Pupils recognised for top marks

Queenstown Primary School pupil Sammy Fookes (9), front, with her International Competitions and...
Queenstown Primary School pupil Sammy Fookes (9), front, with her International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) medal, awarded to her for achieving the top mark in New Zealand for writing. Pictured with Sammy are back, from left, high distinction recipients Alex Bailey (English), Om Shetty (computer skills) and Hylton Briscoe (spelling), all aged 12. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.
Sammy Fookes may have the thin blue line in her blood, but the 9-year-old has other career plans in mind.

Despite her obvious talent in writing, as shown by recent exam results, Sammy wants to become a veterinarian.

The daughter of Senior Sergeant John Fookes, of Queenstown, and Constable Beth Fookes, of Arrowtown, achieved the highest mark in New Zealand for writing in this year's International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS).

The ICAS tests are aimed at pupils in years 2 to 12, designed to assess pupils' academic ability in computer skills, English, maths, science, spelling and writing.

Sammy, a Queenstown Primary School pupil, had to write a narrative on ''Don't judge a book by its cover'' - her story about a ''hero paleontologist'' whose child has ''problems with his brain''.

She and her father flew to Auckland at the weekend to collect her medal at a ceremony held at Auckland University.

Sammy also achieved High Distinction - putting her in the top 1% in the country - in English.

Fellow Queenstown pupils Om Shetty, Hylton Briscoe and Alex Bailey, all aged 12, also achieved high distinction in computer skills, spelling and English respectively.

In 2012, Om was named top pupil in New Zealand for computer skills but rather than become an IT technician, he hoped to become a doctor, as did Hylton, who wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both doctors.

Alex said he hoped to become a physicist.

QPS gifted and talented pupil co-ordinator Maria Small said she was proud of all the pupils who had opted to sit the tests.

''It's really nice to be able to celebrate their academic success.

''They are all rounders. They're great role models for the school, not just academically, but sporting, culturally and leadership.''

Tracey.Roxburgh@odt.co.nz

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