NZQA Scholarship Results

In the end of year, external NZQA Scholarship examinations, 22 of our students gained a total of 35 Scholarship awards, with 8 classed as Outstanding, across a range of 16 subjects.

  

Overall Outstanding Scholarships
A highlight from 2017 is the awarding of Overall Outstanding Scholarships to Andrew Chen (Year 12) and Alyssa Hatton (Year 13). These Scholarships are awarded to students who gain at least two scholarships at an Outstanding level plus at least one at Scholarship level, or one Scholarship at Outstanding level plus five or more at Scholarship level. 

Andrew gained individual subject Outstanding Scholarships in Physics, Statistics and Calculus, and a Scholarship in Geography. Alyssa gained individual subject Outstanding Scholarships in Media Studies and Classical Studies, and Scholarships in English and History. 

This is an outstanding achievement and we congratulate Andrew and Alyssa on this fine performance.

Overall Scholarship Award
A further highlight was Daniel Mar (Year 12) gaining an Overall Scholarship Award. These are awarded to students who gain Scholarships in three or more subjects. Daniel gained an individual Outstanding Scholarship in Physics and Scholarships in Calculus and Geography. 

Other Noteworthy Performances
We would also like to acknowledge other noteworthy performances from Ebba Olsen (Year 12), Josh Looker (Year 13), Tate McGregor (Year 13), Patrick Ye (Year 13) and James Matson (Year 13) for each gaining two Awards. 

NZQA Scholarships Explained
Scholarship exams are rigorous, requiring high level abstract thinking and the application of knowledge and ideas to complex situations. NZQA’s intention is that 3% of the total number of Year 13 students in the country sitting Level 3 in each of the 35 available subjects will be awarded a Scholarship, provided Scholarship standards are met. Of this top 3% nationwide who gain a Scholarship pass, a small number, equating to approximately 0.5% nationwide will be accorded an Outstanding Scholarship. In 2017, more than 9,800 students participated in New Zealand Scholarship examinations. 

At Saint Kentigern, our brightest NCEA students can elect to study towards Scholarship exams. Scholarship exams are offered by NZQA and are, therefore, aligned to NCEA. Where course content is similar, our IB Diploma students can also elect to sit Scholarship exams. However, in many cases this is not possible for some of our brightest IB Diploma students as each year there are examination clashes.

There is great monetary incentive for students to aim to achieve in these exams. New Zealand students who do well in Scholarship gain substantial monetary awards. A Scholarship in just one subject receives $500, as a single payment. An overall Outstanding Scholarship Award is worth $5,000 each year for up to three years for as long as the recipient maintains at least a ‘B’ grade average each year of their tertiary study. An overall Scholarship Award is worth $2,000 each year for up to three years for as long as the recipient maintains at least a ‘B’ grade average each year of their tertiary study.  A Premier Scholarship Award is worth $10,000 for up to three years as long as the recipient maintains a “B” grade average each year of their tertiary study. For the top candidate in each of the Scholarship subjects the recipient receives $2,000 each year for up to three years as long as a “B” grade average is maintained each year of their tertiary study.