Academic Excellence at Prizegiving
The Full College Prizegiving gathered our community together for a celebration of academic achievement, leadership, and service. The proceedings opened with an official welcome, comprised of the official party being piped in, a mihi whakatau, the prayer of Saint Kentigern, and our national anthem.
Prior to any awards, Principal Damon Emtage reflected on the year’s accomplishments and the long arc of learning that shapes every Saint Kentigern student. His message honoured the collective effort of families, teachers, and staff who support each learner’s journey.
Across the morning, awards were presented to top achievers from Years 7 to 13, recognising distinction, subject excellence, service, leadership, and special honours. Top students in their year-level included Bryn Laird (Year 7), Christian Tan (Year 8), Jasper Li (Year 9), Peter Hu (Year 10), and Boen Wang (Year 11). The PG Hadfield Prizes acknowledged the highest academic achievers in Year 12: Madelyn Quay-Chin (NCEA) and Rémi Geron (IB).
Senior academic honours formed the pinnacle of the ceremony. The NCEA Proxime Accessit was awarded to Nadia Turner, and the IB Proxime Accessit to Daniel Xian. The College’s highest academic titles went to NCEA Dux, Morgan Alley, and IB Dux, Alan Chen – both of whom balanced outstanding academic performance with significant leadership and service, and each continuing a family legacy, with siblings Mackenzie Alley (2023) and Andrew Chen (2018) also having been named Dux.
The ceremony concluded with a last address from Head Prefects Amelia Evangelidakis and Luka Makata before the Pipes and Drums closed the assembly with the lowering of the flag, a tradition marking the end of another year at Saint Kentigern College.
NCEA Dux – Morgan Alley
Morgan worked toward an NCEA Excellence Endorsement with consistently outstanding academic results, balancing a demanding leadership and creative workload. Her achievements include a GPA reflective of Excellence-level performance across all subjects, alongside major prizes in Drama, French, Media in Society, and Visual Arts.
IB Dux – Alan Chen
Alan excelled across the full breadth of the International Baccalaureate while serving as Academic Prefect, demonstrating discipline, talent, and a global outlook. His academic success, combined with achievements at international level and significant co-curricular involvement, speaks to a student of exceptional capability and character.
NCEA Proxime Accessit – Nadia Turner
Nadia achieved exceptional results across Biology, Chemistry, French, Mathematics with Calculus, and Physics, earning top awards in Biology and Physics. With multiple Excellence subject grades and a near-perfect rank profile, she exemplified determination and a purposeful commitment to her aspiration of studying Medicine.
IB Proxime Accessit – Daniel Xian
Daniel attained outstanding results across his IB subjects, including exceptional achievement in his Higher Level courses, underpinned by strong self-discipline and organisation. His academic profile, supported by a high predicted IB score and subject prizes in Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, Chemistry, and Physics, reflects a scholar of consistency and depth.
