Students celebrate academic gains

SPECIAL: The Rathkeale St Matthew's Senior School tertiary grants and university scholarship recipients for 2014. PHOTO/MARSHALL PITNEY

Thirteen students from Rathkeale St Matthew's Senior School have scored an outstanding academic achievement and captured five scholarships for leadership and seven for academic or arts excellence.

Senior school spokeswoman Nicola Holmwood said Ella Falloon and George Sims each received a Castle Hill Wind Farm grant and a William Walter Dunsterville grant was awarded to Anna Lawrence, with both Ella and Nicola pursuing study at agribusiness and food marketing at Lincoln University, near Christchurch, next year.

George also will attend the university to study land and property management.

Hugh Morrison-Thomas was awarded a Canterbury Emerging Leaders Scholarships and will be studying speech language therapy. Hugh is in Year 14 at Rathkeale College, having chosen to return to school for an additional year specifically to work on some skills that he felt he was missing, Ms Holmwood said.

"Having spent most of his time at school involved in cultural activities including drama and choir, he is focusing on PE and sports this year."

Gianina Schwanecke received a Castle Hill Wind Farm grant, a Victoria Excellence Scholarship and an Otago Young Leaders Scholarship.

Gianina was to travel to Europe in January to represent New Zealand at The Hague International Model United Nations before pursuing a double law and Bachelor ofArts degree, majoring in English and politics at Victoria University.

Gianina's dean, Kiewiet van Deventer, said "mature is the description that always come up when talking about Gianina. She is truly a global citizen with a passion for helping those less privileged".

Emilie Butterfield was this year's academic prefect and also the dux of senior college and she has received a Castle Hill Wind Farm grant and an Otago Young Leaders Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded to those who have shown "proven leadership capabilities" and Emilie has certainly proved hers, Ms Holmwood said.

Emilie, who will be studying health science at Otago University next year, had been a member of the Wairarapa Youth Council for the past two years, attended the national Youth Council Conference, spearheaded lunchtime tutoring by students for students at senior college and has been heavily involved in charity and community work.

Angus Gaffney, George Young and Sarah-Marie Davies each received a Victoria Excellence Scholarships, awarded for excellent academic performance in Year 12. Angus starred in the senior college production of Oliver and Sarah-Marie was St Matthew's head girl, who was enjoying a successful squash season, competing at national level, Ms Holmwood said.

Luke McKay and Harriet McKenzie both received Lincoln Future Leaders Scholarships, which recognise high academic calibre and leadership potential.

Luke is head boy at Rathkeale and a very successful hockey player as well.

Harriet completed the Spirit of New Zealand and was "already giving back to her school" by coaching junior netball.

Both Luke and Harriet will study agribusiness and food marketing at Lincoln University.

Rachel Bolt and Natasha Wall each captured Massey University Vice-Chancellor's High Achievers Scholarships, Rachel for arts and Natasha for arts and academics.