also received a Silver Award and was one point off receiving a Gold Award. The Music department provides a student-based Show Band for the school's annual show. The music department performs at over 50 events in the school and community each year including strong representation at the KBB Festival, Tauranga Jazz Festival, Stand Up Stand Out competition and Auckland School Jazz Band Competition. Public concerts include the Jazz and Soul Night and the Classical Concert. Avondale College has been named one of the best New Zealand secondary schools in performing School Shows. They each occur annually and is usually a musical. In the past times, the school has performed plays, but ended in the early 2000s all performed at the Avondale College Theatre. Recent shows have included Grease, High School Musical, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, Godspell, Miss Saigon, Fame, Footloose, Hairspray, Rock of Ages, Catch Me If You Can, In the Heights, and Legally Blonde. Avondale College has participated in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge (Stage Challenge) for many years. The school has won first place successfully with two wins in a row within their divisions. Each win in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, they placed second overall. The school has been well awarded on many awards of dance and drama in the competition. Notable alumni and staff B. J. Anthony – New Zealand basketball player John Banks – politician, former MP and Mayor of Auckland (also attended Heretaunga College) Emily Drumm – New Zealand cricketer, former captain of the New Zealand women's national cricket team Cameron Duncan – film maker Maurice Gee – author Campbell Grayson – New Zealand squash player Martin Guptill – cricketer, member of New Zealand national cricket team (2009–present) Sir Murray Halberg – middle-distance runner, Olympic gold medallist. The Halberg Awards are named in his honour. Leon Henry – New Zealand basketball player Rose McIver – actress Francis Meli – New Zealand rugby league player Grace Nweke – New Zealand netball player and Silver Fern Ajaz Patel – New Zealand cricketer, member of New Zealand national cricket team (2018–present) Jeet Raval – New Zealand cricketer, member of New Zealand national cricket team (2016–present) Bill Robinson – scientist Maurice Shadbolt – author Jamie Smith – hockey player, former captain of the New Zealand men's national field hockey team. Is now a Senior Manager at Avondale College. Lindsay Tait – New Zealand basketball player References External