Mount Albert Grammar School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Albert Grammar School |
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| Address | |
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36 Alberton Avenue
, 1025
New Zealand
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| Coordinates | 36°53′4.52″S 174°43′31.2″E / 36.8845889°S 174.725333°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State secondary, day and boarding |
| Motto | Latin: Per Angusta Ad Augusta (Through Hardship to Glory) |
| Established | 1922; 103 years ago |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 69 |
| Headmaster | Patrick Drumm |
| Grades | 9–13 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| School roll | 3,427 (February 2024) |
| Socio-economic decile | 7 (2015) |
| Website | mags.school.nz |
Mount Albert Grammar School, often called MAGS, is a large school in Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand. It's a state school, meaning it's funded by the government. Students from Year 9 to Year 13 attend MAGS. As of 2021, it was the second largest school in New Zealand.
Contents
School History
Mount Albert Grammar School started in 1922. It was first connected to Auckland Grammar School. Now, these two schools are run separately. MAGS was originally only for boys. In the year 2000, it became a co-educational school. This means both boys and girls can attend.
The school's motto is Per Angusta Ad Augusta. This is a Latin phrase. It means "Through Hardship to Glory". A student wrote the school hymn in 1928. It is sung at all important school gatherings.
Many headmasters have led the school. The current headmaster is Patrick Drumm. He started in 2016. The school hall was opened in 1926.
In 1927, a place for students to live at school was opened. This was called the Mount Albert Grammar School Hostel. A new boys' hostel, School House, opened in 1971. It can house up to 105 students.
During the Great Depression, the school started an agriculture course. This helped families who couldn't afford long university studies. In 1933, the school bought land for a farm. This farm helped students learn about farming.
In 1989, big changes happened at the school. These included ending physical punishment. More women teachers also joined the staff. The school also started supporting Pasifika students.
In 2020, a new science building was opened. The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, officially opened it. This building is named the CS block. It honors William Caradus, a past headmaster.
Learning at MAGS
Students at Mount Albert Grammar School study many subjects. They learn from Year 9 to Year 13.
In 2015, many students achieved well in their exams. Most students leaving MAGS had achieved at least NCEA Level 1. NCEA is a national qualification. The school's results were higher than the national average.
Sports Achievements
Mount Albert Grammar School has a strong sports program. In 2007 and 2009, MAGS won many top titles. They won in rugby, football, and netball. The girls' football and basketball teams also won their first Auckland Championships in 2009.
The school has a special Code of Conduct for sports. This helps make sure everyone plays fairly.
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre
The Mt Albert Aquatic Centre is a swimming pool complex. It was built by the school and the Auckland City Council. It opened in 1998. The centre has a 25-meter pool for competitions. It also has a fun pool with waves and a water slide. This centre is used by both students and the public.
Mount Albert Grammar School Farm
Mount Albert Grammar School has a working farm. It's about 10.8 hectares (27 acres) in size. The farm is right next to the school. It's home to sheep, pigs, cattle, and chickens. A farm manager lives on site and cares for the animals.
Students can study Agricultural Science from Year 10. They also visit other farms. Some students help at the Auckland Easter Show. The farm has a wool shed and a milking shed. It also has pens for sheep and a unit for small animals.
School Observatory
MAGS is one of the few schools in New Zealand with an observatory. An observatory is a place for looking at stars. It has a powerful telescope. Students and the public can use it sometimes.
The observatory was finished in 2008. It has a 12-inch telescope. It also has a special camera for taking pictures of space. The observatory is used for school lessons. It is also used for amateur research.
School Hymn
The school hymn is sung at all formal school assemblies. It is usually played with a piano. A MAGS student named Jack A. W. Bennett wrote it in 1928.
ERO Report
The New Zealand Education Review Office checks schools. In 2018, they reviewed MAGS. They found that the school's results are above the national average. This makes MAGS one of the top schools in the country.
The report also noted the success of different student groups. For example, many Māori and Pasifika students achieved NCEA Level 2.
Student Demographics
The school has about 2,991 students. About 57% are boys and 43% are girls. Students come from many different backgrounds. About 40% are of European descent. About 23% are Asian. About 19% are Pasifika.
Famous Former Students
Many people who went to Mount Albert Grammar School have become famous. Here are a few:
Academia
- J.A.W. (Jack) Bennett – A famous professor at Cambridge University.
- Sir Graeme Davies – Led three different universities.
- Peter C. B. Phillips – A professor of Economics at Yale University.
- Sir Keith Sinclair – A well-known New Zealand historian.
Art and Entertainment
- Sir Peter Siddell – A famous artist.
- Derek Hansen – A writer.
- Liam Thompson – A popular YouTube personality.
Government and Business
- Dr Alan Bollard – Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. This is like the head of the country's main bank.
- Sir Robert Muldoon – Was the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984.
- Sir Woolf Fisher – Co-founded Fisher & Paykel, a big company.
- Chris Liddell – Was a top financial officer at Microsoft and General Motors.
Law and Public Service
- Judge Mick Brown – A former judge for young people.
- Les Mills – Was the Mayor of Auckland and a famous athlete.
- Hon. Justice Charles Cato – A Supreme Court Judge in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Science
- E.G. (Ted) Bollard – A research scientist.
- Sir Alan Stewart – Former head of Massey University.
- Richard Matthews – A famous microbiologist.
Sports
- Andrew Blowers – Former All Blacks rugby player.
- Caleb Clarke – Current All Black rugby player.
- Maria Folau – Netball player for the New Zealand Silver Ferns.
- Jack Goodhue – All Black rugby player.
- Kai Kara-France – A mixed martial artist in the UFC.
- Steven Luatua – Former All Blacks rugby player.
- Arthur Lydiard – A world-famous Athletics coach.
- Les Mills – Represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games.
- Shane O'Brien – Won an Olympic gold medal in rowing in 1984.
- Peter Snell – An Olympic gold medalist in Athletics.
- Sonny Bill Williams – A famous rugby player for the All Blacks and a boxer.
- Portia Woodman – A top rugby player for the New Zealand women's team.
See also
- List of schools in New Zealand
