Who were the students who shined the brightest academically this year? Hawke’s Bay Today asked secondary schools in the region to highlight the achievements of their 2024 Dux.
Julie Luong
Known for her quiet strength and unwavering dedication, Julie has excelled in academics, leadership, and service, leaving an inspiring legacy for her peers.
Her academic achievements are impressive, including first in class for chemistry, printmaking, and mathematics with statistics, as well as second in class in biology and physics.
Julie’s excellence in science earned her the prestigious Rhodes Shield, recognising her as the top science scholar.
Beyond academics, Julie has been instrumental in Pānui Mai at Frimley School, a wonderful initiative that offers reading support to young tamariki.
Her compassion and commitment to her community shine through in her contributions, impacting both Hastings Girls’ and the wider area. As community liaison captain, Julie led the school council with grace, fostering an inclusive environment and making a meaningful difference in school life.
Her dedication to badminton also earned her the Deacon Trophy, a testament to her commitment on and off the court. Julie will leave Hastings Girls’ with a level three excellence endorsement and a University of Otago scholarship. We wish her every success and know she will continue to make us proud.
Josef Oosthuizen
Josef is a Year 12 student who has taken all Year 13 subjects this year and achieved a phenomenal grade point Average of 96.6 % across his best five subjects.
Josef achieved first placings in both level three calculus and level three music. He was additionally placed second in chemistry and physics and third in economics. Josef has achieved 100% of credits attempted across all three levels of NCEA with an impressive 86% of those achieved at excellence level.
Josef is a talented musician who plays both the violin and the saxophone, and he was awarded the senior music scholarship. Josef and his piano trio won this year’s Hawke’s Bay chamber music competition, and he had his own composition performed this year by the College Jazz Band. Josef is a first violinist in the Hawke’s Bay Youth Orchestra and was in the Napier Operatic Society production of Fiddler on the Roof.
The award for Dux is presented along with the Lindisfarne Foundation scholarship. Congratulations to Josef on achieving this notable distinction while still in Year 12.
Sophie Webber
Sophie is a highly talented student who excels in mathematics and the sciences. Her ability in the sciences was recognised when she was selected for the New Zealand Biology Olympiad and then travelled with three other biology students in July to compete in the International Biology Olympiad in Kazakhstan where she was awarded a bronze medal.
Sophie’s talents go beyond the classroom. She is a passionate debater and public speaker and was selected to speak at the national finals of the Race Unity Speech Awards this year. She also earned a scholarship pass in English in 2023.
Sophie is also an outstanding all-around athlete, 2024 sports prefect, and this year, she represented New Zealand in triathlon in Australia.
In November, she was also chosen as our sportswoman of the year at the annual Woodford House sports awards and was a finalist for the Hawke’s Bay sports awards female sportsperson of the year.
Sophie has applied to a number of universities in Australia for pre-medicine sciences and is waiting for offers early next year.
Joint winners: Kiriwehi Grant and Iritana Matenga
Kiriwehi Grant will attend the University of Waikato, undertaking study towards a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance, majoring in human performance science and Māori and indigenous studies.
She was the recipient of the University of Waikato, Te Paewai o te Rangi scholarship for outstanding academic achievement, to the value of $30,000.
Iritana Matenga will attend the University of Waikato next year and will undertake study towards a Bachelor of Business, majoring in strategic management and te reo Māori.
She was a recipient of the Waikato University, Te Ara Whānui scholarship, to the value of $20,000.
Jeevanjot Singh
Jeevanjot Singh receives the board of trustees scholarship worth $3000 to help towards university study in 2025.
His academic successes in NCEA saw him achieving at excellence level in the vast majority of his papers and resulted in: first in mathematics with statistics with excellence; first in calculus with excellence; winner of the AJ Burns Cup for mathematics in the senior school; first in chemistry; first in physics; excellence in level three accounting, University of Canterbury maths paper 199 achieved with an A+.
He has also been awarded the prestigious University of Auckland top achiever scholarship 2025.
He produced these notable academic achievements while also playing 1st XI hockey for five years and representing Hawke’s Bay in U18 Hockey.
He was a school prefect and very good leader. He never wavered in his desire to achieve at the highest level, he set his goals, and he is a worthy winner.
Elise Lindsay
Elise Lindsay gained the highest-grade point average across five NCEA courses. She also gained distinction and first in level three painting, distinction in chemistry, physics and history.
Elise has worked hard to achieve over the years, earning the top academic excellence award year 10, 11 and 12, and the top NCEA results for level one in 2022, and for level two in 2023.
She was a member of the academic leadership team, helping run a homework centre to support other students. She has also been involved in Year 9 peer mentoring, assisting in Year 9 English classes.
Elise has also been strongly involved in the cultural life of the school, participating in the green team, school productions, choirs and orchestra. Outside of school she is a member of robotics team Tu Matarau Pango, competing in the first technology challenge.
Elise is the recipient of several scholarships, including Tait Foundation WiE CAN scholarship, Helen Macmillan Brown bursaries scholarship, the Go Waitaha Canterbury scholarship, and a scholarship from local engineering company, Artifex. She is looking forwards to studying a Bachelor of Engineering in 2025.
Danica Castro
Joining us in 2024, Danica quickly embraced our school values of hirangatanga, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.
She strives for excellence and works hard to ensure her success, while also balancing her academic workload with sporting activities, and part-time employment. In 2024, Danica worked closely with William Colenso College’s kaiako to achieve her goal of university entrance.
Danica’s determination, dedication, and strong work ethic are evident in her academic performance and her contributions to the school community. In 2024 alone she has Achieved 59 excellence and 28 merit credits, with exam results still to come.
These impressive results are due to Danica’s approach to challenges: a positive attitude, seeking feedback, and crucially, making a plan - not leaving her success to chance.
In the Philippines, Danica was actively involved in her church youth groups, as well as competing and tutoring others in mathematics. Danica’s positivity and tenacity in her approach to her education and extracurricular pursuits are a testament to her whānau, her wider community, and their support.
Danica has been awarded Otago University’s undergraduate entrance scholarship, and in 2025, plans to study Biomedical Science at Otago University.
Maggie Cooper
Maggie Cooper has been an exemplary student throughout her time at Napier Girls’ High School, consistently earning awards for all-around academic excellence each year.
This year, she achieved first place in both physics and economics, and she has gained excellence endorsements for NCEA levels one and two and has already completed level three. In addition, Maggie sat three scholarship exams as part of her end-of-year examinations and excelled in a 100-level University of Waikato paper in political psychology, earning an A+.
Next year, Maggie will begin a Bachelor of Global Studies at Waikato University, where she has been awarded the prestigious Te Paewai o Te Rangi scholarship for outstanding academic achievement.
Beyond academics, Maggie has contributed greatly to our school community. As deputy head prefect, she has shown outstanding leadership. She is also working towards gold in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, is a skilled debater, and is a valued member of our premier choir, Ad Lucem.
Our kura is enormously proud of Maggie and her achievements and offers her our heartfelt congratulations.
Jackson McGrory
My name is Jackson McGrory, and I am a Year 13 student at Central Hawke’s Bay College. It is an honour to be awarded Dux for 2024.
Growing up in a farming family meant we moved around frequently, and although it had its challenges, it provided me with unique opportunities at different schools, broadening my perspective.
While my early experiences on the farm sparked an interest in becoming a vet, our move to Central Hawke’s Bay, away from the life of farming, opened a new chapter in my life. Shortly after arriving at school, I discovered my passion for design, which led to a deep interest in architecture, a passion that has stayed with me ever since.
Having such a clear goal early on allowed me to focus my efforts on preparing for the future, working towards something that gave me a true sense of purpose.
Along the way, I faced challenges, particularly with subject selections, which required creative and difficult solutions like online learning where support was limited, and independent learning was crucial.
However, these obstacles only strengthened my resilience and demonstrated my commitment to my studies, ultimately guiding me to this achievement of dux.
Teina Robin
Teina Robin attended Clive School and Napier Intermediate before enrolling at Hastings Boys’ High School in 2019.
He has worked hard to achieve his success and is a fine young man who, as a school prefect has become a role model to many of our students and an asset to our school.
Not only is Teina academically gifted he involved himself in volleyball and basketball in Years 9 and 10. Teina also earned Colours Awards for leadership and academic in 2024.
Teina has been awarded the University of Otago Māori entrance scholarship and is enrolled to study health science in 2025.
Teina upholds all the values of a Hastings Boys’ High School Ākina Man and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Naomi Sai Antiporta
Deputy head girl, Naomi Sai Antiporta is the Flaxmere College dux for 2024. Naomi has an impressive work ethic, juggling part-time work and fulltime study and shows incredible perseverance in order to gain success.
She has achieved university entrance in business studies, mathematics with statistics, music and English. In addition, as part of her trades academy studies in business she was awarded a merit and excellence in marketing and innovative business. Naomi has also been awarded the Whakapapa Award for outstanding citizenship/service to the school and community.
Naomi shows leadership and participation in all areas of the school and demonstrates the school values. She is very active in sports and culture – promoting and participating in school language weeks and promotion.
Naomi is down to earth, approachable and has an infectious smile. Her passion and zest for life is contagious and her willingness to give new things a go is commendable.
Naomi will attend EIT in Taradale to study a Conjoint Bachelor of Business Studies and Sports and Recreation.
Sopanhala Chea
Our warmest congratulations go to Sopanhala Chea. This prestigious award recognises her exceptional achievements across a broad range of subject areas.
Sopanhala achieved first place in chemistry, biology and mathematics with calculus as well as distinction in physics and English. She was the recipient of the Benge Cup for biology, the Heuser Cup for mathematics with Calculus, the Marshall Cup for chemistry and the Crenfeldt senior science cup.
As an international student from Cambodia, Sopanhala joined Iona College in Year 12. She has approached her education with dedication and calm determination. Next year, she is intending to study medicine at Auckland University.
Riya
I am honoured to be named dux 2024 at Tamatea High School, where I spent an unforgettable year. My course work included physics, chemistry, maths, biology, and health, which fuelled my passion for sciences.
Apart from academic academics, I also enjoyed playing badminton and volleyball, participating in cultural events and doing some volunteer work, creating cherished memories with my friends that will last forever.
As an international student, this year has been both challenging and rewarding, shaping my aspirations for the future and stepping into the real world.
I am looking forward to doing a Bachelor of Nursing in the following years, driven by my desire to serve the community and make a positive impact on other’s lives.
Nursing allows me to combine my interest in science with my commitment to helping others. Ultimately, I aspire to become a doctor, building on my nursing education to further my ability to help others.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the students and teachers at Tamatea High School for providing support and encouragement throughout the year. Your guidance and kindness have made a lasting impact on my life.
Jeremy Beecroft
Jeremy was awarded the prize in English with a literature focus, for which he receives the Ryan Award, prize in history, prize in economics, prize in biology and distinction in physics.
Jeremy’s teachers are highly complementary about his intellect, determination, creativity and outstanding organisational skills.
He is intrinsically motivated to excel at the highest level and consistently demonstrates support and inclusivity towards his peers. At the beginning of the year, he set a formidable academic goal, which he has successfully achieved.
This year, Jeremy will sit four scholarship examinations in addition to his five NCEA exams, making him a very deserving recipient of the Foundation Trophy for dux 2024. Jeremy has been awarded a University of Otago academic excellence entrance scholarship valued at $40,000.
He plans to study a conjoint degree of English and philosophy, politics and economics next year.
Emma-Jaiye Taylor-Nelson (Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Pāhuera)
The 18-year-old received the award at the college’s prizegiving on December 12, where she was also awarded distinction in Art, Religion, and History, a Sacred Heart College Board of Trustees Scholarship and scholarships from the University of Otago.
“I didn’t expect to get dux at all, so it was very surprising for me,” Emma-Jaiye said.
“It’s a very special thing for my family, especially because my parents had me when they were teenagers. There is always stigma surrounding that, so this was a way to show everyone that I could succeed at school. They were very happy that I got it. It means a lot to me.”
Emma-Jaiye’s parents, Alex Taylor and Roger Nelson, were among the proud family members who cheered her on at the prizegivng.
Her time at Sacred Heart has been pivotal in helping her overcome challenges and build strength. Emma-Jaiye reflected on her academic journey, noting that while she struggled at times in years 11 and 12, the school’s support helped her return to form.
“The teachers were really good with feedback and checked in on me regularly,” she explained. “The small class sizes allowed for a lot of one-on-one support, which was really helpful.”
Emma-Jaiye highlighted the small school environment as another reason for her success. “I think Sacred Heart has built such an amazing community. You always feel welcome here, and the smaller class sizes make it easier to get one-on-one attention,” she explained.
Emma-Jaiye’s academic strengths lie in the arts and linguistics, though she recently shifted her sights toward health sciences as she prepares for her future. She will attend the University of Otago next year to study health sciences, an area she chose out of both interest and practicality.
“I wanted a viable career because I’m very scared about AI and how it’s going to replace certain things in the future,” she explained. “Health science isn’t something that can easily be replaced.”
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.