott Best All-Round Boy - Year 10
Junior Victor Ludorum - Boys
Niven Longopoa
Arts Awards
Dux Artium - Girls
Lisa McLaughlan
Dux Artium - Boys
Braedon Schache
Special Awards
Mrs GE Phillips Memorial Cup: Best All-Round Student in Y9 Girls
TeUranga Royal
Hutton Cup: Best All-Round Student in Y9 Boys
Jack Henderson
Old Boys' Association Cup: Best All-Round Student in Y10 Girls
Grace Dummond
Ah Kuoi Cup: Best All-Round Student in Y10 Boys
Frankie Patten-Elliott
Junior Girls' Dux
Jade Xiao
Junior Boys' Dux
Aakash Dalvi
Niven Longopoa Junior Victor Ludorum Junior Boy's Sports Dux
Aakash Dalvi & Jade Xiao Junior Academic Duxes
Lisa McLaughlan & Braedon Schache Duxes Artium Junior Arts Duxes
The following students received a Certificate of Achievement with Excellence:
Mina Abbaspour Mojdehi, Rachel Adams, Alex Anderson, Alicia Anderson, Eva Ashmore, Irene Bae, Keely Bamber, Luke Barker, Natasha Baxendale, Laura Bayfield, Rayna Bhikha, France Bloomfield, Helen Boyle, Keira Bright, Jonathan Buckman, Rachel Bunn, Thomas Butler, Claudia Butwell, Georgia Carter, Isabelle Cassidy, Emily Cavell, Soumith Chittajallu, Jasmine Cooling, Yinhu Cui, Heloisa De Freitas, Benjamin Dean, Isobel Douglas, Franco du Preez, Daphney Erlano, Luke Fitzpatrick, Angela Fong, Stephen Fountain, Tyrone Francis, Caitlyn Gallot, Thomas Gant, Jacqueline Hand, Maddison Hargreaves, Eric He, Jack Henderson, Rosa Henderson, Celia Hext, Leilani Ioelu, Ruby Johnston, Amanda Joshua, Emma Kelleway, Rory Kelly, Alicia Kennedy, Anil Kishor, Monique Kost, Tariel Lamb, Max Lay, Cheyenne Letalu, Abbey Lissama, Angela Liu, Claire Liu, Katy MacKenzie, Dane Malcolm, Parie Malhotra, Oliver Mallon, Jacob Marsh, Kauri May, Viriginia Megson, Jessica Middelberg, Ana Moi, Brooke Moody, Anton Moore, Kalisha Moore, Hideaki Murakami, Ella Neighbours, Kate Nicholson, Hayley Nisbet, Claire Norbitt, Oona Palmer, Elliot Paton-Simpson, Caitlin Pritchard, Hannah Rahman, Paul Roache, Franziska Robinson, Angus Ross, TeUranga Royal, Henry Russell, Denver Ruwhiu, Sanaz Samadian, Bradley Sauvarin, Miracle Savea Fuauli Silaoa, Angus Scahill, Mahima Taunk, Samantha Tawharu, Elle Temu, Sisilia Teu, Alex Thompson, Max Thomson, Paula Towers, Thomas Trevelyan, Jackson Tuarae, Bryn Tuson, Jessica Vale, Benjamin Williamson, Kate Wislang, Linfeng Wong, Jin Sik Yun, Lisa Zhang and Rebecca Zhang.
Junior Graduation Certificate of Achievement Ceremony - Monday 3 December
At this ceremony the Year 9 students were recognised and those students that completed the Year 9 junior graduation programme will receive their certificates in one of the three categories:
Junior Certificate of Achievement with Merit These were presented to the following students
Agnes Ah Yen, Nailah Akbar, Akerita Alatimu, Ruth Alesana, Jesse Amiatu, David Andrews, Pekarau Arona, Michael Barlow, Ruby Beadle, Jamie Bell, Joe Birch, Connor Bougen, Nathan Browne, Flynn Campbell-Scott, Fraser Campbell, Ella Campin, Teagan Cantle, Matthew Carline, Olivia Carr, Libby Carroll, Chris Choi, Malila Christoffersen, Anthony Chu, Robert Cobb, Hannah Cox, Francis Dale, Samuel Darin, Quintanella Dessa, Lorenzo Dorian, Yona Dorsett, Lachlan Douglas, Ethan Duffin, Jack Duley, Tim Dunshea, Rey Ebina, Miranda Emza, Leo Enright-Meiklejohn, Natasha Findlay, Mila Fonua, Tommy Frost, Woraphop Cory Fuangkhajornfung, Jacob Galuvao, Holly Grbich, Yeonoh Ha, Abigail Hala, Adil Hameed, Emma Hart, Robby Hekkers, Caitlin Hoffmann-Herbert, Salote Holi, Finn Hollingworth, Spencer Holmes, Nivin Hoque, Luke Hore, Luke Howlett, Georgia Humphreys-Grey, Hale Huru, Leah Ishmael, Shae Iswar, Reuben Jackson, Chester Jerrat, Lily Joe, Liam Jordan, Raipoia Kawhia, Joshua Kelly, Brianna King, Jorryn Kizo, Samuel Kriehn, Madison Langlois, William Lever, Viliami Likiliki, Amaya Lodge-Osborn, Jack Longland, Angenita Lousi, Isaac Lulia, Sacha MacBain, Lewis Macdonald, Jessica MacFarlane, Taufa Maile, Zaine Mani, Maria Markovich, Abigail Marshall, James Martin, Benjamin Mata, Francesca McCamish, Madison McGregor, Kieran McLean, Ross McShane, Humaid Memee, Tagatauli Michael, Lauren Middleton, Ayla Millham-Lamb, Sam Milne, Kalin Moodley, Florencia Morris, Amaia Muru, Shyan Nayeri, Alexandra Nicholson, Anahita Oei, Jonathan Osborn, Isaiah Papalii, Luke Park, Dhruvi Patel, Reshmaben Patel, Andy Patkevych, Daniel Pereira, Van Tien Pham, Van Tuyen Pham, Taite Pierson, Victoria Pone, Rhyannon Poto, Joshua Potts, Kasey Price, Liam Quinlan, Bianka Radojkovich, Carlos Rankin, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Jayden Rollinson, Kyle Roque, Cheyenne Samuels, Feneel Sanghavi, Sabian Scott, Sharanita Sharma, Johnny Smith, Oliver Smith, William Smithson, Colleen Song, Nerida Southam, Logan Sowter, Jack Stevens, Sharifa Tajek, William Tan, Catherine Tauaho, Ajaleyah Taylor, Victoria Ting, Salyn Tonuu, Matthias Trabing, Damon Trumper, Folau Tuinukuafe, Atapana Vaisagote-Frost, Brooke Walker, Keepa Wiki, Melanie Williamson, Bailey Woodman and Maria Wrassky-Bulmer.
Junior Certificate of Achievement & Junior Certificate of Achievement with Support
These were presented to a representative from each class
Junior School Graduation Certificates with Excellence were presented at the Junior Prizegiving on Friday 7 December, 2012.
Senior Art students at Mount Albert Grammar School strived diligently during Terms Three and Four to realize a mural in our local community. The project was in collaboration with Yvonne Lennon, a passionate supporter of the arts and manager of King's Caf , King's Garden centre, St Lukes.
The mural was designed by Ashlee Ridgway-Keehn and Brittany Haylock-Skinner and is a celebration of the environment, gardening and the many delicious treats available everyday at King's Caf, St Lukes. Yvonne wanted to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and this group of Year 11 Art students were up for the challenge.
King's Cafe were so thrilled with the work ethic and skills of these MAGS students they have generously decided to donate $500 to Mount Albert Grammar School. Many thanks to Wiri Timber, who donated workers to install this mural at their favorite cafe. Altura Coffee have generously donated $250.00 to the school art department as a token of appreciation for the fine work done by the students. Congratulations to all involved in this project. Ainsley Jones
Back row left to right: Kiran Daya-Haddow, Stephen Cockin, Chavon Bringans, Nicole Roulston, Ruby Darin, Mehak Janjua, Rick Barnett and Cameron Townshend of Wiri Timber Front row: Jennifer Chen, Louisa Howse, Adeli Lim, Nandini Bagraniya, Brittany Haylock-Skinner, Yvonne Lennon, manager of Kings Caf, Ainsley Jones,
Over the second half of the year four hard-working Year 10 students from Mount Albert Grammar School have a painted a reading-themed mural forTalented Tots Childcare And Learning Centre in Mount Albert.
The mural was designed to be bright and cheerful to symbolise the joy of reading. When the mural was installed, the preschoolers added their hand prints into the rainbow. This design feature was included so that the preschool students would have a sense of participation and ownership of the mural.
Riley Hobbs was thrilled to demonstrate his artistic flair and noted, "That's my blue hand, I did it". Riley also thought the mural was "cool".
The mural is a celebration of reading, visual arts and the ethos of service to the community which is part of our Mount Albert Grammar School way.
Congratulations to Samantha Brake, Megan Laxan, Prithika Surendran and Shanika Tuinder for their fine effort in this creative endeavour.
The annual leavers' dinner took place on Monday 5 November at Alexandra Park. There were over 400 students, parents,teachers and albertians attending.
Students were presented with graduation certificates by Ben Stallworthy,the President of the Albertians and everyone was kept entertained by the MC Chris Metcalfe.
This year the guest speakers were Dr Mary-Grace Aballe and Dr William Good who were the head prefects of 2005. They spoke about the importance of their time at school in preparing them for their medical studies and encouraged all he graduating students to make the most of their opportunities.
The evening was concluded by Mr Cave who gave his final speech as Year 13 Dean.
Full Resolution files of the pictures below will be posted this week by Friday 14 December
The senior prize giving was held in the FW Gamble Memorial Hall on Monday 5 November. Congratulations to all the prize winners
Special and Memorial Prizes
Jenny Hau
Girls' Dux University of Auckland Jubilee Award
Sam Davis
Boys' Dux Woolf Fisher Memorial Scholarship University of Auckland Scholarship
Chloe Bangs
Girls' Proxime Accessit
Matthew Battley
Boys' Proxime Accessit CP Liddell Scholarship FW Gamble Memorial Cup: Best All-Round Boy in Year 13
Dux Artium - Boys
Mosa'ati Mafileo
Dux Artium - Girls
Brosnan Ackerman
Victor Ludorum
Aaron McLelland
Victrix Ludorum
Rebekah Roache
Shannon Leota
CP Liddell Scholarship Girls' Foundation Cup for Service to the School Best All-Round Pacific Island Student University of Auckland Chancellor's Award for Top Maori and Pacific Scholars
David Tuipolotu
Albertian Tertiary Award Isaac Gray Cup for Service to the School
Kasey Nihill
Albertian Tertiary Award
Haimanot Reda
Albertian Tertiary Award
Edward Hughes
John Williamson Scholarship University of Auckland Scholarship
Elizabeth Isbey
John Williamson Scholarship
Hayley Becht
Best All-Round Girl in Year 13 Neville Watson Memorial Prize for the Student Who Best Typifies the Spirit of Mount Albert Grammar School AUT Vice-Chancellor's Award
Laura Osborn
Anne Duncan Award for Good Citizenship
Tim Rutledge
Anne Duncan Award for Good Citizenship
Kiralee Schache
Sylvia Lamb Benevolence Cup
Joshua Moody
Neville Watson Memorial Prize for the Student Who Best Typifies the Spirit of Mount Albert Grammar School
Keneti Ah Kuoi-Atmore
Best All-Round Pacific Island Student
Don Wu
Harry Wichman Cup: Best All-Round Boy in Year 12
Kuldeep Dalvi
Hanson Cup for Senior Progress and Endeavour
Branna Dawson
Linda Fraser Cup: Best All-Round Girl in Year 12
Alice Gray
Yevette Williams Cup: Effort for Year 12 Girls
Eric Liu
Warwick Gibbs Cup: Best All-Round Boy in Year 11
Michael Parry
Robert Willmott Memorial Prize Quality of Effort for Year 11 Boys
On 25 October, our five ASB Bursary award winners were invited to a luncheon at the Logan Campbell Centre along with the Academic Dean, Mr Gibbs. These students were distinguished not just because they had made a considerable contribution to the life of the school but had also volunteered their time outside of school to the community.
The guest speaker was Mr Brad Clark, Chief Executive Officer of the Starship Foundation, who discussed the work of Starship in New Zealand and how patients were flown in difficult circumstances to the hospital. This was followed by the presentation of certificates and a $150 cheque to each student.
Our recipients this year were, from left, Sam Davis, Joshua Moody, Matthew Battley, Olivia Isbey and Shanti Gore
Congratulations to the staff and students who once again participated in this annual event to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. The final total was a commendable $3954.70.
Congratulations to the recipients of the inaugural service lions which were awarded to students by guest speaker Colin Prentice at a special assembly on Friday 26 October.
Mr Prentice has held a number of senior leadership roles in education and aid work including being Principal of Macleans College and Mount Roskill Grammar School, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision, New Zealand's largest international aid agency, and Director of the Schools Partnership Office at the University of Auckland. He has had extensive teaching and mentoring experience in education, sport, church life and business.
Both Mr Prentice and Headmaster Burden stressed how important it is to serve others. Of all the awards available to students in the school, Mr Burden believes this one is the most important because it recognizes those who choose to give to their school community.
Service Lion Recipients
Keneti Ah Kuoi-Atmore
Service as head boy to the school and wider school community
Monalisa Alesana
Service to sport
Brianna Baker
Service to the wider school community
Chloe Bangs
Service to the library and SADD committee
Matthew Battley
Service to the wider school community
Hayley Becht
Service as head girl to the school and wider school community
Lucy Bennington
Service to the wider school community
Melvin Biji Mathew
Service to the library
Jack Caldwell
Service to the library and peer support
Jonathon Clarke
Service to music
Caitlin Davey
Service to performing arts
Samuel Davis
Service to the wider school community
Theodor Drissner-Devine
Service to performing arts and music
William Engle
Service to the wider school community and to performing arts
Shanti Gore
Service to the library, music, performing arts and the SADD committee
Levi Heeringa
Service to sport
Olivia Hext
Service as deputy head girl to the school and wider school community
Jamie Hucklesby
Service to technology
Nathan Kara
Service to the wider school community and performing arts
Elizabeth Kim
Service to the wider school community
Shannon Leota
Service to the wider school community, interact and amnesty committee
Lynn Lewis
Service to the library
Mosa-ati Mafile'o
Service to music and cultural arts
Tessa McNickle
Service to performing arts, music and peer mediators
Joshua Moody
Service as deputy head boy to the school and wider school community
Jennece Morris
Service to performing arts
Laura Osborn
Service to the wider school community
Erikana Pedersen
Service to the wider school community and to the health committee
Molly Ploeg
Service to the wider school community mediators and the SADD committee
Lliam Powell
Service to music and peer support
Jennifer Qiu
Service to the wider school community and performing arts
Sarah Reece
Service to the wider school community and performing arts
Timothy Rutledge
Service to the wider school community
Kiralee Schache
Service to the wider school community, music and performing arts
Jonathon Sinclair
Service to the wider school community
Zhane Symons
Service to Cultural arts
Vinnie Teh
Service to peer support, interact and amnesty committee
David Tuipulotu
Service to music, performing arts, library and to the wider school community
Hayley Wadmore
Service to the library, peer support and SADD committee
Jing Wen Wang
Service to the wider school community, performing arts and music
Arts Lions were awarded to students who display excellence in the visual and performing arts at a special assembly on Friday 19 October.
Year 9: Siosiua Atuekaho
Year 10: Lisa McLaughlan, Gabriel Sutton
Year 11: Eric Liu, Ashlee Ridgeway-Keehn, Laurena Roquero, Alexshana Sivarajah. Year 11 (re-award): Riley Bourne, Gina Holden, Rebecca Ridgeway
Year 12: Olivia Cochrane, David Harris, Matt James, Mike James, Ruth Lever, Daniel Nesbit, Shannon Pentecost, Eikura William, Don Wu. Year 12 (re-award): Brosnan Ackerman
Year 13: Branna Dawson, Edward Duncan, William Engle, Miro Harre, Levi Heeringa, Marlo Hermansen-Scott, Mosa Mafileo, Shalvin Narayan, Sandini Peiris, Lliam Powell, Jenni Qiu, Tim Rutledge, Olivia Shuttleworth, Candy Wang, Kieren Woods, Felix Worner. Year 13 (re-award): Caitlin Davey, Nathan Kara, Jennece Morris, Sarah Reece, Kiralee Schache
Arts Awards Dinner - 23 October 2012
The Annual Arts Awards Dinner was held on Tuesday 23rd October at The Sorrento In The Park in Cornwall Park.
The dinner celebrates the achievements of our visual and performing arts, cultural and music students and is always a popular event on the school calendar. Ably hosted by arts prefects Jennece Morris, Nathan Kara and William Engle, this year was no exception.
In 2012, we welcomed the Media Studies Department to the event. While media studies is a social science the crossover and connection between media and the arts is undeniable. Media studies students have to create music videos and documentaries as part of their curriculum which requires a creative process, the same as devising in drama or dance choreography. There is also an increasing number of visual and performing arts students choosing also media studies as a subject.
Following the opening address by Mr Burden where he acknowledged the both the achievements of the students and the hard work and commitment from the faculty, the hosts introduced the first performance of the night which was an excellent music video created by a year 11 student Shekynah Clarke and then Ms Beck, the Head of Media Studies, presented the new media studies awards.
All heads of department presented their departmental awards and the evening was interspersed with stellar performances from each department. Year 13 student Charlotte Rose Agbeli-Werry played the part of June Carter (wife of Johnny Cash) in a devised monologue that included a song. This was a polished and moving performance.
The next chosen performance was by year 10 student Lisa McLaughlan who choreographed her dance to an original composition by year 12 music students and captivated the audience with her skill and control. The final performance for the evening was by the award-winning Barbershop Quartet who sang Love Me by Elvis Presley and, as always, had the audience cheering.
As well as the new media awards, four new cultural awards were presented for the first time - two new awards taonga for the kapa haka leaders for 2012 Zhane Symons and Sjian Colbert, excellence in cultural choreography and performance, won by Candy Wang and excellence in cultural leadership Pasifika, trophies donated by Albertians and culture group mentors Alexandra Su'a and Fred Kome were won by Tongan Group leader Jahkeisha Annandale and Niuean group leader Solomone Falaniko.
The final awards, dux artium for boys and girls were read by Senior Arts Manager Te Aroha Keenan.
The winners are year 12 student of media, visual arts and dance Brosnan Ackerman and year 13 student of music, dance and Maori performing arts Mosa'ati Mafileo. (Pictured right)
By the sound of the applause following the announcements, these were very popular choices.
Music Awards
Rock Star
Mosa'ati Mafileo
Rock Guitar
James Morton
Four String Star
Luseane Lousi
Beat Master
David Harris
Chamber Music Award
Kiralee Schache
Brass Section Leadership
Gina Holden
Woodwind Section Leadership
Jonathon Clarke
String Section Leadership
Eric Liu and Phoebe Ross
The Most Innovative Composer/Arranger Award
Emily Cole, Tess McNickle and Gina Holden
Go West Music Cup donated by Go West MusicShop for Music Performance of the Year
Barbershop Quartet Lliam Powell, Mosa'ati Mafileo, Felix Worner, Siosiua Atuekaho
Piano Performance Award
Shanthi Gore
Choir Award
Lliam Powell
Orchestra Award
Lydia Denby
Jazz Award
Miro Harre and Logan Porter
Old Orchestra Cup
Katie Budgen
Treseder-Hallet Cup for Singing
Barbershop Quartet Lliam Powell, Mosaati Mafileo, Felix Worner, Siosiua Atuekaho
Service to the Music Department
Oliver Barnett
KBB Music Cup
Jazz Band - Timothy Sinclair, Gina Holden, Braedon Schache, Rebecca Ridgway, Jack Duley, Liam Eade, Lewis MacKinnon, Miro Harre, David Harris, Levi Heeringa, Ji Eun Lee, Kaitlin Logie, Oscar Ma, Lewis McKinnon, William McMaster, James Morton, Logan Porter
Most Improved Orchestra Player
Kaitlin Logie
Foster Cup
Kiralee Schache & Tessa McNickle
Media Studies Awards
Excellence In Media Studies Academic
Elizabeth Kim
Most Promising Filmmaker
William Engle
Excellence In Film Editing
Tim Rutledge
Service To Media Studies
Tim Rutledge
Visual Arts Awards
Art Award for Commitment (Painting)
Gabrielle Simpson
Art Award for Excellence (Painting)
Sanduni Peiris
Leadership in Painting
Ashlee Ridgway-Keehn
Excellence in Design Award
Kate Russell
Art Award for Commitment (Design)
Gabrielle Simpson
Leadership in Design
John Kim & Vinnie Teh
Most Improved in Design Award
Sharookh Waduerame & Joseph Chittock
Most Improved Art Award
Mathew James
Most Dedicated Student
Brosnan Ackerman & Shannon Pentecost
Art Award for Persistence
Ruth Lever
Excellence in Art History Award
Shanti Gore
Most Promising Pasifika Student
Vosawale Lesuma
Service to the School Visual Art
Don Wu & Jennifer Qiu
Senior Art Cup
Olivia Isbey
Photography Awards
Distinguished Service Award
Don Wu & Leanne Ho
Leadership in Photography
Ellie Belson
Gold Exposure
Olivia Isbey
Silver Exposure
Lee May Wong
Photo Wizard Award
Alberllie Samson
Most Innovative Young Photographer
William Engle
Emerging Artist Cup
Cameron Tocher
DramaAwards
Excellence in Drama Performance
Negin Shademan
Best Male Actor Award
Daniel Nisbet
Best Female Actor Award
Esther Saborio-Romano
Best Sheila Winn Award
Taliesin Budvietas
Most Outstanding Performance in Theatresports
Theodore Drissner-Devine
Long Service in Drama Cup
William Engle
Most Promising Drama Student
Charlotte-Rose Agbeli-Werry
Most Conscientious Drama Student
Thomas Rees
Dance Awards
Most Promising Dance Student
Eikura William
Boyzdance Award Most Promising Male dancer
Solomone Falaniko
Most Conscientious Dance student
Candy Wang & Olivia Shuttleworth
Excellence in Choreography
Brosnan Ackerman
Excellence in Dance Studies
Branna Dawson
Excellence in Dance Performance
Olivia Cochrane
Most Outstanding Performance in Dance
Lisa McLaughlan
Bruce Taylor Cup
Sarah Reece & Caitlin Davey
Dance Leadership Award - Cesan Cup
Nathan Kara
Long Service in Dance Cup
Jennece Morris
CC Award for Excellence in Arts Management
Jennece Morris, Nathan Kara & William Engle
Maori Performing Arts Award
Zhane Symons
Tane-Rore Award- Manukura Tane
Shjan Colbert
Hine-Te-Rehia Award- Manukura Wahine
Zhane Symons
Excellence in Cultural Leadership
Candy Wang
Excellence in Indian Culture
Alexshana Sivarajah
P.I Cultural Leadership (Girls) donated Alexandra Sua
The prefects' Student Welfare Committee organised a fundraiser day to support the Red Cross, the theme being their colours of red and white with the proceeds going towards providing the continuing essential support and humanitarian assistance in Christchurch. In addition to students paying to wear red and white mufti there were other events for the day, including a well-supported dunk tank (with Head of Classics Greg Cave pictured below), a bake sale, a quad concert and ice-cream stand. The prefects have counted $5,416.30 and have more sponsorship money to collect over the holidays. They wish to thank all for their support.
A "yellow" mufti day was held on Friday 31 August to raise $4748.10 for Child Cancer Research. Once again, the students and staff of the MAGS community embraced the spirit of the day with many creative and entertaining outfits.
In 1946, Kerry was a prefect, the rowing captain and a member of the 1st XV. He was a member of the 1st Rowing VIII in 1945-1946.
He was selected to represent NZ in the Rowing VIII at the 1950 British Empire Games held in Auckland and won a silver medal. Six of the rowing crew were from MAGS. He was selected in 1954 in the British Empire & Commonwealth Games held in Vancouver in the men's coxed four winning a silver medal and all five of the rowing crew (including the cox) were MAGS old boys.
He coached MAGS Rowing from 1966-1978 and in 1976, Manager of NZ Rowing team at Montreal Olympics. Kerry is a member of Mt Albert Grammar School Hall of Distinction.
Shane OBrien (At school 1974-1978)
In 1978, Shane was a prefect and the rowing captain. He won the gold medal in the coxless four at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Two years later, he won a silver medal in the coxless four and a bronze medal in the eight in Edinburgh at the Commonwealth Games. He is currently Headmaster at Jumeirah English Speaking School, Dubai.
Shane and Kerry were photographed on the front steps with members of the current rowing squad.
On Sunday, Shane held a special coaching session with the MAGSRow squad at Westend Rowing Club.
A group of year 11 students has again won the schools' section of the Auckland finals of the V48 Hours Film Festival. They will now go on to the grand final to be judged against the winning school teams from Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, with the winner announced on June 30.
The V48 Hours Festival requires competing groups to write, film and edit a 7-minute movie within 48 hours. The MAGS group were in competition with about 20 other school teams from around Auckland, including students older than themselves.
The winning MAGS team is called Hungry Lion Productions and consists of the following students:Thomas Holmes, Jed Bradley, Josh Botting, Tobias Heeringa, Liam Rudd, Alex Bucton-Wishart, Jackson Hemi
Each team is given a genre at random. This team's genre was "Horror", and they turned in a hilarious zombie film that reviewers compared to Peter Jackson's early splatter movies.
Our first MAGS Baton Twirling Team public performance was held at Auckland Peace City 25 years Nuclear Free New Zealand event on Saturday 9 June, in Aotea Square. The 16 girls of Years 9 and 10 have practised extremely hard in the morning, lunchtimes and weekends and they were absolutely shining with their brilliant baton twirling skills. Miss Oki would like to take this opportunity to express her appreciation for the girls, parents/guardians and the staff who have been supporting us. We are looking to more opportunities to inspire more people through our Baton Twirling performances. Watch this space!
Mount Albert Grammar School entered 2 teams representing Ireland and Mexico in this years Model United Nations Assembly. The Delegations are required to accurately represent their nations on the six remits put forward. They are also presented with impromptu issues for debate. The teams dress in the costume of their nation.
Our Irish team delegates were Theo Drissner-Devine, Robert Gore, and Hayley Wadmore and our Mexican delegates were Jessica Courtney, Anoovi Marwah, and David Tuipulotu. Our teams debated such remits as whether or not the Arab League and NATO should be called upon to create a rapid response military force capable of intervening to prevent the outbreak of civil war in Middle East and African nations; member states undertake to introduce and enforce legislation to ban child soldiers, child labour and the exploitation of children in all its forms; and if a Commission of Enquiry should be established to investigate the grievances of indigenous peoples or minority groups in China, Brazil, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and United States plus the Romani people of Europe.
Our teams were very well-prepared and popular receiving enthusiastic applause every time they walked on stage. Our Mexican team would have become block leaders had Columbia not bribed their way in. All our delegates lobbied extensively and presented themselves as friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful of others. The Irish team were presented with $40 vouchers each for best costumes.
The Transit of Venus is one of the rarest astronomical phenomena visible from Earth. Roughly once a century, the Earth, Venus and the Sun line up, so Venus passes (or transits) in front of the Sun. This transit appears in pairs the previous transit was in 2004. Accurate timing of the transit allows us to calculate the orbit of Venus and subsequently the orbit of Earth. The Transit of Venus in 1769 was the main reason Captain James Cook was sent to Tahiti and then onwards to explore New Zealand on his first voyage.
In 2012, the MAGS Observatory watched this event (unfortunately limited by extremely poor weather conditions) through pin-hole cameras and telescopes. The photograph below was taken with a DSLR attached to a high-quality refractor tracking the sun. The telescope has a special solar filter allowing us to image the Solar disk and see surface details.
In the photograph, Venus has just fully entered the Solar disk (Interior Ingress) to the lower right. In the centre of the Sun can be seen an area of intense solar activity with several sunspots.
Four accomplished art students from our school were accepted into the Unbound Art Exhibition in Ponsonby.
Using books as the starting point, these emerging artists dissected, decorated and transformed their books into original art works.
The students showed skill and creativity in their designs. They were competing for a position in the Art Exhibition against high school and tertiary students from as far away as Dunedin.
Congratulations to Ruth Lever, Christian Tiatia, Megan Laxon and Samantha Brake on their outstanding achievement. Thanks to Ms Jones and Ms Aleh for supporting their endeavour.
On Friday 18 May, the academic council held their first trivia night in the F.W.Gamble Hall. Around a hundred competitors including students and parents answered questions on rounds such as Geography, Sport and MAGS History.
The scores were close all evening and in the end just two points separated the top three teams. The winners But a Shadow consisted of students Tal Budvietas, Edward Duncan, Edward Hughes, Daniel Dillon, Theo Drissner-Devine, Max Ashmore and David Tuipulotu.
All the proceeds from the evening are going to the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand. The academic council are keen to make this an annual event.
Success for David Tuipulotu in the National Chinese Speech Competition
The National 2012 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for New Zealand Secondary Students
The Chinese Government has been sponsoring a language competition for students learning Chinese in New Zealand schools and universities for 11 years in the Tertiary sector and for five years in the Primary and Secondary sectors. The speaking competitions are administered through the Confucius Institute and held in regions followed by the national event. Only non-native speakers of Chinese can participate in order to encourage New Zealand students to continue to learn Chinese at school.
Given that John Key was quoted as saying that "all students should be learning Chinese" and that one of the key focus areas in the Ministry of Education and NZQA this year is to "lift the achievement of Maori and Pacific Island students in our schools", the winner of this years competition encompasses all aspects of this and should be celebrated as an excellent role model of Pacific Island achievement for other students to follow and be inspired.
On 12th May 2012, 4 Chinese language students from Mt Albert Grammar competed in the Auckland Region "Chinese Bridge" speech competition for which they had to deliver a prepared speech in Chinese for at least 2-3 minutes.
David Tuipulotu placed 3rd on that day, as one of the top four Auckland regional winners, was invited to compete in the national Competition. He subsequently spent the next two weeks improving his speech pronunciation with the help of his teacher, Mrs Eva Liu, and another Year 13 Chinese friend. During that time he was also studying for his school exams plus, as part of the national competition, he had to prepare a cultural item which was to be presented after his speech. Luckily for David, he is blessed with a lovely voice and an excellent ear for music so he chose a very difficult but highly popular Chinese song to sing for the judges.
On Saturday 26th May, he flew to Christchurch with the other finalists to compete in the 5th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for secondary students. His determination to succeed was rewarded by his first place award in the National Competition. His prize is an all-expenses paid study trip to Beijing for 2 weeks in November after completing his NCEA Level 3 examinations.
David hopes to emulate the success of another former pupil of MAGS, William Walker, who in 2010 won the same competition as David and who then went on to compete in the Tertiary Chinese Speech Competition in 2011 and won the top place. Williams prize was a fully funded 3 year university placement in any university in China of his choice. He is now living and studying in Beijing, thanks to the generosity of the Chinese Government, which sponsors these scholarships. David hopes to follow in his footsteps and be able to study in China also.
David formally received his prize at the official prizegiving on Tuesday 29th May at the Consulate-General's Office of the Peoples' Republic of China.
David Wootton, Lord Mayor of London, Milica Moon, Mosa Mafileo and Vicki Tradell British High Commissioner
Mosa'ati Mafileo received the runner-up award for the Queen's Jubilee Commonwealth Song Competition. He composed and wrote the original lyrics for "Song for the Queen". The judges and guests from the British High Commission have compared his voice to Elton John's. Mrs. Moon was very proud to be there on Tuesday 13 March, and to also receive $750 for the Music Department.
Mosa'ati was awarded a certificate and spent time talking to the Lord Mayor of London and the British High Commissioner. When Vicki Tredell asked him if there is anything she could do to encourage the young talent in New Zealand, Mosa invited her to visit Mount Albert Grammar School. He is a true young ambassador for our school and we are all very proud of his success.
The school's annual Anzac Service was held on Monday 23 April. It was attended by year 9 and year 13 students and a large number of Albertians. The guest speaker was student Claire McCracken whose great uncle Albertian Aubin Karl Lempriere died from wounds he sustained in his first battle during World War II.
Students and Albertians in the Guard of Honour
Head prefects Hayley Becht and Keneti Ah Kuoi-Atmore with Albertians president Ben Stallworthy
Claire's speech:
Claire with the school's photo of her great uncle
1939, the year the world broke out in war. Peace became a thing of the past, but was something to hope and pray for to be returned. Men had to leave their families behind, not knowing if they would ever return to them. Womens hearts dropped every time someone knocked on the door, because it could be the person delivering a telegram that would change their lives. It was a time of fear, pain, heartache, worry, blood and death; a time that we must be grateful that most of us here today didnt have to live through. Good men from every country went to fight to put an end to the ambitious plans of the German dictator Adolf Hitler.
Young men of ages between 18 and 45 were shipped off to countries around the world to fight for justice and peace. These men were our grandfathers and great grandfathers. I know many of my relatives went to war and I am proud to know there are some heroes in our family, because every man who stepped up to fight was a hero in my eyes. I would like to share with you the story of a man who has inspired me so greatly, for he sacrificed everything for us, just as all soldiers did. His name was Aubin Karl Lempriere and he was my great uncle. He attended Mount Albert Grammar School just as I have. He came to MAGS in 1932 and was in high -evel classes, he excelled in French, Maths and Science. He also played Rugby, tennis, took part in boxing and was in the athletic club. He left MAGS in 1934 during his third year, as he was offered a management job in a chain of stores called Nathans.
When Aubin was 21 years old, he enlisted into the army and after some time was sent to Libya to fight. On the 27th of November 1941, heavily armoured enemy forces invaded at Sidi Azeiz. We had men and guns but this was no match for the enemy which had over 40 tanks. They invaded at around 7 in the morning and our troops fought bravely and strongly for about an hour and a half before we had to surrender. This had been Aubins first battle and he was badly wounded in the leg. Many other soldiers were injured and killed; the survivors now were prisoners of war, in the hands of the Germans. However our doctors were allowed in to treat the wounded, but men were treated in the field where they had fallen. Aubin lost his leg, and the amputation was performed on the battlefield, what the doctors called rough surgery. The doctors worked for three days straight treating the wounded and saving those that they could.
Sadly, Aubin died after his surgery. He was 22 years old, that is just too young, and it breaks my heart. His date of death was 28th of November 1941, his family found out about his death in mid-January. They celebrated Christmas wondering where and how their Aubin was spending his Christmas; little did they know he had been dead just under a month. Aubin was buried on the field where he had fallen. He has an unmarked grave; no one knows where exactly he is buried. The battleground is now a graveyard of brave men. My Nana, Aubins sister, often spoke of him, and never did she speak of him without a tear in her eye or a smile on her face. In Aubins short time with us he touched many lives, and always was able to make people laugh. He is laughing and smiling in almost every photo we have of him. This is one story, of one man; there are thousands more, some forgotten, some live on. Aubin never married or had children; there really is no direct line for his story to be passed down. I hope that by me sharing this with you today; that Aubins story has been heard, and I hopefully have made you think about what these men gave for us.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
The annual Scholars' Assembly was held on Friday 30 March in the FW Gamble Memorial Hall. Congratulations to all of the students cited below.
2011 Students whose names are to be inscribed on the Honours Board for Scholars (Three or more scholarships or one or more outstanding scholarships)
From left: Elliot Varoy, Joshua Lawrence, Nikhil Magan, Nicholas Parish, Tea Williams
Joshua Lawrence (2007-2011)
Joshua Lawrence came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2007 from Glen Eden Intermediate School. He had served as sports captain and shown particular aptitude for problem-solving. He was placed in an upper-stream class where his mathematical skills led to his selection for our NCEA super-accelerated group. He was also part of our Mathex team. The following year he was accelerated in science, taking Level One papers, and continued two years ahead in mathematics, sitting Level Two. In Year 11 he took calculus scholarship alongside accelerate courses in other NCEA subjects and he won a certificate in accounting. He again sat calculus scholarship in year 12 and last year entered the University of Aucklands Young Scholars Programme and scored an A- pass in a Stage I university paper in mathematics. In Year 13, he won a certificate in statistics. Joshua has passed all three levels of NCEA with excellence with Level Three endorsements in statistics and performance physical education.
Outside the classroom, Joshua has played badminton for the school for several years, cricket to senior B level, senior tennis as well as rugby, soccer and table-tennis.
In the examinations held at the end of last year, Joshua gained excellence endorsements in physical education and statistics, a merit endorsement in physics, and won three scholarships, in physics, statistics and calculus. These entitle him to an award of $2000 per year for three years.
Currently Joshua is studying for a conjoint degree in commerce and engineering at the University of Auckland.
Nikhil Magan (2007-2011)
Nikhil Magan came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2007 from Blockhouse Bay Intermediate School. His reports spoke of a young man with strengths in logical thought, analysis and self-organization. He was placed in our top-stream class where he came second overall, including first place in French, German and technology. He sat NCEA Level One mathematics two years in advance as part of our accelerate programme and was presented with an award of excellence in the Goethe Society Examinations in German. The following year he was placed first in class, winning the Junior Dux award, the English Cup and first places in English, mathematics and science, while continuing his acceleration in mathematics (Level Two), and in Level One papers in science and English. In Year 11 he sat scholarship calculus alongside his other papers and won first prizes for his cohort in accounting and chemistry and the TG Moorcraft Physics Prize. He also received certificates in English, graphics and Year 12 Physics. In the Australian Chemistry Quiz he gained a High Distinction. In Year 12 he repeated calculus at scholarship level, this time winning an award, and also took Level Three physics and classical studies. During the year he again received a High Distinction in the Australian Chemistry Quiz.
At the end-of-year prize-giving he gained first places overall in Year 13 classical studies and chemistry.
He also received a certificate in physics and the Hanson Cup for Senior Progress and Endeavour. He was also chosen to participate in New Zealand's Next Top Engineering Scientist competition at the University of Auckland. Before the final term, he was part of the classical studies tour group to Italy and Greece. In the first semester lasts year he took Mathematics 153 as part of the Young Scholars' Programme at the University of Auckland and he passed with an A+.
At the end-of-year prize-giving, Nikhil won the Edgar Bell Memorial Senior Physics Prize and the Statistics Cup. In addition he came first overall in physics, biology and classical studies and was awarded certificates in chemistry and statistics. He received an ASB Bank Community Bursary Award and a John Williamson Scholarship. Most prestigious of all, he won the Auckland University Scholarship and also had the offer of a Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship from Otago University. With the highest GPA in the school, he was the boys dux.
He has passed all three levels of NCEA with excellence (including Level Three with excellence one year early). Because of his high GPA in 2009 and 2010, Nikhil was awarded two scholar lions.
Outside the classroom, Nikhil has many interests. He has played soccer up to the Fourth XI level for the school and also for the Bay Olympic soccer club for some years. He has been active in the Indian community in the Gandhi Gruh Gujarati School which he attended for seven years, gaining top places consistently and where he first made his in-depth connection with his cultural roots in drama, dance and song. Indian dance is an area to which he has devoted considerable time. As a junior he attended a youth leadership camp run by the Chinmaya Mission New Zealand, an organization he has been a member of for some years after completing Gujarati School, and he also participated in their drama productions. He has been regularly involved in dancing for India Independence Day and has performed in the Wellington Town Hall, the Bruce Mason Centre and Aotea Centre. He also performed in a play based on the life of a Hindu god (Krishna). In the school, he participated in "Bring It On" a hip-hop competition, and the group won second place in the grand final. He also performed in our "Arts Alive" showcase event. His acting skills have also brought him an award for best actor in a negative role for a dance/drama production.
Nikhil has also played 20/20 cricket for the school.
Nikhil is a young man with a concern for others. Not only was he a member of St John's but he has regularly participated in the 40-hour Famine to help the less fortunate. This year he helped the school raise several thousand dollars in the "Shave For A Cure" campaign. As a prefect, he was a frequent mover in fundraising events, such as for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Other roles within the school include being a member of the E-learning committee, heading the school's Academic Council and tutoring his peers in mathematics. In 2010 he did volunteer work at the Auckland City Library. Other service awards include the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze (which included a camping expedition in the Karangahake Gorge) and Silver, and he is currently working on the Gold. Even as critical examinations approached, he committed himself to preparation for the RWC Opening Ceremony.
In music, Nikhil learnt comprehensive theory and practical piano for six years through a Canadian programme MYC (Music for Young Children). Through this organization he won an international award for his compositional skill at the age of nine (first in NZ, fourth in the world). He is learning guitar currently and has also taken piano lessons at school.
In the examinations held at the end of last year, Nikhil gained three excellence endorsements in chemistry, statistics and physics, a merit endorsement in biology and won three scholarships, in physics, statistics and biology. These entitle him to an award of $2000 per year for three years.
Currently Nikhil is studying biomedical science, preparatory to applying for a medical degree at the University of Auckland.
Nicholas Parish (2007-2011)
Nicholas Parish came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2007 from Balmoral Intermediate School. He was placed in an upper-stream class where he made fine progress overall and where his mathematics ability rose to prominence to the extent that he was invited to sit NCEA Level One two years in advance. The following year the acceleration continued with his sitting Level Two mathematics along with Level One papers in science. By Year 11 he was sitting calculus scholarship alongside five other Level One courses and he won first place in his cohort in geography. Last year he again took calculus scholarship and four Level Two courses and won first place overall in economics and a certificate in physics. He also won a Distinction award in the Australian Mathematics Competition. In the first university semester he easily passed paper 153 Mathematics at the University of Auckland under the auspices of the Young Scholars' Programme. At the end of the year he received a certificate in statistics. He has passed all three levels of NCEA with excellence. In recognition of his very high GPA in Levels One and Two, Nicholas was presented with two scholar lions.
Outside the classroom, Nicholas has played a full part in summer and winter sport. In summer, he plays cricket to First XI level and visited the United Kingdom and Europe recently on a very successful tour. While in Flanders, he was given the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the school at the Menin Gate. Two years ago he participated in a coaching programme sponsored by NZ Cricket and consequently he has been coaching and mentoring young cricketers at the Cornwall Cricket Club, a commitment he wishes to extend at higher levels. For the last three years he has been part of the Auckland Central side which competes in the Auckland district tournament. This year he trains with and has been chosen for the U18 Auckland Central side. Nicholas also plays indoor cricket socially.
In winter Nicholas played soccer for the school for five years and was the vice-captain of the Third XI. On the club scene, he has played soccer for Three Kings United for eleven years and is captain of the U17 division one grade team. He is the leading goal scorer for his club side and both teams have won their grading rounds.
In the examinations held at the end of last year, Nicholas gained excellence endorsements in statistics and physics, merit endorsements in biology and geography, and won three scholarships, in chemistry, statistics and geography. These entitle him to an award of $2000 per year for three years.
Nicholas is currently studying first-year health sciences at Otago University with a view to a career in medicine.
Elliott Varoy (2007-2011)
Elliot Varoy came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2007 from Glen Eden Intermediate School. In Year 8 he had already gained distinction certificates in English, mathematics and science in the University of NSW competitions. He was placed in our top-stream class where his special talents in mathematics were recognized by his placement in our NCEA class and also by his selection in the Mathex team. The following year his acceleration continued in mathematics, when he sat Level Two, and he also sat Level One papers in science and English. By year 11 he was studying calculus scholarship and Level Two physics, and his grade point average was so high he was awarded a scholar lion for his results in NCEA. The following year he again sat calculus scholarship but also took a university paper in mathematics through the Young Scholars Programme, scoring a B+. For the second time he was awarded a scholar lion for his Year 12 results.
Elliot won certificates in Physical Education Performance in years 11 and 12 as well as certificates in calculus and statistics in years 12 and 13 respectively. In his final year he received first prize in physics and was awarded the Statistics Cup. He passed all three levels of NCEA with excellence.
Outside the classroom, Elliot has played tennis for the school for five years, most recently at senior level. He has also represented the school in soccer and junior squash.
In the examinations held at the end of last year, Elliot gained an excellence endorsement in statistics, a merit endorsement in physical education, and won three scholarships, in physics, statistics and calculus. These entitle him to an award of $2000 per year for three years.
Currently Elliot is studying for a conjoint degree in commerce and engineering at the University of Auckland.
Tea Williams (2007-2011)
Tea Williams came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2007 from Pasadena Intermediate School. He was placed in our top-stream class where he was accelerated one year ahead in mathematics. In Year 10 he became part of a much larger accelerate programme, comprising Level One NCEA papers in mathematics, science and English one year early. In Year 11 he sat Level Two mathematics alongside his five other Level One subjects and at the end-of-year prize-giving received first prize for his cohort in history and certificates in biology, English and performance physical education. He also gained a distinction in the Australian Chemistry Quiz. His high GPA in Level One earned him a scholar lion from the school. In 2010 he sat five subjects at Level Two and again was recognized at prize-giving with first place in biology and certificates in English and history. He has passed all three levels of NCEA, the first and third with excellence and the second with merit. Last year he came first in physical education and gained a certificate in history.
Tea is a very fine sportsman with exceptional talent, particularly in swimming. He has been our junior, intermediate (twice) and senior swimming champion and broken four intermediate and four senior records in the last two years. Last year he captained the swimming team. In Year 9 he was already in the Auckland Regional Development Swim Team and from that time his achievements have burgeoned.
He came ninth in the AKSS aquathon and in the open 200m backstroke Auckland championships he was placed fourth. From being a finalist in the NZ age-group championships in Year 10, he made five finals in Year 11 and in the last few years has won five silver medals and two bronze. He is part of the NZ Youth Development Swimming programme and he has participated in the Commonwealth Games swimming trials as well as trials for the World Championships (coming fifth and sixth). At the 2009 NZ Spring championships he made eleven finals winning two bronze and three silver medals and last year two gold medals, and he also won two gold medals in the Auckland relay championships. He has enjoyed many successes at AKSS meets and Auckland age-group competitions. Last year he again won a bronze at the Spring championships and received a first and a second in the AKSS champion of champions meeting, where our school won the Auckland competition. At NZSS level he has won one gold, one silver and one bronze. In 2010 he was a member of the NZ Tri-Series Swimming Team.
Swimming has obviously been his focus and the time required to train means there is little extra time for other pursuits, yet he still played junior tennis and was a member of our Auckland champion U13 football team. In Year 10 he again won the competition in the U14 team. In 2007 he was third in the 800m school athletics race and sixth in the junior cross-country. The following year he improved to second in the intermediate cross-country. Recently he played social soccer for a school team.
In recognition of his impressive sporting achievements Tea received two sports lions in the last two years. He sat on the sports committee and was appointed a prefect of the school for 2011. He also served on the Pacific Islands Committee, a group which identified ways to improve Pacific Island achievement and behaviour.
In the examinations held at the end of last year, Tea gained endorsements in history and physical education at excellence level, a merit endorsement in English, and won three scholarships, an outstanding scholarship in physical education, and two others, in biology and history. These entitle him to an award of $2000 per year for three years.
Currently Tea is studying Health Science at the University of Auckland, preparatory to applying for a medical degree.
National Scholarship Winners, 2011.
Awarded to students who achieve two or more NZ Scholarships or 1 or more outstanding scholarships: Matthew Denton, Prashanth Devarakonda, Jacob Green, Lucy Harrison, David Miller, Ayumu Ozawa, Thomas Southwell, Luke Wilson
Year 13 students from 2011 who returned for the Scholars' Assembly
The New Zealand Army Band visited the school on Friday 30 March and put on a stunning performance, which featured participation from staff member Ms Pulham and junior students.
Maurice Hall and Chris Metcalfe - 25 Years of Service
Headmaster Burden, Chris Metcalfe, Maurice Hall, Chairman of the BOT Greg Moyle
Mr GM Hall MA (1962-1988)
As a boy at Sacred Heart College, Maurice Hall was Dux and won a university scholarship. He graduated MA with honours in mathematics. He came from Avondale College to be Head of Mathematics here in 1962. Mr Hall was a highly successful and engaging teacher who cared about the welfare of his pupils. At the end of 1968, he left to lecture in mathematics at Massey University.
The Headmasters position was advertised in 1969 and Mr Hall came through a strong field to become the fourth Headmaster. He was ideally suited, being, in the words of CP Snow, of The Two Cultures: a mathematician who had studied Latin to an advanced level of university. He promoted the humanities as well as the sciences.
In the Hall years, we were the first school with a computer and the first to teach computing. In the spirit of the times, Mr Hall persuaded the board to abolish caps and to allow 7th formers to wear mufti. The new School House was opened in 1971. The following year was the Golden Jubilee, which saw the setting up of a Trust Fund and the building of the Honours Board at the front of the hall.
We were the first school to have squash courts and it was due to Mr Halls tenacity and far-sightedness that the building was completed at all. In his time, the library building and the gymnasium were constructed.
Crucially, Mr Hall saved the original building. There was a move to demolish it or to facade it. Maurice fought hard to retain it and to have it strengthened against earthquakes.
So, with this major battle won, Mr Hall decided to call it a day and retire in 1988.
The Metcalfe Family: Jayden, Chris, Tami and Teegan
Mr CS Metcalfe BEd (1987- )
Chris Metcalfe joined us in 1987 as an assistant teacher in the physical education department. In 1990, he was also given the Careers Advisor role. In 1994, he was appointed to the Head of Physical Education position (which, at the time, included both Outdoor Education and Director of Sport responsibilities).
Chris was appointed Dean of Year 9 boys in 1999 and was Director of School House for three years from 2000. In 2003 he was promoted to Deputy Principal with responsibility for year 9 and year 10 boys. He retained his Deputy Principalship when he was re-appointed as Director of School House in 2009.
During his years as Deputy Principal his role has involved timetabling, the introduction of the KAMAR computer administration system into the school and was, for considerable periods, organiser of the school-wide internal examinations, prizegivings and the day relief for absent colleagues.
On the sporting front, Mr Metcalfe has coached both boys and girls volleyball teams to Auckland and National Championships. He has coached junior basketball, managed the Colts cricket teams and managed the First XI cricket team for two years. He has led cricket and rugby teams on tours to Australia and was Tour Leader with the First XI cricket team to England and Europe in 2011.
His greatest coaching achievements have been in rugby, where he has an outstanding record. For three years he coached/managed the 1st XV rugby team, winning the Auckland 1st XV Championships in 1990 and 1991. He then coached the 5th grade rugby team for five years during which time four Auckland championships were won. In recent years he coached the MAGS U14, U15 teams winning both Auckland and National Championships and in 2011 coached the 2nd XV rugby, winning the Auckland championship.
Congratulations to these students who have been chosen as the prefects of 2012. They were presented with their badges during a special assembly on Friday 3 February.
Hayley Becht Head Girl
Keneti Ah Kuoi Atmore Head Boy
Olivia Hext Deputy Head Girl
Joshua Moody Deputy Head Boy
Nick Bailey
Matthew Battley
Lucy Bennington
Sam Davis
William Engle
Jonathan Evans
Nathan Kara
Elizabeth Kim
Shannon Leota
Jennece Morris
Laura Osborn
Erikana Pedersen
Morgan Puru
Tim Rutledge
Takafumi Sen
Jamie Sowter
Jing Wen Wang
Headmaster Burden with head prefects (Keneti Ah Kuoi-Atmore and Hayley Becht) with David Shearer
Congratulations to Brianna Baker, Miranda Chase, Seiafi Sapolu, Vaidik Raj, and Jonathon Sinclair on their selection as prefects. They received their badges at assembly on Monday 2 April.
Headmaster Burden has announced that additional prefects will be chosen during Term 2 and that those who have missed out so far will still have opportunities for selection.
Kathleen Griffiths
Miro Harre
Congratulations to these nine Year 13 students chosen to join the prefect team.
Molly Ploeg
Sean Pugh
Jennifer Qiu
Sarah Reece
Kiralee Schache
David Tuipulotu
Felix Worner
Then nine new prefects received their badges in assembly on Onday 30 June. From left:Miro Harre, Kathleen Griffiths, David Tuipulotu, Sean Pugh,Felix Worner, Kiralee Schache, Molly Ploeg, Sarah Reece, Jennifer Qiu
The Junior Graduation Ceremony for students who successfully completed their year 10 programme in 2011 was held on Thursday 2 February. Congratulations to all who graduated, especially those who were recognised individually during the ceremony for graduating with merit or excellence.
Click here for the PowerPoint for the ceremony which also contains the students who graduated with merit and excellence.
Year 13 students have once again introduced the new year 9 students to our school with a comprehensive orientation programme. These peer support initiatives will continue to assist the younger students settle into high school life during all of Term 1. Peer support gives older students a chance to develop leadership skills and our new entrants certainly appreciate the support from the year 13s.
Year 10, 11 and 12 students have been issued with the Senior Academic Guide for 2013. The guide is a vital tool with regard to subject selection for 2012 for Years 11-13. They have also been issued with their course option forms for 2013.
Instructions re the Senior Academic Guide.
This year, the guide is an interactive document which will allow you to navigate quickly to any information you require.
Over the second half of the year four hard-working Year 10 students from Mount Albert Grammar School have a painted a reading-themed mural forTalented Tots Childcare And Learning Centre in Mount Albert.
The dinner celebrates the achievements of our visual and performing arts, cultural and music students and is always a popular event on the school calendar. Ably hosted by arts prefects Jennece Morris, Nathan Kara and William Engle, this year was no exception.
The next chosen performance was by year 10 student Lisa McLaughlan who choreographed her dance to an original composition by year 12 music students and captivated the audience with her skill and control. The final performance for the evening was by the award-winning Barbershop Quartet who sang Love Me by Elvis Presley and, as always, had the audience cheering.
Albertian rowing greats Shane O'Brien and Kerry Ashby returned to their school on Monday 30 July.
The Chinese Government has been sponsoring a language competition for students learning Chinese in New Zealand schools and universities for 11 years in the Tertiary sector and for five years in the Primary and Secondary sectors. The speaking competitions are administered through the Confucius Institute and held in regions followed by the national event. Only non-native speakers of Chinese can participate in order to encourage New Zealand students to continue to learn Chinese at school.
Year 13 students from 2011 who returned for the Scholars' Assembly
As a boy at Sacred Heart College, Maurice Hall was Dux and won a university scholarship. He graduated MA with honours in mathematics. He came from Avondale College to be Head of Mathematics here in 1962. Mr Hall was a highly successful and engaging teacher who cared about the welfare of his pupils. At the end of 1968, he left to lecture in mathematics at Massey University.
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