Our departing Deputy Principal John Stradwick has been named Albertian of the Year for ‘Leadership and Service to Education’.
Mr Stradwick, who has been appointed Principal of Cashmere High School in Christchurch and will be joining them next term, was acknowledged at the Year 13 Assembly on Wednesday and at Staff Briefing this morning.
Mr Stradwick was Head Prefect at MAGS in 1993, as pictured right, and rejoined the School in 2018 as Deputy Principal.
At the assembly, Headmaster Mr Drumm said Mr Stradwick’s contribution to our school and students over the past six years has been very significant.
Mr Drumm said, “We often talk about the importance of you as students being involved right across our MAGS Pillars. But this is also important for our staff – and Mr Stradwick has modelled that in every way.
“He has led the Curriculum area of the school working with all of the Heads of Faculties.
“He has also managed a number of sports teams including the 1st XV Rugby this year.
Mr Stradwick recently travelled to Wellington as manager of the Centennial Choir as they won Gold at the National Finale.
“He has redesigned our student leadership programme with a real focus on growing leadership right across the school – and a big part of that has been looking after the Prefects group.”
Before the The Albertian of the Year salver was presented to Mr Stradwick at assembly by Albertian and MAGS Foundation member Dale Griffiths, Mr Drumm said, “On behalf of all of our MAGS community, I thank Mr Stradwick for what he has done for our school. You leave our school in great heart and we wish you all the best with your new adventure at Cashmere.”
At Staff Briefing today, Mr Gibbs, pictured below, presented the Albertian of the Year salver to Mr Stradwick in front of staff, and reminisced about being his German teacher back in the 1990s.
Mr Gibbs said, “To me he is still the small enthusiastic boy with a shock of blonde hair. He moved from third stream to second stream to first stream in succeeding years. His reports speak of his gift of the gab. Sixth form accounting: “It was with his sense of humour and excellent communication skills that he impressed me most”. A bit of a backhander. From PE: “John always has a lot to say but I have no complaints about his attitude”. Seventh form history: “John approaches the subject with good-humoured easiness”.
“He is an honest man, a truthful man, and a decent man. He is a man bubbling with ideas: he brought us mentoring, for which I have only just forgiven him.”
Mr Stradwick thanked everyone for their generous words but said he felt like he was just getting started and the Albertian of the Year award was “more a vote of confidence for my future endeavours in education”.
He said his time at MAGS highlighted how dedicated and compassionate staff made a difference to students lives every day.
“It’s the people—the highly skilled, passionate, dedicated staff—who truly define what Mount Albert Grammar is all about.
“Great expert teachers, highly skilled coaches, and excellent support staff. It’s impossible to get outstanding outcomes with average adults.”
