NZ’s largest school celebrates student success

New Zealand’s largest school, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (formerly The Correspondence School), celebrated the success of students around the country in a prize giving ceremony at the school in Wellington this month.

Eighty students received prizes or awards for their efforts in 2011, including Dux Seth King-Wall from the Bay of Plenty.

Twenty two students from around New Zealand attended the prize giving ceremony with their families. Chief Executive Mike Hollings said the prize winners represented the diverse body of students enrolled with Te Kura. 

“It was fantastic to see students from many different backgrounds celebrating their achievements, including students who have overcome significant challenges to achieve their learning goals this year.”

Students who attended the prize giving also took the opportunity to have a look around the school and meet their teachers. 

In addition to cross-school and subject prize winners, deserving students in each region received a Regional Merit Award for their achievements in 2011.

The prize giving ceremony also included a short film by Te Kura student Johanna Hertwich, who won several awards for the film at the inaugural Festival for the Future held in Wellington in November.

More than 27,000 students were enrolled with Te Kura this year, ranging from early childhood students (aged three and older) through to adult learners (including some in their eighties).  Of the school’s 4000 full-time primary and secondary students, most live in urban areas. They enrol with Te Kura because its personalised, flexible and authentic learning programmes meet their needs.

ENDS

Cross-school prize winners, 2011

   
TCSPSA Dux Award for overall excellence in year 13
Seth King-Wall, Katikati 
   
CE Officer’s Prize for meritorious work
Jordan Hoult, Christchurch 
   
Ex-pupils Association Prize for outstanding determination in overcoming difficulties
Jayden Steedman, Waimate 
   
Award for a Maori student who has made the most improvement in their studies
Denise Moka, Manukau
Francis Paaka, Christchurch 
   
Rural Women New Zealand Golden Jubilee Prize for general excellence and attitude to schoolwork for any students living in a remote area
Arthur Hertwich, Murchison
Taieke (Dux) Tata, Tauranga
   
Parents' Association 75th Jubilee Prize for dedication and commitment to schoolwork
Chad Cottle, Tologa Bay
Grace Percy, Glenorchy 
Nikkita Rangi, Upper Hutt
Shaun Baxter, Whanganui 
   
Mansfield (Fuchsia Trust) Prize awarded to a teen parent who has made the most of the opportunity to continue their education
Leah Anderton, Tauranga
   
Language Prize for adult students for achievement , progress and enthusiasm in Japanese
Joy Harding, Hamilton 
   
Elizabeth Boraman Memorial Prizes for students who have responded to challenges and made good progress in their studies
Casey-Lee Hurley, Hawera
Vita Smith, Auckland
  
The Special Education Prize for significant achievement in supported learning of Life Skills in years 11 to 13
Sarah Hussey, Kaiapoi 

Subject prize winners, 2011

Judith Waugh Prize for excellence in Music by a senior student
Gillian McNaughton, Waikanae  
    
70th Jubilee Prize for excellence in Art by a senior student
James Graves, Levin
    
Prize for excellence in Art History by a senior student
Emma Luoni-Todd, Napier 
   
The Janet McKenzie Memorial Prize for excellence in English in year 6
Jaime Rae-McGregor, Whanganui 
    
Award for excellence in English in years 7 to 10
Matthew Beardsworth, Auckland
    
Award for the student who has made an outstanding effort in English in years 7 to 10
Curtis Ryan Williams, Whangarei 
  
Millicent Mason Prize for high literary ability in year 11
Michael Kennerley, Waitakere 
    
Prize for excellence in English by a senior student
Ainsley Vickers, Matamata  

Award for outstanding effort in Health and Physical Education in years 7 to 10
Michael Birchall, Palmerston North                

Prize for excellence in Health and Physical Education by a senior student
Samuel Rayward, Nelson
     
Award for outstanding effort in e-Learning or Inquiry Learning in years 1 to 6
Alexander Hertwich, Murchison
    
Judith Waugh Prize for excellence in Latin
Sarah Wheeler, Hamilton

Prize for excellence in French as a second language by a senior student
Alison Faulls, Blenheim
    
Prize for excellence in Spanish as a second language by a senior student
Caitlin Jordan, Nelson 
    
Prize for excellence in Japanese as a second language by a senior student
Chloe Doole, Lower Hutt 
    
Prize for excellence in Classical Studies by a senior student
Kathryn Kennerley, Waitakere  
    
Prize for excellence in Te Reo Māori for a senior student
Waioira McLeod 

Prize for outstanding effort in Mathematics and Statistics in years 1 to 6
Jack Yeoman, Papakura  
    
Award for excellence in Mathematics and Statistics in years 7 to 10
Arthur Hertwich, Murchison  
    
First place Award for the student who has made an outstanding effort in Mathematics and Statistics in years 7 to 10
Michael Kennerley, Waitakere 
  
Prize for excellence in Mathematics with Calculus
Erin Massen, New Plymouth
Rebekah Wrigley, Lower Hutt
    
Prize for excellence in Mathematics and Statistics
Reuben Scowen, Invercargill 
   
Prize for outstanding effort in Science in Years 1 to 6
Chontelle Jenkins, Whangarei 
    
Award for excellence in Science in years 7 to 10
Aalia Khaled-Abbass, Wellington      
   
Prize for excellence in Chemistry by a senior student
Rebekah Wrigley, Lower Hutt 
    
Prize for excellence in Horticulture by a senior student
Chad Cottle, Tologa Bay
 
Prize for excellence in Biology by a senior student
Erin Maessen, New Plymouth 
    
Prize for excellence in Physics by a senior student
Corline (Corrie) Theron, Paraparaumu
    
Prize for outstanding effort in Social Studies in years 1 to 6
Ewan McCartie, Stratford 
    
Jenny Armstrong Memorial Accounting Prize for outstanding work in Accounting
Ben Reynolds, Westport 
    
Prize for excellence in History by a senior student
Dorothy Davidson,Whangarei
Ashleigh Fromont, New Plymouth
      
Reta Watson Prize for excellence in Graphics in years 7 to 10
Joshua Bury, Taihape
  
Vic Watson Memorial Prize for excellence in Technology in years 7 to 10
Joshua Thompson, Napier
    
The Willsher/Wood Prize for outstanding effort in Text and Information Management
Liam Dabb, Auckland  
    
Joyce Cooper Memorial Prize for effort and achievement in the study of textiles
Marie-Claire Drew, Hastings
    
New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institute Prize for excellence in NCEA level 1 Food and Nutrition
Kelsi Henderson, Christchurch 
    
Prize for excellence in Graphics by a senior student
Grace Carroll, Paraparaumu
    
Prize for excellence in Computing by a senior student
Justin Osbaldiston, Wellsford
    
Prize for excellence in Pathways by a senior student
Melody Neleman, Greymouth