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The Rope Cup recipient: T. C. Jones

2024 Rope Cup Recipient - Head Prefect Tom Jones

The Rope Cup is for the best all-round young man in the School, the young man who has been most outstanding for personality, leadership, strength of character, a sense of responsibility in performance of duties, scholarship, co-operation with staff and an athletic prowess and record in school activities.

The emphasis is on personal achievement – the best young man on the above points. Much of this could be achieved in his final year and the 2024 recipient is Head Prefect T. C. Jones.

Tom Jones has distinguished himself for his inclusive leadership, clear communication and collegiality. He has acquired a broad range of knowledge that he has utilised well in the Cambridge pathway over the last two years.

Tom demonstrated commitment to School life as a member of the 1st XI Cricket team over the last three years and Captain of Cricket in both 2023 and 2024. He has acted with personal responsibility and courage to uphold high expectations daily.  

Due to representing the country at the 2024 ICC Under 19 World Cup in South Africa, Tom started the School year late. However, he showed courage, leadership and an ability to self-reflect in order to make his studies and school sporting commitments his top priority.

He was recently named the College Sport Auckland Sportsperson of the Year for Cricket.

As the 2024 Head Prefect, Tom has represented the School with calmness and composure in all capacities. He has personified the School’s values through his genuine interest in others, and respect of them. Alongside his personal attributes, he has achieved well, both academically and in sport. In doing so has built resilience, strength of character and integrity.

Tom is a self-reliant, independent and ambitious young man who has strength of character, academic aptitude, leadership potential, sporting ability, alongside an ability to positively influence others and to empathise with them.

The Torch of Tradition recipient: H. P. Klouwens

2024 Torch of Tradition recipient - Deputy Head Prefect Harrison Klouwens

The Torch of Tradition is awarded to the young man who has been most conspicuous for devotion to the School and its traditions, service and self-sacrifice, general conduct inside and outside the School, character, bearing and manner, and a sense of responsibility and school spirit.

The record over the whole of a young man’s school career, or most of it, will have to be considered, and the 2024 recipient is Deputy Head Prefect H. P. Klouwens.

Harrison Klouwens is an able all-round student, who has worked with determination to advance his academic standing in Cambridge qualifications. 

He has been committed to School life throughout his five years and has demonstrated character, integrity and courage through his conduct and demeanour, whether anyone was observing, or not.

Harrison is self-disciplined and as an athlete, he has demonstrated leadership, responsibility and service as Captain of Swimming in 2024, and in representing New Zealand at his chosen sport. His commitment to practice and his ability is evident as the School’s Senior Swimming Champion for the past two years. Harrison was also a finalist in the College Sport Auckland Sportsperson of the Year for Swimming.

Harrison has been this year’s Deputy Head Prefect. He has contributed extensively to the tone and culture of the School through leading by example.

He has readily accepted responsibility and shown pride in his School through his actions, words and manner. Harry has responded with modesty, humility and respect as a representative of Auckland Grammar School.

Harrison has excelled throughout his five years at the School. He has respected the School’s traditions and endorsed its ethos through his service, character, bearing and manner.

The Ian Mackinlay Memorial Scholarship recipient: S. H. A. S. Peita

2024 Ian MacKinlay Scholarship recipient Storm Peita

The Ian Mackinlay Memorial Scholarship is for a young man who has shown personal excellence in every field of endeavour, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in cultural activities. Essential values shown should include honesty, loyalty and integrity as well as strength and determination in tackling challenges.

The recipient should have shown a responsibility to the wider community, showing a combination of individual excellence, commitment to others and pride in being part of a team, and the 2024 recipient is Senior Prefect S. H. A. S. Peita.

Storm Peita exemplifies the values of personal excellence, integrity, and commitment. As a Senior Prefect, he has consistently demonstrated outstanding character, achieving excellence across academic, cultural, and sporting domains throughout his five years at the School.

Storm’s 2023 Cambridge International Examination results produced a commendable 73% average across four Advanced Subsidiary subjects, and he achieved an NCEA Level 2 endorsement with Excellence in Te Reo Māori.

Culturally, Storm’s contributions have been significant. He has been a member of the Kapa Haka group since Form 3 and has been the leader of the group in both 2023 and 2024, demonstrating mana and a deep connection to his heritage. His commitment to the Headmaster’s Cultural Committee and the Tuakana-Teina Mentoring Programme further highlights his dedication to fostering a sense of community and mentorship within the School.

In 2023 and 2024, Storm won the Senior English – Korimako section at the Regional Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech Competition and qualified for the National competition.

Athletically, Storm has represented the School in the 1st XV Rugby team for two seasons, the Premier Touch team since 2022, and the Premier Volleyball team since 2023, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches alike for his leadership, versatility, and sportsmanship.

Storm’s achievements in 2023 and 2024 include receiving Performing Arts Colours for Ngā Manu Kōrero, the Kairangi Haka Award for excellence in Kapa Haka, the Poutaki Reo Award for outstanding Te Reo Māori, and in 2024, the Wilson Whineray Cup for Rugby.

Storm has been a loyal and humble contributor who has been shown personal excellence and pride in being a member of Auckland Grammar School. He is a deserving recipient of the Ian Mackinlay Memorial Scholarship for 2024.

The Headmaster’s Prize for Proxime Accessit: A. S. Verma

2024 Proxime Accessit Arsh Verma

Arsh Verma joined Auckland Grammar School in Form 5. He quickly impressed with his motivation, diligence and positivity.

In 2023, he was first in 6B, and in the external examinations he achieved 71 in AS Level Economics, 81 in English, 94 in Chemistry, 95 in Physics, and 95 in Cambridge A Level Mathematics.

He was awarded NZQA Scholarships in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics and Religious Studies, and an Outstanding Scholarship in Calculus in 2023, and he was therefore named on the Honours Board.

Arsh was one of 60 students nationally to receive an NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award and these levels of achievement saw him invited to join Proceres Grammatici, the School’s elite group of our most promising scholarship candidates, in 2024.

Arsh maintained these very high levels of attainment in 2024. He has not received an Attitude and Effort grade other than an A in his time at Grammar, and in his Term 3 exams this year, he scored 87 in Economics, 96 in Physics, 97 in Chemistry and 99 in Scholarship Mathematics.

He has consistently been involved in the extracurricular life of the School and this year he has been involved with the Asian Cultural Group, Asian Cultural Tutoring, Aerospace Group, Amnesty International Committee, Ethics Olympiad, Grammar Voices, the Headmaster’s Social Awareness Committee, Indian Cultural Group, Informatics Competition Group, Japanese Animations Club, Literati, Mathex Mentors, MUNA, and Table Tennis. He has also competed in the Chemistry, Economics, Ethics and Physics Olympiads.

Arsh is highly respected by his teachers. His masters characterise him as an exceptional student who immerses himself fully into the subject matter of every class. He is polite and humble, conscientious and diligent.

Next year, Arsh hopes to study Maths and Economics at an overseas university.

The Hal Radford Memorial Trophy recipient: F. L. Goodson

The Hal Radford Memorial Trophy is awarded to the young man who by quality of performance and all-round effort has also contributed the administration of a sporting code.

This award is given to a young man involved in a sport that is not necessarily considered a mainstream code and the 2024 recipient is Prefect F. L. Goodson, for his contributions to Squash.

Finn Goodson has been a member of the Premier Squash team in all of his five years at Auckland Grammar School. His leadership was acknowledged through being named as the Captain of Squash in 2024 alongside being named as a School Prefect. He has a caring and supportive demeanour that boosted the younger players’ confidence as he led the talented young premier team throughout the season.

In 2024, Finn led the team to the Auckland Premier Championship then to an impressive third place at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships.

Furthermore, Finn was the winner of the Auckland Division 1 Individual Championships, the Premier Individual Championship and placed fourth at the North Island Under 19 Championships.

Finn’s success throughout the year was rewarded with being named as a non-travelling reserve for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Senior team.

Finn’s contributions to Squash have been significant, which makes him a deserving winner of the Hal Radford Memorial Trophy.

The Burroughs Cup recipient: D. J. Hawkesby

2024 Burroughs Cup recipient Dylan Hawkesby

The Burroughs Cup is awarded to the young man who has entered most wholeheartedly and most widely into the sporting activities of the School. Consideration is given to sportsmanship, School spirit and an all-round interest in games.

The award is not necessarily for individual prowess, but rather for all-around participation, and the 2024 recipient is Prefect D. J. Hawkesby.

Dylan Hawkesby is a hard-working sportsman who has made the most of the opportunities given to him over his five years at Auckland Grammar School.

This year, Dylan was a vital member of the 1st XI Cricket team and a member of the 4A Rugby team. He approached representing Grammar with a great deal of pride, and he epitomises the definition of a true teammate with his lead-by-example leadership style. His commitment to the heavy training load and greater expectations placed on him as a premier sportsman never waned. His positivity towards his teammates reflected his high-quality character. 

The success of the 1st XI Cricket team was often heavily influenced by Dylan’s ‘do whatever is required for the team’ approach, and this was also reflected on the rugby field where the team almost completed the perfect season.

As a 2024 Prefect, Dylan’s servant leadership is shown by his loyal and humble ability to get on with tasks and support others without seeking credit.

Dylan is a young man who whole-heartedly competed in school sporting activities, giving his all, and has met the criteria of the Burroughs Cup – sportsmanship, School spirit, and all-around interest in sport.

The Douglas Cup recipient: the Premier Yachting team

2024 Douglas Cup recipient, the Premier Yachting team

The Douglas Cup is for the best sporting performance of the year – for the best individual performance in any sport whilst representing the School, and the 2024 recipient is the Premier Yachting team, consisting of M. X. M Porteous, T. G. E. Pilkington, G. R. J. Turner, O. J. Stone, A. B. Cooke, H. G. Smith, and 2024 captain S. W. Kensington.

It has been an impressive year for the Premier Yachting team with multiple achievements, concluding with winning the Interdominion as the New Zealand representative in October.

The year started with strong performances to win the New Zealand Harken Schools title, the Auckland Fleet regatta in April, closely followed by the winning of the Auckland Cup for teams racing. This win secured their position at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships held in New Plymouth in the Term 1 holidays. 

At the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships, the team dominated the first-round robin without a single defeat and secured a commanding two-win lead amidst brisk conditions. Despite facing challenges in the subsequent round robin with lighter and more variable breezes, the Grammar team maintained their lead, conceding only two races. Entering the decisive round robin, they required just four wins out of seven to secure victory, which they accomplished with two races to spare to be crowned the National Champions for 2024.

Racing against the top Australian crews at the Interdominion regatta, the team won 17 of their 20 races to secure the trophy for the first time since 2002. This concluded a perfect season, unmatched in the team’s history, where they have won every title they contested.

These performances from the Premier Yachting team make them worthy winners of the Douglas Cup, received by captain Sean Kensington (pictured above with guest presenter, Old Boy Hamish Kerr ’10).

The Turner Cup recipient: H. C. Stewart

2024 Turner Cup recipient Harrison Stewart

The Turner Cup is for all-round participation in School activities, including sound academic progress, participation in extracurricular activities, (especially in sport) and a manly, responsible approach to life, and the 2024 recipient is Prefect H. C. Stewart.

Harrison Stewart is an outstanding young man of high character whose actions through service and drive for personal excellence has seen him maximise his years at Auckland Grammar School.

Harrison’s involvement throughout the school is an example of a true Grammar man involving himself in groups such as the Interact group alongside Football, Hockey and Swimming.

This year saw Harrison take on the captaincy of the 1st XI Hockey team, a role he completed with great pride and determination. He is a member of the Auckland Under 18 National Championship team and was further rewarded with selection into the National Under 18 Squad. This success has seen him awarded Colours in 2023 and again in 2024.

Harrison’s approach to his academic, sporting and school endeavours coupled with the maturity he exhibits when challenged, further reinforces the balance with which he lives his life.

Harrison was also named as a School Prefect in 2024, again showing his strength as a leader and contributor to his time at Auckland Grammar School.

Annual Sports Colours Assembly

Prefect Liam Dodunski receives Colours for Water Polo

Auckland Grammar School has a proud sporting heritage and the 2024 sporting year has added some impressive performances to this legacy.

This includes 33 students named as New Zealand Representatives, five National Championships alongside several National Podium finishes and Auckland titles.

We acknowledge to perform at the highest level requires a dedication and commitment to excellence which many of our sportsman exhibit on a daily basis.

We are also fortunate to have a committed staff who give up personal time to support our students. Without this support it would not allow for the same level of opportunities for you as students within the school.

A Sporting Colour is the highest award the school can give a sportsman. Students are assessed by a committee against individual code criteria alongside needing to meet effort standards consistently in the classroom.

In 2024, 36 students received Colours for a myriad of different sports:

  • Form 7 student C. R. Carter, awarded Colours for Orienteering
  • Form 5 student E. Chuang, awarded Colours for Badminton
  • Form 7 student L. K. Dodunski, awarded Colours for Water Polo (pictured above)
  • Form 7 student S. W. L. Fisher, awarded Colours for Rowing
  • Form 7 student R. W. Fitzpatrick, awarded Colours for Athletics and Distance Squad
  • Form 7 student F. L. Goodson, awarded Colours for Squash
  • Form 7 student J. B. M. Hair, awarded Colours for Hockey
  • Form 7 student O. L. Hannaford, awarded Colours for Fencing
  • Form 7 student F. P. Houghton, awarded Colours for Rowing
  • Form 6 student C. G. Howlett, awarded Colours for Athletics
  • Form 6 student T. X. Huang, awarded Colours for Badminton
  • Form 7 student R. S. Hunt, awarded Colours for Basketball
  • Form 6 student P. Jajal, awarded Colours for Table Tennis
  • Form 7 student T. C. Jones, awarded Colours for Cricket
  • Form 7 student S. W. Kensington, awarded Colours for Yachting
  • Form 6 student L. C. Klouwens, awarded Colours for Hockey
  • Form 7 student H. P. Klouwens, awarded Colours for Swimming
  • Form 7 student B. L. O. Krone, awarded Colours for Rugby
  • Form 6 student J. Kwon, awarded Colours for Cycling
  • Form 7 student S. N. R. Lyne, awarded Colours for Skiing
  • Form 7 student F. C. Mather, awarded Colours for Rugby
  • Form 7 student A. M. Patel, awarded Colours for Hockey
  • Form 6 student R. A. Patel, awarded Colours for Hockey
  • Form 7 student B. C. Pawson, awarded Colours for Cycling
  • Form 6 student L. J. Platt, awarded Colours for Rugby
  • Form 7 student S. R. Pratt, awarded Colours for Skiing
  • Form 6 student S. A. Randerson, awarded Colours for Orienteering
  • Form 7 student H. D. J. Sixton, awarded Colours for Cricket
  • Form 5 student N. J. Stanley, awarded Colours for Rugby
  • Form 7 student H. C. Stewart, awarded Colours for Hockey
  • Form 7 student R. J. Tasmania, awarded Colours for Rugby
  • Form 7 student M. Y. Z. Tew, awarded Colours for Badminton
  • Form 7 student J. A. Thomson, awarded Colours for Athletics
  • Form 6 student C. P. Wagener, awarded Colours for Athletics, Distance Squad and Multisport
  • Form 7 student C. J. D. Wallis, awarded Colours for Rugby
  • Form 7 student Z. F. Wyllie, awarded Colours for Cycling

Congratulations to all students who were awarded Colours this year and to all the managers and Masters in Charge of the sports represented. For more information on the students’ individual achievements, please click here.

Annual Performing Arts Colours Assembly

Prefect Mithun Ramassh receives the Performing Arts Excellence Award

Auckland Grammar School has a proud history of excellence within the Performing Arts. The School offers a variety of pathways within the arts for boys to develop and showcase their skills and talents. From Theatre to Drama, Cultural to Music groups, Debating and more, the Performing Arts are a fundamental component of our school and allow boys to reach the pinnacle in their chosen field. It was a privilege that last year we could institute the Performing Colour and that tradition can continue with recognising individual excellence from within the Performing Arts.

Each year, students perform on a variety of Performing Arts stages and contexts both within the School and externally. To individually excel at the highest level of their chosen field requires considerable dedication, commitment, practice and rehearsal.

On Tuesday 3 December, a number of students were recognised as having exhibited these strengths. Congratulations to:

  • Form 6 student C. H. S. Cheung, awarded Colours for Violin
  • Form 7 student W. Lee, awarded Colours for Viola
  • Senior Prefect S. H. A. S. Peita, awarded Colours for Public Speaking (Ngā Manu Kōrero)
  • Prefect C. R. Wedde, awarded Colours for Bass Guitar
  • Prefect R. V. Williams, awarded Colours for Choral

In addition, three special awards were presented:

  • The Performing Arts Excellence Award was presented to Prefect M. A Ramassh (pictured above)
  • The Performing Arts Contribution Award was presented to Prefect J. B. Qi
  • The Performing Arts Outstanding Performance of the Year Award was presented to Form 7 student P. C. J. Lu

Congratulations to all students who crossed stage. More information about each of the recipient’s individual contributions can be found here.