Hard yards pay off for Otago scholarship winners

Former Logan Park High School pupil Isla Thomas (18) shows off the photography workbook she completed as part of the photography scholarship requirements. Also pictured are scholarship recipients (from left) Sean McLeod, Oscar McGuire, Siobhan Quinn, Louis Whitburn, Charlotte Dickie and Abigail Nardo (all 18). PHOTO: JESSICA WILSON

Hours of study have paid off for some Otago secondary school pupils.

New Zealand Qualifications Authority scholarship results were released last week and 119 scholarships were awarded to Otago pupils, including 12 outstanding scholarships.

Former Kaikorai Valley College pupil Louie Bernhardt and former King’s High School pupil Max Beal were among the top performers in the country.

Louie was a recipient of an outstanding scholar award, while Max won a top subject scholarship award for drama.

Logan Park High School pupils maintained a 20-year tradition.

For the past two decades, pupils from the school had received 20 scholarships a year on average, LPHS co-principal Kristan Mouat said.

This year, 28 scholarships, including five outstanding scholarships, were awarded to LPHS pupils.

Ms Mouat said the results were ‘‘phenomenal’’ for a school with a roll of about 600.

Former LPHS pupil and scholarship recipient Charlotte Dickie said she attended extra tutorials throughout the year to prepare for her scholarship exams.

She was awarded three scholarships — in classics, history and media studies — and an outstanding scholarship in media studies.

Charlotte said while it amounted to ‘‘a nice sum of money’’, gaining a scholarship was more about prestige and acknowledgement of hard work.

Oscar McGuire, who also went to LPHS, agreed.

He was awarded scholarships in history, English, media studies and drama and an outstanding scholarship in drama.

‘‘It’s a nice bit of indication.

‘‘The money is not that big of a deal . . .It’s more about the kudos.’’