Notices

"Ignite" Devonport-Takapuna Kāhui Ako Conference another Success

Takapuna Grammar School recently hosted the second Community of Learning conference for 260 teachers and staff from our seven schools on the peninsular. Te Poho Hall and the beautiful new classrooms located in the northern wing of the Main Block was the venue and we had 260 teachers and staff from our seven schools attending. Our keynote speaker was Mr Welby Ings who spoke about creativity and...

IB Alumni interview with Ella McLeod

We catch up with former TGS student Ella McLeod for a chat and ask her how committing to our IB programme has made a huge difference in her life since starting her tertiary studies... What are you studying, where? Since the start of 2018 I have been studying at the University of Victoria in Wellington and am currently in my second year of completing a Bachelor of Laws....

Senior Parent Teacher Reports and Interviews

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Year 11, 12 and 13 Students, Senior mid-year reports will be available online at the KAMAR Parent Web Portal https://portal.takapuna.school.nz/student/index.php from 3.00 pm, Wednesday 19th June. The reports provide current feedback on your student’s academic progress and their effort and engagement in the classroom. You will need to log in to the...

TGS hosts Google Earth Geography Teachers Course

On Friday 14th June Takapuna Grammar School in partnership with Google Earth Education hosted 20 Geography teachers from around New Zealand for a workshop on the most engaging ways to use the Google Geo Tools in class. The Presenters on the day were Mr Steve Smith from TGS and Dr John Bailey, Program Manager for Google Earth Education from San Francisco. Steve is a member of the Google...

TGS Shave for a Cure fundraising team raises $14,000!

On Friday the 7th of June twenty students and staff were cheered on by a supportive audience as they lost their hair for Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. Shave For a Cure has become a staple of the school calendar and this years event was an incredible success. Between the 20 shavee's - from all years - the school raised a total of $14,000. This astounding amount...

School Ball Tickets 2019

This year's school ball is taking place on Saturday July 6 (the first Saturday of the Term 2 holidays) at the Ellerslie Convention Centre from 8pm - midnight. Prepaying for tickets, at $100 per person will take place from Tuesday June 11 to Friday June 14 at lunchtimes in RN32. All payments, cash, cheque, eftpos and online must be accompanied by a permission form signed by a...

Rowan Nicks block reopens as new Mathematics Faculty

On Thursday the 30th May we unveiled the latest upgrade to our building improvements, the Rowan Nicks block where the Mathematics Faculty will be located. The newly renovated area includes 10 totally refurbished heated classrooms, staff office area, kitchen room, beautifully finished carpeted hallways with glass window dividers, while making great use of the natural light, established tropical...

Senior Speech Competition Results

Our annual TGS Senior Speech final was well received by a very supportive Year 12 and Year 13 audience last Friday, 24th of May. It was a delight to see the passion and concern our students have about the issues that face young people and the wider world today. Choice of topics varied from the climate crisis, the anti-vaccination debate and the importance of a growth mindset. Maddie...

Latest Update from the PPTA on planned Strike Dates

Dear Parents / Caregivers, Monday, 24 June - PPTA Union Meeting Part of the ratification process involves the PPTA holding union meetings with its members. Takapuna Grammar School has been advised by the PPTA that there will be a meeting on Monday, 24 June at 1.30pm. We anticipate that all Year 9 and Year 10 students will remain at school. Year 11, 12 and 13 students will be sent home...

Host Families needed for International Students

We are looking for kind and caring host families, who live in the Devonport to Takapuna areas, for a number of International students in late 2019. For further information, please contact Carla Hemopo, Community & Communications Manager International: Email: [email protected]  Ph 09 489 4167, ext 9256 

Term 2 Letter from the Principal

I trust everyone had a lovely holiday break. We have been very busy over the past few weeks. A lot of initiatives are now established to ensure we further develop our themes of pride and purpose. Academic progress continues to be celebrated regularly as this is our core business. An Achievers’ Breakfast was held just before the break to honour Year 13 students striving for their personal...

Level 1 Business Studies Field Trip - Pita Pit

The Level 1 Business Studies classes had a field trip to Pita Pit in Takapuna on Thursday 23rd May to research this fast growing business as part of their internal level 1 assessment. Students were required to investigate the recruitment procedures at Pita Pit and were hosted in the store by the Store Manager and two Team Leaders. The students witnessed first hand at how the store...

Out of Zone Ballot Entries for 2020

Distinguished Alumni Sir Stephen Tindall talks to Senior School

Takapuna Grammar students were privileged to have Sir Stephen Tindall visit the school on Wednesday 22nd May. As an ex-pupil of the school himself, Sir Stephen was enthusiastic about seeing building advancements, meeting students and returning where he grew up. He spoke to year 12 and 13 students in the afternoon about a variety of topics; including his memories of the school, his current...

TGS Rowing Club - Information Evening Thursday 23 May

Calling all year 8 Belmont Intermediate School students and year 9-12 Takapuna Grammar School students to come along to The Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club's Information Night on Thursday 23rd May at 7.30pm in the TGS Library and join our Learn to Row programme starting on Sunday June 9th to give rowing a go!   Check out this wonderful short documentary created by our...

Battle of the Schools

The Battle of the School’ and fair is an annual event and is hosted by  Belmont Primary School. It involves each of the primary schools  on the Devonport Peninsula putting together a few teams of year 6 students to compete in a series of physical challenges. This year, several IB students from Takapuna Grammar School volunteered to help with the set-up and running of...

TGS Haka Challenge 2019

The annual TGS Haka challenge was held recently as part of our House competition. Judges Mrs Mary Nixon, Mr Glen Denham and Mr William Catterall were treated to six rousing renditions of the Takapuna Grammar School haka Te Karanga Pakanga. Judges commented on the mana which all the students showed during their performances. Placings were as follows: 1st - Kaha 2nd - Wehi...

Open Day - Thursday 25th July

Important upcoming School Closed days

Wednesday 29th May = PPTA Strike Day Friday 31st May = Teacher Only Day (CoL Conference) Monday 3rd June = Queen's Birthday We apologise for any inconvenience caused over this period.

Special Education Field Trip - Trees for Survival Planting Day

Trees for Survival are a charitable trust which promotes the growing and planting of native trees to help control soil erosion. By encouraging organisations to sponsor and support school students in tending tree seedlings and planting them out on eroding land, the programme brings communities together to protect New Zealand's soil and water resources. Rotary provides support to the...

"Ignite" Devonport-Takapuna Kāhui Ako Conference - Friday 31 May

Our 2nd annual Devonport-Takapuna Kāhui Ako Conference is happening on Friday 31st May in Te Poho School Hall here at Takapuna Grammar School. The conference is an opportunity for teachers to connect and collaborate within our Community of Learners. The theme for 2019 is IGNITE, igniting passion and creativity through a selection of innovative workshops presented by teachers and community...

Top Scholars honoured at Parliament with Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern

The success of the highest-achieving New Zealand Scholarship students was celebrated at the annual Top Scholar Awards Ceremony hosted at Parliament on 1 May 2019. The Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern was present to acknowledge the success of the students. Takapuna Grammar School students Alex Davey (Classical Studies) and Amanda Sim (Accounting) were recognised as Top Subject Scholarship Award...

PTA "Live and Let's Dance" - Saturday 15th June

Saturday June 15th from 7:30pm, $25 per ticket Less than two weeks to go until the hotly-anticipated PTA Dance! Get your tickets now and directly support your child's team, club or group... The PTA is hosting its annual Parents’ Dance in the School Hall (Te Poho) on Saturday 15 June from 7.30pm. This year it's a James Bond-themed night with prizes for the best-dressed, so come as...

Dance Evening 2019: 'A Little Party' - Tuesday 18th June

The Year 13 Dance class and Dance Leaders are putting together another fantastic show for 2019! Takapuna Grammar Dance Department has a long history of presenting exciting and vibrant Dance Evenings at the Bruce Mason Theatre. Our Year 13 Dance class this year has been inspired by the Roaring 20's and The Great Gatsby to bring you 'A Little Party' in 2019. For one spectacular night only at...

Year 12 International Baccalaureate Camp

Term Two began with an exciting three-day retreat to Eastern Beach for Year 12 International Baccalaureate students. The camp was, primarily, a workshop focusing on the main aspects of the IB programme. However, the group of thirty also had the chance to strengthen social ties that will form the basis of their final years at TGS. Engaging in team-based activities that ranged from meditation to...

Tech Ninjas learning new tricks in the classroom

On Thursday the 9th of May our Year 9 students attended the TGS Tech Ninjas Training Camp that was held across various modern learning spaces recently opened inside the main block. Guest speaker Ben Liebert, an alumnus of TGS who is the founder of Blackball Software, started the day with an exciting presentation. He explained the importance of developing digital and computational thinking...

Board of Trustees Nominations

- TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2019 BOARD OF TRUSTEES PARENT TRUSTEE ELECTIONS - Nominations are invited for the election of six (6) parent representatives to the Board of Trustees of Takapuna Grammar School. Nomination Form Attached is a nomination form to enable you to put your name forward as a candidate in the forthcoming Board of Trustees elections, or to nominate someone else...

Year 13 Personal Excellence Presentations

On the 11th of April we celebrated our Y13 students who have demonstrated strength in the following Key Competencies; Managing Self and Participating and Contributing. According to the New Zealand Curriculum, the Key Competency of Managing Self recognises the need for young people to master strategies and methods to organise the myriad of tasks and challenges that come their way every day....

Tech Ninjas Training Camp - Thursday 9th May

What is Tech Ninjas Training Camp? On Thursday 9th of May, our Year 9 students will be taking part in Tech Ninjas Training Camp, a day of learning about digital tools and how they can used to improve student/teacher interaction in our classrooms. Instead of timetabled classes, students will attend six different sessions in allocated areas to learn about key digital tools that will...

Ad Augusta News - Term 1

To read about everything that's been happening in our busy Term 1 so far this year, click here to view our latest News. Or click here to view our Newsletter Archives. 

House Chalk Drawing Competition

The inaugural house chalk-drawing competition was held on Friday 12th April the last day of term 1. Each house was asked to nominate 8 artists and they were given a box of chalk, in their house colour. The house artists had to create an image which represented the spirit of their house's meaning. The winners were Wana and Mana, first equal, with Wehi third. Thanks to Mr Potter and...

Business is booming on TGS Market Day

On Wednesday 10 April, TGS Business and Enterprise Department had their annual market day held in Te Poho during lunch. The hall was packed with students and staff racing around grabbing themselves new, innovative, and quality bargains! There were stalls from Year 10 Social Studies classes, Level 1 Business Studies and Year 13 ‘YES’ companies. This was a great opportunity for the...

Photolife - Online Ordering of Photos

Takapuna Grammar School individual and form class photographs are now available for you to view and order online with PhotoLife Studios. Your son or daughter has been given a slip to bring home with their unique Photo Access Key or code detailed on it. This code will display all the photographs of your child. It is then an easy process for you to shop on-line and purchase the photographs...

Congratulations to Evan Williams - Silver at Maadi Cup!

Evan Williams has again medalled at a major rowing event, this time a Silver in the Boys U17 Single Sculls on the biggest stage - the Maadi Cup Nationals being held on Lake Karapiro. To watch Evan receive his medal on the dais,click here to the TGS Rowing Clubs Facebook page.

Congratulations 2019 Student BOT Representative - Tayla Wheeler

The votes have been counted from our returning officer who is happy to announce that the 2019 Student Representative on the Board of Trustees is.... Tayla Wheeler! To learn more about our Board of Trustees and their backgrounds, please visit https://takapuna.school.nz/board-of-trustees/

Mihi whakatau to welcome our new HOD of Te Reo and Tikanga Māori - Ngahuia Ormsby

Takapuna Grammar School Tū Tangata students and prefects warmly welcomed (mihi whakatau) our new HOD of Te Reo and Tikanga Māori - Mrs Ngahuia Ormsby and her whanau on the steps of Te Poho (school hall). Whaea Ngahuia was born in the Waikato and has been brought up in Ngāruawāhia and has close connections to her local marae. Students and staff look forward to her commencing classes on...

Congratulations to Evan Williams - North Island U17 Single Sculls Champion

Our TGS Rowing team have returned home from competing at the AON North Island Secondary School Championships down at Lake Karapiro gaining 2 medals in the A Finals of the U17 Sculls Single (Evan Williams = Gold) and the Double (Evan and Jacob Davey = Silver). For video footage of the medal ceremonies and all the other results of our rowers, click on the TGS Rowing Facebook page here.

USA Art Trip 2020 Info Evening - Tuesday 12th March

We are very happy to inform you of our plan to return to the USA in 2020 for our biannual Art tour of the wonderful art museums of America! Our itinerary will include art museums, guided tours and free time to experience a cultural adventure of Washington DC, New York City and Los Angeles. Some highlights are: National Gallery Of Art, Hirshhorn Museum, The MET, MOMA, Guggenhiem Museum, The...

Prefects and Scholarship recipients honoured at special award assembly

On Thursday we held a special assembly in Te Poho Hall where we presented all of our 2019 Prefects their ties and badges followed by a special presentation to our 2018 University Scholarship recipients in front of their proud parents and former teachers and peers. Congratulations to all these recipients who continue to set the bar high for the next generation of students to maintain over the...

Korean Lunar New Year Senior Gala Party

On Saturday 16th of February, Takapuna Grammar School were fortunate enough to host the Annual Korean Lunar New Year’s Senior Gala Party, along with the Hi Well Trust group. There were at least 400 attendees including the Korean Chairperson, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, veterans who participated in the Korean war and our school principal, Mary Nixon. The attendees were...