Correspondence School Prizewinners 2003
The Correspondence School has awarded 65 prizes for academic excellence and outstanding achievement to primary,
secondary and adult students, living throughout New Zealand and overseas.
"We are proud and delighted to announce this year's prizewinners," said Mark Beach, Director of Teaching, The
Correspondence School. "It was an incredibly hard task. We have over 20,000 highly motivated, unique students at our
school. In turn they are supported by dedicated parents (or supervisors) and teachers, and I believe they all deserve a
prize for their motivation and devotion"
Mark Beach awarded the "Director's Prize" to an outstanding student this year. At 12 years old, John Brinsley-Pirie from
Mosgiel, Otago, not only focuses on the programmes of learning designed for him, but develops and assesses his own work.
He is so attuned to on-line school life, he manages three cyber clubs, organises online competitions and has his own
website. Alongside all this, and his regular schoolwork, John leads, mentors and consults with his peers with a
passion."
"He also recently developed a full interactive travel website which he subsequently ran from abroad, for selected
students around NZ. John has had a stunning year, with an exemplary level of drive and focus. He is a top student."
The Correspondence School dux for overall excellence in year 13 is Erin Armstrong. Erin, a full-time Correspondence
School student from Titirangi, Auckland, is an excellent student who has worked extremely hard this year in all aspects
of her schoolwork. Focusing on goal setting skills helped Erin achieve high standards across her schoolwork, and will be
useful when she studies medicine next year.
It is rewarding to have two teen-parent prizewinners. Winning the Fuchsia Trust Mansfield prize for a teen parent who
has made the most of her opportunity to continue education is Jessica Irons from Thames, Waikato and winning the most
outstanding student in Mathematics is Leighanne Jack, Year 11, Hawkes Bay School for Teenage Parents, Napier.
The youngest prizewinner, Alannah Green, age 10, Auckland, won the Upper Primary School prize for the most outstanding
work in English. Alannah's family move around with their work, and she has been living in Singapore for most of this
year. She enthusiastically uses online learning to regularly communicate and share work with the rest of her class.
The oldest prizewinner is Alison Fox, age 79, from Tahunanui, Nelson. Alison won the Language Prize for adult students
for her achievement, progress and enthusiasm in German. Alison has worked hard to achieve this prize and says she loves
studying German with The Correspondence School.
Students who were awarded more than one prize are Paddy Chapman who won three prizes, and Catherine Wells and Lisa
Crowley each won two prizes. Paddy has consistently won prizes during his school career.
Most prizewinners receive a book voucher, or if overseas, books to the same value. However, some prizes are more
substantial. The Boraman-Barrell prize recognises students who have responded to challenges during the year and provides
some funding to help support the student. Johnny Whelan and Mitch Taylor were awarded this prize.
The Jenny Armstrong Memorial prize for outstanding work in Accounting recognises ability and provides students with
small sum of support towards further study. Gabriel Bradly from Kaipara College, Helensville won this prize. Both Jenny
Armstrong and Elizabeth Boraman-Barrell were teachers at The Correspondence School.
As New Zealand's largest school, with over 20,000 students, The Correspondence School caters for a wide and diverse
range of students at early childhood, primary and secondary levels. Students range from two to over ninety years of age,
and include those from isolated areas, students who travel around New Zealand and overseas, and students who can't
attend their local school for one reason or another, and those with special education needs.
For prize winners in your area - see the attached list or visit our website http://www.correspondence.school.nz