Mount Albert Grammar School, commonly known as MAGS, is
a co-educational state secondary school in Mount Albert in
Auckland, New Zealand. It teaches students in year levels 9 to
13. As of August 2019, Mount Albert Grammar School is the
second largest school in New Zealand, behind Rangitoto
College.[3][4]
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1
History
2
Academia
3
Sports
4
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre
5
Mount Albert Grammar School Farm
6
Observatory
7
School Hymn
8
ERO report
9
Notable alumni
○ 9.1
○ Academia
○
○ 9.2
○ Art
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○ 9.3
○ Entertainment
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○ 9.4
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Government
9.5
Industry
9.6
Law
9.7
Music
9.8
Public service
9.9
Religion
9.10
Science
9.11
Sports
10
See also
11
References
12
External links
History[edit]
Mount Albert Grammar was founded in 1922 as a subsidiary of
Auckland Grammar School, but now the two schools are
governed separately. Mount Albert Grammar School was
originally boys only, but became co-educational in 2000. Junior
classes (years 9 and 10) are mostly single-sex while senior
classes (years 11 to 13) are all co-educational.[citation needed]
There have been a number of headmasters since the opening of
the school, Frederick Gamble (1922–1946), William Caradus
(1946–1954), Murray Nairn (1954–1969), Maurice Hall
(1970–1988), Gregory Taylor (1988–2006, the first Albertian to
become Headmaster), Dale Burden (2006–2015), and the
current headmaster, Patrick Drumm (2016–).[citation needed]
After the opening of the school, a need for boarding
accommodation for students became apparent. In 1927, the
Mount Albert Grammar School Hostel opened for boarders at
807 New North Road. This hostel closed in 1970 and a new one
was opened in 1971, built on one of the school's playing fields.[5]
This is a boys' boarding hostel called School House. It has
full-time accommodation for up to 105 students during school
terms.[6]
The School's Latin motto is Per Angusta Ad Augusta , which
means "Through Hardship to Glory". The school hymn, sung at
all formal assemblies, was written by a student, J. A. W. Bennett,
in 1928.[7]
In October 2015, an email containing a pornographic image was
sent to all the school's 2,700 students after the school's email
database was reportedly hacked by one of the school's students.
The email database was immediately shut down and an
investigation was started into who was responsible.[8][9] The
school laid a complaint with police and sought the assistance of
the Department of Internal Affairs.[10]
The school purchased what was meant to be a girls' hostel, but
due to the Auckland housing crisis turned into accommodation
for teachers.[11] The complex is located 6 minute walk away from
MAGS on Lloyd Avenue. [12]
On July 24, 2020, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially
opened the school's new science block, known as CS block and
honouring the school's second headmaster, William Caradus.
This was set to take place on March 24, however was postponed
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] The block has been in use
since classes commenced for the 2020 school year.
Academia[edit]
Mt Albert Grammar School pupils participate in various forms of
academia, from year 9 to year 13.
In 2015, 93.8 percent of students leaving Mount Albert Grammar
held at least NCEA Level 1, 87.7 percent held at least NCEA
Level 2, and 67.8 percent held at least NCEA Level 3. This is
compared to 88.4%, 79.1%, and 52.8% respectively for all
students nationally.[14]
Sports[edit]
In 2007 and 2009 MAGS won all the major Auckland titles in
rugby, association football and netball. The First XI girls football
and the Premier Girls Basketball also won their first Auckland
Championships in 2009.[15]
In 2008, one sports staff member and a parent coach were
suspended by the schools' sport body College Sport and nine
students who had transferred to the school were prevented from
playing by rules designed to prevent poaching of young
players.[16][17] As a result, the school implemented a sporting
Code of Conduct for all students, staff and coaches. This
ultimately led to the dismissal of Director of Football, Kevin
Fallon.[18]
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre[edit]
The Mt Albert Aquatic Centre was developed as a joint project
between Mount Albert Grammar School and the Auckland City
Council. It was officially opened by the Prime Minister of New
Zealand in 1998. The facility contains a 25-metre competition
pool with depths measuring from 1.2 metres to 3 metres, and a
leisure pool that features wave motion and a water slide.[19] The
complex consists of other features visited by the public often.
However, in 2016 the pool was noted to be unsafe due to its
vulnerability to earthquakes. The pool is set to be either fixed or
demolished in the next ten years.[citation needed]
Mount Albert Grammar School Farm[edit]
[20]
This is a photo of the Mount Albert Grammar School Farm
as seen from
the upper floor of MH Block, formerly known as D Block.
Since 1933 Mount Albert Grammar School has a 10.8-hectare
(27-acre) farm adjacent to its school site in the middle of
Auckland city. It is a fully working model farm, home to sheep,
pigs, rabbits, cattle and poultry, cared for by a farm manager who
lives on site.[citation needed] The land is owned by the ASB Bank,
which in 2013 extended the school's lease costing 1 dollar every
year for 99 years, taking the ownership through to 2112.[21]
Students are able to study Agricultural Science from Year 10
onwards, and also travel to farms and agricultural training
centres for day trips and camps. They attend Field Days at
Mystery Creek each year and some students are selected to
assist in the agricultural area of the Auckland Easter Show.[citation
needed]
As well as a classroom the farm has a one-stand wool shed with
wool-handling facilities, pens to hold 150 sheep overnight, a
two-stand walk-through milking shed with milking plant, an
implement shed and a unit for small animals.[citation needed]
Observatory[edit]
The school is one of a few schools in New Zealand with an active
observatory and possesses a telescope open to students and the
public occasionally. Completed in 2008, the observatory has a
Meade Instruments LX200R 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain f/10
telescope. The observatory uses an SBIG ST7XME CCD camera
for imaging and photometry.[citation needed]
The observatory is used for both school education and amateur
research.[citation needed]
School Hymn[edit]
The school hymn is sung at all formal school assemblies,
normally accompanied by live piano. It was written by MAGS
student Jack A. W. Bennett in 1928.[7] The lyrics to the hymn
were analysed in a report written by Brian Murphy, the School
Archivist.[22][23]
ERO report[edit]
In 2018, the New Zealand Education Review Office carried out a
survey, finding that the school uses National Certificate of
Educational Achievement and celebrates its students
achievements through the Lion Awards programme. Its
educational achievement level is above the national average,
making Mt Albert Grammar one of the top seven schools in the
country. The ethnic minorities of the school have shifted the
balance since the 2015 review. By that, 91% of Māori and 85% of
Pacific students gained NCEA Level 2 in 2017. [24]
The school enrolls 2991 students, out of which 57% are male
and 43% are female. Out of those, 40% are of European
descent, 23% are Asian, 19% are identified as Pacific Islanders,
3% are MELAA and 2% are of other ethnicity. [24]
Notable alumni[edit]
Main category: People educated at Mount Albert Grammar
School
Notable alumni include:[7]
Academia[edit]
● Michael Bassett, QSO, NZ Medal – former senior
lecturer in history at the University of Auckland
1964–1978. J B Smallman Professor of History at the
University of Western Ontario 1992–1993. Former MP
and Cabinet Minister
● J.A.W. (Jack) Bennett – former Chair of Medieval and
Renaissance English at Cambridge University,
1964–1978. Fellow of the British Academy 1971
● Sir Graeme Davies, KBE – former Vice-Chancellor of
three universities: the University of London, the
University of Glasgow, and the University of Liverpool
● Richard Dell – Scientist
● Peter C. B. Phillips – Professor of Economics at Yale
University
● Sir Keith Sinclair – New Zealand historian
● Professor Karl Stead ONZ CBE – poet, novelist and
literary critic
Art[edit]
● Sir Peter Siddell
● Derek Hansen – writer
● Len Castle - potter
Entertainment[edit]
● Liam Thompson - YouTube personality
Government[edit]
● Dr Alan Bollard – Governor of the Reserve Bank of
New Zealand
● Sir Robert Muldoon – Prime Minister of New Zealand
1975 – 1984[25]
● Mac Price – Diplomat
Industry[edit]
● Sir Woolf Fisher – Co-Founder of Fisher & Paykel[26]
● Chris Liddell – Former Chief Financial Officer at both
Microsoft and General Motors, now Chairman of Xero
● Sir Daniel James Matthews – Former Chairman of the
BNZ
● Sir Alexander Ross – London banker, chair ANZ Bank,
former NZ Reserve Bank deputy governor and former
chairman British Commonwealth Games Federation
Law[edit]
● Judge Mick Brown – former Principal Youth Court
judge. Past Chancellor of the University of Auckland
1986–1991
Music[edit]
● Sir Donald McIntyre – opera singer[27]
Public service[edit]
● G. S. Carter DSO – Z Special Unit commando and
founder of Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens
● Les Mills – Former Mayor of Auckland and athlete
● Sir Robert (Bob) Mahuta – Commissioner of the Treaty
of Waitangi Fisheries Commission. Chairman Maori
Development Corporation.
● Hon. Justice Charles Cato – former Rhodes Scholar,
former high-profile Auckland barrister, current
Supreme Court Judge of the Kingdom of Tonga (since
May 2012).[28][29]
Religion[edit]
● Reverend Brother Michael J. Foran (1948–2000) –
founder of a Catholic religious community, the Mother
of God Brothers[30][31]
Science[edit]
● E.G. (Ted) Bollard – former Research scientist at DSIR
1948–1980 and director of the horticulture and
processing division. Pro-chancellor of The University
of Auckland, 1989–1991
● Sir Alan Stewart, KBE, CBE – former vice-chancellor
of Massey University 1964
● Richard Matthews, Order of New Zealand (1988),
Hector Medal of Royal Society of New Zealand,
FRSNZ, FNZIC, FRS – Former Chairman of Toxic
Substances Board, Health Department. Former
President NZ Microbiological Society.
Sports[edit]
● Andrew Blowers – Former All Blacks player, also
played for Auckland Blues, Northampton Saints, Bristol
in the Guinness Premiership[32]
● Michael Boxall – 2008 Summer Olympics participant
and former member of New Zealand U-23 football
team
● Mick Bremner – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Mark Brooke-Cowden – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Olo Brown – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Ronald Bush – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Richard de Groen – Test cricketer and Olympic and
Commonwealth Games administrator
● Maria Folau – Netball player for New Zealand Silver
Ferns
● Jack Goodhue – All Blacks player, also plays for the
Canterbury Crusaders and has represented New
Zealand in Rugby Sevens and Under 20s
● James Goulding – Former Kiwis player[33]
● Rod Heeps – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Adam Henry – rugby league player for the Sydney
Roosters
● Sam Kasiano – rugby league player for Canterbury
Bulldogs and New Zealand national rugby league
team[34]
● Lucas Knecht – Represented Northern Mariana
Islands national football team, youngest ever
international footballer
● Fred Ah Kuoi – Represented New Zealand national
rugby league team[35]
● Tevita Latu – Represented New Zealand national
rugby league team, also represents the Tonga national
rugby league team
● Thomas Leuluai – Represented New Zealand national
rugby league team
● Steven Luatua – Former All Blacks player[36]
● Arthur Lydiard ONZ – world-renowned Athletics
coach[37]
● Steve Matai – rugby league player for Manly Sea
Eagles and New Zealand national rugby league
team[34][33]
● Sam McKendry – rugby league for Penrith Panthers
and New Zealand national rugby league team[33]
● Les Mills – Represented New Zealand at Olympic
Games and Commonwealth Games over two decades
● Albert Nikoro – rugby union player for Western
Force[32]
● Shane O'Brien – 1984 Olympic rowing gold medallist
● Arun Panchia – Hockey player for Black Sticks[38]
● Matthew Ridge – Former All Blacks, and rugby league
captain for the Manly Sea Eagles, New Zealand
Warriors and Kiwis
● Ray Sefo – Boxer and K-1 Kick Boxer
● Peter Snell – Olympic gold medalist – Athletics [39][32]
● Dave Solomon – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Malo Solomona – former professional rugby league
footballer for New Zealand Warriors
● Se'e Solomona – Represented New Zealand national
rugby league team[33]
● Joe Stanley – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Peter Thorburn – Former Rugby Union Player, died in
2021.
● Ron Urlich – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Giff Vivian – Test cricketer[40]
● Graham Vivian – Test cricketer[40]
● Bryan Williams – Former All Blacks player [32]
● Sonny Bill Williams – rugby league player for the
Sydney Roosters, Represented New Zealand national
rugby league team, All Blacks and is a heavyweight
boxer[39][36][34]
● Portia Woodman – New Zealand women's national
rugby union team (sevens)[41]
See also[edit]
● List of schools in New Zealand
References[edit]
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^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of
Education. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated
Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "Are you in one of NZ's biggest high schools? | School Leaver
NZ". schoolleaver.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
^ "About the school". Mount Albert Grammar School. Retrieved 31
March2019.
^ "Boarding – Welcome". Mount Albert Grammar School.
Retrieved 16 July 2018.
^ "Boys - School House". Mount Albert Grammar School.
Retrieved 1 April 2019.
^
Jump up to:
abc
"Notable Albertians". Mount Albert Grammar School.
Archived from the original on 18 October 2005.
^ "Porn email sent to 2700 students". The New Zealand Herald.
NZME. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "Porn emailed to Auckland school students". Newshub. 20
October 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "Mount Albert Grammar High lays police complaint over porn
email". Radio NZ. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "Housing crisis forces school to build cut-price teacher flats
instead of student hostel". Stuff. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
^ "Mt Albert Grammar School opening girls hostel for first time".
Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 10 June
2018.
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^ Hepburn, Graham (24 July 2020). "PM Officially Opens William
Caradus Building". Mount Albert Grammar School. Retrieved 5
August 2020.
^ "School Qualifications – Mount Albert Grammar School". Ministry
of Education. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ Terry Maddaford (26 August 2009). "School Thrilled by Clean
Sweep". New Zealand Herald. NZME. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ Martha McKenzie-Minifiee (10 May 2008). "Schools sin-binned
over sport poaching". New Zealand Herald. NZME. Retrieved 10
June 2018.
^ "Schools' anti-poaching rule lands stars in limbo". The New
Zealand Herald. NZME. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 10 June
2018.
^ Vaimoana Tapaleao (29 July 2014). "Star Coach sacked". New
Zealand Herald. NZME. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "Mt Albert Aquatics Centre :: Aquatic Facilities" .
www.mountalbertaquatics.co.nz. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "ASB MAGS Farm". Mount Albert Grammar School. Retrieved
31 March 2019.
^ Pamela Tipa (26 May 2013). "ASB Farm Future secured with
new Lease". Rural News Group. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "J. A. W. Bennet and The School Hymn" (PDF). Retrieved 1 April
2019.
^ "Albertians Association - Welcome". Mount Albert Grammar
School. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
^
Jump up to:
ab
"Mt Albert Grammar School". Education Review Office. 18 April
2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ "Robert Muldoon | NZHistory, New Zealand history online".
nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
^ "Our History - Fisher & Paykel Appliances NZ".
www.fisherpaykel.com. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te
Manatu. "4. – Classical musicians – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New
Zealand". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
^ "Tongan Judiciary farewells Hon. Justice Shuster and welcomes
Hon. Justice Cato". Mic.gov.to. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 10 June
2018.
^ "Justice Charles Cato is Tonga's new Supreme Court judge |
South Pacific Lawyers' Association". Southpacificlawyers.org. 8
May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016.
Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ Called to Lead Others to Jesus Archived 18 July 2008 at the
Wayback Machine
^ Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga Archived 3 December 2013
at the Wayback Machine
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"Adrian Hyland: Hard graft in high-stakes". New
Zealand Herald. NZME. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^
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Michael Burgess (27 January 2013). "College Sport: Price
to coach MAGS". New Zealand Herald. NZME. Retrieved 10 June
2018.
^
Jump up to:
abc
"Canberra Raiders sign former Junior All Black". Sporting
News. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ Michael Burgess (27 January 2013). "College Sport: Price to
coach MAGS". The New Zealand Herald. NZME. Retrieved 10
June 2018.
^
Jump up to:
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Estelle Sarney (15 June 2017). "Albertians against the Lions".
Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ Pete Nichols (28 December 2004). "Arthur Lydiard". The
Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^ Scott Morgan (21 April 2009). "Juniors get shot at big time".
Central Leader. Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^
Jump up to:
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Mandy Te (11 March 2018). "Housing crisis forces school to
build cut-price teacher flats instead of student hostel". Stuff.co.nz.
Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
^
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https://www.mags.school.nz/the-school/successful-albertians-alber
tian-biographies/
^ Taylah Hodson-Tomokino (26 April 2018). "Time to stop forcing
netball down our girls' throats". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved
10 June 2018.
External links[edit]
● Official website
● Te Kete Ipurangi School Profile
● Education Review Office (ERO) reports for Mount
Albert Grammar School
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