As the school year came to an end, piper Alex Hewes had the honour of leading the procession into the Year 8 prize presentation ceremony to recognise our graduating students on their academic, sporting and cultural success, and to give acknowledgement for those who have made a notable contribution to service and citizenship during the year.
The prizegiving ceremony this year was a little different due to gathering restrictions; presented by Year group and held closed-door with the recording of event shared with families.
In his address, Principal Mr Peter Cassie recounted the highs and lows of the year, highlighting the numerous events covered in the first half of the year, more academic and sports achievements, service to community and a much easier transition into distance learning.
Mr Cassie added, ‘I offer my sincere thanks for all that you have done to make this school so great. Your leadership, effort, involvement and laughter has been appreciated. Saint Kentigern is an amazing community and our values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Love are lived and evident in so many ways. Believe in yourself and always live the values that you have come to know so well.’
Year 8 teachers took turns to present the Music, Speech and Cultural, Sports, and Academic Awards before School Chaplain Reverend Reuben Hardie presented the Big Tree and Christian Living Awards. In between the award presentations, Isaac Chang came forward for a piano recital.
The final awards of the morning, the ‘Special Awards,’ were presented by Mr Cassie. The Remuera Lions Citizenship Award was awarded to Liam Dowling. The Senior Citizenship Cup went to Thomas McCulloch for outstanding service and leadership in the Senior School. The Joel Campbell Memorial Trophy, for service to others, went to Scott Nel. For displaying true grit and spirit in the sporting arena, Max Trankels received the Knox Family Lion Heart Award. Max also received the Sandra K Hastie Cup for his outstanding service and leadership. Maxim Zurflueh has demonstrated diligence, cooperation, courtesy, sportsmanship and friendliness to earn the Rex Hooton Cup for School Spirit. Sebe Poole was recognised for his role as Head Boy with the Saint Kentigern Cup for Head Prefect.
For the top awards, Sebe Poole was presented the Jubilee Cup as the Proxime Accessit, and Jonathan Hu named Dux of the School receiving the Foundation Pupil Cup. Leofe Usufono was named Senior School Sportsman of the Year.
To conclude, graduating Head Boy, Sebe Poole made an eloquent Valedictory Speech, sharing moments he had gained over the years with a heart-felt tribute to the Principal, teachers and staff.
That afternoon, the boys were treated to a sumptuous BBQ picnic as part of their graduation celebration after receiving a special tour of the brand new Specialist Facilities block and Senior Boys’ Classrooms and attending a gathering where they were welcomed to the ranks of the Old Collegians by President of the Old Collegians, Hayden Butler.
Congratulations to all the boys who received awards and we wish our Year 8s well as they embark on the next stage of their educational journey.
DUX
Jonathan Hu
Jonathan has had an outstanding year, striving for excellence in all areas of the curriculum and has achieved excellent results during his two years at Saint Kentigern Boys’ School. This year his combined year and examination results were: English 97%, Maths 97%, Social Science 97%, and Science 91%. This was a total 382 with an average of 95.5%. Jonathan has been a highly diligent, motivated, and conscientious young man and is a worthy recipient of the Foundation Pupil Cup for Dux. He was awarded 1st in English and he also achieved exceptional results in the ICAS Mathematics, English and Science Assessments scoring a Distinction for each.
PROXIME ACCESSIT
Sebastian Poole
The Jubilee Cup for Proxime Accessit is awarded to Sebastian Poole, who is a deserving, hard-working recipient. Sebastian’s combined year and examination results were: English 93%, Maths 96%, Social Science 97%, Science 95%. This was a total of 381 with an average of 95.3%. Sebastian is an outstanding student who has participated in a variety of academic and sporting activities. He achieved a Distinction in ICAS Science and was awarded the Year 8 Spanish Prize. His service to the school was exemplary and he achieved his Gold Service Award.
SENIOR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Leofe Usufono
The Ross Perry Cup for Senior Sportsman of the Year goes to Leofe Usufono, who has represented the Boys’ School at the highest level in many sporting codes: Touch Rugby Senior A Team, 1st XV U68kg Rugby Team, Basketball Hawks Year 7 & 8 Team. He was awarded the Sports Cups for the Best Rugby Player and for the Year 8 Athletics Champion. Leofe demonstrates sportsmanship, humility, and pride on and off the field and is a well-deserving recipient of this award.
