Student Success Stories

St Paul's Collegiate School — May 30, 2023

The fitness levels and goal-setting established at Tihoi last year have been taken to the next level for Year 11 Quinn Davidson-Green. This year, Quinn competed at the Kinloch Triathlon in February and a Half Ironman at Easter. Quinn was a star runner at the school Cross Country this month with the fastest time in the school of 20.47.24 minutes for the 6 km run at a pace of 3.28 min/km). He also ran 54 km in the Charity Relay Race at School in May. He has other events in his sights for the future.

For more than 12 months, Blake Freyberg has been engaged in Duke of Edinburgh activities to achieve the prestigious Edinburgh Gold Award. Blake completed at least one hour of activity per week in a sport, skill and service for 52 weeks. Blake also participated in a five-day residential project to develop teamwork and leadership skills and he completed a four-day tramp covering a total of 65 kilometres.

Aidan Hodgson (Year 11) is a recipient of one of five Te Ara A Kupe Beaton Scholarships. The recipients of the scholarship gain access to personalised support and services including tutoring and consultancy with experts. The service will enable Aidan to narrow in on which field he wants to study after high school and prepare him to apply to top universities. The support, worth up to $25,000 is given to Maaori high school students across New Zealand. Aidan learned he was a recipient at a virtual prizegiving announcing the winners. He says, "I was shocked and blown away. It is such an amazing opportunity." You can watch his video that he submitted as his 'world view' as part of the application process here.

Taine Moeke (Year 13) represented New Zealand in the U18 Boys' Touch Team at the Asia Pacific Youth Touch Rugby Cup in Brisbane with just 15 other players from Aotearoa. Taine played all five games including the final against a strong Australian side and received recognition from other competitors.

Alyssa Fenemore, Grace Potter, Renee Carey, Somer Williamson have been selected to play in the Waikato U18 Womens' Hockey Team and Richard Ruetsech and Kade Slade have played their way into the Waikato U18 Mens' Hockey Team.

The St Paul's Water Polo teams had outstanding success this year in the Waikato Secondary School division. Players and teams were acknowledged at an assembly with the chair of Waikato Water Polo Club. Caitlin Foote: Waikato Waterpolo Most Valuable Player - Mixed Division Emily Steel: Waikato Waterpolo Most Valuable Goalie - Mixed Division Oscar Lawon: Waikato Waterpolo Most Valuable Goalie - Boys' Division St Paul's Senior Mixed: Gold medal St Paul's Boys: Bronze Medal

Bands Orange and Lime and The Bagels performed at Rock Quest where they made it to the Waikato Regional Finals and will perform original songs. Well done to Jackson Mackwood, Jackson Norris, Asher Downing (The Bagels) and Sam Fletcher, Nic Jones, Brooklyn Snelgrove and Jack Walch (Orange and Lime).

Head Boy, Matthew Chanwai, recently entered two international classical music competitions and received the following results.

In the 2023 European Spring Music Competition, Matthew was awarded the Platinum Prize (>95 - 100) in the Artist Category (age 14-17) for his cello performance of two pieces of music by Bach and Brahms. He was also awarded the prize for the player who achieved the highest score to represent New Zealand.

In the UK International Music Competition, Matthew was awarded First Prize for the Baroque Category, as well as First Prize for the Romantic Category for his age group. In addition, he won the Expressive Performance Special Prize which, 'celebrates musicians who have the ability to touch hearts, communicate with authenticity, and leave a lasting impact through their expressive interpretations'.