Takapuna Grammar School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Takapuna Grammar School |
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Takapuna Grammar School in 1992, above the cliffs of Saint Leonards Beach
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| Address | |
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210 Lake Road
Belmont Auckland 0622 New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 36°48′04″S 174°47′19″E / 36.8011°S 174.7886°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State Co-educational Secondary (Years 9–13) |
| Motto | Per Angusta Ad Augusta "Through endeavour to greatness" |
| Established | 1927 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 36 |
| Principal | Mary Nixon |
| School roll | 2,100 (February 2024) |
| Socio-economic decile | 10Z |
Takapuna Grammar School is a public high school in Belmont, Auckland, New Zealand. It's a co-educational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. The school opened in 1927. It mainly serves students from Takapuna and the Devonport Peninsula. As of August 2025, about 2000 students from Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 12 to 18) go to Takapuna Grammar.
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School History
The first stone for Takapuna Grammar was placed on April 6, 1926. The school officially opened its doors on February 7, 1927. More than 200 students joined in its first year.
Takapuna Grammar was the first co-educational school linked to the Auckland Grammar School Board. In 1955, it got its own Board of Governors. The school kept the Auckland Grammar Lion symbol. It also kept the motto "Per Angusta Ad Augusta," which means "Through endeavour to greatness."
School Upgrades
In the 2000s, the school began a big upgrade project. This project cost $6.4 million. A new three-level building was finished in 2009. This building has classrooms for social sciences, a new library, and student support centers.
In 2015, plans were announced for a $26 million redevelopment of the school's main building. This main building was first built in 1927. The work on the main building started in 2016. It was one of the most expensive school projects in New Zealand's history. The main building was fully completed in 2020. At the same time, the school's science block was also updated. That work finished in mid-2016.
Student Enrolment
Takapuna Grammar School uses an enrolment scheme. This helps manage the number of students and prevent overcrowding. Students who live in the school's zone can automatically join. This zone includes Devonport, Narrow Neck, Bayswater, Belmont, Hauraki, Takapuna, and parts of Milford.
Students living outside this zone can also apply. They are accepted if there are enough spaces. Siblings of students already at the school get first preference.
Student Diversity
In August 2011, Takapuna Grammar School had 1420 students. This included 195 international students. About 53% of students were boys and 47% were girls.
The student body was very diverse. About 65% of students were New Zealand European (Pākehā). Nine percent were British or Irish. Five percent were Māori, and five percent were Korean. Three percent of students were Chinese.
As of August 2025, Takapuna Grammar School has about 2000 students. Around 10% of these students identify as Māori.
Equity Index
The school has an Equity Index (EI) score of 203. This score helps show the challenges students might face in their learning. A higher EI score means students might have more barriers to achievement. Takapuna Grammar's score places it among schools whose students have fewer socioeconomic barriers. This is similar to what was called a "decile 9 or 10" school in the past.
School Curriculum
Takapuna Grammar School follows The New Zealand Curriculum. This is the national curriculum for schools in New Zealand.
Students in Year 11 work towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1. In Years 12 and 13, students can continue with NCEA Levels 2 and 3. They can also choose to complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma is a globally recognized qualification.
Notable People from Takapuna Grammar
Many well-known people have attended or worked at Takapuna Grammar School.
Famous Students
- Finn Andrews – a songwriter and musician from the band The Veils
- Sir Peter Blake – a famous yachtsman
- Barry Brickell – a potter and conservationist
- Sophia Burn – a musician from the band The Veils
- Jacko Gill – a shotputter
- Juliette Haigh – a rower
- Eliza McCartney – a pole vaulter
- Danny Morrison – a cricketer
- Simon Poelman – a decathlete
- Pamela Stephenson – a psychologist, writer, and actress
- Bert Sutcliffe – a cricketer
- Stephen Tindall – the founder of The Warehouse stores
- Pippa Wetzell – a television presenter
- Gin Wigmore – a singer and songwriter
- Ella Yelich-O'Connor (known as Lorde) – a world-famous singer-songwriter
- Sean Wainui – a professional rugby player
Famous Staff Members
- Ruth Aitken – an English teacher who later coached the Silver Ferns netball team
- Bessie Christie – a painter and art teacher
- Jack Kelly – a headmaster who was also an All Black rugby player
