The completion of the first five years of the IB Diploma at the school has been celebrated with our first score of 45. Yujie (Stephanie) Wang received the highest possible total for her Diploma. Stephanie led a 33-strong cohort, with 30 students gaining their Diplomas; including two more students over 40.
Throughout her two years in the course Stephanie has shone. Her work ethic has been amazing and her dedication to all aspects of the diploma have been exemplary. She received the subject prizes for Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Chinese and English B at the IB Prize Giving. The Core elements that include an extended essay of 4000 words and service hours in creativity, activity and service have also been a strength for Stephanie.
She worked as a tutor throughout two-year period and was the Academic Coordinator, with the After School Programme at Belmont Intermediate School. This programme aims to help intermediate school students, especially international students, with their academic studies via tutorial sessions. In addition, Stephanie volunteered in a Bilingual Program, based in Northcote Library, helping children from Chinese families to learn English as well as Chinese. She also organised a group to perform a traditional Chinese dance at the annual International Night.
Suhwoo (Veronica) Yoon was awarded a 43. She was first in Spanish Ab Initio, History, Chemistry and Theory of Knowledge, at Prize Giving, and the joint winner, with Stephanie, of the Jackie Rodgers Cup for Excellence in International Baccalaureate. JJ (Jack) Maran, who also found time to be the student representative on the Board of Trustees, was awarded a 41.
A busy holiday for our thespians and dancers
A small group of our students have achieved a national first; the first high school group to represent New Zealand at an American Junior Theatre festival. They have returned from an amazing week of musical theatre education in New York City and an epic weekend of musical theatre at "Junior Theater Festival 2018", in Atlanta, where, as the TGS Broadway Tour team they won an Excellence in Acting Award.
Individual success was achieved by Frank Ramdhandie and Michael Self, both selected as All-Star performers for their roles in Beauty and the Beast JR. In addition, six of the dancers: Abigail McDonald, Miles Ford, Emma Self, Michael Self, Jess Arrowsmith and Alice Crawly made it through to final call-backs for Broadway JR choreography filming, in New York. An extra highlight was Miles, Emma, Michael and Abigail being hired by a professional choreographer to serve as dance assistants and even paid in USD!
And then, the icing on the cake; Best Male Performer from 6000 participants was Miles Ford.
Not the usual way for teenagers to spend their summer holidays but an amazing adventure and to experience such success, is wonderful.
Our students volunteer in Cambodia and Laos
A very special group of TGS students and two dedicated teachers, Ms Hannah Kelly and Mr Matt Cade, gave up their holiday break, as part of the World Challenge program and travelled to Cambodia and Laos for three weeks. The 13 students had to plan, execute and lead their own journey that involved jungle trekking and four days as volunteers at the Laos Wildlife Rescue Centre. There was also time to become immersed in the local culture, experience street food, and to be tourists for a while too.
Matt and Hannah were justifiable very proud of the students who displayed outstanding leadership skills, community service and demonstrated international mindedness. Their work at the Wildlife Centre included the construction of a macaque enclosure at centre, formally the Laos Zoo, which is being upgraded, with improved conditions that focus on conservation. The managers at the Rescue Centre were beyond grateful for the contributions of the students; both for their hard work and the donation of funds, to complete the final enclosure, in the Primate stage of the redevelopment. It was an awesome achievement that powerfully illustrated the potential of our students.
A great summer for cricket
Our cricketers have had great success in their respective representative sides over the summer break. Samantha Petherick and Emily Handyside, were in the Auckland Hearts Under 18 Girls’ team that won the National U18 Tournament. In addition, Anna Browning, Ruby Worrall, Libby Easterbrook and Kennedy Scott, played for the Auckland Under 15 Girls’ team, winning the National U15 Tournament and Campbell McKegg, played in the Auckland Under 17 Boys’ side that won the National U17 Tournament.
Anna Browning was Captain of her North Harbour team at the Auckland Districts Girls’ U15 Tournament where she was the highest run scorer, top wicket-taker and took the most catches at the Tournament.
