Kuranui College celebrated the graduation of its 60^th cohort of senior students in front of a packed auditorium that included mayors Alex Beijen and Greg Lang, newly-elected Wairarapa Member of Parliament Kieran McAnulty, and special guest and former Kuranui Head Girl Raegan McGregor.

Principal Simon Fuller congratulated the South Wairarapa school for successfully rising to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. “There are best laid plans and then there is 2020,” he said. “Covid-19 has presented a different way of thinking. New opportunities have been designed and implemented, and we have all engaged in new ways of working.

“Our 2020 NCEA results are tracking at record levels despite the pandemic.”

At the beginning of 2020, the school welcomed 165 Year 9 students, a record in its recent history, and with the current roll of 560 expanding by 100 to 660 for 2021, Kuranui is experiencing huge growth in its roll.

Fuller acknowledged the massive contributions made by both the students and staff at the college during his end of year speech. “Each one of our 560 amazingly talented and unique students contributes in their own way to the tapestry and layers of our school. Without each and every one of you, our school would simply not be the same.”

“Our staff in each of their areas right across the school have been incredible in what can only be described as a challenging 2020. The things I value the most about the staff here are their unwavering optimism, positivity and willingness to do what needs to be done for our students.

“What we have here at Kuranui is a very special group of people who, whether they know it or not, are people that really matter to me, really matter to our students and really matter to our community.”

Abby Saywell was awarded DUX 2020 with Proxime Accessit going to Amelia O’Connell. Abby will be going on to study towards a Bachelor of Science, majoring in psychology and minoring in Biology at Victoria University, while Amelia to study Law and Science, majoring in Sport Development and Management at Otago University.

Head Girl for 2021 will be Briar Matthew and Rowan Higgins will be Head Boy.

2020 Senior Prizegiving Recipients

DUX 2020: Abby Saywell

PROXIME ACCESSIT: 2020: Amelia O’Connell

MINOLTA NZ CUP – For outstanding leadership: Amelia O’Connell and Henry Isaacs

TOCKER CUP – For the greatest contribution to the life of the college: Florence Cater

ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTH WAIRARAPA SHACKLETON CUP - In recognition of overcoming adversity: Dan Stokes

GREYTOWN LION AND LIONESS CLUBS ENDEAVOUR TROPHY - In recognition of achievements and efforts which went well beyond the level expected: Nina Gelashvili

FIRST OVERALL IN LEVEL 2 - Lisa Rose Cup: Emma Rose

FIRST OVERALL IN LEVEL 1 - Featherston Lions Club Cup: Charlie O’Connell

TE HIRINGA TROPHIES - Awarded to the student who has consistently displayed our school value of Te Hiringa in pursuing their studies:

Year 11 – Jorja Holden

Year 12 – Laura Tromp

Year 13 – Aiden Pogson

KURANUI COLLEGE SENIOR PREPARED SPEECH CUP: Emma Rose

HUIA LITERARY CUP: Nina Gelashvili

Martinborough Fair Trust Bursaries: Melanie Redfern, Maaike Smolnicki

BCITO Certificate of Achievement: Annabell Shields

NZ School of Tourism Student of the Year Scholarship: Isabella Walker

Acorn Trust Bursary: Izzy Davidson

Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award: Laura-Rose Holden

Victoria University of Wellington School Leaver Scholarship: Jodi Carter, Florence Cater, Eddina Doherty, Jayden Grey, Henry Isaacs, Abby Saywell, Maaike Smolnicki

Massey University Undergraduate Scholarship: Bella Herbert

University of Otago Leaders of Tomorrow Entrance Scholarship: Amelia O’Connell, Melanie Redfern

UCOL Accomplishment Award: Shontae Rains

STUDENT TRUSTEE CERTIFICATE – for contribution to Board of Trustees 2019/20: Nina Gelashvili

SERVICE BLUES for those students who go the extra mile to enhance the daily life of our college community:

Isla Alexander

Florence Cater

Nina Gelashvili

Henry Isaacs

Amelia O’Connell

Charlie O’Connell

Joshua Wiegman

Student Leaders 2021:

Head Girl: Briar Matthews

Head Boy: Rowan Higgins

Deputy Head Girls: Te Ahurei Aporo & Emma Rose

Deputy Head Boys: Ceejay Dennes & Jayden Drinnan

Paige Beattie

Cameron Laing

Anna Laybourn

Jack Lewington

Jessica O’Neill

Hazel-Claire Rippey

Luke Rodger

Abby Swanson

Patel Schenk

Lachlan Taylor

Written by Catherine Rossiter-Stead. Article added: Wednesday 25 November 2020