Waka Ama
Epsom Girls Grammar School is delighted to celebrate the success of two of our Waka Ama athletes, Temepara Apiata and Tawakeiti Reti, who recently competed at the 2025 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Distance Waka Ama Championships in Brazil.
Representing Aotearoa New Zealand in the J16 V6 16km event, their crew delivered an outstanding performance to finish in second place on the world stage. Adding to this achievement, Tawakeiti Reti secured another silver medal in the J16 V1 category, highlighting her individual skill and determination.
Lacrosse
Our Lacrosse team has capped off an extraordinary season with a commanding 9-4 victory in the National Championship final against St Peter’s this past weekend. The team went undefeated throughout the tournament on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August.
This national championship is the crowning achievement of an outstanding season that saw our team go unbeaten across all competitions - College Sport weekly competition, Auckland Championship, and Nationals. It's a rare feat that speaks to the exceptional talent and determination of our players.
Individual honors were also well-earned, with four of our students selected for the tournament team- Gabby Webb, Waka Sugi, Ava Gatie, & Frankie Booy. Head Coach Rosie Gunn was named coach of the tournament, a fitting recognition for guiding the team through this undefeated season.
This remarkable achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our players, the expertise of our coaching staff, and the strong support of our school community. Congratulations to everyone involved in this championship success!
9 students have been selected in the Auckland U18 Lacrosse Team
Waka Sugi, Gabby Webb, Maneet Kaur, Frankie Booy, Emma Choi, Rhiannon Candy, Ava Gatie, Kaylee Wong, Millie Gatie
Rock Climbing
The rock climbing team has really grown this year, and we’re proud to have such a dedicated group of climbers. If you’re interested, come join us for the 2026 season - everyone’s welcome! Huge congratulations to all who competed and placed throughout the season, most who were competing for the first time. Special mention to Amy Kirkham as overall 1st place in the Novice Junior Female category, and to Lucy Ernst as overall 3rd place in the Novice Senior Female category. We also had five climbers represent the school at the NZSS Bouldering Cup in New Plymouth, with Monica Ruszkiewicz making the semi-finals - an amazing achievement. Big thanks to our Student Leader Tara Barrett, TIC Sophie Purdon & Sam Watts, stand-in TIC Courtney Horler and parent helpers Leanne & Mark Kirkham for all their support, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Sam Watts, Chanel Davis, Olive Stenhouse, Monica Ruszkiewicz, Addison Ledger, Tara Barrett, Erin Arundale, Amy Kirkham, Sophie Purdon
NZSS Bouldering Cup Team: Olive Stenhouse, Addison Ledger, Amy Kirkham, Monica Ruszkiewicz, Sophy Brears
Underwater Hockey Season
Junior A & Senior A Team both finished 3rd overall in College Sport Auckland Season and Epsom Girls Grammar School was named Top Girls School.
Basketball Winter Tournament Week
The Premier Basketball Girls represented Epsom with pride and determination at Basketball Regionals last week. Every game was a showcase of heart and effort, highlighted by a thrilling 70–71 overtime battle against St Mary’s and a gritty 59–55 win over Kelston Girls. The team’s resilience and commitment saw them finish 10th place overall.
Throughout the week, the girls played their best basketball of the season. Year 10 Nova Anderson stood out with her consistency and energy, while Year 12 Oriwa Tipene delivered strong leadership and key performances. Year 10 Anaseini Malu also impressed with a confident debut at the premier level.
With such a young and talented squad, the team has laid an exciting foundation for future success.
Netball
The Premier 1 Netball team represented Epsom at the Upper North Island Secondary Schools tournament during Winter Tournament Week. The team worked hard during the pool play, being dealt a difficult hand having both Trident and St Cuthberts in their pool, who both went on to finish in the top 10. Due to this the team ended up in the bottom 16 after pool play even with a thrilling 29-28 win over St Cuthberts. After this blow, the team stepped up and went on to win the majority of their games the rest of the week to finish up 19th. The team's resilience over the week was impressive and the development from all 12 of our players throughout the week was clear to see. This will lay a solid foundation for the next few years of premier netball. We would also like to thank Monique Maynard and Stella Innes for their years of service to netball at Epsom and wish them all the best for their next journey as they graduate from Epsom Girls Grammar.
Hockey - 1st XI
The 1st XI Hockey team competed at the Chica Gilmore Cup in Tauranga for Winter Tournament Week. Winning their tournament last year they moved up to a higher skilled level to challenge themselves and grow. With a mixture of some wins and losses the team ended up placing 19th from 31. This team definitely made sure to have some fun whilst competing this year, having rookie initiations, birthday celebrations and a sister group dress up competition. It was a great way to end the season and we look forward to seeing what this team can do next year.
Curling
EGGS teams Eggsicles and Eggstra Cool EGGS competed at the annual North Island Secondary School Curling Championships, held at Paradice Ice Skating Rink Avondale.
Over the 2 days of competing against teams from Massey High School, Mount Albert Grammar, Rangitoto College, Lynfield College and Mount Roskill Grammar, our students performed well, showing great improvement over the season leading up to this competition, and demonstrated the Spirit of Curling.
Eggsicles and Eggstra Cool Eggs clinched a silver and fourth-place finish, respectively. Team Eggsicles consisted of team members Samantha Doreen, Kenzie Wu, Paula Jahn Chacon, Cleo Zipfel and Lilian Suggate. A big thank you to former teacher now coach of our Curling teams Pauline Farra and TIC Janette Ryan!
U18 Rugby Squad
8 students have been selected in the Auckland Central/West U18 Rugby Squad:
Sophia Govind
Hatesa Lemana
Telisa Ongoloka
Anakiu Opeti-Finau
Joyce Schaumkell
Mikaya Tonga
Michelle Tuihalangingie
Dellis Tuitupou
Football - 2nd XI
A massive congratulations to our 2nd XI Football team on an outstanding season! The team went undefeated in the Senior B division, winning all 12 games they played — an incredible feat that shows their skill, teamwork, and dedication. Over the season, they scored 41 goals while only conceding 5. This success is a result of their hard work on and off the field, as well as their strong team spirit and high commitment levels. Special mention to Coach Taryn Hamilton and Manager Bria McKay for their constant guidance, encouragement and refereeing throughout the season. Their commitment behind the scenes played a huge part in the team’s success. Well done to everyone involved - you’ve set the bar high for all of our football teams in 2026!
Football - 1st XI
Our 1st XI Football team recently competed at the NZSS Premier Girls Tournament in Taupō, facing off against the best football teams in New Zealand. It was a tough tournament, but the team showed incredible resilience, supporting each other and keeping a positive attitude despite multiple injury setbacks. It was a special bonding experience and a lot of fun was had throughout the week. By the end of the tournament, they had earned three wins and three losses, finishing 19th out of 31 teams. Special mention to our tournament MVP Poppy Sawyer who played nearly every minute! A huge thanks to our sponsor Anchor Te Toki Distribution, who kitted out the team with warm fleeces. Also big thanks to our captain Christelle McGuire, coach Hollie Leona, manager Sharne Roberts, parent helpers Amy Cameron & Kim O’Hara and TIC Sam Watts for all their hard work and support leading up to and throughout the tournament!
