The 2025 Performing Arts Awards were recently held at The Piano, celebrating excellence and dedication across Dance, Drama, and Music.

The event was hosted by Elisabeth Cox and Kayleigh Wheeler, honouring students for achievements ranging from performance and technique development to choreography, directing, technical operation, and leadership.

2025 Performing Arts Awards - Student Recipients

Dance

• Nikea Ahpene: Positive Attitude

• Taylor Begg: Talent in Choreography

• Aishani Bhatnagar: Talent in Choreography

• Lily Burrows: Positive Attitude

• Jemma Dalzell: Talent in Dance Performance

• Reka Harvey: E Tū Tāngata

• Ava Hurcomb: Leadership

• Katya Kalinina: Development in Dance Technique and Application

• Chichi Li: Talent in Choreography

• Kytarni-Lee Macann: Dance Hall Of Fame

• Lily Morrison-Clarke: Positive Attitude

• Olivia Painter: Development in Dance Technique and Application

• Jerry Sobremonte: Talent in Dance Performance

• Georgia Swale: Leadership

• Mica Temple: Leadership

• Caitlin Webb: Development in Dance Technique and Application

• Kayleigh Wheeler: Positive Attitude

• Bella Wilkinson: Talent in Dance Performance

• Best Co-Curricular Dance Performance was awarded to the Desire Hip Hop Crew.

Drama

• Charlie Austin: Talent in a Drama Performance

• Evie Bertie: Positive Attitude

• Sophie Brownlee: Positive Attitude

• Paige Clarke: Development in Drama Technique

• Charlotte Collins: Development in Drama Technique

• Matilda Cox: Talent In a Backstage Role

• Jessie Dowers: Positive Attitude

• Leon Greig: Talent In Directing

• Ella Grocott: E Tū Tāngata; Talent In Directing - Drama

• Jason Haig-Mataira-Kaiwai: Positive Attitude

• Manaia Hurunui: Talent in a Drama Performance

• Arjuna Lawrence: Talent In Directing - Comedy; Triple Threat

• Billy Llewellyn-Thomas: Development in Drama Technique

• Fletcher Manson: Talent in a Drama Performance

• Arapeta McGrath: Drama Hall Of Fame

• Olive Partington-Williams: Leadership

• Khyla Swann-Jefferson: Leadership

• Asuka Ueda: Talent In Lighting and/or Sound Operation

• Kayleigh Wheeler: E Tū Tāngata; Leadership

Music

Elisabeth Cox: Most Outstanding Vocalist

Reka Harvey: Most Outstanding Vocalist

Guy Herrick: Most Outstanding Strings

Michael James: Liam Pitt Memorial Trophy for Best Brass

Toby McKee: E Tū Tāngata; Most Outstanding Engineer

Minori Naoi: Most Outstanding Female Musician

Ellie Roberts: Most Outstanding Woodwind

Aska Ueda: Most Outstanding Percussion

Kieran Watson: Most Outstanding Rhythm Section Player

Alex Zhou: Most Outstanding Male Musician

We also farewelled our amazing Head of Dance, Ms Alys Webster, who leaves after 13 years leading Dance at Papanui for a promotion at St Andrew's College. She is a relentlessly positive staff member with outstanding creative talent, and we will miss her greatly.