Senior Prizegiving

Ōtaki College Senior Prizegiving – 18 November 2021

Premier Awards:

Krisha Modi, 2021 Ōtaki College Head Girl, is our Dux, the inaugural Everiss Scholar and the recipient of the Chairperson’s Award for All Round Excellence.  She is the first Ōtaki student to take out three of our top five awards – an outstanding achievement.  She also received the M I Turnbull Award for Top Girl in Year 13. In addition to her academic achievements Krisha is a keen sportswoman who has been involved in netball and volleyball throughout her time at college.  She has been involved in many fundraising activities, including assisting the College Rotary Interact Group raise funds for wheelchairs in Tanzania, and, locally, assisting in planting along the Ōtaki River.  Krisha has always worked hard to promote the College and has become an exceptional leader who has won the respect of her peers, her teachers and the younger students at College.  She is a strong advocate for environmental sustainability and women’s rights.

Krisha plans to embark on her tertiary studies next year at Otago University, where she will be studying Health Science with a view to a career in physiotherapy.

Quinn Straker was Runner-Up to Dux.  Quinn has not only achieved academically at an extremely high level, but has been involved in many activities both in and out of college.  She is one of our most organised and capable leaders. In 2021 Quinn is also heading to Otago to study Health Science, but with a focus on psychiatry.  Quinn received the Wakefield Group Ltd Scholarship and Fun Zone Scholarship for Proxime Accessit.  She is also the recipient of the Marjorie Gordon Memorial Health Award.

The title of 2021 Sportsperson of the Year was awarded to Heremaia Cooper.  Heremaia has had an outstanding year in both rugby and waka ama, as well as being the winner of our Ōtaki College Senior Boys Swimming Cup.  Heremaia won a bronze medal in the W6 and W12 events at New Zealand Secondary School Waka Ama Championships.  As Sportsperson of the Year, Heremaia receives the Marlan Trading Scholarship.

Top Boy in Year 13 was Nikhil Singh.  In Year 12, Paris Karl-Fields and Jessica Thomsen were equal Top Girls and Max McHugo was Top Boy.  Bonny Brookman was Top Girl in Year 11 and Archie O’Sullivan was Top Boy.

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.

The other much-anticipated announcement that is made at Senior Prizegiving is the Heads of School Team for 2022.  Next year our Ngā Kākākura (Heads of School) will be Pounamu MacKay and Max McHugo.

 Ngā Kaingārahu (Associate Heads of School) are: Tia Brown, Kaea Hakaraia-Hosking, Kate Hall, Paris Karl-Fields, Charlie Simpson, Alyssa Te Wiata, Jessica Thomsen and Lily Yaxley.

The College would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2021 and wish all students sitting external examinations every success.