A bumper crop of scholarships earned by Wakatipu High School pupils has been hailed as "a significant improvement" on past years and a reflection of the high calibre of pupils and teachers, by the acting principal.
The 2011 National Scholarship exam results announced in February revealed nine high school pupils gained 14 scholarships in eight subjects.
Recipients were: Catrona Anderson, for statistics and modelling; Jared Campbell, for history; Ben Dolman, for statistics and modelling; Max Gunn, for biology, geography, statistics and modelling; Simone Handtschoewercker, for photography; Zac Imhoof, for photography (outstanding); Ali Macharg, for statistics and modelling (outstanding), chemistry and history; Tai Skoropada, for mathematics with calculus and physics; and Shelby Tuiman Bell, for photography.
Acting principal Paul O'Connor said the results were a significant improvement.
Five pupils gained seven scholarships in 2010, five pupils gained five scholarships in 2009 and six pupils gained six scholarships in 2008.
"In previous years, we have had individual students who have gained three scholarships and year 12 and 13 students gaining outstanding scholarship," Mr O'Connor said.
"However, this year for the first time two students, Zac Imhoof and Ali Macharg, have gained outstanding scholarships."
Two pupils, 2011 head boy Max Gunn and 2011 dux Ali Macharg, gained scholarships in three subjects. Tai Skoropada, a year 12 pupil, gained two scholarships.
Scholarships were also gained across a wider range of subjects, Mr o'Connor said.
"The majority of our students have gone on to tertiary studies at the University of Otago. Others have begun courses at Massey, Auckland and Victoria.
"Their courses range through health sciences, law, music, fine arts, mathematics, psychology, creative arts, science and business fields."
Mr O'Connor said pupils who entered scholarships sat a demanding three-hour exam in addition to their level 3 NCEA exams.
"These exams are pitched at a high level to challenge the most able students across the country.
"Only 3% of students studying at this level receive scholarship, a small number receive outstanding scholarship."
All pupils who gained three or more scholarships - 204 pupils in total - received $2000 each year for three years for their tertiary study. Individual scholarship recipients received a one-off payment of $500 for each scholarship award.
Mr O'Connor said the "outstanding" results "confirm for students that they can be academically competitive at the highest levels".
He said he had every confidence the results would be repeated in their tertiary examinations this year.
