Auckland Girls Grammar School’s Open Day

Auckland Girls Grammar School’s hoping to showcase its recent evolution to local parents with its 2018 Open Day.

Under new Principal Ngaire Ashmore, who took over last year, the school’s undergone a shake-up, producing astounding results through hard work and a steadfast attitude that students can be all they want to be.

The numbers tell the story with a spike in academic achievement. Under Ashmore the AGGS’ level one pass rates have gone from 78 percent to 90, level two from 84 to 94 percent and level three from 68 all the way up to 80 percent.

Principal Ashmore’s proud of the stats, but says it’s just the beginning of the school’s ongoing progression: “We want to give our students every opportunity to be engaged,” she explains. “We want them to be challenged and to take calculated risks in an environment where they are valued and nurtured.”

The 2018 Open Day aims to show a slice of the life of a student at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, from her arrival at 8.30 in the morning through to her after school tutorial, sports practice or working on a dance routine.

Says Ashmore: “Open day 2018 is an opportunity to come and see just what Auckland Girls’ is all about now. It’s seeing the day in action but it’s also a chance to come and ask questions of teachers, students and our leadership team and to have a look at everything that Auckland Girls’ has to offer.”

Ashmore’s joined in her regime by Deputy Principal Maree Flannery (who’s a Ponsonby local) and newly appointed Deputy Gavin Morgan, who’s right behind his boss’ sentiments.

“I think people locally have no idea of the hidden gem that’s sitting at the bottom of Ponsonby,” says Morgan.

“They see a lot of girls coming from out of the area but if you are in Ponsonby I really urge you to think about coming to our school because not only is your daughter going to capitalise academically, she’ll also be at a school offering an absolute commitment to recognising the untapped potential of its girls.”

And AGGS isn’t just offering up academic opportunity. There’s plenty on offer culturally and on the sports field. Flannery, a former Black Sticks Hockey player, says the school aims to produce champions.

“I don’t think people realise how many successful women have been educated at Auckland Girls’,” Flannery explains. “Even looking just at netball we have the current Silver Ferns captain Katrina Grant as well as Kayla Cullen, Teresa Tairi and Sheryl Clarke. In the comedy world Rose Matafeo was a previous head girl, and we have people like Innes Asher who’s the head of Peadiatrics at Starship. The list of achievers is enormous.”

Meantime, Principal Ashmore and her team are hopeful local parents will at least check out how the school’s advancing by stopping in on Open Day.

“Open Day’s important on many levels but especially so for parents who’re contemplating making such a big decision for their daughters for the next few years of their life,” Ashmore says.

“You may have walked or driven up and down Howe Street and wondered what that school is with the magnificent buildings .. and now’s the chance to come and take a look for yourself and get a sense of what we’re about and what we offer.

“And I think for us it’s a chance to meet our local community and to talk with parents about the aspirations, dreams and wishes they have for their daughters.”

Open Day is May 31 at the school from 9.30am – 1230, with an information evening that night from 6.30 – 8.30pm.

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