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Scholars and Honours Board

A special feature of this school is its magnificent academic record. The primary focus of Auckland Grammar School is of course academia – every other aspect of school life is secondary to this. The first lines of our mission states:

“Auckland Grammar School will provide young men with a rigorous academic education. Each young man is expected to pursue excellence in acquiring knowledge and skills while upholding the School’s values.”

The young men who will cross the stage today deserve recognition for academic excellence in 2023. It is important to the very being of this school that we celebrate academia in the manner we do today.

Performance in Cambridge A level examinations and Scholarship examinations or equivalents in different decades of our history, have provided the benchmark indicators for inclusion on the prestigious honours boards that frame this hall.

These boards recognise top academic performers through our School’s history. Students who sat NZ Scholarship examinations and gained three or more scholarships are included on the honours board and both Cambridge and Scholarship results will be recognised in individual student citations read today.

The School through time has used external examinations as its benchmark. Because of their competitive nature and the all-round standard of attainment needed for success, these examinations inevitably favour young men who have been committed to their studies and have built resilience.

The Honours Boards that surround our hall are symbolic of the School’s academic mission and inclusion on them is rigorously earned.

The group of young men we honour today are top academic students from a talented Form 7 and 6A and B who were part of the make-up that earned this school its position as a top performing Cambridge School with nine special awards in Cambridge examinations, which included:

  • Two High Achievement Awards
  • Eight Top in New Zealand Awards; and
  • Five High Achievement Awards

Alongside these awards the School was once again one of the top three performing schools in the country in NZQA Scholarship examinations, after students earned 217 individual scholarship awards in 2023. There is no doubt this supports our vision: ‘pre -eminence in boys’ secondary education.’

It is appropriate on this occasion, in the Great Hall, that we recognise our past – the foundation on which academic success continues to be built. There are many distinguished scholars who studied at Grammar and later received higher honours and academic recognition. Eminent scholars like Professor Peter McNaughton ’62, Professor Keith Hunter ’65, Professor Mark Warner ’65 and many others who have made contributions across a myriad of fields.

It is indeed a feature of Auckland Grammar School that the Honours Boards are around the hall and that we meet here daily – this symbolises the primary place that academia has in our School and is well-respected by our Old Boy community and the general public.

Entry onto this list is restricted to the top 10% of the entire form 7 cohort plus 6A and 6B. The lowest average mark on the Honours Board for 2023 is 92%.

A number of scholars have earned scholarships into NZ universities and many have gained direct entry into overseas universities. This is testament to the calibre of these young men and the support given to them by masters throughout their tenure at Auckland Grammar School.

My thanks to our masters for their commitment to providing rigorous academic courses and pathways, on call mentoring and tutoring that has aided the level of success celebrated. I hope their success serves as motivation for others to strive for excellence in your studies. Such success does not happen by accident.

Sir John Graham, the ninth Headmaster of Auckland Grammar School, offered the students at the end of 1976 the following advice. He said:

“Start thinking about what you want to do, don’t aim for the middle, aim for the top, and the top is not necessarily playing for New Zealand in sport, or being the top accountant or lawyer or heart surgeon. Aiming for the top means aiming for your personal best. It is not unhealthy to aim high; it is not unhealthy to be ambitious, but it is folly not to do your best. If you aim to do your best, you will be well along the way to making life the fun and challenge it should be.”

We have a group of scholars on stage who aimed for the top and reached their academic goals. Their personal best. We congratulate them for “leaving the jersey in a better place” and I encourage each of you to aim for the top in what you do, and enjoy the journey along the way, and the reward if it follows. 

We wish each of the young men on stage the very best with their chosen studies in 2024 and their future careers. 

2023 Scholars:

Name Percentage scored and Scholarships Extracurricular Activities Area of study in 2024
O. J. Gunson 96.33%
7 Scholarships with 4 Outstanding

Duke of Edinburgh Silver
Football
Library Monitor
Orienteering
Proceres Grammatici
2023 Prefect
2023 Proxime Accessit

Scholarships in Biology, English and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarships in Accounting, Calculus, Chemistry and Physics

An NZQA Scholarship Premier Award winner in 2024

Top in Subject in NZQA Scholarship Accounting and Physics

Top in New Zealand in Cambridge AS Level Accounting

Top in New Zealand in Cambridge A Level Chemistry

University Entrance Scholars Board 2022

A conjoint Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland
Y. M. Luan 96.33%
3 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Asian Board Games Club
Asian Cultural Group
Interact Group
Proceres Grammatici

Scholarships in Calculus and Chemistry

Outstanding Scholarship in Physics

Top in New Zealand in Cambridge A Level Physics

A Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland
C. C. P. McCulley 95.67%
4 Scholarships with 3 Outstanding

Asian Cultural Group
Chess
Football
Headmaster’s International Committee
Interact Group
International Student Buddy Programme
Mathex Mentor
Proceres Grammatici
Table Tennis

Scholarship in Chemistry

Outstanding Scholarships in English, Physics and Statistics

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

University Entrance Scholars Board 2022

A Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland
J. K. D. Kumar 95.33%
7 Scholarships with 4 Outstanding

Chronicle Committee
Debating
Duke of Edinburgh Silver
Football
Interact Group
Library Monitor
Model United Nations
Orienteering
Proceres Grammatici
Tennis
2023 Prefect
2023 Dux

Scholarships in Biology, English and Latin

Outstanding Scholarships in Chemistry, Geography, Physics and Statistics

An NZQA Scholarship Premier Award winner in 2024

Top in Subject in NZQA Scholarship Geography

Top in New Zealand in Cambridge A Level Biology

A Bachelor of Science (majoring in Biomedical Science) at the University of Auckland
A. Sun 95%
4 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Group
Headmaster’s Welfare Committee
Interact Group
Korean Cultural Group
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Orienteering
Students Against Dangerous Driving
Proceres Grammatici

Scholarships in Chemistry, English, Physics and Statistics

Top in New Zealand in Cambridge A Level English Literature

University Entrance Scholars Board 2022

A Bachelor of Medical Science at Griffith University
O. Gupta 94.33%
6 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Asian Cultural Tutoring
Indian Cultural Group
Interact Group
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Proceres Grammatici
Sri Lankan Cultural Group
Table Tennis
2023 Prefect

Scholarships in Calculus, Chemistry, English, Physics and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarship in Accounting

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

University Entrance Scholars Board 2022

A Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting, Finance and Commercial Law) at the University of Auckland
R. Madhusudhan 94.33%
5 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Badminton
Debating
Indian Cultural Group
Interact Group
Literati
Orienteering
Programming Group
Proceres Grammatici

Scholarships in Calculum, Chemistry, Physics and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarship in Economics

High Achievement in Cambridge AS Level Economics

Top in New Zealand in Cambridge A Level Economics

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

A Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) at the University of Auckland
S. S. Wheeler 94%
5 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Chamber Music
Concert Band
Model United Nations
Scholars Proceres Grammatici
Symphony Orchestra
Tennis

Scholarships in Biology, Earth and Space Science, French and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarship in Chemistry

High Achievement in Cambridge AS Level Geography

Top in the World in Cambridge A Level Geography

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

A Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland
J. C. K. You 94%
3 Scholarships

Asian Board Games Club
Asian Cultural Group
Headmaster’s International Committee
Interact Group
International Student Buddy Programme
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Proceres Grammatici

Scholarship in Chemistry, Physics and Statistics

A Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland
R. J. Zhang 93.33%
5 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Group
Chess
Headmaster’s International Committee
Interact Group
International Student Buddy Programme
Proceres Grammatici
Table Tennis

Scholarships in Calculus, Chemistry, English, Physics and Statistics

A Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours), majoring in Software Engineering at the University of Sydney
R. J. ter Wal 93.33%
4 Scholarships

Chess
Cricket
Football
Proceres Grammatici

Scholarships in Accounting, Calculus, Chemistry and Statistics

A conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland
P. Q. N. Nguyen 93.33%
3 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Group
Chronicle Committee
Headmaster’s International Committee
Interact Group
International Student Buddy Programme
Literati
Model United Nations
Students Against Dangerous Driving Proceres Grammatici
Table Tennis

Scholarships in Chemistry, English and Geography

A Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) at the University of Auckland
E. J. Moy 93.33%
2 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Football
Grammarphonics
Grammar Voices
Headmaster’s Welfare Committee
Interact Group
Proceres Grammatici
Tennis
2023 Prefect

Scholarship in Chemistry

Outstanding Scholarship in English

A Bachelor of Science (majoring in Biomedical Science) at the University of Auckland
A. Shinde 93%
4 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Asian Cultural Tutoring
Football
Headmaster’s Cultural Committee
Indian Cultural Group
Interact Group
Literati
Students Against Dangerous Driving
Proceres Grammatici
Sustainability Group
Table Tennis
World Vision

Scholarships in Agriculture and Horticulture, Earth and Space Science, English and Health and Physical Education

Outstanding Scholarship in Geography

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

University Entrance Scholars Board 2022

A Bachelor of Science at the University of Auckland
T. M. Harnett 93%
4 Scholarships

Grammar Virtuosi
Mathex Mentor
Proceres Grammatici
Spanish Film Club
Symphony Orchestra
Virtuosi
Water Polo

Scholarships in Calculus, Chemistry, Physics and Statistics

A Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland
H. F. Yu 93%
3 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Group
Grammarphonics
Grammar Voices
Headmaster’s Heritage Committee
Interact Group
Korean Cultural Group
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Media Group
Minister’s Plate
Proceres Grammatici
Table Tennis

Scholarships in Agriculture and Horticulture, Chemistry and Physics

A Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Sydney
E. J. D. Hernandez 92.67%
5 Scholarships with 2 Outstanding

Asian Cultural Group
Grammar Voices
Interact Group
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Orienteering
Proceres Grammatici

Scholarships in Biology, Calculus and Chemistry

Outstanding Scholarships in Physics and Statistics

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

A Bachelor of Science (majoring in Computer Science and Psychology) at the University of Auckland
M. W. Tyler 92.67%
4 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Athletics
Disc Ultimate
Football
Headmaster’s Environment Committee
Interact Group
International Student Buddy Programme
Model United Nations
Proceres Grammatici
Spanish Debating Senior
Sustainability Group
Swimming Senior
Premier Volleyball Team
2023 Prefect

Scholarships in Chemistry, Health and Physical Education and Physics

Outstanding Scholarship in English

A conjoint Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Sport at the University of Canterbury
W. Zhang-Sun 92.67%
4 Scholarships

Badminton
Big Band
Chamber Music
Headmaster’s Welfare Committee
Interact Group
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Programming Group
Students Against Dangerous Driving
Proceres Grammatici
Symphony Orchestra
World Vision

Scholarships in Biology, Chemistry, English and Physics

University Entrance Scholars Board 2022

A Bachelor of Science (with a double major in Computer Science and Anatomy and Histology) at the University of Sydney
Z. Song 92.67%
3 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Tutoring
Duke of Edinburgh Silver
Football
Headmaster’s International Committee
Interact Group
International Student Buddy Programme
Model United Nations
Proceres Grammatici
Table Tennis
2023 Prefect

Scholarships in Calculus, Physics and Statistics

Studying at a university in the United States, yet to be decided
J. R. Lin 92.67%
2 Scholarships

Asian Board Games Club
Asian Cultural Group
Badminton
Chess
Korean Cultural Group
Proceres Grammatici
Tennis

Scholarships in Chemistry and Physics

A Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne
D. Nimmakayala 92.67%
2 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Group
Badminton
Indian Cultural Group
Interact Group
Mathex Mentor
Proceres Grammatici
Table Tennis

Scholarships in Calculus and Physics

A Bachelor of Biomedicine at the University of Auckland
H. A. Aftab 92.33%
2 Scholarships

Aerospace Group
Badminton B Grade Team 2
Hockey
Interact Group
Students Against Dangerous Driving Proceres Grammatici

Scholarships in Chemistry and Physics

A Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at Griffith University
A. S. Verma 87.2%
6 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Drama
Indian Cultural Group
Interact Group
Model United Nations
Spanish Film Club
Table Tennis
TheatreSports

Scholarships in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religious Studies and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarship in Calculus

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

7A
N. J. Clarke 91.67%
5 Scholarships with 3 Outstanding

Ethics Olympiad
Grammarphonics
Grammar Voices
Headmaster’s Heritage Committee
Hockey
Interact Group
Literati
Proceres Grammatici
Vocal
2023 Prefect

Scholarships in Latin and History

Outstanding Scholarships in Classical Studies, English and Media Studies

An NZQA Scholarship Premier Award winner in 2024

A conjoint Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law at the University of Auckland
E. Chuang 92%
5 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Asian Cultural Tutorial Service
Badminton
Chess
Duke of Edinburgh
Interact Group
Mathex Mentor

Scholarships in Chemistry, English, Physics and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarship in Calculus

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

7A
B. Y. S. Larsen

89.4%
5 Scholarships

Asian Cultural Tutorial Service
Debating
Grammar Voices
Interact Group
Model United Nations

Scholarships in Earth and Space Science, Economics, Geography, Media Studies and Religious Studies

7A
M. O. Sobr 94.33%
4 Scholarships with 2 Outstanding

Chess

Scholarships in Chemistry and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarships in Calculus and Physics

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024.

A Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Auckland
L. W. Toner 91.8%
4 Scholarships with 2 Outstanding

Interact Group
Rowing

Scholarships in Chemistry, Geography and Physics

Outstanding Scholarship in English

An NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award winner in 2024

7A
W. A. D. Caird 91.6%
4 Scholarships

Amnesty International
Chess
Debating
Duke of Edinburgh
Grammar Voices
Interact Group
Leadership Camp
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Table Tennis
TheatreSports

Scholarships in Calculus, Chemistry, French and Statistics

7A
A. K. Baker 91%
4 Scholarships

Chronicle Committee
Duke of Edinburgh Gold
Ethics Olympiad
Headmaster’s Social Awareness Committee
Interact Group
Literati
Model United Nations
Proceres Grammatici
Social Awareness Committee
2023 Senior Prefect

Scholarships in English, French, Geography and Religious Studies

High Achievement in Cambridge A Level French

Political Science at a university in the United Kingdom
C. Pan 92%
3 Scholarships with 1 Outstanding

Amnesty International
Duke of Edinburgh
Grammar Voices
Interact
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Table Tennis

Scholarships in Physics and Statistics

Outstanding Scholarship in Calculus

7A
M. C. McKee 89.8%
3 Scholarships

Amnesty International
Distance Squad
Duke of Edinburgh
Headmaster’s Committee
Interact Group
Leadership Camp
Literati
Mathex Mentor
Tennis
World Vision
2024 Prefect

Scholarships in English, Physics and Statistics

7A