Senior Prizegiving

Senior Prizegiving 2023

Hayley Boyer is our 2023 Dux.  Hayley received the Ōtaki RSA Scholarship, the Fun Zone Scholarship and the Andrew Philips Cup for Dux.  She also received the MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 13 Student.  Hayley intends studying Engineering at  Waikato University and has received a Te Paewai o Te Rangi University of Waikato Scholarship for Academic Achievement for $30,000.

Karen Dai was Runner-Up to Dux.  Karen received the Wakefield Lawyers Scholarship and Cup for Proxime Accessit, the Marjory Gordon Memorial Health Award and the MI Turnbull Award for 2nd in Year 13.  In 2024 Karen will be studying Health Science at Otago University and has received a $15,750 university scholarship.

Ōtaki College will be sending two students to England and Scotland in January.  This year the Everiss Scholarship was jointly awarded to Hannah Thompson and Caleb Smith.  As the Everiss Scholars, Hannah and Caleb will travel to England and Scotland for three weeks in January of 2023, representing Ōtaki College.  They will visit Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, home of the Otaki Scholar.  On their return, Hannah will commence a Communications degree at Victoria University while Caleb is taking a gap year before joining the Police in 2025.

Caleb, who is a national medal winner in Waka Ama, also received the Chairperson’s Award for All-round Excellence.  

The title of 2023 Sportsperson of the Year went to Stella Park.  Stella attained a Silver Medal in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Waka Ama Championships and a Silver Medal in the TUNZ Taekwondo NZ Championships.

Equal Top Scholars in Year 12 were Louis Bevan and JT Byrne.  Top Year 11 Scholar was Yilin Lyu and runner-up was Harriet Georgetti.  All four students receive MI Turnbull Awards.

Ōtaki College would like to thank the many organisations, businesses and individuals who have sponsored scholarships and awards for our Senior Prizegiving.  These awards provide acknowledgement and support for our students as they embark on their future pathways.

Also announced at prizegiving was the 2024 Ngā Ringa Whero – Heads of School Team.  Next year our Ngā Kākākura (Heads of School) will be Maddie Simpson and Witana Cameron.  Ngā Kaingārahu (Associate Heads of School) are: Wyeth Andrews, Rosie Thomsen, Louis Bevan and Ihnia Graham.

The College would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2023, and wish them well as they embark upon their careers or take their studies to tertiary level.