Auckland Girls' Grammar School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auckland Girls' Grammar School |
|
---|---|
![]() The school seen from Hopetoun Street, looking north
|
|
Address | |
Howe Street, Newton, Auckland
|
|
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 |
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 (AGGS) is a secondary school for girls in Newton, Auckland. It is located right in the city center. The school started way back in 1878. It was first called Auckland Girls' High School. This makes it one of the oldest schools in New Zealand.
The school had some money problems in 1888. Because of this, it closed its original site for a while. Girls then attended classes at Auckland Grammar School. In 1909, the girls' school moved to a 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. It was named both School and Secondary School of the year. The main building of the school is also a special historic place. It is listed as a Category II Historic Place.
About the Students
In 2018, Auckland Girls' Grammar School had 1,030 students. All of these students were girls. The school also had 22 international students. Students at the school come from many different backgrounds. About 23% of students were Māori. Another 23% were Samoan. Around 16% were Tongan. About 13% were Asian. There were also students who were New Zealand European (Pākehā), Niuean, and Indian.
Famous Former Students
Many talented women have attended Auckland Girls' Grammar School. 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 women's rights activist
- Kayla Cullen – an athlete for Northern Mystics and NZ Silver Ferns
- Lana Coc-Kroft – a former Miss Universe New Zealand and TV presenter
- Emily Karaka – an artist
- Golriz Ghahraman – a politician and former United Nations lawyer
- Kiri Allan – a politician and former Minister
- Parris Goebel – an international choreographer
- Katrina Grant – an athlete for NZ Silver Ferns
- Siositina Hakeai – an athlete
- Hon. Laila Harré – a union leader and politician
- Doreen Lumley – an athlete
- Rose Matafeo – a comedian and TV 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 for Auckland and White Ferns
- Hon. Dame Georgina Manunui te Heuheu – a politician and former Minister
- Poto Williams – a politician and Assistant Speaker
- Tammy Wilson – a Black Ferns rugby player
- Katrina Rore – a netball player
- Tiana Epati – the first Pacifica President of the New Zealand Law Society
School Leaders
The school has had several headmistresses over the years. They are the main leaders of the school.
- Annie Whitelaw (1875–1966): 1906–1910
- Blanche Butler (died 1967): 1911–1921
- Rua Gardner (1901–1972): 1944–1967
- Louise Gardner (around 1916–2006): 1967–1978
- Charmaine Pountney: 1978–1988
- Ngaire Ashmore (born around 1967): 2017–present