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NEWSLETTER |
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TERM 3, ISSUE 1 |
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Principal’s message
Greetings parents and caregivers,
This term is promising to be another busy, productive time for our students. This newsletter highlights some of the events and opportunities that students have had already this term to experience learning outside the classroom, have success in both sports and the arts, and to celebrate our community. Term 3 is also a time where learning is consolidated and, for our senior students, fully tested with school based examinations. By the end of this term our Year 11, 12 and 13 students will have a clear picture of how they are tracking towards NCEA qualifications, and understand what next steps they need to take to meet their academic aspirations.
On Wednesday 23 July, we held our Careers and Subject Information Evening. It was a well-attended event that brought together students, whānau, subject teachers, and representatives from universities and industry. It was a good opportunity to ask questions, gather information, and start thinking intentionally about future pathways.
Subject selection is now open for all Year 10–12 students and closes at 8am on Monday 11 August. Students and caregivers can log in to School Bridge through the Parent Portal to browse available courses for 2026. Additional resources, including subject assembly recordings and further guidance, are available on the subject selection page on eLearn. Please remember selections need to be confirmed by a parent or caregiver.
Sincerely, OGA Founders AssemblyOn Tuesday, we were proud to join the Old Girls Association in recognising three outstanding alumnae with Founders Awards:
Citations were read by current students, with heartfelt replies from Rachael and Jaimee, who both spoke warmly about how their time at EGGS shaped their journeys. Their messages to our current students, to follow your passions, be true to yourself, and never give up were well received. Wailin’s award was accepted by her daughter Lydia, joined by whānau—three generations of EGGS students.
Thank you to OGA President Letitia Isa, Committee member Chantelle McGivern, and Secretary/Co-Treasurer Julie Goodyer for presenting the awards. |
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School ExamsSchool exams will take place in weeks 8 and 9 of this term for students in Years 11, 12, and 13. Study leave will start on Wednesday 3 September for all three year levels. Year 11 will return to class on Wednesday 10 September while Year 12 and 13 will remain on study leave for the whole of week 9. As part of the exam period there will be a consolidated learning day on Friday 12 September. On this day only students undertaking special assessments will be on site. All other students from Years 9 to 13, will be working from home.
The exam timetable will be viewable this week on student eLearn via the Assessments and Qualifications tab. Room information will be visible closer to the exam day and must be checked on the morning of each exam. There is an exam procedures and study assembly running on Monday 4 August for all Year 11 students and on Monday 11 August for Year 12 and 13 students. Please note that September sessions for the CAAs will also run during the exam window. Students will be notified if they are taking part in any of the CAA assessments. Study Skills WorkshopTo support students in studying for the exams, we are fortunate to have Patrick Sherratt running his study skills workshop on the evening of Monday 11 August. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through the school shop. The ticket price covers a student and their parents attending the workshop and a special study workbook to accompany the study skills he covers. |
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EGGS sports highlightsJenna Rope competes on the world stageCongratulations to Jenna Rope, who recently represented New Zealand at the 2025 World Dragon Boat Championships in Berlin, Germany. Competing against 1,288 crews, New Zealand secured 11 medals (4 gold, 7 silver, 1 bronze). We are proud to see an EGGS student competing internationally at the highest level. National water polo selectionsA huge congratulations also to Emily Rope and Amelia Lafaialii, selected for the Under-16 National Water Polo Team. They’ll travel to Australia to compete at the Australian National State Water Polo Championships where they will proudly represent both EGGS and New Zealand. Bronze medals at New Zealand secondary schools swimming champsOur EGGS Swimming Team had a strong showing in Hamilton winning three bronze medals:
Well done to all swimmers and thank you to teacher Ms McConachie for her support. Cycling success at North Island champsEGGS riders brought home five medals from the North Island Secondary School Road Cycling Championship:
To read all the sports news, including more success stories, click here. |
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Father/Grandfather and Daughter Breakfast
Join us on Wednesday 20 August, from 7.15 to 9.15am for a morning of connection and laughter. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy quality time with your daughters, share a delicious breakfast, and hear from our inspirational — and entertaining— guest speaker, Jeremy Corbett.
We are proud to support our Prefects, who have worked hard to organise this event and create meaningful experiences. Come along as we celebrate the men who support, guide, and lift us up, in what promises to be a fun and memorable start to the day with family, friends, and our school community.
Grab your tickets at the online shop. No physical tickets are required for this event. Simply check off your name with the Prefects when you arrive. |
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CERN Particle Physics Course Completion
Fifteen EGGS students from Years 11–13 recently completed a 16-module online particle physics course developed by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Students explored theoretical concepts and real-world applications, earning certificates for their achievement. They enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the course. “It was amazing to see how theoretical ideas connect to practical experiments like the cloud chamber.” said Tehreem Fatima. “I never realised how uncertain and complex the unknown parts of physics could be — it was fascinating.” It is exciting to see our students embracing academic challenges beyond the classroom. |
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MusicChoral successEGGS shone at the NZCF Big Sing Regional Festival on 12 June, with 180 students in four choirs. Highlights included Paradisum winning Te Tohu Manu Waiata for best waiata performance, Fiorente placing runner-up for recital programme, and Alice Yu (Year 11) winning Best Student Accompanist for Luminoso. Paradisum now prepares to attend the National Finale in Dunedin this August. KBB preparationsMeanwhile, our bands and orchestras are gearing up for the KBB Music Festival on 12 and 14 August at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell. EGGS will perform with three orchestras, a concert band, and a new Big Band directed by alumna Imogen Pearce. Daytime sessions are free; Gala Concert tickets are on iTicket. |
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Chinese Extravaganza 2025
Chinese Extravaganza 2025 dazzled audiences with three sold-out shows, featuring over 150 students from EGGS and AGS. Highlights included stunning dance, music, drama, and diabolo performances. These were all brought together by a dedicated team of performers, media, backstage crew, and leaders. The show was a vibrant celebration of cultural artistry and collaboration. Heartfelt thanks to our committee, crew, and incredible teachers — Ms Sood, Ms Liang, Ms van der Wende, Ms Gaskell, and Mx Komene. As Year 13s, we are proud to farewell the Chinese Cultural Group with full hearts and unforgettable memories. |
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Korean Night Celebration
In Week 6, our Korean group, in collaboration with Auckland Grammar School, hosted two vibrant Korean Night performances celebrating the richness of Korean culture. Each show featured a colourful array of music, dance, and tradition, brought to life by our talented students who dedicated countless hours to rehearsals. Their hard work paid off as both nights were met with enthusiastic cheers, laughter, and a wonderful sense of community. A special thanks to our K-Media team for capturing these unforgettable moments. |
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Dance Night
Our recent Dance Curriculum Night was a vibrant and memorable occasion—thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. This annual event is an opportunity for our Year 12 and 13 Dance students to showcase their skills in both performance and choreography, and it was exciting to see their interpretations of waves and movement, a concept explored in class. The evening featured a dynamic mix of hip hop, cultural dances, and original choreography, brought to life with energy and passion on stage, and seamless support behind the scenes.
A special thank you to Mr Williams, our exceptional RFAC technician, whose expertise brought each performance to life. The evening was a joyful celebration of creativity, dedication, and teamwork—congratulations to all involved on a truly spectacular show. |
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Culinary fare success
Congratulations to our talented culinary students on their outstanding achievements at the recent Culinary Fares. Their creativity and passion were on full display as they brought home six gold awards across barista skills, cupcakes, cold desserts, and a lamb entrée—alongside a host of other medals.
Each dish reflected their inventive flair, from bold flavours to beautiful presentation. Their dedication and support for one another was truly inspiring. Special thanks to Mr Low, Mrs Yang, and Mr Burbidge for their guidance and support throughout the event. |
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Year 12 Business Students Make a Difference Through Enterprise
This term, 80 Year 12 Business Studies students launched community focused ventures as part of their 9-credit internal. In small teams, they developed products, promoted them through the school website, and sold them at market days, refining their ideas with each round.
Their efforts raised over $500, with donations split between the Auckland City Mission and the Child Cancer Foundation. We are proud of their entrepreneurial spirit, teamwork, and the positive impact they’ve made.
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Spanish quiz evening
Last term, two teams from our Year 12 Spanish class represented EGGS at the Spanish Senior Quiz Evening, held at Takapuna Grammar School. Competing against 13 senior groups from across the country, one of our teams, led by Matilde Aylwin Montedonico, Georgina McCallum, Sofia Levy, and Matilda Rennie, achieved an impressive second place. The evening was a fun and dynamic opportunity for students to put their language and cultural knowledge into practice, while connecting with others who share a passion for Spanish. |
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Joutes Oratoires/French Debating Tournament
On 3 June, six of our French students took part in the inaugural Joutes Oratoires, a French debating tournament run entirely in French by the Alliance Française. Year 11 students Isla Kendall and Naomi Poynter, Year 12 students Dewmi Liyanage and Saanvi Sabharwal, and Year 13 students Clara Adams and Charlotte Warman debated complex topics such as whether it is too late to save the planet and if AI poses a danger to humanity. Our teams won five debates in total, with the Year 12 team reaching the semi-finals and placing 3rd equal out of 20 teams—a fantastic achievement. |
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Tour de QuizEight Year 11 students represented EGGS at the Tour de Quiz, competing against six other schools in French language challenges. EGGS won the tournament for the third year running. Chipo Chibamba placed 2nd overall, Ananya Rai was 2nd in both the French-speaking challenge and costume competition, and Naomi Poynter won 1st for best costume. The event was MC-ed by our French events leader Kate McGrath, with support from Year 12 and 13 helpers. |
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2025 Japanese Trivia NightOn 13 June, EGGS proudly hosted the Auckland Japanese Trivia Night for the fifth year running, in collaboration with the New Zealand Association of Japanese Teachers. More than a dozen Year 11 and 12 students helped welcome over 100 guests, supporting the smooth running of the event. Junior students represented EGGS in the trivia competition, and the evening wrapped up with everyone joining in traditional radio taisō (Japanese exercises). A big thank you to our senpai (seniors) for making the night such a success. |
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SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington National Shakespeare FestivalOver King’s Birthday weekend, Kuini Campbell-Behar and Meg Fleetwood travelled to Wellington with Ms Hesketh to represent EGGS at the SGCNZ National Shakespeare Festival. They attended workshops, toured theatres, and performed a 5-minute scene from Othello at the St James Theatre before an audience of nearly 1,000. It was an incredible opportunity to build confidence and develop acting skills. From this event, Kuini Campbell-Behar has been selected to be directed in a Shakespearean production with a troupe of actors from around the country. This will take place in Wellington in the next school holidays. |
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Ethics OlympiadTwo EGGS teams took part in the international Ethics Olympiad on Monday 26 May, joining over 400 teams from around the world. They discussed real-world ethical dilemmas — from AI relationships to curfews — with students from schools across Aotearoa. Our Year 12 team (Lily Ross, Dashani Patel, Izzy Pennington, Bonnie Lin, Annabel Sigley) and Year 13 team (Ava Tainui, Isla Pearce, Dirk McNair, Amber Cribbens) both received honourable mentions, with the Year 13s named most improved on the day. |
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Europe Grand Tour July 2025Over the holidays 16 Classics and Art History students and three teachers (Ms van der Wende, Ms Cleere and Ms Stringer) explored many of the sites and artworks students have been studying. They travelled to London, Paris, and through Italy - visiting Florence, Rome, and Sorrento - to view Van Gogh’s, Monet's, and Degas’ masterpieces in world-class galleries. They were wowed by the architecture of ancient Rome at the Colosseum and Pantheon. Highlights included standing beneath the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, walking the ruins of Pompeii, and climbing the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo. The trip brought ancient worlds and artistic movements to life. |
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BioMedical trip to SamoaDuring the July holidays, 44 students spent six days in Samoa as part of the biomedical experience — the first since before the pandemic. The group visited a community hospital, Samoa’s science research centre, and the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, as well as planting coral nurseries and spending time at a special needs school. Alongside talks on medicine and climate change, students immersed themselves in Samoan culture, forming friendships and enjoying plenty of food and laughter. It was an unforgettable experience, rich in learning and connection, with a strong focus on health, environment, and the future of the Pacific. Matou te alolofa ia Samoa! |
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TOI AwardTOI is a national wearable art competition that challenges students to transform storytelling into stunning, student-designed garments, in partnership with World of WearableArt (WOW). Our TOI team shone brightly at this year’s event, taking home the Outstanding Stage Presence award. Designed and created by Nina Landhuis and modelled by Scarlett Poppleton, the piece captivated the judges with its creativity and impact. The team forms part of the broader Showquest group led by Scarlett Poppleton and Belle Sergeev, whose leadership has helped foster a strong spirit of collaboration and innovation. |
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Lumino The DentistsThe Lumino the Dentists Mobile Unit will visit EGGS from 21 August 2025 as part of the fully funded School Smiles Programme. They offer free dental exams, oral health education, x-rays, and treatment for Year 9 to Year 13 students (up to 18-years-old). Enrolment details will be emailed to families soon. |
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