Award winners have been announced for 2023

Kia ora koutou,

Each year at the annual New Zealand Area Schools Conference a number of students (including students one year out of school) are recognised by the Student Excellence Award. 

https://www.nzasa.org.nz/student-awards/

This award is based on achievements recognised in any field of endeavour at the highest level.

This year's award winners selected from 18 nominations were:

• Hillary Cooper-Oxford Area School
• Amy Riach-Oxford Area School
• Samuel Christie -Raglan Area School
• Aliya Tukiri-Raglan Area School
• Charlotte Atkinson-Tauraroa Area School
• Bella Muir -Whangamata Area School

It is amazing to see our two young leaders recognised on the national stage. We are very proud of them and what they have achieved. 

Ngā mihi,

Mike Hart
Tumuaki | Principal
Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua
Oxford Area School

Below are the two extracts describing their endeavours.

Amy Riach: Amy Riach began her educational journey at Oxford Area School as a 5-year-old and culminated with being Head Student in her final year in 2022. As acknowledged when Amy was named Dux 2022, she is described by her teachers as a caring young person with empathy for others, sincere, respectful, conscientious and extremely capable. She is willing to put herself outside her comfort zone to assist others in getting things done; this was especially evident in her role as part of the Oxford School's 150th Jubilee committee. Amy understands the power of words and every time she writes she carefully composes and crafts these, articulating eloquently every word they write with consideration. She is able to move the reader with their words and this is due to her masterful writing. The wider community has had the pleasure of enjoying Amy's writing for local publications for a number of years with the audience now wider that she is writing for a nationwide publication. An amazing young woman with a bright future ahead of her, Amy is currently studying for a double degree at the University of Canterbury.

Hillary Cooper: Hillary Cooper began her educational journey at Oxford Area School as a 5-year-old and is culminating this year as one of our Head Students. Hillary is an extremely capable, mature young woman who exudes confidence and positivity. Hillary takes her community responsibilities seriously and has been the student representative on the Board of Trustees for a number of years, reflecting the trust our student body has in her. Outside of school, she manages her civic duties as the Waimakariri Youth MP with dignity and focus. Hillary's first love is rural life and the multitude of awards she has received at local, regional, national and international levels for stock handling, specifically cattle, is extensive including being part of the New Zealand Hereford Youth Team competed in the Herford Australia National Youth Expo earlier this year.
A young woman of whom both the school and wider community are justifiably proud.