Key Takeaways
- 25 New Zealand students achieved Top in the World awards for the highest mark in various subjects in the Cambridge exams.
- Over 40 local secondary schools offer Cambridge as an alternative qualification to New Zealand’s NCEA curriculum.
- Auckland Grammar students scored the most individual awards with 23, while private schools ACG Parnell and Pinehurst picked up 22 and 20 individual awards, respectively.
- New Zealand students claimed 101 individual awards overall.
- The Cambridge exams provide students with a rigorous international qualification that can give them a significant advantage in gaining direct entry into leading universities.
Introduction to Cambridge Exams
The Cambridge exams have proven to be a valuable asset for many New Zealand students, including Finn Goodson, who achieved the highest marks in the world in Cambridge’s Sport and Physical Education AS level exams. Goodson, one of New Zealand’s top-ranked junior squash players, had initially considered taking physics and maths to get into an American university as a student athlete. However, he decided to take PE as an extra subject during his final year at Auckland Grammar, which ultimately paid off. He received study offers from several US universities and believed his Top in the World award for PE was an asset in his applications.
New Zealand Students’ Success
More than 40 local secondary schools offer Cambridge as an alternative qualification to New Zealand’s home-grown NCEA curriculum, leading to 8000 Kiwi students sitting the November Cambridge exams. Among them, 25 local students achieved Top in the World awards for the highest mark in subjects ranging from music, economics, and information technology to psychology, classical studies, and maths. Auckland Grammar students scored the most individual awards with 23, while private schools ACG Parnell and Pinehurst picked up 22 and 20 individual awards, respectively. Overall, New Zealand students claimed 101 individual awards.
Benefits of Cambridge Exams
The Cambridge exams provide students with a rigorous international qualification that can give them a significant advantage in gaining direct entry into leading universities. Tim O’Connor, headmaster at Auckland Grammar, praised the Cambridge exams, saying they suited some students better because of their academic rigour and alignment with the school’s values. He also noted that the exams had allowed recent Grammar boys to gain direct entry into leading universities, such as Cambridge, Oxford, and the University of Sydney. Goodson agreed, saying that the Cambridge exams had prepared him for the pressure of university entrance and had taught him how to prepare for exams in a similar way to how professional athletes prepare for games.
High-Performing Schools
Several schools in New Zealand have achieved notable success in the Cambridge exams. Avondale College, for example, had 11 individual award winners, including Seivin Kim, who was named New Zealand’s best student across three A-level subjects. Macleans College also performed well, with seven individual awards, including Wesley Lik Hao Lau scoring the world’s best marks in mathematics at A level. Pinehurst School, which only offers the Cambridge curriculum, had 20 individual awards, including Top in the World winners in subjects such as Art and Design and Global Perspectives and Research.
Student Success Stories
Several students have achieved remarkable success in the Cambridge exams. Alex Gibson, from Christchurch’s Burnside High School, scored the highest marks among all junior students taking the Cambridge International music exams. Mia Horvath, from Avondale College, won her third Top in the World award in Information Technology, having previously won at IGSE, AS, and A levels. Xibei (Percy) Kuang, from Pinehurst School, achieved the best marks in New Zealand across five subjects at the junior IGCSE level. These students, along with Goodson, are examples of the many talented and dedicated students in New Zealand who have benefited from the Cambridge exams.
Conclusion
The Cambridge exams have proven to be a valuable asset for many New Zealand students, providing them with a rigorous international qualification that can give them a significant advantage in gaining direct entry into leading universities. With over 40 local secondary schools offering Cambridge as an alternative qualification to NCEA, the exams have become an increasingly popular choice for students. As Goodson and other students have demonstrated, the Cambridge exams can provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their future endeavors, both on and off the field.