Epsom Girls Grammar School
The principal is Brenda McNaughton, the 12th principal, who succeeded Lorraine Pound in 2024. She succeeds a long line of distinguished educators such as Margaret Bendall and Marjory Adams.
History
Epsom Girls' Grammar School was established through an endowment of land in 1850 and officially opened on 12 February 1917 with 174 students. Establishing Epsom Girls' was described as a "struggle", as "despite a clear need for a second girls’ school in Auckland, education administrators continued to prioritise boys’ education. Eventually EGGS emerged as an old, adapted Villa and a handful of classrooms on the Silver Road site. When the doors opened in 1917 the School had already exceeded capacity."
Boarding facilities are provided on-site at Epsom House, providing full accommodation for 150 students from overseas and rural New Zealand.
The Old Girls Association was established in 1921, and holds a number of events each year for alumnae.
In 2021, Metro (magazine) reported that Epsom Girls Grammar School was the top performing non-religious state school in Auckland over the last five years (based on Ministry of Education data of the five-year average of university entrance attainment).
Property prices in the Epsom Girls Grammar School and Auckland Grammar School school zones (known as the "double Grammar zone") are particularly high - Epsom Girls is the second most expensive school zone to buy in within Auckland (with the first being Auckland Grammar School). The zone covers large swathes of four of the city’s highest value suburbs – Remuera, Epsom, Parnell and Mount Eden. Real estate agents have commented that being in the "double Grammar zone" could add up to $500,000 to the value of a family home.
Principals
- Annie Christina Morrison 1917–1929
- Agnes L. Laudon 1930–1947
- Margaret G. Johnston 1948–1952
- Marjory F.E. Adams 1953–1970
- Alisa M. Blakey 1970–1979
- Gaewyn E. Griffiths 1979–1988
- Verna E. Dowdle 1988–1996
- Margaret A. Bendall 1996–2004
- Annette Sharp 2005–2008
- Madeline J. Gunn 2008–2016
- Lorraine Pound 2016–2023
- Brenda McNaughton 2024–present
Notable alumnae
- Petra Bagust – television presenter
- Joan Chapple – first New Zealand female plastic surgeon
- Helen Clark – 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand and former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
- Miriam Dell – President, National Council of Women
- Jeanette Fitzsimons – politician and former co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
- Taylor Flavell – professional squash player
- Kate Hawkesby – television presenter and radio broadcaster
- Hayley Holt – television presenter
- Rowena Jackson MBE – ballerina and later artistic director of the New Zealand Ballet Company
- Dorothy Jelicich – Member of Parliament for Hamilton West (1972–1975)
- Maggie Jenkins – New Zealand representative footballer
- Annalie Longo – International and professional footballer
- Marya Martin – flautist
- Moana Manley – swimmer and Miss New Zealand winner
- Joan Metge – anthropologist
- Ingrun Helgard Moeckel – German model and Miss Germany winner
- Hannah O'Neill – principal ballerina at the Paris Opera Ballet
- Susan Moller Okin – feminist philosopher
- Charlotte Piho – Cook Islands photographer
- Judith Potter – former High Court judge
- Suzanne Sinclair – Member of Parliament for Titirangi (1993–1996)
- Wilma Smith – lead violinist in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
- Jean Spencer – Olympic gymnast
- Freda Stark – dancer
- Chlöe Swarbrick – politician and co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
- Rima Te Wiata – comedian and actress
- Olivia Tennet – actress, dancer
- Karen Walker – fashion designer
- Augusta Wallace – first woman appointed to the judiciary in New Zealand
- Lois White – artist
See also
References
- ^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Senior Leadership Team". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ Lynn, Alastair (27 January 2016). "Lorraine Pound takes the reins at Epsom Girls Grammar School". Stuff (company). Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ Robyn Langwell (23 December 2007). "Principal's shock exit from Epsom Girls". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "Our History". Epsom Girls Grammar School. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Our History". Epsom Girls Grammar School. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Who we are". Epsom Girls Grammar School. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Epsom Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association Inc". Epsom Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association Inc. Online Community. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Inderbitzen-Waller, Karen. "Metro — The Best Schools in Auckland". www.metromag.co.nz. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "$2m-plus: Prices soar in top school zones". NZ Herald. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Martin, Nicola (1 January 2024). "'Steroids for house prices': Do Auckland buyers still care about double grammar zone?". Oneroof. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. "Morrison, Annie Christina". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Epsom Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association (Inc)" (PDF). April 2018.
- ^ "Epsom Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association (Inc)" (PDF). February 2017.
- ^ "Pōwhiri welcomes new students, staff and new Principal". Epsom Girls Grammar School. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "TEACHERS REGISTER Parts B and C SECONDARY and TECHNICAL" (PDF). 26 April 1979.
- ^ "Lifelong learner Gae Griffiths: still attending lectures at 81 - The University of Auckland". www.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Gaewyn Griffiths ONZM" (PDF).
- ^ "Principal's shock exit from Epsom Girls". NZ Herald. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "12 Questions: Madeline Gunn". NZ Herald. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Counts, Education. "Ministry of Education - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Founders' Awards" (PDF). 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
- ^ "Helen Clark | Biography & Facts". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ "Secure Hayley Holt for your next event today!". Essential Talent NZ. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Kiwi ballerina Hannah O'Neill wins top dance prize". The New Zealand Herald. 18 May 2016. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ^ "Stark, Freda Beatrice – Biography – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". teara.govt.nz.
- ^ "Rima Te Wiata". Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ Hewitson, Michele (20 June 2007). "Genius at work – Karen Walker". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "White, Anna Lois – Biography – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". teara.govt.nz.
Book of Memories: Epsom Girls Grammar School 1917–1992
Epsom Girls Grammar School golden jubilee 1917–1967