Auckland Girls' Grammar School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auckland Girls' Grammar School |
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The school seen from Hopetoun Street, looking north
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| Address | |
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Howe Street, Newton, Auckland
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| Coordinates | 36°51′25″S 174°45′13″E / 36.8569°S 174.7537°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State single-sex girls' secondary school (Years 9–13) |
| Motto | Latin: Per Angusta Ad Augusta "Through trials to triumph" |
| Established | 1878 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 53 |
| Principal | Ngaire Ashmore |
| School roll | 1,131 (February 2024) |
| Colour(s) | gold, navy blue |
| Socio-economic decile | 3H |
| Website | aggs.school.nz |
Auckland Girls' Grammar School (often called AGGS) is a high school just for girls in Newton, Auckland, New Zealand. It started way back in 1878 as Auckland Girls' High School. This makes it one of the oldest high schools in the country.
The school had some tough times early on. In 1888, it had to close for a while because of money problems. During that time, the girls went to classes at Auckland Grammar School. Later, in 1909, the girls' school moved to its own new building on Howe Street. That's when its name changed to Auckland Girls' Grammar School.
In 2000, the school won the Goodman Fielder awards for School and Secondary School of the year. The main building at the school is also very special. It is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place, which means it's an important old building.
About the Students
Auckland Girls' Grammar School is a place where only girls learn. As of August 2025, the school has 1,131 students. This number changes a little each year.
The school also uses something called an Equity Index. This helps schools understand the different backgrounds of their students. For AGGS, its Equity Index is 487. This means the school helps students who might face more challenges in their learning journey.
School Leaders
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The school has had many important leaders, called Headmistresses, over the years. They help guide the school and its students. Here are some of the Headmistresses who have led Auckland Girls' Grammar School:
- Sophia Stothard: 1877–1878
- Annie Whitelaw: 1906–1910
- Blanche Butler: 1911–1921
- Rua Gardner: 1944–1967
- Louise Gardner: 1967–1978
- Charmaine Pountney: 1978–1988
- Ngaire Ashmore: 2017–present
Famous Former Students
Many talented women have studied at Auckland Girls' Grammar School. They have gone on to do amazing things in different fields. Here are some of them:
- Frankie Adams – an actress
- Zoë Bell – a stuntwoman and actress
- Sue Bradford – a politician and activist
- Dorothy Butler – an author
- Barbara Calvert – a professor of education
- Sandra Coney – a journalist and activist for women's rights
- Kayla Cullen – a netball player for the Northern Mystics and NZ Silver Ferns
- Lana Coc-Kroft – a television presenter
- Emily Karaka – an artist
- Golriz Ghahraman – a politician and former lawyer for the United Nations
- Kiri Allan – a politician and former Minister of Conservation
- Parris Goebel – a famous choreographer
- Siositina Hakeai – an athlete
- Hon. Laila Harré – a union leader and politician
- Doreen Lumley – an athlete
- Rose Matafeo – a comedian and television presenter
- Miriama McDowell – an actress
- Ani O'Neill – an artist
- Merimeri Penfold – a Māori educator
- Sheryl Scanlan – a netball player
- Miriama Smith – an actress
- Pauline Stansfield – an advocate for disability rights
- Kahurangi Taylor – Miss New Zealand 2008
- Munokoa Tunupopo – an athlete
- Hon. Dame Georgina Manunui te Heuheu – a politician
- Poto Williams – a politician
- Tammy Wilson – a rugby player for the Black Ferns
- Katrina Rore – a netball player
- Tiana Epati – President of the New Zealand Law Society
