DUX 2017 TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE. Katherine Jacobs

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1 DECEMBER 2017 TAKAPUNA GRAMMAR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE PRINCIPAL S REPORT CELEBRATING 90 YEARS TE POHO O TE TOIONA CAMP BALL 2017 GREASE DUX 2017 Katherine Jacobs Congratulations to Katherine Jacobs who was awarded Dux of the School for The Dux is the most prestigious award in any school as it goes to the top scholar. This award at Takapuna Grammar School is highly sought after and highly competitive. To be Dux at Takapuna Grammar School, is to join a very select and elite group of the highest achievers in New Zealand. Katherine has had exceptional academic success throughout her years at Takapuna Grammar School. This year she is ranked in her subjects as follows: English French Mathematics and Statistics Spanish Physics 1st 1st 1st 1st 3rd In 2016, as a Year 12 student, she gained a National Scholarship in English and Spanish. At that year s prize-giving she received the June Spooner Award for Academic Excellence in Year 12. This year Katherine has undertaken a full year course at Canterbury University in Mathematics and has gained an overall grade of A+. All her credits in Year 13 to date have been at Excellence level. Katherine s academic record at Takapuna Grammar School is exceptional. She is motivated, tenacious and independent in her learning, achieving across a range of disciplines. She is a gifted language learner. Katherine consistently produces work of the highest level, well considered, original and thoughtfully crafted. 22 Jun, Katherine has still made time to be involved in a range of co-curricular activities. Aligned to her studies in French, she plays petanque. She supports her fellow students as a Peer Support Leader and part of the Peer Whanau team. She is a Student Librarian and a member of the Girls in Stem and Enterprise Clubs. Katherine also plays with the String Ensemble. Katherine has exceptional academic talent and a very bright tertiary future awaits her. 1 DECEMBER

2 Principal s Article December 2017 Term Dates 2018 As 2017 comes to a close we can reflect with pride on all we have done and achieved in one of the busiest years in recent times. There has been a flurry of special occasions and some big events. External reviews have been a feature this year. These are a considerable undertaking for staff and the Board but the feedback supports what we do here is having a significant positive impact on our students. The Special Education Faculty review, completed early in the year, praised every facet of the operation. The teaching programmes and care of this group of students was deemed to be of the highest quality. These findings gave credit to staff whose daily work requires extra special qualities, patience and dedication. Last week these staff and students went on their annual week-long camp to Rotorua. The photos later in this edition relay the fabulous experience had by all of them. The Education Review Office visited in March and awarded a rare, second, consecutive four to five year return time. This shows their belief in the exceptional calibre of people, relationships, learning programmes and results found year upon year at Takapuna Grammar School. The International Baccalaureate has now been offered here for five years. The school has two world-class qualification pathways and an external review of IB was carried out in late October. The results of this will be available in the new year. To be put under close scrutiny is valuable and provided positive feedback for the work being done in the school every day. Teaching is the core business of our operation and validation is essential and heartening. Another feature of 2017 was the 90th reunion. This was a highlight for over 1,000 former pupils who visited at Labour Weekend for a fabulous time of reminiscing, catching up with friends and seeing what school is like nowadays. Our students captivated our alumni who found the young people highly intelligent and at ease socially. They were fascinated at how genuine and interested our adolescents are and admired their confidence in meeting and mixing with new people. We hope to build on the connections made over the weekend and have regular occasions like this that bring the different generations together. There are many benefits to be gained from diverse groups of people talking and finding out about each other. Young people need to know more about the world of work and possible pathways. Social media and other aspects of living in today s complex, hectic world are areas we can all navigate better if we come together more. No one can do everything by themselves any more. Collaborating with others who share some similarities such as attending the same school is likely to foster mutual benefits. Takapuna Grammar School is part of a Community of Learning aka our Devonport-Takapuna Kāhui Ako. Principals and teachers from our local schools are working together on several initiatives. Together we will raise student engagement and achievement with key areas of focus including writing, mathematics, cultural aspects and NCEA. Teachers are sharing information like never before and students are involved in music, sport, art, and other activities that bring them together for fun and learning. The building programme is gaining momentum with the beautifully renovated hall now back in use. The main building will be completed at the end of 2018 so we have started work on an aspirational plan for developing the whole site with Belmont Intermediate School. We look forward to talking more with our community on how we can achieve local facilities that will benefit thousands of students and others in our community. Thank you to all of you who have helped make this year a productive and enjoyable one. The leavers function held in the last week brought staff, parents and Year 13s together for the last time. It was very special to enjoy each other s company. We are proud of all of them. They are a diverse group of fabulous people whose skills and values will make the world better. This makes the work we do together with our families, worth doing. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday and look forward to seeing you in the new year. Term One: Tuesday 30th January to Friday 13 April Tuesday 30th January Wednesday 31st January Thursday 1st February Friday 2nd February Tuesday 6th February Friday 20th March Monday 2nd April Tuesday 3rd April Friday 13th April Term Two: Monday 30th April to Friday 6th July Friday 1st June Monday 4th June Tuesday 5th June Term Three: Monday 23rd July to Friday 28th September Monday 3rd September Term Four: Monday 15th October to Friday 7th December Year 12 and Year 13 students only, 11.45am start 11.45am-1.15pm Assembly in Assembly Hall, followed by Whanau Form Class 1.15pm Peer Support Leaders to Assembly Hall Year 9 students only, 9.00am to 3.00pm 9.00am Students to be met by Prefects at school entrances and escorted to Assembly Hall for Powhiri Whanau Form Class, Orientation and Peer Support to follow Year 9 students only, 8.40am to 3.05pm 8.40am Whanau Form Class, followed by full day of classes All students, Year 9 to Year 13, 8.40am to 3.05pm 8.40am Whanau Form Class, followed by full day of classes 8.40am Year 10 and 11 students who are new to TGS to the Assembly Hall to receive timetables, followed by full day of classes Waitangi Day School closed Good Friday School closed Easter Monday School closed Easter Tuesday School closed Last day of Term 1! School closed Queen s Birthday School closed School closed School closed Nga mihi nui, Mary Nixon Monday 22nd October Labour Day - School closed 2 DECEMBER

3 Year 11 Luke Ambler: Distinction Science James Arrowsmith: Distinction English Charlotte Body: 1st Classical Studies, The Norah Hamlin Trophy, 1st History Niamh Chalmers-Greaney: Excellence Spanish Ghita Cherddararat: 1st English for Academic Purposes Ty Coutts: Excellence Health Isabella Dunleavy: Distinction Visual Arts - Digital Harrison Free: 1st English Literacy Anya Fry: Distinction Media Studies Jessie Gair-Ah Siu: Distinction Geography Jessica Hamlin: Distinction English Kyle Hensel: 1st Computer Science Benjamin Holt: Distinction Mathematics Extension Jessie Jeffreys: 1st Mathematics Applied Lucy Jenkinson: Distinction Mathematics Emmanuel Jiang: Distinction Mathematics Frank Johnson: 1st Media Studies Jamie Kang: Excellence Art Hamza Khan: Excellence Special Education Suyeon Kim: 1st Chemistry, Excellence Japanese, Distinction Physics Libby Lord: Distinction Biology, Distinction Chemistry, Distinction English, Excellence Geography, The Mathematics Cup - 1st Mathematics Extension, 1st Physics Rebecca Lu: Distinction Mathematics Cei Cei Luk: 1st Science Eva MacKenzie: Excellence Technology Food and Nutrition Zoe Martin: 1st Accounting Campbell McKegg: Distinction Science Carina Oliver: 1st Drama, Excellence Technology Soft Materials, 1st Visual Arts - Digital Riko Oyamada: 1st English as a Second Language Volkan Ozyurteri: Excellence Te Reo Maori Francesca Parussini: 1st Music Phoebe Peng: Distinction Computer Science, Distinction Physics Faith Poppelwell: 1st Biology, 1st English, 1st French, Distinction History Laila Roman: 1st Dance Hiroaki Sakon: 1st English as a Second Language Wenyi Soon: Distinction Computer Scienc, Distinction English Sarah Sun: 1st Mathematics Claudia Toxopeus: 1st Business Studies Purim Triratanachat: 1st Design Visual Communication William Twiss: Distinction Geography, 1st Physical Education William Vernon: Excellence Technology Resistant Materials Anna Videler: 1st Economics and Accounting Senior Prizegiving Year 12 Amadeo Barrioneuvo-Grosman: 1st Media Studies The Robin Holding Award, 1st Art History, 1st Visual Arts Design, Distinction Visual Arts - Photography Eloise Blewden: 1st Visual Arts - Practical Lydia Brewer: 1st Biology, 1st Mathematics Statistics Jessica Cheung: Distinction IB Individuals and Societies Harry Christian: Excellence Technology Furniture and Construction Olga Chrzanowska: Excellence Geography, Distinction Mathematics Statistics Mollie Cornfield: 1st Music Amanda Dai: Excellence IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science Ellie Dragicevich: Excellence Hospitality Daniel Eaton: Distinction Visual Arts - Design Hazel Escott: Excellence French Sinalei Faulalo: 1st Drama James Hwang: Distinction Accounting, 1st Economics, 1st Mathematics Extension Xinyi (Kellie) Ke: Excellence Chinese, 1st Mathematics Aliesha Kemp: 1st Dance Christopher Laws: Excellence Spanish Kate Lee: Distinction Biology, Distinction Chemistry, 1st English, 1st History The Gallipoli Stone, Distinction Physics, 1st Mathematics Calculus Harry Lochhead: Excellence Tourism Jiejie (Tora) Ma: Distinction Mathematics Finn McDonald: 1st English Literacy Abigail McDonald: 1st Musical Theatre Luci McDougall: 1st Visual Arts - Photography You Jin Noh: 1st Chemistry, 1st English for Academic Purposes, Excellence Japanese Gaige Nortje: 1st Physical Education The Wareham Shield Year 12 Darius Osing: Distinction Geography, Excellence German Tanisha Pal: Excellence IB Science Luke Pank: Distinction English, Distinction Geography, Distinction Physics Seungwoo (Kelly) Park: Excellence IB Mathematics Luke Patterson: Distinction Mathematics Extension, 1st Physics Hannah Posthouwer: Distinction English Marian Sarah: Excellence Special Education Rebecca Scholtz: Distinction English, Distinction Mathematics, 1st Classical Studies The C.C. Robinson Award, 1st Drama Amanda Sim: 1st Accounting Brad Tan: 1st Computer Science Sharon Tang: Excellence IB Creativity, Activity, Service, Excellence IB Literature, Excellence IB Spanish Ab Initio, Excellence IB TOK, Excellence IB Overall Sarah Warmington: Excellence Health Louise Wigram: Distinction English, Distinction History Natasha Willis: Distinction English Literacy Tessa Wishart: 1st Business Studies, Excellence Technology Soft Materials Zhaoqi (Wendy) Xia: Excellence IB English Language, Distinction IB Literature, Distinction IB Mathematics, Distinction IB Overall. Woosik Yoon: Excellence Technology Resistant Materials Renee Young: Distinction Biology Seulmir (Victor) Yu: 1st Design Visual Communication Qingya (Rita) Zhou: Excellence IB Visual Arts, Distinction IB English Language Christine Zhou: Excellence IB Individuals and Societies, Excellence IB Spanish. Year 13 Cheyenne Abraham: Excellence Te Reo Maori Olivia Andrevski: Excellence Spanish Rory Bessell: Excellence German Fin Bowen: 1st Music Theatre Meg Buckingham: Photolife Award 1st Visual Arts - Photography Dougal Burden: Distinction English, Toynbee Cup 1st History Mitchell Cuthbert: Distinction Chemistry, Distinction Mathematics Statistics Emilly Fan: Distinction Biology Andy Feng: Distinction Accounting Oscar Finnemore: 1st Design Visual Communication, Excellence Geography Julia Giurgiu: C.C. Robinson Award 1st Classical Studies Joe Glover: 1st Tourism Sean Green: Wareham Shield Year 13, 1st Physical Education Halim Hoskin: Excellence Health Katherine Jacobs: Excellence Spanish, Sam Dorrington Memorial Award 1st English, Short Shield 1st Mathematics Statistics, Excellence French Aoke Jiang: Excellence Chinese, Distinction Geography, Distinction Physics Darya Kharitonova: Margaret Cullingworth Award, 1st Art History Soyun Kim: Excellence Japanese Kate Lee (Year 12): 1st Mathematics Calculus Hyun Jeong Lee: Distinction Mathematics Statistics Sophia Lord: Distinction History Richard Lu: Margaret Cullingworth Award 1st Accounting, 1st Chemistry, 1st Physics Adam McPheat: Excellence English Internal Harvey Merton: 1st Biology, 1st Computer Science, 1st Economics, Distinction Mathematics Calculus Brett O'Neill: Distinction History George Rea-Bucknall: 1st Visual Arts - Painting Alex Roberts 1st Technology Furniture & Construction Poppy Ross: Distinction English, 1st Music Shayla Rua-Chase: 1st Business Studies Molly Ryan: Excellence Special Education Rebecca Scholtz (Year 12): 1st Drama Sunghyun Shin: White Cliffe Timber Award Excellence Technology Resistant Materials, Excellence Visual Arts - Design Hayley Tubb: 1st Media Studies Caitlin White: 1st Dance Joshua Whyte: Excellence Hospitality Jenna Williams: Excellence Technology Soft Materials Special Awards DUX of the School: Katherine Jacobs Proxime Accessit: Harvey Merton Academic Excellence Level 3: Mitchell Cuthbert Aoke Jiang Ella Johnson Richard Lu Spooner Cup - School Spirit: Gabriel Jones Academic Excellence Year 12: The June Spooner Award, Kate Lee and Luke Pank Academic Excellence Year 11: The June Spooner Award, Libby Lord and Faith Poppelwell The White Cup: Year 12 School Spirit, Lockie McNair Chubb Cleverdon Cup: Year 11 School Spirit, Volkan Ozyurteri Gold Merit Awards: Cameron Burton, Callum Easterbrook, Emilly Fan, Kate Fan, Kate Lee, Iris Leng, Harvey Merton, Ella Pearson, Poppy Ross Citations for personal excellence: Imogen Ayris, Nina Edgar, Oscar Elworthy, Josh Kench, Arabella Maynard, Luci McDougall, Sebastian Safka, Sofie Safkova, Saskia Vosper Duke Of Edinburgh Gold: Michael de Boyett, Theo Hoyte, Finn Murphy, Lucy O Keefe, Ella Pearson, Alice Yorke. IB Awards Cloe Barbera: Excellence Year 2 IB Spanish, Excellence Year 2 IB Geography Thomas Benison: Excellence Year 2 IB English Literature, Excellence Year 2 Theory of Knowledge First equal Gabrielle Jones: Excellence Year 2 IB Visual Arts Jack Maran: Excellence Year 2 IB Biology Yujie (Stephanie) Wang: Excellence Year 2 IB Chinese Literature, Excellence Year 2 IB English Language, Excellence Year 2 IB Economics, Excellence Year 2 IB Physics, Excellence Year 2 IB Mathematics Suhwoo (Veronica) Yoon: Excellence Year 2 IB Spanish ab initio, Excellence Year 2 IB History, Excellence Year 2 IB Chemistry, Excellence Year 2 Theory of Knowledge First equal Jungha Lee: Excellence Year 2 Creativity, Activity, Services Cup House Trophy: Ihi House Pensinsular Cup: Gabriel Jones Farquarson Shield: Jarrah Swift and Zoe Drake Year 11 Speech Cup: Francesca Parussini Margaret Campbell Shield (Languages): Katherine Jacobs Mike Donald Memorial Shield (Visual Arts): Seongsuh (Annabelle) Kim The Pat Hanly Award: Alice Wu The Tony Steele Award: Cheyenne Abraham The Post Award: David Rereiti AFS Award: Kate Fan Zonta International Leadership Award: Kate Lee The Library Service Award: Iris Leng The Aroha Cup: Shaina Campbell-Howard The Sucess Cup: Vicki Bridle The Malcolm Fairgray Cup for Horticulture Special Ed: Haris Khan The Prentice Award: James Dinsdale Benefitz Graphic Design Scholarship: Sam Harris The Ex-pupils Scholarship: Joshua Downs The IB CAS Award: Sharon Tang TGS International Student Scholarship: You Jin Noh Rowan Nicks Scholarship: Ella Johnson The Warren Mason Scholarship: Katherine Jacobs The Dorace Mason Scholarship: Mitchell Cuthbert The PTA Encouragement Award: Daniel Vosper Devonport RSA Memorial Trust Award: Ruby Wangford Devonport Rotary Club Scholarship: Halim Hoskin and Lucy O Keefe Battersby Vase for Head Girl: Ella Pearson Ian Gray Memorial Trophy for Head Boy: Harvey Merton The 1970 Prefects Cup for Sportsman of the Year: Will Watson The Sandie Wiltshire Cup for Sportswoman of the Year: Kate Williams University Scholarships Auckland University: Dougal Burden, Emilly Fan, Harvey Merton, Katherine Jacobs, Poppy Ross, Aoke Jiang Massey University: Jacqui Lynch, Holly Blair, Alice Yorke, Samael Knaap Victoria University: Jack Breen, Jacob Byron-McKay, Ben Clark, Lara Dyer, Oscar Finnemore, Amelia Hay, Madeline Hill,Rina McDonald, Jarrah Swift, Annabel Thompson, Jenna Williams AUT University: Madison Coghlan, Jude Gair-Ah Siu, Ella Pearson, Alice Wu Otago University: Saffie Doughty,Oliver Gent, Arushni Nacker, Serena Young 4 DECEMBER

4 Celebrating 90 Years Takapuna Grammar School celebrated its 90th Birthday. We attracted 1062 attendees and an absolutely fabulous long weekend of celebration, connecting with old friends and colleagues was had by all. 6 DECEMBER

5 Te Poho o te Raiona Opening of the Takapuna Grammar School recently renovated hall. This has now been named as Te Poho o te Raiona The Heart of the Lion named by school students. 8 DECEMBER

6 AD AUGUSTA Heads Up Year 9 Core Art These paintings were inspired by the work of a Canadian artist Sandra Silberzweig and were completed in a term by our Year 9 core classes using acryilic paint. Students based each of the artworks on an animal head which they had to abstract and add patterns to. They learnt a little about the process of geometric abstraction, how to mix and blend colours and how to apply pattern and outline with control. Emphasis was also placed on building up interesting layers of paint and colour using a variety of techniques. 10 DECEMBER

7 Special Education Camp Rotorua Every year the Special Education Department packs its bags and heads off to Rotorua for a week long camp. It is the highlight of the year and a chance for us all to try new experiences, learn to manage ourselves away from home and enjoy the company of our friends. This year we braved the Zorb, swam at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre and in the Blue Lake, watched a Kapa Haka performance (and took part) and sat down to a formal Hangi dinner. We also visited a new attraction in Rotorua called 3D Trick Art. Here the students put themselves into 2D paintings that when a photo is taken it suddenly turns into a 3D piece of art. Every year our students are challenged but so enjoy the camaraderie of the camp environment. We are all looking forward to next year. 12 DECEMBER

8 Student Design Award Modelled by Loretta Riach Congratulations to Tessa Wishart who won second place in the Student Design Competition for Years with her Zero Waste project. There were a record number of entries in the senior division throughout New Zealand and the quality of the entries was extremely high making judging difficult. Tessa's focus was Sustainable Design and she wanted to create a Zero waste garment. After a lot of research she finally came up with the idea of using tyre tubing which was supplied free from a motorbike shop and also used wood offcuts from hard tech student s projects. She also sourced recycled fabric to make the under dress. She originally hand cut some of the tyre tubing but realised that it was very time intensive so she then learnt how to use the laser cutter and was able to achieve a faster result. She was inspired by armour and how humans need protection from not only physical elements but also emotional and psychological as well. She carried out intensive research and created a stand out Neck piece that was shown at the TGS Fashion Show at The Bruce Mason Theatre. 14 DECEMBER

9 Year 9 Camp Chosen Valley The Year 9 s have recently returned from another amazing camp at Chosen Valley. Chosen Valley provides an opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in a range of outdoor activities such as kayaking, archery, team building activities, a confidence course and much much more. The students were fantastic and many of them challenged themselves, overcame some of their fears, and made many new friends along the way. A huge thank you must go to all of the staff that helped run the camps. 16 DECEMBER

10 International Department End of year International Programme With NCEA exams taking up the time of many TGS students, a smaller group of 30 international students, who do not have to sit these exams because they arrived later in the academic year, have been offered a varied and fascinating programme. The group began the month long program with peer support training where they learnt how to work together as a group and develop their leadership skills. They have been on trips to places Rangitoto Island, Piha Beach and Parakai Hot Springs, as well as working with local primary school children in a community service role. Departments around the school have run special classes in Performing Arts, English, Maths, Science, Food Technology, Hard and Soft technology, Photography, Languages, Media, Geography and much more. Students launched rockets, wood carved designs, programmed laser printers and even performed their very own choreographed stage show. They experienced what it is like to train on a rowing erg and later visited the TGS rowing club at Bayswater Marina to learn their way around the boats. One day was spent with the IB students leading an Amazing Race challenge in Auckland city while the library staff put everyone through their paces. The Special Education Department also enjoyed the company of the international students for a day. The programme drew to a close with the students helping to plan and prepare a traditional Hangi for all the staff involved. 18 DECEMBER

11 TGS Ball 2017 This year s senior school ball was held at Ellerslie Convention Centre with the theme Secret Garden and is the highlight for many Year 12 and 13 students - this years 2017 ball was no exception with over 600 guests attending the occasion. Prince and Princess were awarded to Maxwell Bridge and Shemaiah Porter, with King and Queen going to Callum Easterbrook and Arushni Naicker. 20 DECEMBER

12 Fashion Show When Worlds Collide This years fashion and dance show proved to be a fantastic evening. Students showcased their undeniable fashion and dance talents at the Bruce Mason Theatre to a full house. The dancers awed the crowd with the different genres of dance whilst some of our students strutted the catwalk wearing fabulous designs giving the audience their best poses. 22 DECEMBER

13 Grease is the Word It took less than five minutes for the whole audience to clap and wave the Rydell High School flags, as an amazing cast of young talented students performed the all-time favourite musical Grease. They performed for five days with six performances in total. Every single song was sun beautifully, with the audience holding their breath, only to loosen up when the song had finished. The whole show was mesmerising. 24 DECEMBER

14 Sir Peter Blake Explore Rangitoto During the term 2 holidays a group of IB and NCEA Visual Art students got together with Mr Potter and painted the Sir Peter Blake mural. The idea had been talked about for a while, but with the winning of the America s cup we were reminded of the amazing contributions Sir Peter made to our society, and as an ex-student how pertinent it would be to have a mural somewhere on the building named after him. We are very happy with the location and the students really had a great experience making some public art. Students involved were Natasha Willis, Caitlin Killick, Ella McLeod, Nick Svendsen, Rosa Oliver, Grace Colebourn and Lucy Anderson. A wonderful effort from the students and we look forward to painting the next one of our alumni! All of our Year 10s recently had the opportunity to explore Rangitoto in preparation for sitting Level 1 NCEA internal assessments in Science, English and Physical Education. They made cross-curricular links as they searched for evidence of geological processes at the same time as being socially responsible and all the while searching for the perfect words to describe the experience. It was great to have the opportunity to get so much learning out of a feature that dominates our school s outlook. We all made sure to wave from the summit - the white-wrapped main block was very distinctive. 26 DECEMBER

15 Leadership Learning Day Students from Years 9-13 got together in the library to work with Ella Pearson Head Girl, Harvey Merton Head Boy and Donald Jessep from Strengths.NZ. Students had the opportunity to listen to Donald talk about leadership and helping leaders create a culture that allows them to be highly effective and work with others in a team environment. They also talked about appreciating their natural talents and how to develop them into strengths. 28