Awards celebrate top New Zealand students

New Zealand's top secondary students have had had their success celebrated at the annual Top Scholar Awards, this year hosted at Parliament by the Minister of Education, The Hon. Anne Tolley.

The awards, held last month recognised the achievements of the 29 top-performing candidates in the 2008 New Zealand Scholarship examinations.

The Governor General of New Zealand , His Excellency, the Hon Sir Anand Satyanand and Her Excellency, Lady Satyanand, attended the event alongside NZQA Board Chair Sue Suckling, Chief Executive, Karen Poutasi and Deputy Chief Executive, Qualifications, Bali Haque.

More than 9,000 students sat Scholarship exams (or submitted portfolios) in a total of 28 subjects last year . Scholarship is a competitive process with awards restricted in number.

The 2008 New Zealand Top Scholars either had the top result out of all candidates in their subject (Top Subject scholars), or were named one of ten Premier scholars, who all achieved "Outstanding" in at least four subjects. In some cases, students achieved both distinctions.

Along with the awards, the Top Scholars also received financial prizes for their hard work. The ten Premier scholars were awarded $10,000 scholarships for three years. Top Subject scholars receive $2000 a year for three years.

The scholarship award payment contributes towards the cost of tertiary study within New Zealand , with Engineering and Health Science popular choices for tertiary study for this year's Top Scholars.

The majority of students sit Scholarship in year 13, but the exams are open to any secondary student, with Jonathan Mahon-Heap from Auckland Grammar School , receiving the Top Scholar English award as a year 12 student.

The Top Scholar Premier Scholars with the Minister of Education, the Hon Anne Tolley and the Governor General, the Hon Sir Anand Satyanand and Her Excellency, Lady Satyanand.