Tag: Featured

The B. F. Connell Prize for Dux of the School (2024) is awarded to Stanley Zhang.

Stanley has been in the A stream since Term 2 of Form 3, and he has consistently been a diligent and committed student. He has demonstrated exceptional abilities in his chosen subjects. He has maintained straight As for Attitude and Effort in every subject in every end-of-year report, and his year’s aggregate has placed him in the top half of the class throughout his time at Auckland Grammar School.

In Form 6, Stanley scored 85 in Cambridge AS Level English, 95 in AS French, 95 in AS Chemistry, and 96 in AS Biology. He also scored 94 in A Level Mathematics. Stanley was also awarded NZQA Scholarships for French, Biology and Statistics in Form 6.

Stanley’s academic record in Form 7 is superb. Head of French, Mr Bidet, notes that he has become fully bilingual during his time at Grammar. He received a Cambridge High Achievement award at the Outstanding Learner Awards for 2023, and in June this year he scored 94 in A Level French.

In his final set of School examinations, Stanley placed first in all of his classes, scoring 92 in French, 93 in Biology, 96 in Physics and 97 in Chemistry, giving him an overall aggregate for the year of 376.1/400. This year, he is also awarded the Peter Drummond Prize for French, the O’Sullivan Prize for Biology and the Ben Gould Prize for Chemistry.

Outside the classroom, Stanley has been widely involved in the extracurricular life of the School. This year he has been a member of Asian Cultural Tutoring, Amnesty International Committee, Chronicle Committee, Debating Advanced Open 3, Headmaster’s Welfare Committee, Mathex Mentors, MUNA, the Premier Concert Band, Students Against Dangerous Driving Group, and the School’s Proceres Grammatici group for premier scholars.

He competed in the international Brain Bee competition, where he placed first in New Zealand/Australia in 2022 and second in the world in 2023.

Stanley embodies the School’s value of excellence, always seeking to perform at the highest possible standards. His contributions to the school community are marked by his humility and integrity. Despite his numerous accomplishments, he remains grounded and respectful. His teachers describe him as an erudite student who possesses a strong ability to understand and analyse complex topics. His contributions in class are invariably relevant and thoughtful, and his critical thinking skills are a testament to his maturity.

Next year, Stanley plans to study medicine through the Bachelor of Biomedical Science pathway at the University of Auckland.

The Sportsman of the Year is awarded to the student who is the highest performing sportsman in a single code, and the 2024 recipient is C. P. Wagener.

Caleb Wagener is an excellent sportsman who in 2024 earned national recognition in both Cross Country and Multisport.

In Cross Country, Caleb is the Auckland champion, the New Zealand champion and Australian Under 18 champion. He represented New Zealand in the Under 18 category at the World Cross Country Championships in Kenya, finishing 18th which notably was the highest place finish of a non-African runner.

At the New Zealand Cross Country Championships, supporting his fellow Grammar runners, they finished second in the Auckland three-man and six-man races, then first in the three-man and third in the six-man races.

Additionally, Caleb continues to excel in Athletics. At the Auckland Championships, he won Gold in the 3000m in a record time of 8.26.73, Gold in the 1500m and he was a member of the Gold-winning 4x400m relay team. At the 2023 New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships, he won Gold in the Senior road race.

Furthermore, Caleb is the National Duathlon and Triathlon champion and finished third at the World Duathlon Championships in Townsville after an unfortunate crash on the bike leg. In 2024, Caleb also received triple Colours in Athletics, Distance Squad and Multisport.

At the 2024 College Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year awards, he was recognised with an All-rounder Award for Orienteering, Distance Running, Athletics and Cycling. He was also named the College Sport Auckland Sportsman of the Year for Triathlon and Distance Running.

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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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.