Welcome back to
our top scholars from 2009.
From left: Jacqui Munro, Rasik Makan, Hayden Porter, Amy McCaughey-Chapman, Kevin Jia, Megan Smith, Geoff Gunn, Olivia Taylor, Ben Francis, Katie Curd, James McKeage, Sachin Makan |
Scholars' Lions Recipients
Lion badges are awarded only the first time a recipient earns it. Thereafter, the award is 're-awarded' and the recipient receives a certificate in recognition of the achievement. In the following list, students who have earned a re-award have (r) after their name.
Y11, 2009, Scholars' Lions Winners
Top in year group, based on GPA in best 100 credits in
2009.
Vincent Aballe, Heerashiny Balu, Rebecca Barnett, Merlyn Biji Mathew, Celia Brownlee-Whines, Samantha Cantle, Ben Chambers, Philippa Cumming, Georgina Davis, Matthew Denton, Venkata Devarakonda, Sophie Emson, Mandy Enright, Lucy Harrison, Breanna Hawthorne, Daniel Hay, Nina Ives, Nikhil Magan, Jayden Metcalfe, David Miller, Sophia Moon, Tristan Newhook, Nicholas Parish, Caleb Peeters, Don Roquero, Thomas Southwell, Molly Swanson, Ho Yan Tan, Priyanka Taunk, Elliot Varoy, Tea Williams, Lanyse Willis-Baker, Luke Wilson, Sharon Wu (r)
Y12, 2009, Scholars' Lions Winners
Top in year group based on GPA in best 100 credits in 2009.
Jack Barclay (r), Prosenjit Bhowmic (r), Sam Caldwell (r),
Kate Carey, Tamatoa Carr (r), David Eade (r), Gregory Ells,
Dali Fan (r), Byron Gibbons, Farzana Karim, Guangda Ma (r),
Afsin Mahmud (r), Mathew Milner (r), Richard Ngata (r),
Benjamin Pegman, Matthew Russell (r), Iselin Sieg, Sophie
Templeton (r), Theo Thompson (r), Qi Long (Simon) Zhou
(r)
Y13, 2009, Scholars' Lions Winners
Top in year group based on GPA in best 100 credits in
2009.
John Boikov (r), Hin Shing (Vincent) Cheung, Isabella Cox (r), Katie Curd (r), Kathryn Ella, Benjamin Francis (r), Penny Gault (r), Geoffrey Gunn (r), Su Hyun Hwang (r), Kevin Jia (r), Annie Jones, Rasik Makan (r), Sachin Makan, Mughda Manda, Amy McCaughey-Chapman, James McKeage, Jacqueline Munro (r), Rachel Peeters, John Pfluke (r), Daniel Quach (r), Megan Smith (r), Olivia Taylor (r), Sophia Wang (r)
First
Place in New Zealand in a National Scholarship
Examination
Awarded to students who achieves First Place in New Zealand in
a NZ Scholarship Examination.
Amy McCaughey-Chapman - First in French
National Scholarship Winners, 2009.
2009, New Zealand Scholarship Winners - Awarded to students who achieve two or more NZ Scholarships.
John Boikov,
Hin Shing (Vincent) Cheung, Geoffrey Gunn, Kevin Jia, Rasik
Makan, Sachin Makan,James McKeage, Hayden Porter, Daniel
Quach, Sophia Wang
Kevin, James and
Geoff
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Y13, 2009, Students whose names are
to be inscribed on the Honours Board for Scholars
Awarded to students who achieve at least three NZ Scholarships.
Geoffrey
Gunn
(4 Scholarships)
Kevin Jia
(4 Scholarships, 2 Outstanding)
James McKeage
(3 Scholarships, 1 Outstanding)
Biographical Details - Year 13, 2009 - Mulitiple Scholarship Winners
John Boikov (2005-2009)
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John Boikov came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2005 from Silver Spring Middle School, Maryland, USA. He joined us half way through the year and by the end of six months he had made excellent progress, gaining first place in French and a certificate for General Merit. He was promoted to our top Year 10 stream, which involved him in the school's accelerate programme (sitting Level One English, Science and Mathematics papers one year early). At the end of the year he won a certificate in English. This acceleration continued into Year 11 when he sat Level Two Mathematics and English. At year's end he had come first in English and Geography and was a certificate-winner in Biology. His grade point average entitled him to a scholar lion the following year. In Year 12, he took three Level Three courses, English, Classical Studies and Statistics, alongside his two Level Two courses. He enjoyed outstanding results, including first in Year 13 Classical Studies, certificates in Biology and Year 13 English and the Harry Wichman Cup for best all-round boy in Year 12. Last year he also took, as part of the University Young Scholars' Programme, a paper in Anthropology in which he received a B+. At the prize-giving at the end of the year, John won first prizes in biology and classical studies, the MJ O'Sullivan Biology Prize, the GH Bean Trophy for Investigative Biology and a certificate in English. As a top achiever in Year 13 he was also a Williamson Scholar.
Outside the classroom, John participated in cricket and latterly premier lacrosse, for which he won a silver lion, and in various school choirs. For his choir work he won a silver arts lion. He has also acted as a guitar tutor. He has been an I Have A Dream Tutor for young, disadvantaged children for two years. Last year he was a peer support leader, helping juniors with their orientation.
By virtue of his many accomplishments, John was appointed a prefect of the School for 2009.
In the examinations held at the end of last year, John won two scholarships, in biology and statistics. These entitle him to an award of $1000 for one year.
John is
currently studying Biomedical Science at the University of
Auckland in preparation for a medical degree.
Vincent (Hin Shing) Cheung (2006-2009)
Vincent Cheung came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 10 student in 2006. He came to us with a fine reputation in mathematics and this was borne out when he won the HL Towers Mathematics Award and became an Auckland Mathematics Olympiad finalist in this and the subsequent year. He was placed in our top stream which follows an accelerated course in mathematics, involving the sitting of NCEA papers one year early. He made excellent progress while working hard on his English. His mathematics acceleration continued in subsequent years when he took Level Two in Year 11 and Level Three Calculus in Year 12. In Year 11 he won the HL Towers Mathematics Award for a second time as a well as a certificate in Year 12 mathematics. In the Australian Mathematics Competition, Vincent won a prize at Year 10, high distinction in Year 11 and distinctions in the last two years. In the Australian Chemistry Competition he gained high distinction with excellence in Year 11 and distinctions in Years 12 and 13. In Year 12 he also won a certificate in physics. At the end-of-year prize-giving Vincent won certificates in calculus and statistics.
Outside the classroom, Vincent played soccer for the school, and, more recently, table-tennis.
In the
examinations held at the end of last year, Vincent gained two
scholarships, in statistics and calculus. These entitle him
to an award of $1000 for one year. Vincent is currently
studying Engineering at the University of Auckland.
Geoffrey Gunn (2005-2009
Major John Liddell, brother of
Chris Liddell, congratulates
one of this year's recipients, Geoff Gunn. The other winner was Rachel Peeters, who was unable to attend because of university commitments. |
Geoffrey
Gunn came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student
in 2005 from Kowhai Intermediate School. He was placed in our
top-stream class in Year 9 where he won a certificate for
technology and effort, certificates of distinction in
Australian English and Science, as well as an award of
excellence in the Goethe Society competitions in German. The
following year he became part of our accelerate programme
entailing the sitting of NCEA Level One science, English and
mathematics one year early. He truly matured across this
year, coming second overall, behind the Junior Dux, and
winning first place in German (along with a Goethe Society
diploma), a distinction in the Westpac Mathematics
examination and a certificate for Year 11 mathematics.
Through his very high grade point average, Geoff was awarded
a scholar lion. In Year 11 the acceleration continued when he
took Level Two physics, English and mathematics. His
end-of-year results were brilliant: he shared first prize in
chemistry (Worley Memorial Chemistry Prize), came first in
German (winning the Austin Cup), and shared first prizes in
history, Year 12 physics, Year 12 mathematics and Year 11
English. He came second overall in the Auckland regional
German Goethe Society competition and toured Germany with a
school party in September/October. He gained high distinction
in the Australian Chemistry Quiz and emulated this feat the
following year.
In Year 12 he took scholarship courses in calculus and
physics and won scholarships in both, an outstanding
achievement. At the end-of-year prize giving he came first in
German and English as well as first equal in year 13 calculus
and physics. He received the HL Towers Mathematics award and
the Calculus Cup and again won a scholar lion. Again he
gained distinction in the Westpac Mathematics
examination.
Last year he took a Stage One University Mathematics paper passing with an A grade. At the end-of-year prize giving Geoffrey was joint dux of the school with a GPA of 99%. He gained first prizes in chemistry, classical studies, English, German and statistics, i.e. in all of his subjects, winning the Coldham Language Prize, the JH Harvey Senior English Prize and the Joseph Shaw Senior Chemistry Prize. In addition to this he was an ASB Scholar, a John Williamson Scholar and a winner of the prestigious Auckland University Scholarship. These impressive results when considered along with his many other talents led him to being awarded the FW Gamble Memorial Cup for the best all-round boy in Year 13.
Outside the classroom, Geoff was a keen sportsman. Before coming to us he had played in club teams for softball and soccer for four years and on the cultural side was for seven years a member of a Cossack/Ukrainian dance group (Kalina Dance Company), which toured Ukraine in 2004, as well as a cast member in two productions of the Auckland Children's Theatre. Apart from soccer and softball mentioned above, he played senior tennis, captaining the Senior B team, interclub tennis, and was a member of the premier lacrosse team. For the last three years he has participated in the Youthtown Surf Camp. He was a prominent member of the robotics and astronomy clubs and last year attended the Aurora Astronomy School. In 2008 he participated in the Science First NZ Robotics competition, where our school came second, and he wishes to retain a connection with the robotics group after leaving school. He trained as a peer support leader and peer mediator, working with junior students whom he also tutored over the last two years. In consideration of his contribution to the school, Geoff was appointed a prefect for 2009.
In the
examinations held at the end of the year, Geoffrey won four
scholarships in chemistry, physics, statistics and calculus.
This entitles him to $2000 per annum for three years.
This year he is studying Engineering at the University of
Auckland.
Kevin Jia (2005-2009)
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Kevin Jia came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2005 from Remuera Intermediate School where he was head prefect. He was placed in our top-stream class and made such outstanding progress that he was placed first at the end of the year, including first place in mathematics. He gained distinction certificates in both the University of NSW and the Australian Mathematics Competitions and participated in Casio Mathex. He also gained distinctions in the University of NSW Science and English competitions. In the Goethe examinations in German, he won third place in Auckland. In Year 10, he embarked upon our accelerated courses in mathematics, science and English, all of which required him to sit NCEA Level One papers one year early. Again he distinguished himself with a high distinction in the University of NSW science examination and a distinction in the Australian Mathematics Competition. He again participated in Casio Mathex. In the Fred Free English reading competition he came second. By year's end he had again come first overall in class winning the Junior Dux prize, with first places in French, global perspectives, science, social studies and Year 11 mathematics. His outstanding grade point average in NCEA qualified him to receive a scholar lion at assembly.
The
acceleration continued into Year 11 where he completed Level
Two papers in physics, English and mathematics alongside his
other Level One subjects. He won an extraordinary number of
prizes in this year: the Worley Memorial Chemistry Prize for
first place in chemistry, the Year 11 history prize and first
equal places in economics, history and year 12 physics. He
also received certificates in English and Year 12
mathematics. A high distinction in the Australian Chemistry
Competition and a distinction in the Australian Mathematics
Competition rounded off a brilliant year. In Year 12, Kevin
took three subjects at Level Three (English, calculus and
physics) and won a scholarship in physics and an outstanding
scholarship in calculus. He was one of only two students to
win two scholarships at Year 12 level. At prize-giving he
received the Hanson Cup for Senior progress and endeavour,
the Wilson and Horton Debating Cup, the Orchestra Cup, the
Technology Leader Prize, first prize in history, first equal
in Year 13 physics, and certificates in Year 13 calculus and
English and Year 12 chemistry. In addition he gained
distinctions in the Australian Chemistry and Mathematics
Competitions.
Last year, Kevin enrolled in a Stage I mathematics paper
(153) at Auckland University as part of the Young Scholars'
Programme (grade A+) and a full Level Three programme in
calculus, chemistry, classical studies, history and
statistics. In our final exams, Kevin came first equal in
calculus, statistics, chemistry and classical studies and
first in history. He won the Bull Mathematics Prize, the
Statistics Cup, the Student Technology Leader award, the
Calder History Prize and the Joseph Shaw Senior Chemistry
Prize. These outstanding results brought him the award of Dux
(joint) of the School with a GPA of 99%. He also received the
prestigious University of Auckland Scholarship, a
Williamson's scholarship and an ASB Bank scholarship. Kevin's
contribution to the school is very wide-ranging
indeed.
He was a technology leader for five years and last year was head of this group. He was lead saxophonist in the orchestra, winning the trophy for leadership of the woodwind section, and again was a member for five years. In this area he volunteered his help to the teachers and offered his guidance to the newer members. He gave up his free time to help those musicians struggling with their parts and this was recognized by a cup for service to the music department. He has performed in all concerts since 2005 and hosted last year's annual event. His contribution to the fundraising for the trip to Sydney, when the orchestra performed at the Opera House, was greatly appreciated by the head of music. He had already toured there two years earlier. He even enrolled in two achievement standards in music although it was not part of his timetable.
He was voted
second-best debater in the Western Zone last year and he
captained the debating team last year. In this role he
mentored younger students and also ran training sessions for
the group as a whole. He is a formidable debater with
impressive rhetorical skill and won the Debating Cup for a
second year. Last year he was adjudged the fourth best
speaker in Auckland in a team which won the advanced open
Auckland finals.
Earlier last year he gave the address at the school's Anzac
Day assembly and in July he participated in the VTM-NZ Trust
Voices of the Future - APEC 2009 conference. He has trained
in peer support and participated in target shooting and the
astronomy club.
By virtue of his many outstanding qualities, Kevin was
chosen to be a Prefect of the School for 2009. In this
capacity he served on the Arts Committee and the Academic
Council. His service to the school was recognized at the
end-of-year prize-giving with the award of the Isaac Gray Cup
for Service to the School.
In the examinations held at the end of last year Kevin gained four subject scholarships: outstanding scholarships in statistics and calculus, and scholarships in chemistry and physics. He was awarded a scholarship worth $5000 per annum for three years. This is awarded to students ranked in the top 40 to 60 after the first 10. To achieve this one needs three scholarships including two outstanding or five scholarships with one outstanding. This year Kevin is studying a conjoint Engineering/Arts course at Auckland University.
Rasik Makan (2005-2009)
Rasik Makan came to Mount Albert Grammar as a Year 9 student in 2005 from Ponsonby Intermediate School. He was placed in a middle-stream class where he made such good progress overall that he came first in class including first places in science and social studies. He then joined our accelerated mathematics course in Year 10. He again topped his form-class, winning a certificate in mathematics and receiving an award for being the Best Junior Hockey Player. His acceleration continued into Year 11 with Level Two mathematics and Year 12 with calculus. At last year's prize giving, Rasik won first prizes in accounting, economics and physics and also received the Edgar Bell Senior Physics Prize, the Hardy Senior Commercial Prize and a certificate in chemistry.
Outside the classroom, Rasik has played First XI hockey since Year 10 and latterly senior tennis. He also participated in debating and orienteering. His training in peer mediation and support enabled him to help juniors with their orientation and his academic ability won him a scholar lion as well as a place on the academic council.
At the examinations at the end of the year, Rasik won scholarships in accounting and economics. They entitle him to an award of $1000 for one year. This year he is studying for a conjoint degree in science and commerce at the University of Auckland.
Sachin Makan (2005-2009)
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Sachin Makan came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2005 from Ponsonby Intermediate School. He was placed in a middle-stream class where he made excellent progress such that he came first in science and second overall. The following year he continued to build on this solid foundation and was promoted in the middle of the year to our second stream where he became part of our accelerate programme in mathematics. This involved him sitting Level One papers in this subject one year early. The acceleration continued in mathematics in Years 11 and 12 when he took Level Two and calculus respectively. At last year's prize giving, Sachin received a certificate in economics.
Outside the classroom, Sachin has played hockey for five years, four of these in the First XI, and tennis in the senior team. He sat on the student council for two years, where demonstrated his obvious leadership qualities and chaired the council last year. He was also trained in peer support, helping junior students with their orientation in the school.
In recognition of the all round contribution he made to the school, Sachin was appointed a prefect of the school for 2009.
In the examinations held at the end of the year, Sachin won two scholarships, in statistics and economics. These entitle him to an award of $1000 for one year. He is currently studying for a conjoint degree in Engineering and Commerce.
James McKeage (2005-2009)
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James McKeage came to Mount Albert Grammar School in 2005 from Kowhai Intermediate. He was placed in our second stream class where he did particularly well, receiving the prize for first in class in the end-of-year prize giving as well as certificates for mathematics and science. As a result he was promoted to the top class the following year and he entered the accelerate programme studying Level One mathematics and science. He continued to be accelerated in mathematics completing Level Two in 2007 and Level Three calculus in 2008.
James received certificates for chemistry in 2007 and for biology in 2008. At the 2009 prize giving he received the prize for first in Level Three statistics and a certificate for physics.
In 2008 he was the captain of the third XI football and a member of the senior C tennis team. He played tennis for the same team last year and was vice-captain of the third XI again. He was also vice-captain of the school table tennis team and a member of the indoor cricket team. James was a member of the school Robotics team which competed successfully against other schools. James also plays tennis for the Mount Albert tennis club.
This year James has been a member of the school Peer Support programme helping junior students make a smooth transition to secondary school.
In the examinations held at the end of the year, James won three scholarships, an outstanding one in statistics and two others in calculus and physics. These entitle him to an award of $2000 per annum for three years.
James is currently studying Engineering at the University of Auckland.
Hayden Porter (2005-2009)
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Hayden Porter came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 9 student in 2005 from Blockhouse Bay Intermediate School. He was placed in our second-stream class and did so outstandingly well that he was promoted to the top stream in the middle of the year. In Year 10 he became part of our accelerate programme which involved him in sitting NCEA Level One papers in mathematics and science a year early. He rose almost to the top of this top-stream class. The acceleration continued into Year 11 with mathematics and his results in PE Performance earned him a certificate. In Year 12, alongside his Level Two course he sat Level Three calculus and won a certificate in physics at the end of the year. At the prize giving at the end of last year, Hayden was awarded first equal prize in Classical Studies.
Outside the classroom Hayden has played soccer right up to First XI level, being part of a team that won in the last two years the national tournament. This team also won the Auckland competition in 2009 as well as the knockout the previous year when he won a Blue Cap. He has also played cricket for the school.
In recognition of his all-round abilities, Hayden was appointed Deputy Head Prefect of the School for 2009. In this capacity he worked with the head prefects in organizational tasks and he served also on the Leavers' Jersey Committee.
In the examinations held at the end of the year, Hayden gained scholarships in chemistry and physics. These entitle him to a one-year award of $1000. Currently he is studying Engineering at the University of Auckland.
Daniel Quach (2005-2009)
Daniel Quach came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a year 9 student in 2005 from Blockhouse Bay Intermediate School. Placed in our top stream, Daniel made fine progress in preparation for our accelerate course in year 10. This entailed his sitting NCEA Level One papers in mathematics, science and English one year early. His fine mathematical skills brought him a certificate in Year 11 mathematics and his overall grade point average was so high that he was presented with a scholar lion the following year. The acceleration continued into year 11 with Level Two English and mathematics and his strengths in other areas began to emerge as well. He won first prize in physics (Moorcraft Prize) and certificates in accounting and year 12 mathematics. Again he won a scholar lion. In year 12 he took Level Three calculus and did so outstandingly that he won a scholarship in it. He again won first prize in physics as well as a certificate in English. On the basis of his high GPA at Year 12 level, Daniel received an ASB scholarship .At the prize giving at the end of last year he was presented with a University of Auckland Jubilee Award.
Outside the classroom, Daniel took part in the Model United Nations Assembly in year 12. Last year he was a member of Amnesty International.
In the examinations held at the end of last year he gained subject scholarships in physics and calculus. They entitle him to a one-year award of $1000. This year Daniel is studying Biomedical Science leading to medicine at the University of Auckland.
Sophia Wang (2005-2009)
Sophia Wang came to Mount Albert Grammar School in 2005 as a Year 9 student from China. As her English was still rudimentary she was placed in a course which gave her extra tuition in this subject but her entrance test in mathematics was outstanding and she won a certificate in this subject at the end of the year. In Year 10 she was accelerated in mathematics to sit Level One a year early. This acceleration continued into year 11 with Level Two mathematics and year 12 with Level Three calculus. By this time, Sophia's English had improved markedly and this was reflected in her other subjects. At the end of Year 11 she won a certificate in chemistry and thanks to her high grade point average was awarded a scholar lion and an arts lion for her choir work. In Year 12 she was in our top English course and came first in physics with certificates in biology and calculus. Last year, as part of the Young Scholars' programme, she took a university mathematics paper in linear algebra and passed with an A+. In 2008 she won a scholarship in calculus. At the end-of-year prize-giving, Sophia came first in calculus, first in statistics, won the Bull Mathematics Prize as well as certificates in chemistry and physics. Her overall results were so outstanding that she was the Girls' Proxime Accessit and a Williamson scholar. She was also presented with a University of Auckland Jubilee award.
Outside the classroom, Sophia has been involved with the choir for the last three years, performing for Xmas in the Park, and participated in Interact, Amnesty International and robotics. She was on one of the MUNA teams representing Argentina. She also plays badminton. Through the Human Rights Commission, Sophia has been part of a project at the University of Auckland to help develop access to a telescope for wheelchair users.
In the
examinations held at the end of last year, Sophia won two
scholarships, in calculus and Chinese. These entitle her to
an award of $1000 for one year. This year Sophia is studying
Engineering through the accelerated pathway at the University
of Auckland.
Amy McCaughey-Chapman (2008-2009)
Amy McCaughey-Chapman came to Mount Albert Grammar School as a Year 12 student in 2008 from the Lycée Max Linder, Libourne, France. She had a very successful year and gained excellent grades in all five subjects she took at Level Two NCEA, winning first prizes in Horticulture and Environmental Science, Mathematics and Science. At the end-of-year prize-giving Amy won first places in Chemistry and Horticulture and Environmental Science and certificates in Calculus and Statistics. Her GPA (93.5%) placed her fifth overall in the school and as a result she received a Williamson scholarship.
Amy plays table-tennis and volleyball and participates in athletics. In France, she played Olympic handball for a local club for five years, finally playing in the French national league. Her other interests include horticulture, reading, languages, pets and oil-painting.
In the examinations held at the end of the year, Amy was the top scholar in NZ in French. To receive this award she will fly to Wellington at the beginning of May and meet the Minister of Education. This entitles her to $2000 per annum for three years. Amy is currently studying Pharmacy at the University of Auckland.