Today we welcomed our new cohort of Year 9s with a pōwhiri in the F.W. Gamble Hall before they were assigned their mentor classes, undertook orientation and had their first assembly.
Te Puna o Wairaka students performed a haka as new staff and the Year 9s were welcomed into the hall – before Matua Peter Walters gave a whaikōrero on behalf of tangata whenua while Mr Drumm welcomed the Year 9s and their parents, and spoke of Mount Albert Grammar’s rich history on display on the honours boards around the walls of the hall. He said while the school was one steeped in tradition with a focus on excellence, it was of the utmost importance that students felt like they belonged at MAGS.
Representing the manuhiri, Te Puna Teaching Intern Quentin Hope spoke for the new teaching staff while MAGS’ HOD Media Studies and Year 9 parent Simon Allen spoke on behalf of the new students and their caregivers.
It was a busy day for the Year 9s as they were assigned mentor classes and introduced to their Mentor Teachers before being taken on tours of the school by their Peer Support Leaders, who also played some games with them so students could get to know each other.
The Year 9s attended an assembly where they were briefed on the values of MAGS and the protocol for assemblies. Some of our Prefects also helped them to learn the school song, which is performed at the beginning of every assembly.
