Senior Prize Giving & Academic Honours 2025
Senior Prize Giving 2025 was an evening of pride, reflection, and celebration at Te Kura Tuarua o Te Kauaeranga | Thames High School. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the steadfast support of whānau and our wider community.
We are immensely proud of all our students for their commitment, perseverance, and growth throughout the year. Whether recognised with awards or simply completing another stage of their learning journey, every student has achieved something significant in a year shaped by challenge, change, and opportunity.
Leadership Reflections
In Principal Hart’s address, we were reminded of our school vision:
Kia kotahi ai te piki ake, kia ikeike rawa ki te taumata — We grow together to achieve one’s true potential.
This vision was reflected in the achievements celebrated across academics, sport, arts, culture, and service. The evening also acknowledged the many people who make this success possible — our kaiako and support staff, parents and whānau, coaches, mentors, and our School Board, whose governance and commitment continue to guide our kura forward.
We also gratefully acknowledged our tertiary partners — the University of Waikato, University of Otago, and the University of Auckland — for the scholarships awarded to students this year.
School Board Address
Board of Trustees Chairperson, Reverend Brendon Wilkinson, spoke warmly of the perseverance, character, and sense of belonging that define Thames High School and the wider Thames community. He acknowledged the resilience and courage of our students, the care and belief of parents and caregivers, and the professionalism and heart of our teaching and support staff.
Special words were shared for our Year 13 students as they prepare to leave school — a reminder that wherever life takes them, they carry with them the values of respect, integrity, service, and kindness, and that Thames High School will always be a place they can call home.
Staff Farewells
We also took time to honour several valued staff members whose service to the school concludes at the end of this year:
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Mr Clive Nixon, retiring after seven years as our ESOL teacher, having supported international students both academically and pastorally.
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Mrs Ruth Howes, retiring after 11 years of dedicated service, leaving a legacy of professionalism and warmth.
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Mrs Kiryn Curnow, relocating to Auckland after 17 years of service, recognised for her commitment to Biology, Science, football, and wider school life.
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Mrs Frances Crooymans, retiring after eight years as our finance and payroll administrator, ensuring everything — and everyone — was always looked after.
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Mr Ewan Grant-Makie, retiring after an extraordinary 38 years of service teaching Biology, Science, and Horticulture, having made a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues.
We thank each of these staff members for their service, care, and dedication, and wish them and their whānau every success and happiness in the next chapter.
Final Academic Awards – 2025
The evening concluded with the presentation of our most prestigious academic honours: Proxime Accessit to Dux and Dux.
Proxime Accessit to Dux – 2025
The runner-up to Dux achieved an outstanding breadth of academic excellence:
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First in Mathematics with Calculus
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First in Photography
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Winner of the Thames High School SRE Euler Calculus Cup (Top Year 13 Calculus Student)
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Winner of the Boyce Cup (Top Science Student)
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Distinction in Chemistry
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Distinction in Physics
Proxime Accessit to Dux and winner of the ASB Bank and Ricoh Award:
Palarry Rous
Dux – 2025
Our Dux for 2025 demonstrated exceptional talent and achievement across the arts and academic disciplines:
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First in Art
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First in Drama
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First in English
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First in Psychology (Online Learning)
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Winner of the Furth Cup for Performing Arts – Drama
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Winner of the Mackwell Ovation Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Performing Arts
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Winner of the Pak’nSave Award
Thames High School Dux for 2025:
Naomi Hinton
As we close the year, we are reminded that success is not measured solely by awards, but by resilience, integrity, curiosity, and commitment to learning.
To all our students — your determination, strengths, and potential inspire us.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who makes Thames High School such a vibrant and enriching place to learn.
