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 Simon Lamb
School roll 1687[1] (March 2015)
Socio-economic decile 10Z[2]
Website www.takapuna.school.nz

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 1687 students from Years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 18) attend the school as of March 2015.[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]

Enrolment

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

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Directory of Schools - as at 7 April 2015". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  2. ↑ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Local History Online — Shore landmarks : [Takapuna Grammar School]". Localhistoryonline.org.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  4. ↑ "Takapuna Grammar School | charter". Takapuna.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  5. ↑ Liz Willis (2012-08-09). "Auckland School Wants Sandal Ban". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  6. ↑ Marnie Hallahan (2013-03-07). "Plan to Ban Sandals at Takapuna Grammar Fails". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  7. ↑ "Local History Online — North Shore Newspapers Index — Browse". Localhistoryonline.org.nz. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  8. ↑ "Ad Augusta - December 2012 - Prestigious Dux Award" (PDF). Takapuna.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  9. ↑ "Student Services, Social Sciences and Library". Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  10. ↑ "Enrolment Zone Map". Takapuna Grammar School. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Takapuna Grammar School Education Review". Education Review Office. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Curriculum". Takapuna Grammar School. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Ralph ROBERTS Awarded SPARC Lifetime Achievement". Members.sailing.org. 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  14. ↑ "Ad Augusta - The Ralph Roberts Student sErvies Centre" (PDF). Takapuna.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  15. ↑ "Rude but harmless - the real Mr Asia". The Dominion Post. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  16. ↑ Ihaka, James; Jones, Nicholas (12 March 2013). "Kiwi songbird with Universal appeal". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2013.

External links