Mount Albert Grammar School was invited to play a key role in the ceremony marking Sir Peter Snell’s presentation of gifts to Te Papa Tongarewa.
Head Girl Jaimee McLaughlan and Deputy Head Boy Jack Casey-Pickering both spoke at the ceremony attended by about 300 people on Tuesday, 18 April. Sir Peter attended MAGS from 1955-1957, as did his coach, the legendary Arthur Lydiard, from 1931-1932, and Te Papa Chief Excecutive Mr Rick Ellis is also an Albertian. Mr Ellis asked the school to be involved in the ceremony in which Sir Peter gifted the museum a collection of medals, trophies, and a running shoe designed by Arthur Lydiard.
Jaimee and Jack spoke of Sir Peter’s time at Mount Albert Grammar, where he exemplified the all-round involvement in school life that is still encouraged. As well as being a member of the First XV and First XI Cricket team, his main sporting success at school was in Tennis, as well as doing well in Athletics. Sir Peter’s name is on the school Honours Boards as School Tennis Champion in 1956 and 1957, Senior Athletics Champion in 1957, and Victor Ludorum that same year. He was also a Prefect and School House Prefect, having boarded at the House since he came to MAGS as a fifth former from his home in Te Aroha in 1955.
Sir Peter also excelled academically, indicating his achievement later in life when he gained a PhD in exercise physiology.
Both Sir Peter and Mr Ellis acknowledged the school in their speeches, and referred to the school motto of Per Angusta Ad Augusta – Through Hardship to Glory – as representative of the work that went in to Sir Peter’s success in running and in life.
Acting Headmaster Mr Paul McKinley accompanied Jaimee and Jack to Wellington, and Mr Ellis (right) gave the group a behind-the-scenes tour of Te Papa after the ceremony.
“Our students were a credit to the school and their speeches were very well received,” said Mr McKinley. “It was an honour and a privilege for Mount Albert Grammar to be represented at this special occasion in New Zealand’s history.”