• 16 December 2024

On Wednesday 11 December, we gathered at Pipitea Marae for our annual Senior School Prize Giving to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our Year 11–13 students.

 

The evening served as both a celebration of the achievements of our Year 11-13 students and an opportunity to look ahead. The spirit of celebration was tinged with anticipation for the future, with Management Board Chair Sarena Saunders announcing an exciting new building project to mark Marsden’s upcoming 150th anniversary.

 

The planned development will enhance the Vera Street entrance, creating a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose welcoming space. This project will include modern changing facilities and flexible teaching and hospitality areas designed to enrich Marsden’s vibrant community life, with plans to be shared as they continue to evolve.

 Architect's Impressions Of Vera St

Architect's impression of what the Vera St build could look like

Principal Paula Wells delivered an inspiring farewell to the Class of 2024, encouraging them to embrace their futures with confidence and pride.


"The shifting tide is about to turn, and with it the moment nigh to navigate the course of your own lives. Know that you are well-equipped, you are loved, and that you are so much stronger than you think. It is my wish for you that wherever the ebb and flow of the days and years ahead may take you, you remain anchored here, proud Marsden alumnae, further contributing to our legacy of trailblazing wāhine toa taking on the world in a myriad of inspiring ways. Ad summa!”

Paula Wells, Principal

The evening highlighted many outstanding achievements, with two students receiving the highest academic accolades:


2024 12 11 Marsden Prizegiving 387

Dux: Kate Yu

Kate has had a stellar year both in the classroom and out. She is a compelling communicator, serves her community with energy and willingness, is an empathetic leader and has a genuine love of learning. 


2024 12 11 Marsden Prizegiving 367

Proxime Accessit: Sophie Zhang

Sophie has demonstrated success across a range of subjects and levels. She is also hugely involved in a wider school life and shown positive and creative leadership in many cultural endeavours.

 

Head Girl Emily Allen delivered a poignant valedictory address that encapsulated the Marsden spirit. Her dedication and character earned her the prestigious Manu Rere Ao Award, Kindness Cup, and Blundell Cup, recognising her outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to te Ao Māori.

2024 Head Girl Emily Allen

 

Below is a complete list of awards in the order they were presented on the night. Congratulations to all of our award recipients, the Class of 2024, and the wider Marsden community for a truly memorable year. 

Award

Recipient(s)

Year 11 Awards  
Excellence in Attitude to Learning Award Jennifer Chisholm, Charlotte Fitzgerald, Xinzhi Mao, Philia Shu, Kate Urry
Fisher Cup for Academic Improvement in Year 11 Elisabeth Roberton Cole
Marsden Community Award Isabel Harvey-Green
Student Volunteer Army Award Marama Hambly
ICAS English High Distinction Elke Bartlett
Gillian Eadie Innovation Award Yasmin Rodda
Jean Gilmer Award Kate Urry
Ad Summa Cup Charlotte Fitzgerald
General Academic Excellence Riley Bennett, Jessica Greening, Bay Johnson, Amelie McClintock, Jayna Parag
General Academic Excellence Akshara Ravi, Elisabeth Roberton Cole, Molly Webster, Stephanie Wu, Emily Yu
Year 12 Awards  
Dr Rina Moore Award for Excellence in Science Lopa Mistry
Wellington City Council Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Student Awards, for the Winter Project Arabella Allwood, Xinyi (Tiantian) Ren
Excellence in Attitude to Learning Isabella Boyer, Helen Johnston, Emily Liu
Ingram Mann Cup Jessica Cheals
Marsden Community Award Madeleine Fenwick
Old Girls Association Awards Vanessa Ardern, Jessica Cheals, Cecilia Jackson
General Academic Excellence Alba Caeiro Sitja, Gracie Hayward, Milliann Lim, Alisha Ramsay, Paloma Sen, Asha Todd
School Bursar Awards Aubane Farcy, Lopa Mistry, Ashreya Ranchord, Xinyi (Tiantian) Ren
Year 13 Awards  
Ross Cup for Sport Richmond
Smail Cup for Merit Marks Jellicoe
West Kirby Cup for Cultural Activities Baber
House Captain of Baber Sophie Zhang
House Captain of Hadfield-Beere Isabella Huang
House Captain of Jellicoe Davida McKenzie
House Captain of Johnson Grace Masters
House Captain of Richmond Augusta (Gussie) Hampton
House Captain of Swainson-Riddiford Lucy Prince

Isobel Campbell Prize to the Sports Captain

Phoebe Gray

Head of School Council

Charlotte Cinque

Head of Performing Arts

Georgia Burley

Head of  Primary

Caitlin Fuchs

Head of Activities and Events

Eliza Taylor

Head of Service 

Kate Yu

Head of Wellbeing

Edie Birnie

Head of Māori and Pasifika

Telesia Tānoa’i

Deputy Head Girl

Cate Hughson

Head Girl

Emily Allen

Manu Rere Ao Award

Emily Allen

Zoe During Award for Social Justice

Kade Bacon Bootham, Zoe Lockery

The Centenary Salver for School Sport

Phoebe Gray

Marsden Community Award for an International Student

Franka Chen

Patricia Valentine Cup for School Musician

Ella Christie, Sage Pettus

Service to the School

Caitlin Fuchs, Piper Gawn, Isabella Huang, Cate Hughson, Davida McKenzie, Analin Rudd, Isabella Sharp, Charlotte Stinson, Kate Yu, Sophie Zhang 

Year 13 Excellence in Attitude to Learning Award

Edie Birnie, Cece Chen, Piper Gawn, Isabella Huang, Zoe Lockery, Lara Masters

The Ames Prize for Design Technology

Sophie Keene

The Marsden Community Prize for Visual Arts

Grace Hotop, Analin Rudd

The Letteri Award for Senior Writing

Siobhan Costello

The Cup for Engagement in the Sciences

Sophie Zhang

The Prize for Creative and Critical Thinking

Sage Pettus

Highly Commended 

Chloe Geidelberg, Phoebe Gray, Lillian Hillyer Magoffin, Grace Hotop, Sophie Keene, Catherine Rombel

Old Girls’ Association School Leavers’ Awards

Tara Bayly, Charlotte Cinque, Cate Hughson, Eliza Taylor

The School Bursar Awards

Emily Allen, Arlo Keating, Nishka Parekh, Sage Pettus, Eva Roberts

Blundell Cup

Emily Allen

Kindness Cup

Emily Allen

Alice Bowater Memorial Award 

Analin Rudd

Proxime Accessit to the Dux

Sophie Zhang

The Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Dux for 2024

Kate Yu

 


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