Premier Scholarship Award winners 2021

For 2021, 12 students gained Premier Awards. These students achieved at least three New Zealand Scholarships at Outstanding level. 

Samuel Blyth

Auckland Grammar School

Outstanding Scholarships: Calculus, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Latin, Physics

Scholarships: Statistics

Top Subject Scholar: Earth and Space Science, Latin

Sam was Dux of Auckland Grammar School in 2021 while also earning prizes in the sciences, Mathematics and Latin. Beyond his academic success, Sam also participated widely in school life, playing Disc Ultimate, football and chess, while representing his school in Advance Open debating, being involved in school musicals and the student-run production. His community-mindedness extended to being a member of the Headmaster's Heritage Committee and the Interact Club, mentoring junior students in Mathex, and accepting the responsibilities associated with being a School Prefect. This year Sam is studying a double degree at the University of Otago: a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics. He plans to pursue a Master’s Degree or PhD in the future.

Oliver Dai

Macleans College

Outstanding Scholarships: Calculus, Chemistry, Physics

Scholarships: Geography, History, Religious Studies, Statistics

Oliver was named Macleans College Dux in 2021. He placed first in the country in the New Zealand Physics and Mathematics competition run by the University of Canterbury. Oliver played in the school's A Grade Table Tennis Team, sang in the House choir and served as a House Prefect and House Tutor. An avid chess player, Oliver was the Team Captain of Macleans College Premier Chess Team, Club Captain of Howick Pakuranga Chess Club and a member of the Macleans College Premier Chess team that won the national finals in 2018 and 2019. Later this year, he will begin studying Natural Sciences, with a focus on Materials Science, at the University of Cambridge. He plans to work as a research scientist on aerospace or energy materials.

Tobias Devereux

Kavanagh College

Outstanding Scholarships: Calculus, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Technology

Top Subject Scholar: Physics

Tobias was Dux and Deputy Head Boy of Kavanagh College in 2021 and received the University of Otago Academic Excellence Scholarship. He was Selected for the 2021 New Zealand Maths Olympiad Squad and experienced success in the Australian Informatics Olympiad and New Zealand Physics and Mathematics Competition. Outside of the classroom, Tobias has an interest in dance and music. He was a key part of the school Jazz and Show Bands, a member of the Dunedin Youth Jazz Orchestra, and was awarded a Cultural Blue multiple times. He had success in Athletics and was selected for the football 1st XI. This year, Tobias is beginning a double degree majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Otago, while working part time for the New Zealand Police.

Shuxin (Janet) Guo

Hillcrest High School

Outstanding Scholarships: Classical Studies, English, Geography

Scholarships: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese, Physics, Statistics

Top Subject Scholar: Classical Studies

Janet has performed at a high level in a range of subjects while at Hillcrest High School and received numerous awards as a Year 12 student in recognition of her success. This year, as a Year 13 student, she is one of the school Service Captains and helps lead an initiative called SAGE, which teaches STEM classes over Zoom. Janet has a passion for performance and is a key member of the school’s Lion Dance troupe and Shakespeare production. She is part of the Premier Debating team and has been selected for the Waikato Secondary Schools Debating Team. A 2021 National Schools Poetry Awards Finalist and New Zealand Maths Olympiad Camp invitee, Janet also represented New Zealand in the Biology Olympiad, earning a silver medal.

Nicholas Harman

Paraparaumu College

Outstanding Scholarships: Biology, Health and Physical Education, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Calculus, Chemistry

Nicholas was Head Boy and Dux of Paraparaumu College for 2021. Beyond his academic successes, Nicholas enjoys performing, playing alto saxophone, piano and singing barbershop. He was a member of the New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds, the Wellington Allstar Youth Big Band and the jazz band Look Both Ways, which released an album on Spotify in 2019. He has won awards for saxophone at the Manawatu Jazz Festival high school competition, participated in the National Shakespeare Schools Production and was a part of the school Premier A debating team and hockey 1st XI. He is currently in the Health Sciences First Year programme at the University of Otago and is aiming to enter a Health Sciences Professional programme, such as medicine or dentistry.

Michael Kennedy

Liston College

Outstanding Scholarships: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Top Subject Scholar: Chemistry

Michael was named Dux of Liston College in 2021. In 2018, he won 1st place in the Otago Junior Mathematics Competition with a score of 99%. He has also been part of a Highly Commended team in the New Zealand Engineering Science competition, and placed eighth in the country at the New Zealand Physics and Mathematics Competition. Beyond being an exceptionally talented student, Michael has also volunteered his time tutoring younger students at school. He is a talented musician, playing trombone in the Liston College Concert and Jazz Band for a number of years, and is part of the award-winning West City Concert Band. Michael is studying a Bachelor of Advanced Science specialising in Physics at The University of Auckland. He hopes to conduct research at the frontier of this field.

Joshua Lay

Glendowie College

Outstanding Scholarships: Economics, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English

Joshua was Dux and Head Prefect of Glendowie College in 2021. He won the school Top Scholar award at each year level, and in Year 13 was the recipient of the Maddocks Memorial Cup, the University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship and the Talent, Leadership and Character Trophy. A keen basketballer, Joshua was the captain of the Under 19 school team and also served as a coach and referee. Joshua performed baritone saxophone in the School Concert Band, Big Band and Musical. He has received The Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze and Silver Award and is currently busy completing his Gold. Joshua is studying a conjoint Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland. He hopes to pursue a career in the Aerospace Engineering Industry.

Daniel Lee

Westlake Boys’ High School

Outstanding Scholarships: Biology, English, Media Studies

Scholarships: Art History, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics

Daniel was Proxime Accessit for Westlake Boys’ High School in 2021 and was awarded both the University of Auckland Top Achievers Scholarship and the University of Otago Academic Excellence Scholarship. He served as a Prefect, a House Leader, a Senior Leader on the Languages Council and was part of the Academic Council. Daniel was selected to attend the New Zealand Chemistry Olympiad training camp and received a High Distinction in the International Chemistry Quiz (ANCQ). He attended the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum and was involved in his school’s 2020 French Exchange. Daniel is Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland and hopes to get into the medicine programme for 2023 to pursue his goal of becoming a neurosurgeon.

Cameron Senior

Rangitoto College

Outstanding Scholarships: Art History, English, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry

Top Subject Scholar: Art History, Geography, Statistics

Cameron was Dux of Rangitoto College in 2021. He represented New Zealand and won a Bronze medal at the International Biology Olympiad and received joint first in New Zealand for the International Mathematical Modelling Challenge. He played alto saxophone in his school's Chamber Quartet, Big Band, Jazz Combo, and Concert Band; winning Platinum and Gold awards at the Auckland School Jazz Band Competition. Cameron volunteered his time as leader of the Red Cross and Amnesty International clubs and was a key member of the team organising the UNICEF charity ball in 2021. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland, hoping to gain entry into the medical programme. He aspires to make a difference through clinical practice and research.

Ryaan Sidhu

Auckland Grammar School

Outstanding Scholarships: Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Biology, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History

Ryaan's academic focus in 2021 saw him earn the top place on the School's University Entrance Scholars Board. He balanced his studies with community service, supporting Amnesty International, WorldVision and Interact, and mentoring other students in Mathematics. Alongside his community-mindedness he competed at a Senior Open level in Chess and supported the School's Asian Cultural Group. Ryaan has won gold medals at both the New Zealand Young Physicist's Tournament and the New Zealand Young Scientists' Tournament. He also represented New Zealand and won a gold medal in 2019’s International Young Naturalists Tournament. This year he has returned to School to complete a full Form 7 course of study and serve as a School Prefect. He plans to study engineering or medicine in the future.

Iain Sweatman

Long Bay College

Outstanding Scholarships: Calculus, Chemistry, English, Geography, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Earth and Space Science

Iain received Academic Honours as the top student in his year group throughout his senior career at Long Bay College, culminating in his recognition as Dux in 2021. He was awarded the University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship and was Long Bay College’s Academic Prefect Portfolio Leader. Iain achieved a 3rd place prize in the Otago Mathematics Final Challenge and placed 10th in the Auckland Maths Olympiad. He played percussion in Long Bay College’s Concert Band, which received the Chairpersons Command Performance Award at the KBB Gala Concert. He is studying towards a Bachelor of Advanced Science at the University of Auckland, focusing on Mathematics and Chemistry. Possessed with a love of learning, Iain hopes to pursue a career where he can benefit society while continuing to learn, such as scientific research.

Nathaniel Williamson

Westlake Boys’ High School

Outstanding Scholarships: Biology, Chemistry, Health and Physical Education, Physics, Statistics

Scholarships: Calculus, Earth and Space Science, English

Nate was named Dux of Westlake Boys’ High School in 2021, where he also served as a Prefect. He was a New Zealand Engineering Science Competition Pullan Prize winner, has received a Gold Award in the New Zealand Chemistry Olympiad and was the recipient of the North Shore MP's Excellence in Community Contribution Award, along with a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. Nate represented his school at chess each year. In 2018, he participated in the North Shore Interschool Chess Competition and won the Premier Chess Award. In 2019, Nate received the Belton Cup for Senior Chess. This year he will be studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Advanced Science conjoint degree at the University of Auckland, majoring in Physics. He acknowledges the support of his family, friends and teachers as being key to his success.