Celebrating Excellence: Thames High School Senior Prize giving 2026

What a landmark day for Thames High School! On Thursday, we came together as a community to honour the outstanding academic accomplishments, leadership, and dedication of our senior students at our annual Senior Prize-giving.

The celebrations kicked off in the afternoon with a special Valedictory Assembly honouring our Year 13 school leavers. We extend a sincere thank you to David Hoult, representing the Milford Foundation, for presenting this year’s scholarships. It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate the achievements of our graduating cohort and recognise our 2026 scholarship recipients:

and officially announce our incoming 2027 Student Leaders and House Captains.

In the evening, our main prize-giving ceremony brought together students, families, staff, and distinguished guests. We were privileged to welcome His Worship the Mayor Peter Revell and MP for Coromandel Hon Scott Simpson, both of whom presented special awards to our deserving recipients.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Thames High School alumnus Daresh Patel. Daresh shared his personal journey of starting out in one university degree before pivoting to criminology, delivering a poignant message on perseverance and the power of aiming to try 1% harder each day.

We also heard inspiring addresses from the Presiding Member of the Board (speech included below) as well as three of our 2026 Head Students: Brooklyn Jiang, Kyah Lyon, and Annie Perrett. Special mention must go to the vocal ensemble for their wonderful rendition of ‘Englishman in New York’!

Address by the Presiding Member of the Board

As community members on your school board, we get to witness beginnings without knowing quite how the story will unfold. Over the years, we’ve watched you arrive as tentative newcomers and grow into the young adults now preparing to take on the world.

Some of you will be leaving Thames High with wonderful memories, some with a few stories best left untold, and others simply delighted that you are done. Whatever your experience, we hope you leave knowing that your future holds many exciting possibilities far beyond these school gates.

As you turn the page to the next chapter, we would like to offer some words of encouragement. Feel proud. Not just for the qualifications gained, milestones reached, or achievements recognised, but for the challenges overcome, the friendships made, lessons learned, and the person you have become.

Be brave, embrace opportunities, and step confidently into the wider world.

Be curious, use your voice for truth, back yourselves, take a few risks, and don’t be afraid to follow a path that might look different from the one you first imagined.

We know that for some of you, leaving school can’t come soon enough. You don’t have to look back on every experience fondly to appreciate that it has helped shape you. If school wasn’t where you found your wings, don’t mistake that for not having any. Your story is yours to write.Never underestimate how many people are in your corner. There are parents, teachers, coaches, and members of this community who have watched you grow up, quietly celebrated your milestones, and who will be cheering you on long after you’ve graduated. Some you know, some you don’t, but they all share one thing: they want to see you do well.

Wherever life takes you, remember that you carry a little piece of Thames with you. Our school values will serve you well into the future — everyone belongs, everyone matters, and everyone has potential (Manaakitanga).

May you go out into the world with confidence, kindness, and a willingness to make a difference. Say yes to opportunities that come your way (they are multiplied as they are seized), create a few of your own, and never underestimate what you are capable of. And remember: Don’t do what you are told; do what is right. Character, integrity, and how you treat others matter. Your mistakes don’t define you; they grow you, and being humble is the strongest sign of strength.

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” — William Shakespeare

Be proud of who you are, excited about who you might become, and always remember where you came from. It has been a genuine privilege to be a part of the school community that has contributed to your journey so far.

With our very best wishes for the journey ahead,

The Thames High School Board

Alia Finn, Siobhan Flannigan, Cindy Dargaville, Ngaio Hodsen-Rapana, Lydia Lester, Kim Ju Taing, Daniel Neufeld, Shannon Paki, Brendon Wilkinson, Phil Taylor.

Top Academic Honours 2026

A massive congratulations to our top academic achievers for 2026:

  • Dux 2026: Immanuel Huwald

  • Proxime Accessit to Dux 2026 (Joint): Milla Sawyer and Lorenzo Yamamoto

 

 

Full List of 2026 Award Winners

Year 11 Award Winners

  • Chloe Bergersen: 1st in Drama; Distinction in Art, English, Music, and Science

  • Chloe Booth: 1st Equal in English; Distinction in Health, Mathematics, and Science

  • Lana Bornman: 1st in Digital Applications; Distinction in Food & Hospitality

  • Jessica Darwall: 1st Equal in Art, 1st in Food & Hospitality; Distinction in English, Health, Mathematics, and Science

  • Lilly Donaldson: Distinction in Physical Education

  • Iwan Du Plessis: 1st in Mechanical Engineering; Distinction in Music

  • Cameron Duthie: Distinction in Science

  • Halle Earnshaw: Distinction in Horticulture

  • Laura Elliott: Distinction in Food & Hospitality, and Mathematics with Statistics

  • Eva Ellis: 1st in Te Ao Haka; Distinction in Mathematics with Statistics; Winner of the Walter Taipari Memorial Prize for Contribution to Kapa Haka

  • Aidan Fitzgerald: 1st in Geography

  • Jesse Fowles: Distinction in Mechanical Engineering

  • Lucy Gage-Maddox: Distinction in History

  • Arabella Hall: Distinction in Science

  • Teleah Harold: Distinction in Furniture

  • Gianni Hatawira: Distinction in Te Ao Haka

  • Dante Ioka: Distinction in Science

  • Alexa Jordan: Distinction in Mathematics with Statistics

  • Simrat Kaur: 1st in Horticulture, 1st in Physical Education; Distinction in Mathematics and Science; Winner of the Edwin Brown Trophy (Top Yr 11 Girl in PE) and the W H Baker Cup (Top Yr 11 Student in Mathematics)

  • Arabella King: Distinction in English

  • Blake McLaren: Distinction in Furniture

  • Felix Milner: 1st Equal in Level 2 Chemistry, 1st in Digital Technologies, 1st Equal in English, 1st in Level 3 Mathematics with Calculus, 1st in Level 2 Physics; Winner of the Sir Euler Calculus Cup (Top Yr 13 Calculus Student) and the 1955 Pupils 75th Anniversary Cup (Top Academic Performance in Year 11)

  • Kaori Nagai: Distinction in Mathematics

  • Keira Nunn: Distinction in Art and Drama

  • Eli O’Neil: Distinction in History and Science

  • Hunter Patterson: Distinction in Mechanical Engineering

  • Jason Prak: Distinction in Physical Education; Winner of the Jack Price Trophy for Top Yr 11 Boy in Physical Education

  • Amber Rayment: Distinction in English and Physical Education

  • Uniquewa Reynolds-Kokiri: Distinction in Te Reo Māori

  • Ankit Sami: 1st Equal in Mathematics with Statistics; Distinction in Horticulture

  • Arpit Sami: 1st Equal in Mathematics with Statistics; Distinction in Horticulture

  • Julieanna Sem: 1st in History; Distinction in Art, English, Mathematics, and Science

  • Alzora Taylor: Distinction in Art

  • Ruby Te Raki-Coleman: Distinction in Geography

  • Amisha Thayyil: 1st Equal in Art; Distinction in Science

  • Lexi Thomas: 1st in Health, 1st in Science; Distinction in English, Drama, and Mathematics

  • Lexie-Mae Wells: 1st in Fabric; Distinction in Mathematics with Statistics

  • Isla Wenhold: Distinction in English

  • Max White: Distinction in Furniture and Geography

  • Maia Whitney: Distinction in Mathematics with Statistics; Winner of the Turoa-Tuaiti Trophy for Excellence in English by a Māori Student

  • Georgia Williams: Distinction in Fabric & Design and Food & Hospitality

  • Luca Yamamoto: 1st in Music and Science; Distinction in English and Yr 12 Mathematics; Winner of the Corinthian Masonic Lodge Prize for Public Speaking in Year 11

  • Oscar Zhang: Distinction in Physical Education and Science

Year 12 Award Winners

  • Raelin Alvi: Distinction in Health

  • Jessica Atrill: 1st in English

  • Precious Balawan: 1st Equal in Chemistry, 1st in Mathematics; Distinction in Food & Hospitality and Physics; Winner of the Poulgrain Cup for Top Academic Performance in Year 12

  • Eliza Carter: 1st Equal in Chemistry; Distinction in Biology, Geography (Online Learning), Level 3 Mathematics with Calculus, and Physics; Winner of the NZ Geographical Society Cup for Excellence in Geography

  • Bryce Chaffey: Distinction in Gateway

  • Zara Chamberlain: 1st in History (Online Learning); Distinction in English and Mathematics with Statistics

  • Jemima Chewe: 1st in Music; Distinction in Biology

  • Diontay-Rain Corry: 1st in Gateway; Winner of the Thames Mitre 10 Vocational Excellence Award

  • Ngila Courtney: 1st in Art; Distinction in Health

  • Tara De La Rive Box: 1st in Outdoor Education; Distinction in English; Winner of the Troupe Trophy for Contribution to Troupe; Equal Winner of the Raymond Nutter Scholarship Award

  • Royal Dean: Distinction in Elevate

  • Anna Dobie: 1st in Biology; Distinction in Chemistry and History; Selected to attend the Rotary National Science & Technology Forum

  • Ben Eady: Distinction in Photography

  • Tyrah-Lee Feilo-Eketone: 1st in Te Reo Māori; Distinction in Te Ao Haka

  • Carson Fletcher: 1st in Elevate; Distinction in Physical Education; Winner of the Thames High School PE Trophy for Top Yr 12 Boy

  • Alla-Marie Guptill-Bronlund: Distinction in Te Ao Haka

  • Blaze Houghton: Distinction in Mechanical Engineering

  • Lily Hudson: 1st in Fabric and Design

  • Otoju Iga: Distinction in Japanese by Online Learning

  • William Jensen: 1st in Digital Technologies; Distinction in English and Computing by Online Learning

  • Grace Keogh: Distinction in Food & Hospitality

  • Sivhorn Khly: 1st in English Language

  • Eli Lester: Distinction in Drama

  • Dimple Martin: 1st in Mathematics with Statistics

  • Lily McCarthy: 1st in Physical Education; Winner of the Thames High School Trophy for Top Girl in Year 12 for PE

  • Jack McLaren: 1st in Mechanical Engineering; Distinction in Horticulture, Outdoor Education, and Physical Education

  • Tre Paki: Winner of the Tupper Trophy for Senior Learning Support

  • Zepplin Parkin: Distinction in Mechanical Engineering

  • Jonas Patrman: 1st in Furniture, 1st in Photography

  • Misharna Raumati-Church: Distinction in Geography and Horticulture

  • Jake Robinson: Distinction in Physical Education

  • Javan Rolton: Distinction in Music

  • Nova Sawyer: Distinction in Physical Education

  • Marilyn Simon-Joseph: 1st in Health; Distinction in Chemistry and English

  • Rupali Singh: 1st in Horticulture; Distinction in Drama

  • Wryn Strother: 1st in Drama, 1st in Visual Art Design; Distinction in Mathematics

  • Kim Ju Taing: Distinction in Chemistry, English, Level 3 Mathematics with Calculus, and Physics; Winner of the Corinthian Masonic Lodge Prize for Public Speaking in Year 12

  • Amber Thomson: Distinction in Mathematics with Statistics

  • Takalia Turner: Distinction in Gateway; Joint Winner of the Tupper Trophy for Senior Learning Support

  • Ai Watanabe: 1st in Te Ao Haka; Distinction in Art

  • Sophie Whyte: 1st in History, 1st in Psychology (Online Learning); Equal Winner of the Raymond Nutter Scholarship Award

  • Chevy Wilcox: 1st in Food & Hospitality; Distinction in Visual Art Design

Year 13 Award Winners

  • Alisson Agudelo Posada: Distinction in Mathematics with Statistics & Modelling, Physical Education, and Tourism

  • Isayah Boyd: Distinction in Elevate

  • Holly Bradley: 1st in Art

  • Dylan Cameron: Distinction in Gateway

  • Carla Chaffey: 1st in Gateway; Distinction in History

  • Leah Comrie: 1st in Drama, 1st in Music; Distinction in English and Food & Hospitality; Joint Winner of the Baxters Interiors Limited Cup; Winner of the Furth Cup for Performing Arts in Drama; Winner of the Mackwell Ovation Trophy

  • Liam Corbett: 1st in Mechanical Engineering; Distinction in Gateway; Winner of the H G Laing Memorial Cup for Top Student in Engineering

  • Romie Dargaville Rehua: Distinction in Health

  • Evelyn Darwall: Distinction in Biology

  • Simon Darwall: 1st in Physics; Distinction in Chemistry; Joint Winner of the Bowater Award for Creative Excellence in Science

  • Lexi Dinneen: 1st in Health; Winner of the Kelly Cup for Top Yr 13 Health Student

  • Lian Du Plessis: 1st in Digital Technology; Distinction in Furniture

  • Tayo Elusanmi: Distinction in Mechanical Engineering

  • Faiza Fahim: Distinction in Photography

  • Ben Fitzgerald: 1st in Visual Art Design

  • Yukina Hosono: Distinction in Music; Winner of the Thames High School Most Integrated International Student Award; Winner of the Furth Cup for Performing Arts in Music

  • Immanuel Huwald: 1st in English; A+ in MATHS 199 (Auckland Uni), A+ in Statistical Methods (Waikato Uni), A+ in MATH198 (Canterbury Uni); Winner of the Romola M Catran Cup for Most Valuable Senior Debater; Certificate of Distinction in Recognition of Excellent Scholastic Achievement in Advancing Mathematics

  • Brooklyn Jiang: Distinction in Biology and Chemistry

  • Pyper Liddell: 1st in Outdoor Education; Winner of the Wintec Adventurers Cup for Excellence in Outdoor Pursuits; Joint Winner of the Baxters Interiors Limited Cup

  • Charlie Lyon: Distinction in Outdoor Education

  • Taiga Neufeld: 1st in Chemistry; Distinction in Mechanical Engineering and Physics; Joint Winner of the Bowater Award for Creative Excellence in Science

  • Kei Osone: Distinction in Te Ao Haka

  • Abbygail Patterson: 1st Equal in Geography, 1st in Mathematics with Statistics & Modelling; Distinction in Health; Joint Winner of the Boots N All Cup for Excellence in Geography; Winner of the Poisson Statistics Cup

  • Annie Perrett: 1st in History, 1st in Physical Education; Winner of the Ray Garrett Trophy for Yr 13 PE; Winner of the Thames High School Cup for Excellence in Social Studies

  • Milla Sawyer: 1st in Biology; Distinction in Chemistry and Mathematics with Statistics & Modelling; Joint Winner of the Bowater Award for Creative Excellence in Science

  • Alison Tomsett: 1st Equal in Geography; Distinction in Biology and English; Joint Winner of the Boots N All Cup for Excellence in Geography

  • Juri Tsukagoshi: Distinction in Art

  • Walter Wiki: 1st in Elevate

  • Lucy Wong: 1st in Photography; Distinction in Visual Art Design

  • Lorenzo Yamamoto: Distinction in Chemistry and Physics; Winner of the Boyce Cup for Top Science Student; Winner of the Corinthian Masonic Lodge Prize for Public Speaking in Year 13

  • Yukako Yoshima: 1st in Te Ao Haka

Congratulations once again to all our award winners, graduating students, and new leaders for 2027!