For the first time since 2002, the TGS senior girls’ choir, Leonessa, travelled to Wellington, to perform at the Michael Fowler Centre for the Big Sing National Finale.
Along with 23 other choirs, Leonessa gave two competition performances over the three-days and a final presentation at the evening’s Gala Concert. At the Finale, all of the competition performances were streamed live to Facebook, and many TGS students and teachers alike waited anxiously, to watch their fellow students perform; cheering them on from afar.
This is the second consecutive year a TGS choir has been selected for the Finale, after the Chorale’s success last year. Leonessa, conducted by Jacob Moore, and accompanied by Gemma Lee, spent long hours rehearsing in the months before.
Before attending the finale, the talented choir earned themselves five awards at The Big Sing Regionals in Auckland, recognised for Best Choral Art Piece and Best Pasifika/NZ Piece. They were also the Runner Up Other Styles Piece for choirs who had not attended the Finale in two years, the overall Runner Up A Capella performance, and gained an overall Distinction award.
From the national finale they brought home silver and The Big Sing Youth Ambassadors' Award. This outstanding result astounded the girls, particularly the Youth Ambassadors Award, which is a prestigious commendation.
“The quality, energy, and enthusiasm every individual brought to the competition really made it so special,” comments chorister Tausala Faulalo, “I am so glad to have shared it all with such amazing girls.”
This Finale result was a great way to conclude a successful year of singing for Leonessa, and an inspiring experience for many of the members, including student Isabella Bouwer. “This was my first time at Big Sing Finale,” she says “and it was such an incredible experience. I learnt so much and am so proud of what Leonessa has achieved.”
By Nelly Farmiloe, Year 13 Journalism student
Assisting a Fijian school
Education - one of the most important things to make a well-rounded person, a basic human right. But unfortunately, not all students have the same access or the same resources as we have in New Zealand.
So, this year, the UNICEF club at school has started a stationery drive to assist students in Fiji. Initiated by leaders Wenyi Soon and Katja Neef, they aim to provide Navala Primary School with basic stationery items.
Navala Primary School is located in a traditional mountain village which was hit disastrously by the cyclone earlier this year, and is lacking in basic resources. Wenyi says: “Over the course of this term, students have generously donated a huge variety of stationery including folders, pens, pencils, rulers, and staplers, all in excellent condition. It’s wonderful to see so many students take part in such a worthwhile cause.” Katja Neef’s father will be travelling to Fiji towards the end of this year, and he intends to handover the stationery, to the people of Navala. As the third school term ends, we celebrate the spirit of support and community, shown by each and every Takapuna Grammar student through their donations.
By Laiba Batool, Year 11 Journalism student
Science HOF leaving for promotion
After six years as the Head Of Faculty of Science, Mr James Heneghan is moving to a Deputy Principal position at Long Bay College. Mr Heneghan came to Takapuna as HOD Science in 2012, after being at Rangitoto College for four years.
During his time at Takapuna he has led what he calls 'an amazing department'. He says Takapuna has a great science faculty and wonderful students. He has led some of them to success in the Rotary Science, and New Zealand next top engineer competitions, and is very proud of having had four Sir Paul Callahan National finalists in six years. He oversaw the development of the remodelled science precinct, now named after Rowan Nicks.
Mr Heneghan says he has wonderful memories of Takapuna. His real passion is for junior science. He believes that it is important to make science engaging and practical, and set up all students to take advantage of senior science-based courses. Mr Heneghan’s replacement is Mr Nick Kingston, the current HOD Science at Birkenhead College.
Well done to our young sportswomen
A couple of highlights from Tournament Week were the Senior Girls Netball team earning promotion into B grade for 2019 and the Girls Hockey First XI coming second in Division 4.
