FUTURE GENERATION

Kayla-Jackson Shaw and Husna Nazari, AGGS Head Girls 2022

Auckland Girls’ Grammar School’s 2022 Dynamic Duo is encouraging Ponsonby parents to take a new look at Auckland’s oldest girls’ school.

AGGS has two Head Girls this year, Kayla-Jackson Shaw and Husna Nazari sharing the duties. Both feel they have blossomed exponentially through their five years at Auckland Girls’ and are encouraging local parents and teens to explore AGGS as a real option for an education “just around the corner”.

Many students travel from all over Auckland for an AGGS education – and both Husna and Kayla say that’s to the school’s advantage with the melting pot of cultures, views and backgrounds greatly benefiting the school’s students.

“We all come from different parts of Auckland and from different socio-economic levels, yet we are literally unified in one big sisterhood, explains Husna. “It’s something I love so much. Starting year nine was terrifying for me. I was the only one from my intermediate school and it was my first day of high school. It was also my first time wearing a hijab so I didn’t know what to expect. But I automatically knew that these girls had me - they were so kind and welcoming.”

Husna says that’s a theme which has continued throughout her five years at AGGS, and Kayla agrees the Auckland Girls’ student bond is a unique one.

“The best thing about AGGS is the culture and the diversity here, and how through those differences we can really bond and come together, not to mention the sisterhood everyone talks about! It’s nice knowing that you can go to your sisters but also your tuakana - your elders or your senior students – and know that they have your back.”

Kayla started at AGGS with a fractured connection to her culture and heritage but says that totally changed with her immersion in the school’s Nga Tumanako o Kahurangi programme – the whanau unit which caters for more than 100 girls at the school.

“Kahurangi has really helped me evolve as a person. I can truly say that being in Kahurangi has helped me connect back to where I’m from, and I feel that every girl who goes through Kahurangi feels the same way.”

Whether it’s culture, sport, drama, art or extra-curricular academic activities, both 2022 Head Girls believe there’s literally something for every student who walks through the school’s ornate and historic gates.

Says Husna: “There are a lot of choices. Whatever you’re interested in there is something for you at AGGS - sports, sustainability, drama, reading books. Every single thing, we have something on offer. It’s amazing.

“And the education is molded to you. I feel like every teacher works their hardest for the students and for their grades. Teachers really care about our education, which I think is lovely.”

Kayla’s also a fan of how passionate the AGGS staff are as they nurture their students through their five years at the school. “The teachers here are all amazing. It’s really cool to see how over time you also connect with them – and not just the girls you’re in class with,” says Kayla. “I’ve gotten really close with some of the teachers here and I just know I can go to them for anything. “I was brought up to ask a lot of questions and to not be scared to do so. I’ve challenged a lot here and that inclusion is always welcomed.”

With Auckland’s “Open Day Season” fast approaching, Husna agrees. She says while it’s fantastic that AGGS has such a great cross section of students from wider-Auckland, families who live close to Ponsonby and the city should also realise what a valuable education asset they have right on their doorstep.

“High school is a time when we discover our identity,” she explains. “And it’s really important to be at a school where you feel safe to do so. I think AGGS is that perfect environment, where girls during their teenage years can figure out who they are and who and where they want to be.”

Daisy Jones and the Six - 15+

In this book, when a record producer working with a band called ‘The Six’ meets a girl named Daisy Jones by chance, he realises that together Daisy and the band will change music history. The fictional band, ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’, become the most legendary and iconic band of the 70s. Their songs are played to this day, and they are widely known as one of the biggest influences on the music industry - yet nobody knows what caused the band’s shocking split.

Daisy Jones is an untouchable icon of fantastic songwriting and speaks her mind, but will she be able to overcome her drug addiction? Billy Dunne is the charismatic frontman of The Six. He knows what he wants for his band, and a carefree half-feral girl is not included in his plans.

This novel is written in an interview format - each character talks from their point of view on the band. All the characters feel incredibly realistic to the point that for a while I wondered if 'Daisy Jones and The Six' was an actual band from the 70s that I just hadn't heard of before. By un-glamorising the characters’ lives and telling the struggles they go through adds another dimension of realism and makes the characters more relatable.

Where some books romanticise addiction, 'Daisy Jones and The Six' showcases the raw and horrific side of it. Overall, this was a compelling read that kept me hooked. An Amazon Prime Video series is coming out based on this novel sometime next year and I’m incredibly excited to binge watch it all as soon as it’s released. (LUCY KENNEDY)  PN  out of 5!

www.lucykennedywriter.wixsite.com/reviews instagram @lucykennedyreviews

PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA

We invite you to visit our school on Tuesday 21st June. Our Principal will give short talks at 9.30am, 10.30am and 6.30pm. Students will lead tours of the school as part of your visit.

All prospecFve students for 2023 and their whānau are very welcome to aHend. We welcome whānau of students interested in enrolling in Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi, our Māori Whānau Unit.

Auckland Girls’ Grammar School welcomes enrolments from throughout the Auckland region and we hope you will take this opportunity to find out more about us. Parking is available at Gate 2, Howe Street, Freemans Bay.

Over the past two years the infamous Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed our society, altered the way we live our lives and has caused so much pain and suffering around the world.

Now it has completely taken over New Zealand, with one million-plus reported cases and counting! It's rare not to know someone who has had the virus. I seemed to be part of that group who endlessly dodged the illness, despite multiple brushes with it - until last week. Notwithstanding the numerous negative tests I took while nursing a sore throat, headache and high fever, the two red lines finally appeared on my RAT test!

I have to say it was somewhat of a relief to find that I hadn’t simply come down with a cold and I was destined to wrestle with Covid-19 at a later date. Also, it was nice to know that once recovered from the virus, there would be no more isolating for at least three months and I wouldn’t have to face the prospect of missing out on something really important, like my upcoming school ball. Another redeeming feature of my experience was that my family all came down with it together so we were able to support each other and keep each other company while shut off from the world.

Nevertheless, a week is a reasonable chunk of time to “lie low”. Hence, I needed a few plans to make the experience more enjoyable.

Honestly, the cure to getting through sickness often is binge watching a great TV series. It not only keeps your mind off what you are feeling at the time, but also provides you with some entertainment and hopefully a few laughs. In the autumn months I usually re-watch the classic "Gilmore Girls". A show that is so comforting it makes you instantly relax, cuddle up with a cup of tea and grab a fluffy blanket. For those not in the know, it follows a mother (who fell pregnant as a teenager) and her 16 year old daughter navigating the daily struggles and perks of living in a small town. I encourage you to jump on Netflix and give this drama/comedy a go if you're feeling a bit under the weather.

It gives you a chance to de-stress, and I promise that you will become emotionally attached to the characters. Another great series to binge watch if you like excitement and glamour is: "Selling Sunset". This TV programme follows Los Angeles real estate agents selling multi-million dollar homes, all while keeping it fashionable and dramatic. It's shows like these that really helped me forget about being sick and not lose my mind to boredom. In fact, the "Selling Sunset" spree became something of a family-bonding bender. The catfights, the clothes, and the luxurious LA landscapes kept us mesmerised and running for a seat on the couch.

Whilst I was stuck at home I often felt desperate for fresh air. Once I was up to it, I decided to go for calming walks (don’t worry, I avoided all people and this type of exercise is actually encouraged by the MoH). Some days I would just go around the block, and others I would walk a bit further. These jaunts gave my body some necessary action and I was also able to take in my surroundings. Ponsonby is filled with so many beautiful, leafy streets which are compellingly picturesque during the autumnal months. I just had to take advantage of all this free time! So as the morning sun seeped through the coppery, orange foliage, I put in my earphones and attempted to hike off my malaise.

In the end I feel the real remedy for Covid-19 was sleep. It may be stating the obvious, but allowing yourself to have at least one nap a day was highly beneficial. Get yourself all cozy and let your head sink deep into the pillow and hey presto - a dreamy, slumber engulfs you. Actually, I became quite a pro, napping all over the place: on the couch, outside with the warm sun on my face, by the fireplace and obviously in my bed. Even though I was barely doing anything, frankly, I was exhausted. Anyhow, I’m done for now and back to normal life. For those currently down with the dreaded virus, wishing you a speedy recovery! (HONOUR MITCHELL)  PN

The performance of both primary and secondary school students in New Zealand has been declining for more than a decade.

Currently, only 60% of 15-year-olds in New Zealand are achieving above the most basic level of reading, meaning a staggering 40% are struggling to read and write. Literacy is essential for achievement across the curriculum. Ensuring that all young people are able to read and write will ultimately have flow on effects for achievement across all school subjects, enabling students to engage more deeply with the full breadth of the curriculum. It is vital parents support their child’s learning and there are several things parents can do to help.

Ways to support your child at home with their literacy learning.

1. Promote reading at home. Have books, magazines, and newspapers available and on hand to read.

2. Encourage 20-30 minutes of reading a night for enjoyment for our upper primary students and high school students.

3. For our lower primary aged students, read nightly, either a book sent home from school or books they have at home.

Read aloud together, make it fun!

4. When out and about, read signs, packaging, billboards, timetables for buses, ferries, planes, etc.

5. Try to find a genre or series of books to hook your kids in so they want to keep reading. This will develop a lifelong love of reading.

6. For our reluctant readers, get them reading anything they are interested in or have a passion for. This might be sports or gaming magazines, content, comics, news from around the world, the Guinness book of records, or minecraft books. Anything is better than nothing!

NumberWorks’nWords has a fantastic literacy programme that suits all learners, from reluctant readers or writers to students who love English and need extension. The learning programmes cover essential skills which students need to have to be successful in the classroom and beyond.

Individualised tuition programmes include reading, comprehension, language skills (spelling and grammar), and writing for years 1 - 11. The team at NumberWorks’nWords Grey Lynn believe confidence is key to boosting academic results. By working together with families and schools, NumberWorks'nWords Grey Lynn have seen amazing results for their students.

For an initial discussion, email us to book a free assessment for your child today.

NUMBERWORKS’NWORDS Grey Lynn, 316 Richmond Rd, T: 09 360 0816, E: greylynn@numberworks.com, www.numberworksnwords.com/nz

St Cuthbert’s Junior School’s innovative ‘Stretch’ programme stretches the mind and gives girls a great foundation in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).

As a result, students receive a hands-on, engaging education from passionate and committed teachers, to fully equip them for the future.

At St Cuthbert’s Junior School, learning is fun and interactive. St Cuthbert’s Stretch programme empowers girls to question, learn, and grow together. Girls across Years 0 - 6 all experience science, technology, engineering, dance, drama, coding, robotics, languages and visual arts. The programme is designed by our experienced junior and senior teachers, resulting in an increased depth of knowledge from an early age.

Every Wednesday afternoon, teachers and students alike look forward to the inspiration each Stretch session brings, creating and exploring concepts together.

The girls collaborate on a common project and are encouraged to solve problems and to think differently, challenging themselves and one another, all while having fun. This experiential learning and teamwork fosters curiosity, perseverance, and resilience as well as leadership. Girls can explore a range of STEAM concepts and learn through their successes, as well as when things don’t quite go to plan. St Cuthbert’s Junior School teachers say it’s incredibly special seeing the girls’ confidence grow.

“This amazing programme helps uncover special and new talents, while stretching our students’ minds. It offers our girls another learning experience, enabling all our students to thrive and find their unique strengths.”

The classes are hands-on, creative and full of wonder. Many girls demonstrate natural talents for particular subjects gravitating to these, and teachers nurture their talents and interests so they can be further explored in Senior School.

For more information on St Cuthbert’s Junior School, and the innovative Stretch programme please visit stcuthberts.school.nz/juniorschool

Our Junior School is very close to full for 2023. We are accepting applications for 2024 and beyond. Please contact admissions@stcuthberts.school.nz at any time to seek advice on places.

ST CUTHBERT’S, Year 0 – 13, 122 Market Road, Epsom T: 09 520 8472, www.stcuthberts.school.nz