The school had its biggest intake of Year 9 students this year and its academic results year-on-year have sky rocketed – the 2025 results delivering exceptional numbers; 97.5% success in NCEA Level 3, 97.8% for Level 2, 92.6% (Level 1) and a 92% success rate for UE.
So with Open Day 2026 on the way, Ashmore’s hoping more Ponsonby parents might head their way to take a look at the under-the-radar jewel ‘just around the corner’ that is Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.
“I think Auckland Girls’ Grammar School absolutely punches above its weight,” Ashmore reiterates. “I think we are on a par with every other girls school in Auckland and in New Zealand. Auckland Girls’ is just doing a significant job in its education of girls. And, yes, we had our biggest intake of Year 9s this year, so I do think the word is out!”
AGGS’ students come from all over Auckland but Associate Principal and Ponsonby stalwart Maree Flannery says local parents may not be aware of the education on offer right on their doorstep.
She explains: “I don’t think local parents do know the hidden gem that’s on Howe St that is Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, with these amazing facilities and this beautiful, beautiful building. So they need to come along and see for themselves! – this magical place that is Auckland Girls Grammar School!”
Flannery has worked at AGGS for more than 15 years and, like the rest of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, is deeply passionate about a bespoke and tailored education for each and every girl. Ashmore, Flannery and the team go the extra mile to make sure every opportunity is given to each and every student.
Explains Ashmore: “I remember back in 2017 when I started. It was a great school where lots of girls were achieving but not EVERY girl.”
“And that has been my goal and my vision is that every single girl gets the opportunity to get the best education and the best achievement outcomes.
“We certainly are there or there abouts and we are just so excited about that. But we can’t stop. I mean I’d like to stop and say ‘ah we’re there’ but we know that every girl is different .. their needs, their strengths and their challenges are different. It’s a new year, we learn what works and we just keep going forward, together.”
While Ashmore, Flannery and the AGGS’ teaching staff work tirelessly and passionately, for students, being at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School is life changing, according to 2026 Deputy Head Girl Syrai Setefano.
“I think AGGS is infamous for the women that they develop in terms of confidence and strong will and being surrounded by that confidence,” says Syrai. “I think it has that kind-of domino effect. Like when you’re surrounded by happy people everyone’s laughing and you want to laugh … it’s like everyone’s confident in the room and so then you have to be confident!”
This year’s Head Girl Ryvah Cooper agrees: “We’re a very diverse school so having the teachers acknowledge that we’re not all the same – that in our uniqueness there is beauty – it makes us feel seen and very heard.”
Deputy Head Girl Kaliyah Kamo believes she’s living testament to that, saying her five years at AGGS has transformed her and prepared her for tertiary life beyond secondary school.
“When I first came to this school I was very shy, very in my own shell. I wasn’t very comfortable going out and speaking my mind. But now that I’ve been AGGS for the last five years … it’s definitely changed who I am. I’m a lot more confident in myself.”
Open Day gives potential students and their parents a chance to talk to staff and students, and check out the school itself – which is brimming with state of the art facilities.
There’s a dedicated science and maths block, a theatre, dance studio, technology block, a heated swimming pool and the just-opened fully renovated gymnasium, which has been six years in the making – that in itself is worth a peek for local parents and their daughters come Open Day.
“The gym is amazing,” laughs Ashmore, “For six years we have not had access to our gym so the grand opening earlier this year was a real celebration for everyone. It’s a stunning facility.”
While there’s no arguing that, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School is about more than what it offers in bricks-and-mortar.
Says Ashmore: “People know that if you send your girls to Auckland Girls’ you are going to get the absolute best opportunities for your daughters. And we’re not stopping. We are absolutely not stopping.
“We are always looking at what it is we can do better. We know getting 92 percent and 97.5 percent is unbelievable. But we want to sustain that. We are forever tweaking and thinking about how we can do the best for our students.”
Open Day has two sessions on 10 June – the first from 9.30am until 12 noon and the second from 6pm through until 7.30pm.
www.aggs.school.nz
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #loveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay @followers #followers @everyone #everyone #waitematalocalboard @highlight
