Auckland Grammar School

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Auckland Grammar School
The school is built in 'Spanish Mission' style architecture.
Per Angusta Ad Augusta
Through difficulties to greatness.[1]
Address
87 Mountain Road
Epsom
Auckland 1023
New Zealand
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Information
Type State, Day & Boarding
Established 1868
Ministry of Education Institution no. 54
Headmaster Tim O'Connor
Years 9–13
Gender Boys
School roll 2532[2] (March 2016)
Socio-economic decile 9[3]
Website www.ags.school.nz

Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It has a roll of 2532 as of March 2016,[2] including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it New Zealand's largest single-sex school and placing it among the six largest schools in the country.[4]

Grammar regards itself as the pre-eminent academic secondary school in New Zealand.[5] The local publication Metro claimed that "Grammar's results in the Cambridge system are comparable with most private schools, and it scores extremely well in Scholarship too".[6]

History

The school was established in 1850 by the then Governor-in-Chief, Sir George Grey, and was officially recognised as an educational establishment in 1868 through the Auckland Grammar School Appropriation Act.[7] The school was initially privately funded, as New Zealand did not have a state education system until 1877.

Auckland Grammar School buildings contain two Category I historic places, the school's main block and a war memorial.[8][9][10] An obelisk located in front of the school commemorates former students who fought in various wars. The school's main block, built in 1916 in the "Spanish Mission" style, is used for daily assemblies, exhibitions, and contains various classrooms. Surrounding the main hall in which the daily assembly is held are the school honours boards listing the names of the school's top scholars including Rhodes Scholars and Girdlers Scholars.

The school owns a facility called the VentureLodge located in the township of Ohakune, in the central North Island, which is used by students for camps.[11]

The school's motto is "Per Angusta ad Augusta" which translates to "Through difficulties to greatness." The school has also translated the motto as "Through rough ravines to hallowed heights."[12] The origin of the motto is uncertain, but it was a common maxim at the time of the school's founding.[13]

A documentary on the school titled Grammar Boys was aired in July 2005 on TV3.[14]

The school has and continues to use streaming and scaling. Streaming is the ranking of students in each year from highest to lowest combined average across all subject areas (something that other schools no longer practice). Those students who achieve similar results are placed in classes. These classes are given a letter from A to P (depending on school roll size). Students scores are also scaled so that the results of each class are in line with expectations.

An important part of Auckland Grammar culture is the instruction of Latin. Instruction of Latin in upper streams has been compulsory.

Auckland Grammar School students attended assemblies each day which involved updates and awards as well as a reciting of the school prayer which contained the line "Give us the spirit of truthfulness and manliness".

Architecture

File:Auckland Grammar School, East Part.jpg
A closer look at the architectural style of the main building.

The main building was constructed in 1916, designed by the architectural firm of Arnold & Abbot. It, and the adjacent caretakers residence are in the Spanish Mission style and probably the earliest example of that style in the country. Following the completion of the main building, three smaller buildings were constructed in the same style; The Library block to the north, the Gymnasium to the south and a toilet block adjoining the main building. In the 1950s, a large Science block was constructed to the south of the main block in a modern style with metal windows. Further to the South again is a concrete Block from the early 1970s raised on Pilotis to give access to the upper playing fields. Between it and the 1920 Gymnasium is a large Gymnasium which was constructed in the mid 1970s and opened by the Prime Minister Rob Muldoon.

Adjacent to the Spanish Mission Style Library from the 1920s is the Centennial Theatre (opened 1977) and the Swimming Pool. This abuts the Motorway, the construction of which in the 1970s removed some of the School's land to the north. There is now a complex of 'prefabs' adjacent to the Mountain Road boundary, built to house the increasing roll. The loss of playing space on the upper part of the school property meant new Sports Fields need to be created in two former quarries at a lower level than the original school. Each has a sports Pavilion. Recently the pavilion on the upper field was rebuilt.[15]

Between 2014 and 2015, the toilet block adjoining the main building was demolished and a new building constructed in its place for classroom use.[16]

Enrolment

File:Auckland Grammar School enrolment zone.png
Auckland Grammar's enrolment home zone covers the eastern Auckland CBD and inner suburbs south-east of the CBD. The school is marked by the red circle.

Historically, because of its reputation, the demand for places in the school has outstripped capacity, and entry was selective. The school was zoned at least since the 1960s. Since 2000, school zoning is determined by a state school enrolment scheme, which gives first preference to students living in a designated home zone, and then to brothers of current students who live outside the zone. The school argues that zoning increases house prices in the zone, reducing access to the school for students from lower socio-economic groups.[17] Research by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand shows there is a 30 percent premium ($257,000) on houses in-zone compared to those out of zone.[18] In 2014, nearby One Tree Hill College and Selwyn College introduced enrolment schemes which initially planned to overlap parts of the Auckland Grammar zone. Both were forced to backtrack after opposition from parents in the overlapping areas, who feared it could ultimately lead to Auckland Grammar shrinking its zone and affecting the resale value of their homes.[19]

Auckland Grammar's requested voluntary donation is the highest for a non-integrated state school in New Zealand. In 2014, the requested donation reached $1050 per student per year. The school claims the donation is high to cover the gap in government funding between it, a decile 9Q school, and the lowest decile schools (i.e. decile 1A).[20] As a comparison, Auckland Grammar's female counterpart, Epsom Girls' Grammar School, asks for a donation of $665,[21] despite also being decile 9Q.

International students are tested for English language proficiency and some students may be required to complete an intensive course of English language before starting at Auckland Grammar School. The international students at Auckland Grammar School paid the highest tuition fees in New Zealand state schools at more than $20,000 each year.[22][23]

Academics

Results

In 2013, 94.1 percent of students leaving Auckland held at least NCEA Level 1 or IGCSE, 91.5 percent held at least NCEA Level 2 or AS, and 81.8 percent held at least University Entrance standard. This is compared to 83.7%, 71.4%, and 42.7% respectively for boys nationally.[24]

Controversies

NCEA controversy

The last headmaster, John Morris, is a vocal critic of the NCEA. In response to what is perceived by the school to be a poorly designed system being forced on them, the school introduced Cambridge International Examinations in 2002, offering the IGCSE, AS Level and A2 examinations to its more talented students. Other students sit NCEA exams. Students placed in an IGCSE/AS/A2 class are allowed to switch to NCEA, but this is usually discouraged by the school. However, in the ensuing years the majority of students were encouraged to take part in CIE qualifications. The introduction of New Zealand Scholarship has been viewed sceptically by the school, and it encourages only the top students to attempt it. Despite this, the school had the highest number of scholarships of any school in New Zealand in 2006.[25] And the 2008 Education Review Office (ERO) report commented the School ranks amongst the highest performing schools in New Zealand from the results in national and international examinations.[26] From 2011, the school will only offer the CIE Form 5 programme to all students in Form 5.[27]

School song

The school song was introduced in March 1955. The words were composed in 1954 by L. W. A. Crawley, senior Classics lecturer at Auckland University College (now the University of Auckland). The song consists of two verses in Latin and includes the school motto as a refrain. It is sung to the melody of the German hymn Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God).[28]

Headmasters

Period Headmasters
1869–1870 Dr Robert Boyd Kidd, BA, LLD (Dublin)
1871–1882 Farquhar Macrae
1882–1892 Charles Frederick Bourne, MA (Oxon)
1893–1922 James William Tibbs, CMG, MA (Oxon)
1922–1928 James Drummond, MA
1928–1935 Harold James Del Monte Mahon, BA
1935–1954 Colin McGregor Littlejohn, Coronation Medal, BSc, MA,
1954–1972 Sir Henry Cooper, Kt, CBE, MA (Hons)
1973–1993 Sir John Graham, KNZM, CBE, ED, MA (Hons)
1994–2012 John Morris, ONZM, MA (Hons)
2012 – Tim O'Connor, BEd

Notable alumni

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Main category: People educated at Auckland Grammar School
File:Auckland Boys Grammar School.jpg
The main building shortly after its completion in 1916

Academia

The Arts

Broadcasting

  • John Hawkesby – former news presenter for ONE News and 3 News in New Zealand
  • Kipsan Beck – former news presenter for Channel 11 Morning Talk, MCOTWorld, NBT, MCM, MTV in Thailand

Business

Literature

Public service

Science

Sport

Auckland Grammar has produced the most All Blacks out of any New Zealand school; it has a total of over 50 former All Blacks.[54]

Notes

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Top Academic School | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Venture Lodge | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  12. ↑ Trembath, 358.
  13. ↑ Trembath, 55.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ About Grammar | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  16. ↑ https://www.ags.school.nz/our-community/news-and-messages/show/3290
  17. ↑ Enrolment | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz (6 September 2010). Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Auckland-Grammar-07-11-2011
  23. ↑ Application Process for International Students | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Trembath, 313.
  29. ↑ Page22: Augusta Awards
  30. ↑ A serial director who has seen it all.
  31. ↑ HISTORY – COLIN MAIDEN PARK
  32. ↑ Denis Feeney ’68 | Auckland Grammar School. (PDF) . Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  33. ↑ Raymond Firth Archived 27 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ↑ Sir Hugh Kawharu | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  35. ↑ Sir Roger Moses ’68 | Auckland Grammar School. Gov-gen.govt.nz (2 September 2009). Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  36. ↑ Russell Crowe: Sweet, egotistical and charming – one of the biggest entertainment stars at. Mondostars.com. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  37. ↑ Max Gimblett ’50 | Auckland Grammar School. (PDF) . Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  38. ↑ Charles Goldie. Experiencefestival.com. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Page 22: Augusta Awards
  40. ↑ The New Zealand Edge : Media / NEWZEDGE : Arts: Russell Crowe: www.nzedge.com
  41. ↑ BIOGRAPHY – Sir James Fletcher. The Fletcher Trust. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  42. ↑ [1]. Dr John Gordon St Clair Buchanan. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Sir Thomas Rainsford BAVIN [Former Member]. Parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  45. ↑ New Zealand Government Ministers Hon Doug Graham. Executive.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  46. ↑ Augusta Awards / Old Boy of the Year | Auckland Grammar School[dead link]
  47. ↑ Sir Kenneth Keith | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  48. ↑ Sir George laking dies at 95, ending a life of public service | infonews.co.nz New Zealand's local news community[dead link]
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Sir Duncan McMullin ’40 | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  51. ↑ SIR LESLIE MUNRO – 12th Session. Un.org. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  52. ↑ Hon Dr Lockwood Smith ’61 | Auckland Grammar School. (PDF) . Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  53. ↑ Sir Graham Liggins | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ New Zealand All Blacks Player Profiles, Match Details and Statistics. Stats.allblacks.com (5 May 1983). Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  56. ↑ Hamish Carter | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Russell Crowe Media Man Australia. Mediaman.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  58. ↑ New Zealand All Blacks Player Profiles, Match Details and Statistics. Stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  59. ↑ Wales Coach Archive: Graham Henry: 1998 – 2002. WRU. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  60. ↑ Sir Edmund Hillary | Auckland Grammar School. Ags.school.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  61. ↑ Doug Howlett (rugby player) – Biography Research Guide. 123exp-biographies.com. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  62. ↑ New Zealand All Blacks Player Profiles, Match Details and Statistics. Stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 10 August 2011.

References

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External links

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