Kees Manders is the Taupo-nui-a-Tia College dux for 2021 and he was also the recipient of The Percival Cup for General Excellence. Photo / Rachel Hume Photography
Kees Manders is the Taupo-nui-a-Tia College dux for 2021 and he was also the recipient of The Percival Cup for General Excellence. Photo / Rachel Hume Photography
As the saying usually goes, a jack of all trades is a master of none.
But that is not the case with this year's top academic student at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College Kees Manders, who has excelled in a range of subjects.
On Wednesday last week, the college held its senior academicprize giving, where Kees found out he had beaten tough competition from four other students to be crowned Dux of the college. He was also awarded The Les Haines Cup and the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Scholarship.
Kees was first in chemistry, design and visual communication, and calculus. He was second in English and physics.
Senior manager Stephen Fowler says Kees has shown "tremendous commitment" to his studies and has already gained an excellence endorsement at NCEA level 3.
Additionally, Kees was awarded The Percival Cup for General Excellence (Boys). Stephen says it is unusual for this award to go to the dux.
"The Percival Cup doesn't always go hand in hand with being dux, but is due to Kees demonstrating our cornerstone values."
In 2022, Kees will be studying engineering at Canterbury University and says he "kind of wanted to follow dad [Marcel Manders] into engineering" and has enjoyed work experience at energy engineering company MB Century.
"It isn't as simple as doing maths where there is always an exact answer."
During his five years at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College, Kees has been in the rowing team and recently helped to make the college's enrolment video.
Kees says he likes to get his study done in the morning.
"If I leave it till the afternoon it won't get done."
If he gets stuck his first port of call is his mates as they often know the answer. He says he likes to study a different subject each day to keep things interesting.
His parents were able to watch the prizegiving ceremony via video link, due to Covid-19 restrictions, and he says his mum was 'pretty excited' when he was made dux.
Over the years he has had great teachers, who have instilled a good work ethic, including at Waipahihi School and Taupō Intermediate School.
"There was always good support from other students, including Proxime Accessit Issac Mathai who will be in the same [accommodation] hall as me at Canterbury next year."
Tauhara College 2021 dux is Charlotte Burgess (left) with proxime accessit Katie Lambert (right). Photo / Helen Edgecombe
In the past two years, the Tauhara College 2021 dux Charlotte Burgess has pushed herself to get good academic results.
"I've been wanting to be a doctor since I was 3 years old, but it wasn't until I got to year 12 that I started doing the subjects that I wanted to do," Charlotte says.
She was first in chemistry and classical studies, second in English, with diligence in biology, calculus, and physics.
She was accepted into medical school in Dunedin and Auckland, and along with Proxime Accessit Katie Lambert, and classmate Asendra Singathneththi will begin at the University of Otago.
"For the past two years Katie, Asendra and I have been doing the same subjects. There is a good friendly competition," Charlotte says.
When she isn't studying, she enjoys running and learns hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary at Taupō Academy of Dance.
"A good work-life balance is important to learning. I enjoy learning from home during lockdown because I like being with my family and taking the dog for a walk."
Her lockdown learning tip is to have a plan for each day.
"I tick things off as they get done, and it gives me a great feeling of accomplishment."
One teacher who has helped her, in particular, is mathematics teacher Ross Shaw.
"Mr Shaw has taught me for four years now and he is also my tutor teacher."
Her family also supports her with her academic study.
"Mum was really happy when I texted her to say I was dux, and Dad gave me flowers."
She says year 12 and 13 students should be passionate about their subject choice, because if they're interested in it they will learn.
