Wairarapa College
Staff and students united to recognise outstanding achievements from their school leavers.
Students, prize winners, staff, and family attended the end-of-year ceremony.
Rosemary King was named the 2022 Wairarapa College Dux Litterarum and obtained an Otago University Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship.
Anika Stewart was Proxime Accessit and, alongside fellow student, Erin Kerehi, won the Ruamahana Restoration Trust Conservation Award for environmental leadership.
Stewart was also presented the McConnell Cup for the highest quality of character and intellect, and Kerehi won the 22nd Battalion and Perry Family Award.
Hannah Donald won the Ronaldson Cup, and Cooper Griffin won the Drummond Chesterman Cup, both for all-around contributions to college life.
Mia Cullen won the Buick Family Trophy for involvement and commitment to all aspects of college life.
Elise Jung-Leask was first in year 12, Sam Freeman was first in Year 11, And David Rees was named Junior Dux.
Principal Matt White said 2022 had been the most brutal of the covid years for the school so far.
“The biggest challenge has been inconsistent learning with students and teachers absent with covid.
“We have been monitoring our students to ensure they are on track to succeed.
“We hope we will see improvements this year when the results come out in January.
“Following the national trend, the pandemic negatively impacted our results in the last two years.
Despite the challenges, White was grateful for the students’ efforts.
“I thank all the students for making my job rewarding.
He said it was special to hold the prizegiving in person with the wider school community.
“I wish all school leavers the very best in their future endeavours,” White said.
“Despite the turbulence, we have introduced a new curriculum, completed building projects and achieved outstanding academic, cultural and sporting success.
“Not only have we endured 2022, we have flourished,” White said.
