Farewell John Morris
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October 2012 - Volume 20 No. 5 Ad Augusta Farewell John Morris AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE Contents Report from the Board .................................................................................................. Page 3 John Morris has been fearless As one era ends, another begins .................................................................................. Page 4 in doing what he thinks has been Sports: Round Up ......................................................................................................... Page 6 best for Grammar. Sports: Staff vs Prefects Matches ............................................................................... Page 8 Sports: Grammar Olympian athletes and Spirit of New Zealand trip .......................... Page 9 Academic: 25th IYPT, Brain Bee Challenge and Chemistry Olympiad ..................... Page 10 Report from the Board Academic: History Quiz, Alliance Française Competition & French School Exchange Page 11 his term we welcome Mr Tim output from the Music Department and the Grammar all-rounder – confident Arts: Pipe Band performs for Clan Donald and The Diary of Anne Frank ..................Page 12 T O’Connor, previously Rector of those involved in the annual Production and well prepared to embark on the next Palmerston North Boys’ High School, as never ceases to amaze. stage of his life. Arts: Virtuosi wins Gold at KBB and The Minister’s Plate ......................................... Page 13 the eleventh Headmaster of Auckland But as with those who have John Morris is a man of humanity, Grammar School. In doing so, it is preceded him, John has realised that integrity, tenacity, ambition and passion. Events: 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner ....................................................................... Page 14 appropriate to reflect on John Morris’s the main objective of the School must He has displayed all of these qualities 19-year tenure as Headmaster. always be to ensure that every boy so admirably during the time he has led Events: Art Exhibition and Ernst & Young winners .................................................... Page 15 The decision to appoint John as attains the highest level of academic this School. He has been fearless in Headmaster, made by the Board of Events: Prefects Ball ................................................................................................... Page 16 achievement that is possible for him. doing what he thinks has been best for Trustees in 1993, has been richly The introduction of the Cambridge Grammar. Staff News: Eight staff celebrate 25 years at Grammar .............................................Page 17 rewarded by the contribution he has International Examination System, On a personal note, and from a made to the School. Although John was against strong Government opposition, Board perspective, John has been Tibbs House 50th Reunion Celebrations ................................................................... Page 18 not an Old Boy, he set himself the goal has been a stellar example of this. outstanding to work with. His time has of understanding the history of Grammar Consequently, huge emphasis has been been freely available and his professional The Buchanan Scholarship to Tibbs House ............................................................... Page 19 and what made the place tick, thus placed on the recruitment, retention yet personal relationship with the Board acquiring an encyclopaedic knowledge and rewarding of outstanding teachers has assisted greatly with our governance Campaign: Annual Appeal .......................................................................................... Page 20 of the School. This has enabled him to through the setting up of a sabbatical responsibilities. preserve the traditions and ethos of the programme and the establishment I would also like to acknowledge Notices: 2013 Term Dates, Leavers’ Lunch, International Homestays ..................... Page 22 School so wonderfully during the past of the Academic Endowment Fund and thank Jan Morris for her enormous 19 years. within the Foundation Trust. This has contribution to the School and wonderful Old Boys’ News During John’s time here the roll has been reflected in the excellent results support for John. Being the Headmaster grown from under 1900 to in excess of constantly achieved in the Scholarship, of Auckland Grammar School is a job OBA President’s Introduction: Jim Whineray ............................................................ Page 23 2500. The multi-cultural diversity of the Cambridge and NCEA exams, as well as that makes demands 24 hours a day and School roll has expanded, reflecting the a Learning Support Department that is 7 days a week. It can only be performed OBA AGM Dinner and Boat Building at Grammar ..................................................... Page 24 changes in Auckland’s population. probably the best in New Zealand. when there is a committed partnership Development of the School Campus There has also been the such as is enjoyed by John and Jan. Pub Quiz and War Memorial drawings....................................................................... Page 25 has continued. Not only was the Main enhancement of the intangible but very There is no doubt that John stands Building refurbished to the highest real spirit that lies within the School. It alongside the other great Headmasters Form 6 Leadership Awards and ’92 1st XV Reunion ................................................. Page 26 standard, but three magnificent new is doubtful whether any Headmaster in of Auckland Grammar School; Tibbs, buildings have also been constructed; the history of Auckland Grammar School Cooper and Graham, and the Morris era UK Reunion ................................................................................................................. Page 27 the Old Boys’ Pavilion, the Technology has been as admired, supported and will be his legacy to the School. News of Old Boys ....................................................................................................... Page 28 Block and the Sports Centre. The embraced by his students, as has been On behalf of the Board I thank John playing surfaces for sports, including the case with John. for his outstanding stewardship of Grammar Families: The Aimer family ......................................................................... Page 30 the refurbished hockey turf, have never History shows us that the School Auckland Grammar School, and wish Editor been better. These were all products of has been blessed in its leadership him and Jan the very best for their future Amanda Harkness Obituaries, Upcoming Events and Reunion Dates..................................................... Page 31 the Headmaster’s vision for the School, with outstanding men who were endeavours. and his determination to provide the right for their times. Inherent in them Per Angusta, Ad Augusta. Contact Details best facilities possible for his students. all has been an unwavering belief in Editor The School’s achievements across the ultimate importance of academic Ad Augusta a wide range of co-curricular activities achievement, allied with the need for, Auckland Grammar School have continued to impress. Auckland, and importance of, the co-curricular Private Bag 99930 regional and national titles are regularly pursuits offered by the School. This has Jeff Blackburn Newmarket Front Cover: Headmaster and former All White Mr John Morris, as he prepares to play in won in a host of sports. The quality of continued to produce down the years Chair AGS Board of Trustees Auckland 1149 his final Staff vs Prefects football match. (Photo by Max Thomson). Email: [email protected] Ad Augusta | October 2012 | page 3 and their enthusiastic involvement As one in the wider life of the School were inspirational to me and I decided at era ends... 16 years of age that teaching would be my career. The significance of hen John Morris was first great teachers should never be under- W appointed Headmaster at Grammar estimated.” in 1993, he was charged by the Board After completing his Masters in and wider Grammar community to guide History at The University of Auckland, the School through its next epoch and Mr Morris’s career included teaching to keep the traditions of the School as at Kelston Boys’ and Avondale College befit a Grammar School for boys. These and the Headmastership at Takapuna traditions were: Grammar School for three years before “First and foremost, the scholarly, joining Auckland Grammar School. disciplined and creative pursuit of Now, after almost 40 years of Celebrating with the gold medal winning U18 eight at the 2011 Maadi Cup. learning. teaching, he says: “I would like to do hugely significant part of my life and Boys’ High School, while modernising Active, quality participation in those The face of enlightened leadership. something different which takes me out an experience I will always treasure. the education the boys receive. His finer aspects of our cultures: art, drama, of my comfort zone, although still in the My best wishes to the School for a vision is to develop educated men of music and poetry. word which depicts the very essence When Mr Morris became education world, but without the routine successful future. Per Angusta Ad outstanding character, something that Physical development, comradeship of Grammar and how important it is to Headmaster, he recalls it was a and commitments that come with running Augusta.” Auckland Grammar School