College high achievers celebrated

Parents and students packed the Kuranui College auditorium last Wednesday for the school's 53rd annual senior prize-giving.

Also included at the annual event was Mayor of South Wairarapa Adrienne Staples and South Wairarapa Rotary and Lions clubs' representatives.

The Kuranui College Dux for 2012 was awarded to Emily Jamieson, and Head Boy and Head Girl for 2013 will be Kaden Saywell and Katrina Simmonds.

College principal Geoff Shepherd said pupils at the college were achieving well above the national mean for a Decile 5 school and a past decline in achievement had been reversed.

In 2004 53 per cent of year 11 students had gained NCEA level 1, he said, and in 2006 51 per cent reached the same standard.

Two years later, only 46 per cent achieved the mark but the college had since "markedly improved its results", Mr Shepherd said.

"In 2009 68 per cent achieved level 1; in 2010 75 per cent and last year 83.5 per cent. I know that NCEA level 1 is only one measure of success, but it is a pretty good indicator of how academic achievement has lifted and is continuing to lift."