Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards event honours 117 kiwis

Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards event honours 117 exceptional kiwi students

The 2018 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards celebrated Kiwi high school students who have proved themselves among the highest achievers in the world. The awards, held at Eden Park on 22 February, recognised 117 students for High Achievement, Top in Country and Top in World for Cambridge ICGSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level examinations in 2017.

The stand-out student of the night, Henry Chen of Auckland Grammar School in Epsom, was named Best Across Three Cambridge International A Levels, winner of Top in World for A Level Physics and Top in Country for A Level Chemistry. He was named dux for these results and this year will start studying medicine at Sydney University. Henry was part of a 2017 Cambridge cohort about which, Grammar Headmaster Tim O’Connor says, “our feeling is they’ve done extremely well.”

Of the benefits of the Cambridge programme, Mr O’Connor says, “The content is prescribed and rigorous, and it prepares students well for university pathways. Our teachers tend to love Cambridge courses because of the opportunity to teach some high-level concepts and some curriculum content and skills that are no longer offered in New Zealand qualifications. It means we attract specialist teachers in their field who want to be able to share their knowledge, and our young men can have high-level, academic conversations and debates.”

Sixteen-year-old Anna Nelson, a Year 12 student at Wentworth College in Gulf Harbour, Auckland, is undoubtedly one of the stars of the modestly sized school, which has just over 200 students from Years 7 to 13. Last year, Anna’s first year as a Cambridge International student, she earned a Top in Country result for IGCSE Physical Education; Grade A* (the highest grade) in Mathematics, Geography, English Language and English Literature, and Co-ordinated Science; and Grade A in Economics.

Anna who received her award for Top in Country in Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education at Eden Park last night, says, “Cambridge teaches you a lot more than just to sit exams. I’ve definitely learned about time management, and you get to test your abilities. I like being busy and working hard, and it pushes me and shows me what I can do. It can get a bit challenging when you’re also doing after-school sports, but I can fit things in at other times, and the teachers are always willing to help – and our small class sizes are really good. It’s a great school.”

Roger Franklin-Smith, Senior Country Manager New Zealand for Cambridge Assessment International Education, says Cambridge programmes are about much more than the minutiae of academic testing. “Our programmes have evolved over many years to become a larger mission that inspires students to love learning, and to discover new abilities and a wider world. We work to give students a global perspective, whether they choose to pursue opportunities in New Zealand or overseas.

“Cambridge programmes start for students aged five and reach up to 18-year-olds, to develop the skills they need for life, and to achieve at school, university and work. Many Cambridge International students are interested in higher learning, and Cambridge International A Levels are excellent preparation for university success anywhere in the world due to the deeper and broader learning and critical thinking skills that are developed through our Cambridge syllabuses.

Cambridge International programmes are taken by approximately 10,000 students in New Zealand. Apart from gaining internationally recognised and valued Cambridge International qualifications, students are well represented in the local New Zealand Scholarship examinations and Outstanding Scholar’s awards.

Other students awarded Top in World for their 2017 Cambridge International subjects were:

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About Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.

The Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can shape the curriculum around how they want students to learn – with a wide range of subjects and flexible ways to offer them. It helps students discover new abilities and a wider world, and gives them the skills they need for life, so they can achieve at school, university and work.

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