Western Heights High School students Ashton McGarvie and Zach Jans achieved scholarship last year.
Despite a tough and unprecedented year in 2020, Tauranga students continued to excel in their academic ventures.
More than 10,400 students entered for New Zealand Scholarship examinations in 2020, and of those who sat them, 2148 students were awarded one or more scholarships across the 36 subjects.
New Zealand Scholarshipassesses students on their ability to demonstrate high-level critical thinking, abstraction and generalisation.
Tauranga Boys' College senior school deputy principal Rob Gilbert said gaining New Zealand scholarship was the pinnacle of high school qualifications.
He said to have a big number of students in that top three per cent was gratifying.
Tauranga Boys' College senior school deputy principal Rob Gilbert. Photo / File
Logan Green was head boy of Tauranga Boys' High School last year, and received a chemistry scholarship in Year 12 and an English scholarship in Year 13.
"I was stoked because Scholarship in one specific subject is kind of a culmination of five years' work in that subject."
He said to prepare he would go over past papers and what he learned in NCEA levels 2 and 3.
"The whole idea is to push you beyond situation the situation you get in NCEA, and the situation is supposed to be unfamiliar."
Aquinas College Principal Matt Dalton. Photo / File
Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton was incredibly proud of the scholarship results for their college.
"Across the country, only 3 per cent of students are awarded a New Zealand Scholarship, so for a school of our size to have 11 (including one Outstanding Scholarship) is exceptional. It equates to a 12 per cent return rate."
He said the students and their teachers worked extremely hard and spent many hours in tutorials outside of their normal learning programme to attain these awards.
"For our students, it represents the strongest endorsement of their dedication and acumen."
Dalton said the school was continuing to build its scholarship programme to support students in this academic pursuit.
"I acknowledge our teachers for their dedication and support of our Scholarship students.
"Many hours go into preparing students for these examinations, and they freely gave that time."
Otumoetai College principal Russell Gordon. Photo / File
Otumoetai College principal Russell Gordon said the results spoke to the character of students.
"To get through a disruptive year and over and above that pursue Scholarship, I'm in awe and feel for them personally.
"I think for us as a school we will look back at 2020, and I would say that was a defining year. If we can get through that and hold our heads up high we can get through anything."
Otumoetai College student Hannah Walpole, 17, received a scholarship in English, and said she found out through her English teacher _ that's how much of a surprise it was and she was extremely happy.
Madeleine Cunliffe, 17, also received a scholarship in English and wasn't expecting it.
"I was really excited when I saw that, I was surprised but really happy with it."
Alex Freeman, 17, received one in calculus. He said he had thought he was teetering on the edge between pass and fail and wasn't sure what the outcome would be, so finding out was amazing.
Siddhartha Gurung, 17, also received a scholarship in calculus.
"I was very excited, I wasn't really expecting it because I was only in Year 12."
He said the idea had been to give it a try last year and then have this year to go for it.
Caitlin Reid, 17, received hers in Spanish. She said she had been pretty surprised since she could have been going up against people with more experience.
They all said they prepared through the like of tutorials, home study and looking over past papers.
Larne Edmeades, principal of Bethlehem College. Photo / File
Bethlehem College principal Larne Edmeades said it was a pleasing outcome, and reiterated the quality of teaching and the focus of the students.
He said last year they obviously had to adapt to different rhythms and time frames due to Covid.
"I think it's a reflection of their ability and the enormous support received from both teachers and parents.
"It's a testament to their diligence, ability to prioritise and do that under considerable pressure. They are now prepared to go to university."
Tauranga Girls' College principal Tara Kanji. Photo / File
Tauranga Girls' College principal Tara Kanji said the results were always a pleasure to read for those staff that had worked alongside students who wanted that extra challenge and rigour.
"Many of those that gained a scholarship were in Year 12 so those multi-level programmes that are tailored to each students' strength are key."
She said it was pleasing that a range of students and subjects were involved.
"As the principal, I am always looking for opportunities for our girls to feel success. For some it's Scholarship. Others it's in sport, the arts or culture.
"As long as this school can give students the opportunity to feel valued and cared for, no matter her passion, strength or ability, we will continue to feel very pleased with all outcomes that a great learning environment can provide. Today it's scholarship."
Number of scholarships received in wider Bay of Plenty region
Photo / NZQA
* This does not equal the number of students who received a scholarship, as a student may receive multiple scholarships (and/or Outstanding Scholarships).
