That’s become the mantra of Auckland Girls’ Grammar School as it urges local parents to take a look inside its century-old campus.
In 2025 AGGS celebrated its second year of impeccable academic results - NCEA Levels 1,2 and 3 all in the mid-90 percentile and UE success at 87.6 percent. And with Open Day on June 10 Principal Ngaire Ashmore hopes Ponsonby parents take the chance to give consideration to the school right on their doorstep.
Open Day is an opportunity to come in and look at our beautiful school, to chat with staff and to talk to our students … after all, our students are actually our best advertisement,” says Ashmore. “You may have walked or driven up or down Howe St and wondered what that school is with that magnificent old building and here’s a chance for you to come on in and see the school in action.”
Under Ashmore’s eight year tenure AGGS has gone from strength to strength, its academic numbers now footing it with the most elite schools in the country. The 2024 results followed up excellent 2023 results, making “outstanding” the new normal for Auckland Girls’.
Says Deputy Principal Maree Flannery: “I think more and more we are trying to be loud and proud and talk about what we are achieving and what we do. Because we have amazing results, we have amazing students and we have an amazing school with beautiful grounds and facilities. And we are very proud of it.”
Ashmore, Flannery and the rest of the Leadership team are especially proud that they think outside the box to get results. Each student is offered a bespoke education - customised to each individual to make sure every girl can be the best-she-can-be.
I’m just so fortunate to have an incredible staff,” explains Ashmore, “number one, highly qualified but number two, their absolute commitment to making the difference for every student.”
Auckland Girls’ doesn’t just offer academic excellence. With two swimming pools, a gym on the receiving end of a major renovation, a dance studio, undercover courts for sports, a science wing and specialist trade workshops there is literally anything any student could ever want.
There’s also wraparound health and wellbeing care: “We go above and beyond,” says Head of Faculty for P.E and Health Tanya Waka. “We have an amazing support system for our students. We have counselling, we have nurses, we have doctors here, physios. Every single student is offered that support. Everything is here for our kids.”
Adds Ashmore: "We just have significant caring. Caring for your daughter. Caring for her sense of self and her belief in what can be achieved.”
Deputy Principal Gavin Morgan, who - as a parent made the decision to send his own daughter to Auckland Girls’ Grammar School - sums it up: “We take very seriously that commitment to a five year partnership with parents and whānau.
"And in return we are going to try and make sure that the shy year nine who walks through our gates for the first time leaves as a really confident, proud woman on the eve of making a real impact on the world.”
Most importantly, the sentiment of AGGS’ staff is also felt by its students.
Year 12 pupil Amelia Hutchby believes the education offered to her by AGGS has been second to none, empowering her to achieve and flourish.
"Whenever we walk through the gates with our full uniform on we have a sense of pride towards our communities. It’s truly phenomenal being at AGGS - with all the diversity and being included in so many activities.”
And former Head Girl Delilah Vale, who’s now studying BioMed at Auckland University, agrees.
"I think the biggest thing about AGGS is that since it’s so diverse you get used to conversing with people who have completely different opinions or views of the world. And you get confident about sharing your ideas and knowing when to acknowledge others and work with others in a team, which is huge part of the uni life, and then work life as well.”
Adds Principal Ashmore: “Here at AGGS your daughter will feel a sense of self. She will find herself. And she will thrive.”
Pictured above: Principal Ngaire Ashmore
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