Auckland Grammar School, Epsom, Auckland | Fees, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

From the outside, Auckland Grammar School may appear as a prestigious institution, known for its academic excellence, sure the school does hold a good history and ‘reputation’, you could send your son there if you don’t mind him being judged, pressured, and looked down on for the next 5 years and have his mental health affected. Beneath the glorified reputation are the severe issues that are only exposed to students. Many students have said that grammar feels like a prison for students, the toxic masculinity within the school is overwhelming, the pressure from these teachers are unmatched, especially Mr Lobb, who is known to be someone who abuses their power (not if you’re white or Maori that plays rugby). All teachers only care about the ‘reputation’ they build up towards the outside of school, pursuing its strict rules, but ignorant about how students actually feel about the school. For example, not a single new toilet for decades (ask the students about the conditions of these toilets, its indescribable), no winter uniform such as long pants and students cant wear jackets in some terms?. In every aspect, the school only cares for the school itself, not the students; short periods that sometimes don’t even teach anything but racist/sexist jokes. A class ranking system that seems professional but really just puts a pressure and destroys a kids mental health. High role teachers that abuse their power and authority and are ignorant towards international students (do not come to grammar if you are an international student as you will be disappointed by how unwelcoming grammar is compare to other schools), and operate as if they were robots. Grammar really lacks care and warmth towards students, I personally will not be sending my son here as I would not want him to be a nerd and I’d like him to be mentally healthy, unstressed, and discover purpose and freedom in life. Grammar needs to quit building a fake glorified reputation to the outside world and put more focus on the care and love for its actual students!!!!

Outstanding elite school for those that want to excel and achieve in life. If you want your son to have the best traditional education and network in the country that will set them up for the reality of life then send them here. If you want an artsy woke “progressive” school for a non-conformist then send them to one of a multitude of local schools which will reward them for participation.

I assume that many people would only review this place with strong passion; this reflects in the review distribution (Heaps of 1 and 5 star ratings). Consequently, it is difficult to find a genuinely accurate review.

Do your own research. Get your own interpretation of how the school operates. To further develop your stance on this, you should consider the following pointers:

– The school isn’t racist, only on rare occasions by bullies I assume. “Rich white people” is not politically right wing, but rather reflects global geopolitics and the history of New Zealand’s entire population in relation to the fact that there are a fair portion of white students
– The current headmaster Tim O Connor, despite the roboyically monotone sleep of his voice, is genuinely concerned for the emotional welfare of students
– Moreover, teachers are at times questionable. Supposefly great teachers from around the world teach here, but about 20% of them have concerning attitudes. Don’t let this discourage: AGS is one of the top performing schools academically and I believe maybe in extracurricular in the whole country.

Have the money? Have the decision? Well then you probably want to send your kids to this iterative progression project of repeatedly expanding the options for the lucky students that go here

Does not do the right thing and let a lot of teachers get a way with / mask questionable behaviours that would been condemned has it been known in the public sphere. For example, it is still employing a teacher who instead of teaching his subject in class, constantly get distracted and ramble about Asians, expressing racist thoughts about Asian people, to show he can defy political correctness in this country, just because he is / was married to an Asian person. How is it tolerated? Why do students need to be exposed to this? Why is this cultural incompetency still tolerated in such a culturally diverse school in the heart of one of NZ most culturally diverse city. He is still there after 20+ years and how come nobody came forward, given so many students / potential victims pass through his classroom? How come the school doesn’t know, why is the school so blind, focusing on attacking Ministry of Education and NCEA, instead of looking inward and seeing that problem is right in your classrooms?

And to this said teacher, if the same thing is done onto you, and your children, for whole calendar year, how would you feel? Then you would understand how your students feel. Having been exposed to Asian culture through familial ties, everyone who think you would be much more understanding and be empathetic, and wouldn’t act like a bigot. Unfortunately, such ties somehow fuel your own bigotry and you smartly utilise the power imbalance that is your classroom to express such bigotry on unwilling participants that are your students. Maybe share your thoughts to everyone in NZ instead in the privacy you generated in your classroom, victimising students that are yet fully grown into adult.. Go and join a political party if you are sick of political correctness. Students are going to school to learn not to listen to your personal rambles and problems, and be scarred with the experience.

I genuinely hope you have reformed or if not, may God forgive your sins and spare future victims from your clutches.

My son enjoys studying there. Most teachers are great, especially maths teacher Miss Sweeney, music teacher Mr Wasson and Japanese teacher Mr Cain. My son likes them very much. Thanks.