Covid-19 Alert L3: Letter#8 to Parents, Caregivers (15.10.21)
Kia ora parents and whanau, I trust you have enjoyed a break these September holidays. Staff have taken some time out and are now busy preparing remote programmes for the first three weeks of Term. We are disappointed not to be welcoming our tamariki back on-site next week and we know the students are too. However, we are still hopeful we will get back to face to face learning in the...
> Read moreCongratulations Karin Kozuka - recipient of a Top 10 Speaker Award
Congratulations Karin Kozuka, recipient of a Top 10 Speaker Award at the Auckland Schools' Debating Prizegiving, held online, Wednesday 29th September, for her overall performance in the Advanced Open Competition this year.
> Read moreRequest for Examination Assistance: Readers/Writers Urgently Needed
Our Learning Services Department is desperately in need of readers/writers for the NCEA external exams. We would love to hear from you if you have a good command of English and some hours during the school day to help senior students with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. We need readers/writers for these students’ NCEA exams from Monday 22 November to Tuesday 14...
> Read moreLocked Down - a virtual exhibition of student artwork
Locked Down, presented by Te Wāhi Auaha and powered by Kunstmatrix 3D, will showcase the artwork of several year 10 TGS students made during Level 4 lockdown. Unable to return to school and with limited resources, ākonga at TGS have begun to turn to digital and virtual methods of art-making. At the frontier of a Covid-19 landscape, it is an opportunity for their artwork...
> Read moreHailey Chen shortlisted for prestigious Global Essay Competition
International Baccalaureate student Hailey Chen was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Global Essay Competition run by the John Locke Institute at the University of Oxford. The essay competition 'invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum'. The annual competition encourages young people to 'cultivate the...
> Read moreYear 10's explore Rangitoto Island's Lava Caves & Summit
On Wednesday 11 August, three of the year 10 classes went to Rangitoto Island for a multi-department school trip involving Heath, Science and English learning objectives. We met at the ferry terminal at 8:50am before departing on a charted ferry to Rangitoto Island. Once we arrived at the island we split up into our class groups and headed up the volcano. Half of the groups went to the lava...
> Read moreTGS IB students volunteer at Devonport Community House
In 2020 we began a collaboration between the Devonport Community House and our IB students at Takapuna Grammar. As part of their International Baccalaureate programme, students need to complete a series of experiences in the strands of Creativity, Activity and Service. We are very excited to be working with the Devonport Community House in a variety of projects and...
> Read moreKorean War Armistice 68th Commemoration
The Korean War Armistice 68th Commemoration Event was held at Cornwall Park on Tuesday 27 July 2021. New Zealand War Veterans and family were invited to the event where five descendant students to the war veterans were given scholarships from Hi-Well Trust. Ninety people including Korean consul general, In Taek Kim attended the event. Takapuna Grammar School...
> Read moreImportant Dates for 2022 Enrolment
Thursday 29 July - Open Evening from 4.00pm Presentations in Te Poho (School Hall) at 4.00pm and 5.30pm, followed by tours of the school campus led by our prefects. All students and families who are interested in enrolling in Year 9 in 2022 are warmly welcomed to attend. Wednesday 18 August - In Zone Enrolment Interviews 1.00pm to 6.00pmAppointments necessary –...
> Read moreInternational Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge presentations
Our students completed their Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Presentation at the end of Term 2. As part of this IB component, each student chooses a knowledge question and delivers a presentation where they explore all relevant aspects of theories and philosophies they have learnt and apply them to a real life situation. In the Theory of Knowledge course our students are able to...
> Read moreTGS Students donate 3000+ cans to Auckland City Mission!
On the last day of Term 2 the Auckland City Mission truck came to collect over 3000+ cans that were donated by our students and staff over the past two weeks as part of our annual House Points competition. This is an outstanding effort from everyone and on top of the $1113.40 raised on Orange Mufti Day Wednesday 30 June. We now eagerly await the results from Mrs Mallarkey over the coming...
> Read more2021 Pat Hanly Creativity Awards Finalists
On the 24th of June Sasha Bremner and Emilia Perry attended the 2021 Pat Hanly Creativity Awards night. These two students are the 2021 TGS Pat Hanly awards finalists. They attended this awards night with our Head of Art department teacher, Mr Potter. Sasha submitted some amazing photography work and Emilia submitted incredible design work. These students were a part of 60 people...
> Read moreTGS connects with Kyung Bock High School online
Since 2009, Takapuna Grammar School has had a very long standing relationship with its sister Korean school Kyung Bock High School. Last year, both schools were unable to connect in person due to Covid-19, however, in early July 2021 Mr Andrew Park - TGS International Faculty organised an online exchange with Principals, Staff and Students from both schools. The students were able to...
> Read moreJuniors session with motivational speaker Pat Buckley
On Tuesday 6 June the school welcomed in Pat Buckley from Amped4Life who ran two speaking presentations this morning on decision making and good choices to our Juniors in Te Poho Hall. Pat talked about his upbringing and how he went from the brink of death through bad decision making and being easily pulled in the wrong direction through peer pressure and following the wrong crowds,...
> Read moreY9 students compete in North Shore Readers' Cup
On Tuesday 29 June TGS had five Year 9 students compete in the North Shore Readers' Cup competition, which was held at Rangitoto College library. Our team came third-equal alongside Pinehurst out of nine teams, with Rangitoto coming second and Carmel first. The students had to answer quiz questions on six different books they'd read in preparation for the competition. In the photo are...
> Read moreY13 Geography Trip to Rotorua
On Sunday 20th June, Year 13 students departed for their last Geography field trip at Takapuna Grammar School to Rotorua. We travelled down to the North Island tourist centre to investigate the sustainability of tourism in this region. This was our first time going back down to Rotorua tourist venues since 2019 due to Covid. Students were able to investigate the impacts that border closures...
> Read moreTGS Environmental Group clean up St Leonard's beach
On the 30th of June, 15 students from the Environmental Club went to do a beach cleanup on our beloved St Leonard’s Beach. It was the coldest day of the year with the thermometer showing 3' degrees at dawn. But our students did not let the cold air defeat their burning passion to make a difference in our community. We wandered down to the beach, along the coast and filled our...
> Read moreMassey University Molecular Methods Workshop
Last week a group of our senior Biology students spent the day working at Massey University, taking part in a molecular methods workshop. Students had the opportunity to get hands on experience with biotechnology tools and equipment which helped support their understanding and application of concepts learnt at school. It was a productive day out and thoroughly enjoyed by the students involved....
> Read moreTū Tangata Leadership Group promote TGS Haka
On Thursday 17 June the Tū Tangata senior and junior leadership groups conducted informative and passionate presentations to all TGS students regarding the TGS Haka at House assemblies. The students were excited and keen to provide the meaning, essence and technique of the haka to the students in preparation for the upcoming TGS Haka Challenge. The group was well supported by all Tū...
> Read moreNZSO visits our Performing Arts musicians
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra came to visit TGS! We are so thankful for the time these players gave to our students in both sectionals and in full ensemble workshops. It was an amazing learning experience for all of the students (and staff!) and had a fantastic time collaborating in Te Poho with them! For more photos of the day, please click here.
> Read moreTGS Composers win big in Wellington
Over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, the SGCNZ held their annual University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. The festival was comprised of various performances of scenes from Shakespeare’s plays as well as several affiliate competitions. One of these competitions was the Morrison Music Trust Shakespeare Composition Competition, which was entered by several of our year 12...
> Read moreTGS MUNA Students tackle the big issues onstage
On Saturday the 29th May, students from Takapuna Grammar visited Auckland Girls’ Grammar to take part in the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). Students discussed important remits, such as how the UN can enforce women’s rights and how to support the World Food Programme. Attending this conference was invaluable for our students; one student, Lucy Smith, recognised how...
> Read moreEnviro Group Tree Planting at Kawerau Reserve
Earlier this month of June, 33 enthusiastic TGS Enviro Groupers made their way down to Kawerau Reserve to plant trees. This is the third year TGS students have participated in planting natives in this reserve area. The coastal fringe ecosystem of Ngātaringa Bay is of special ecological importance. These mangrove areas provide important habitat for wading birds such as the Poaka (Pied...
> Read moreTGS IB1 students clean up St Leonards Beach
As a part of the IB diploma, all students are required to participate in a range of activities, sports and co-curriculars in order to become more well rounded learners. This part of the diploma is called CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service). On the 21st of May, a small group of IB students walked the length of St Leonards beach to pick up litter. It was not surprising...
> Read more2021 Senior Speech Contest Winner - Jess Weston
On Friday the 28th May we hosted the annual Senior Speech Contest in Te Poho Hall, MC'd by Theo Edmonds and Ella McKinney. All of the finalists presented strong and compelling speeches, with the winning places going to Jess Weston (1st), Amy Lee (2nd), and Lara Link (3rd). The other speeches were presented by Head Girl Emma Mason, Rocco Conoghan and Maia Scott (who stepped in at the very...
> Read moreL2 Business Students Food Festival
On a bright Wednesday lunchtime this week Te Poho became a festival of food when the Level 2 Business Studies students carried out their community wellbeing business activities. The students were required to create a business plan to make a food product to sell to students. The proceeds of these sales are to benefit the community with profits being donated to a wide range of worthy...
> Read moreJuniors tackle ASI Big Science Competition
This week 22 enthusiastic Year 9 and 10 Science students took part in Australian Science Innovations - Big Science Competition. This is a competition that challenges Science knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving skills of secondary school students from around the world. It was fantastic to see so many students get involved and test themselves against other like-minded students.
> Read moreL1 History students visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum
On Monday 24th May, Level 1 History students visited the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The visit gave students the opportunity to develop their understanding of the war and its impact on New Zealanders, in preparation for their external assessment in November. As well as exploring the exhibitions with their teachers, students were able to handle artefacts from the period, including uniforms,...
> Read moreL1 Geography students embarked on Mt Tarawera
On Sunday 16th May, 70 of our Level 1 Geography students embarked on a volcanic discovery of the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption. Over 2 days we explored the social impacts of the eruption at the Buried Village of Te Wairoa and the environmental impacts. Our fieldwork sites took us from one end of the 11km eruption chasm at Waimangu Volcanic Valley to the other at the top of Mt Tarawera itself....
> Read moreSpecial Ed Students taking on Big Responsibilities
This week our Special Education department had some wee visitors suddenly join them in the form of 10 eggs in an incubator delivered by the team at Living Eggs in schools programme. The curious students have been assigned to look after and protect the eggs while in their possession... Within the first 24hrs the first chicks started to hatch and it was all captured on Time Lapse...
> Read more2021 Exam Schedule
The Senior School exams take place in T3. These exams are designed to prepare students for the NZQA and International Baccalaureate exams in T4. The exams are formal and the results may be used for students who apply for derived grades in November. See Exam Schedule below:
> Read moreSpecial Ed students planting Trees for Survival
Trees for Survival 2021 For the 14th year running, students from our Special Education Department class visited Wendy and Dave Moore’s farm near Warkworth for a fantastic day of tree planting for Trees for Survival. With the help of Auckland City Council and volunteers from neighboring farms trees were planted on a site allocated by the landowners. The Takapuna Grammar School...
> Read moreTGS Ball 'A Night at the Oscars' - Photos
This years Senior School Ball was themed 'A Night at the Oscars' and was held at the Ellerslie Convention Centre on the last day of Term - Friday 9 July from 8.00pm - midnight. Photo's from the evening can be viewed here at: https://www.bcphotography.co.nz/takapunagrammarschoolball2021
> Read moreMarket Day 2021
A rainy lunchtime on Wednesday 14th of April was brightened up with the Market Day that was held in Te Poho School Hall at lunchtime. Students had completed a business activity that meant they worked in groups to ideate and then produce and deliver a product to sell to their school community. There was a great deal of innovation in the range of goods on sale. We had candles, painted vinyl...
> Read more2021 Readers Cup Winners
Last Friday the TGS Library hosted the school's annual Year 9 Readers' Cup. Eight teams of competing students had to answer quiz questions on a series of short stories they had been hard at work reading and studying prior to the competition. Third place went to Kaia Schneebeli, Zara Ahmed, Isobel Johnston and Peach Jacobson (30/50 points); second to Lilah Furlong, Pippa Edwards, Libby...
> Read moreInaugural North Harbour Head Prefects Conference
On Wednesday 8th May over 60 Head Prefects from all the schools in the North Harbour region came to Takapuna Grammar School for a Head Prefect Conference. The morning gave everyone the opportunity to learn about each other's schools and take ideas that we can be implemented in their own schools. The students also looked at some of the biggest issues schools face at the moment and how the...
> Read moreL2 Geography Field Trip - Tongariro National Park
On Saturday 27th March, Level 2 Geography students embarked on an adventure to Tongariro National Park. On this four day field trip, students first endured the 19.4km long, world famous Tongariro crossing. We were lucky that the conditions on the Sunday were perfect to complete this day walk with little wind, a few glimpses of bluebird skies and no rain. Completing the crossing gave students...
> Read moreSummer Sports Tournament Week results
2021 Summer Sports Tournament overview from Sports Director Jenna Murie... Rowing The annual NZ Nationals MAADI Cup was held at Lake Karapiro last week. With 42 TGS students racing over 6 days, the club showed the rest of the country what Taka PRIDE means winning 2 silver medals, 2 gold medals (2 national titles), coming 6th overall in the country and placed as the 2nd co-ed...
> Read moreTGS Athletics team places well at the NH Zone Day
Takapuna Grammar School had 20 athletes competing in the annual North Harbour Athletics Zone Day. Though all our athletes competed well, the following students managed to place top 3: Kate Hallie- 1st Junior Shot Put, 2nd Junior Discus Sascha Leticia- 2nd Intermediate 800m and 2nd Intermediate 1500m Jodie Nash- 1st Intermediate 1500m Ava Shaw- 3rd Long Jump and finals for 400m We...
> Read moreJanayah Wadsworth accepted into The Brit School for Music Study
Congratulations to Year 12 Janayah Wadsworth for being accepted into The BRIT School London – one of the leading Performing and creative arts schools in the UK. Janayah will be studying music with focus on vocals starting in September 2021. Famous alumni from the school include Adele, Jessie J and Amy Winehouse. The highly selective audition process involved three tiers over 3 months...
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