More than 100 Tauranga students have gained a New Zealand scholarship following their end-of-year exams.
Tauranga Boys' College, which has a school roll of more than 2000 students, earned the most with 21 boys earning scholarships across 10 subjects.
Bethlehem College students earned 19 scholarships, Tauranga Girls' College and Otumoetai College earned 15, Aquinas College 10, Te Puke High School 5, Katikati College 4, Mount Maunganui College 2 and Papamoa College 1.
Tauranga Boys' College principal Robert Mangan said he could not be happier with the results.
"We pride ourselves on creating an environment where young men can excel," he said.
"They are great role models for our younger boys, and, as a school, we do all we can to encourage this level of academic success."
Tauranga Boys' College student Ben Kang was awarded two scholarships, including one for English.
South Korean-born Kang said receiving recognition for his English examination meant a lot as it was his second language.
"It is good for me to know not only have I learnt how to be fluent in the language, but I can also express higher, more critical thinking, in my writing as well," he said. "That is a really rewarding experience for me."
Fellow student Andre Moffat was awarded a scholarship for his drama paper.
"I have never really been good at maths, or science but what I do really well in is drama," he said.
Otumoetai College principal Russell Gordon said its students gained 15 scholarships across a range of subjects, including one outstanding scholarship.
"I admire the fact that these students choose to sit scholarship on top of their Year 13 NCEA workload," he said.
"They do so because they are fully engaged with that subject and love learning. I am immensely proud of these young people and they should be immensely proud of themselves."
Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton said his students gained 10 scholarships in 2018.
"We are extremely proud of these students and their achievement. When these 10 scholarships are considered against the size of our college, it is a wonderful result," he said.
"Given that scholarships are awarded to approximately the top 3 per cent of candidates in the subject across the country, it is an outstanding achievement."
Tauranga Girls' College principal Tara Kanji was proud her students had gained 15 scholarships, including one outstanding scholarship.
"They put in hours of hard work preparing for the exams over a period of time and fully deserved their results," she said.
"The exams encourage the students to see the big picture, to commit to a goal and to develop a growth mindset - all things that will put them in good stead for whatever pathway they choose in the future."
Te Puke High School principal Alan Liddle congratulated all students on their achievements, including the recipients of five scholarships.
"These results will assist with their next steps of their tertiary venture," he said.
New Zealand scholarship exams
How many students entered New Zealand scholarship exams? More than 9300 students entered New Zealand Scholarship last year across 35 subjects. Of those who sat New Zealand Scholarship, 2415 students were awarded one or more scholarships.
What are scholarship students assessed on? Students sitting New Zealand Scholarship are assessed on their ability to demonstrate high-level critical thinking, abstraction and generalisation. Successful students are those who can also integrate, synthesise and apply knowledge, skills, understanding and ideas to complex situations.
How highly are the scholarships regarded? A New Zealand Scholarship is regarded as the most prestigious secondary school award in the country. New Zealand Scholarship is designed to extend the very best students and offers financial rewards for those going on to full-time tertiary study in New Zealand.