Academic successes – May 2026

Late 2025*

*Please note the use of 2025 year groups.

Creative Writing

Several Preparatory School students participated in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC), the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883. In 2025, there were 53,434 entries from 54 countries, with the following students achieving impressive results:

• Gold: Georgia Blyde (Year 5), Ava Blyde (Year 4), Aneel Bartlett (Year 8), Mia Zhang (Year 7);

• Silver: Reva Bartlett (Year 5), Hudson Blyde (Year 9).

French

Several French students sat the Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF) examination this year, which is an internationally recognised diploma certifying French language proficiency for non-native speakers, with the following achieving outstanding results:

• A1 Diploma: Matilda Atkins, Isabella Godfrey-Morris and Maya White (all Year 10);

• A2 Diploma: Hanxi (Cicy) Chen, Gracie-Starr Guest, Silvia Sanderson and Cheryl Teng (all Year 11);

• B1 Diploma: Daisy Thake (Year 12).

Mathematics

Jacob Wang (Year 8) received a Gold Award in the American Mathematics Olympiad (AMO) Grade 7, placing first in New Zealand and eighth globally.

Benjamin Yu and Cong (Zilong) Chen (both Year 9) achieved outstanding results in several national and international Mathematics competitions in 2025. These included the Australia Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad, where Benjamin finished in the top 1.5 per cent, and Zilong in the top 10 per cent; the New Zealand Mathematical Olympiad Competition, where Benjamin won a silver award for finishing in the top 15 students; the Australian Mathematics Competition, where both students won a Prize and Perfect Score Award (top 0.3 per cent); and the Kangourou sans Frontières where Benjamin received a Perfect Score Award, and Zilong won a High Distinction Award.

Science Badge

Elina Wang (Year 8) was one of only nine students in New Zealand to complete her 30th Science Badge, earning the Platinum Star Badge. Her photo was displayed on the Science Award Trust Honours Board.

Tessa Kerr (Year 10) completed her 15th Science Badge and was awarded her Gold Star Badge.

2026

Biology Olympiad

Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 12) was selected for the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) training and selection camp. Just 25 students were chosen for this prestigious programme from a national pool of approximately 500 students representing 200 schools. Following the camp, four students will be selected to represent New Zealand at the International Biology Olympiad, in Lithuania.

International Middle School Ethics Olympiad

After finishing second in the South Island in 2025, the Middle School Ethics Olympiad team, comprising Angela Yang (Captain), Samuel Hu (both Year 11), Kangwoo Moon, Louis Hyland‑Cook and Hudson Blyde (all Year 10), placed an impressive seventh out of 50 teams in the International Middle School Ethics Olympiad, finishing as the highest‑placing team from New Zealand.

Mathematical Olympiad

Benjamin Yu (Year 10) was selected as one of the top 30 students in New Zealand to attend the January residential Mathematical Olympiad training camp at St Cuthbert’s College. He was named in the NZIMO training squad, from which a representative team of six students will be announced in April to compete at the International Mathematical Olympiad, taking place in China from 10–20 July.

Outstanding Academic Achievement

Cong (Zilong) Chen (Year 10) has made some remarkable academic achievements. In late 2025, as a Year 9 student, he earned Excellence Endorsement in Level 2 and Level 3 Calculus, along with Merit Endorsement in Level 2 Accounting. In 2026, Zilong will sit Level 3 Physics, Chemistry, and Accounting, as well as Scholarship Calculus. He is also studying a STAR course at the University of Canterbury.