Takapuna Grammar School
Takapuna Grammar School | |
---|---|
Per Angusta Ad Augusta "Through endeavour to greatness" | |
Address | |
210 Lake Road Belmont Auckland 0622 New Zealand | |
Coordinates | 36°48′04″S 174°47′19″E / 36.8011°S 174.7886°ECoordinates: 36°48′04″S 174°47′19″E / 36.8011°S 174.7886°E |
Information | |
Type | State Co-educational Secondary (Years 9-13) |
Established | 1927 |
Ministry of Education Institution no. | 36 |
Principal | Mary Nixon |
School roll | 1676[1] (July 2016) |
Socio-economic decile | 10Z[2] |
Website |
www |
Takapuna Grammar School is a state coeducational secondary school located in the suburb of Belmont on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1927, the school mainly serves the eponymous suburb of Takapuna and the entire Devonport Peninsula. A total of 1676 students from Years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 18) attend the school as of July 2016.[1]
History
The foundation stone of Takapuna Grammar was laid on 6 April 1926 [3] with the school opening officially in 1927. Takapuna Grammar School was the first co-educational school under the auspices of the Auckland Grammar Schools’ Board, and established its own Board of Governors in 1955. The school retained the Auckland Grammar Lion and the motto "Per Angusta Ad Augusta" ("Through endeavour to greatness").[4]
In 2012, the school controversially attempted to ban sandals in an attempt to improve public perception of the school.[5] The decision was abandoned, however, after a group of students led by Abraham Coombs protested against the decision. The school subsequently surveyed students, parents, and teachers. The results of the poll (89% in opposition to the contentious decision) led to reinstatement of sandals in 2013.[6][7][8]
Development
In the 2000s, a $6.4 million ministry-funded three-stage upgrade began at TGS. The three-level building houses social science classrooms, a new library, and student service and social support centres were completed in the second term of 2009.[9]
Enrollment
Like many secondary schools in Auckland, Takapuna Grammar School operates an enrolment scheme to help curb roll numbers and prevent overcrowding. The school's enrolment zone, in which students residing are automatically entitled to be enrolled without rejection, covers the suburbs of Devonport, Narrow Neck, Bayswater, Belmont, Hauraki, Takapuna and parts of Milford.[10] Students residing outside the zone are accepted as roll places allow per the enrolment scheme order of preference and secret ballot, with siblings of current students getting first preference.
At the August 2011 Education Review Office (ERO) review of the school, Takapuna Grammar School had 1420 students, including 195 international students. Fifty-three percent of students were male and 47 percent were female. Sixty-five percent of students at the school identified as New Zealand European (Pākehā), nine percent as British or Irish, five percent as Māori, five percent as Korean, and three percent as Chinese.[11]
Curriculum
As a state school, Takapuna Grammar School follows The New Zealand Curriculum. Students in Year 11 complete the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 1. In Years 12 and 13, students can continue with NCEA levels 2 and 3, or complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.[12]
Notable students and alumni
- Finn Andrews - songwriter/musician, The Veils
- Sir Peter Blake - yachtsman
- Barry Brickell OBE - potter and conservationist
- Sophia Burn - musician, The Veils
- Howard Charles Clark - academic
- Hon Bruce Cliffe - cabinet minister
- Murray Deaker - deputy principal, radio host and television presenter
- Jacko Gill - shotputter
- Juliette Haigh - 1996-2000 - rower
- Paul Hitchcock - cricketer
- Gary Hurring - swimmer
- Brad Johnstone - rugby coach
- Marty Johnstone - (Mr Asia) murdered drug dealer[13]
- Eliza McCartney (2010-14) – pole vaulter [14]
- Danny Morrison - cricketer
- Paul Moss - general manager of Media Prima network, judge in 8TV's One in a Million singing contest and Malaysian Idol
- Simon Poelman - decathlete
- Ralph Roberts (athlete)|Ralph Roberts - yachtsman, MBE[15]
- Pamela Stephenson - Pamela Helen Stephenson Connolly - clinical psychologist, writer and actress
- Bert Sutcliffe - cricketer
- Sara Tetro - host of the TV3 NZ reality series New Zealand's Next Top Model
- Stephen Tindall - entrepreneur and founder of The Warehouse
- Pippa Wetzell - television presenter
- Gin Wigmore - singer/songwriter
- Peter Williams 1997–2001 - Alpine Skier 2010 Winter Olympics
- Ella Yelich-O'Connor, aka Lorde, singer-songwriter
- Groups
- The Checks (band) - musician
Notable former staff
- Ruth Aitken ONZM - 1980-1990 - English teacher - Coach of the Silver Ferns 2001 - 2012
- Jack Kelly - Headmaster 1970 - 1985, member of 1953-1954 All Black touring team
References
- 1 2 "Directory of Schools - as at 2 August 2016". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
- ↑ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ "Local History Online — Shore landmarks : [Takapuna Grammar School]". Localhistoryonline.org.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ↑ "Takapuna Grammar School | charter". Takapuna.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ↑ Liz Willis (2012-08-09). "Auckland School Wants Sandal Ban". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ↑ Marnie Hallahan (2013-03-07). "Plan to Ban Sandals at Takapuna Grammar Fails". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ↑ "Local History Online — North Shore Newspapers Index — Browse". Localhistoryonline.org.nz. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ↑ "Ad Augusta - December 2012 - Prestigious Dux Award" (PDF). Takapuna.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
- ↑ "Student Services, Social Sciences and Library". Retrieved 11 December 2008.
- ↑ "Enrolment Zone Map". Takapuna Grammar School. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ↑ "Takapuna Grammar School Education Review". Education Review Office. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ↑ "Curriculum". Takapuna Grammar School. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ↑ "Rude but harmless - the real Mr Asia". The Dominion Post. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
- ↑ Burnes, Campbell (26 November 2014). "College Sport: Trampolinist and pole vaulter scoop top honours as school athletes' wide talent recognised". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ↑ "Ad Augusta - The Ralph Roberts Student sErvies Centre" (PDF). Takapuna.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.