Girdlers’ Scholar For 2005

Girdlers’ Scholar For 2005

Former Lindisfarne College pupil Ryan Harper, who achieved four scholarships in the University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Examination while still in the sixth form, has been selected as the Girdlers’ Scholar for 2005.

His UEBS aggregate of 421 – achieved in physics, chemistry, English, economics and mathematics with calculus - is the highest ever by a year 12 student at Lindisfarne. In the first four of those subjects Ryan achieved A grades and scholarships with marks of between 86 and 89 per cent. In mathematics with calculus he achieved an A grade of 73 per cent but his highest mark in 2003 (91 per cent) was achieved chemistry in the sixth form external examination.

Last year Ryan remained at his Hawkes Bay secondary school for level three NCEA (four scholarships achieved) but took Massey University level one mathematics with calculus and chemistry papers on an extramural basis. His success with the Girdlers’ Scholarship means he is off to Cambridge University’s Corpus Christi College later this year. The award is worth more than 18,000 pounds sterling and is regarded as the undergraduate equivalent of the Rhodes Scholarship.

As a result of his on-going academic achievements, Ryan could have taken up an A Bursary Scholarship from Massey University in 2004 and his domestic university studies this year (Canterbury) are being supported by NZ Qualifications Authority and private scholarship awards, in addition to a University of Canterbury Emerging Leaders Scholarship.

Chemistry definitely seems to be one of Ryan’s fortes as he was selected with 16 other candidates to attend the NZ Chemistry Olympiad Training Camp at the University of Auckland last year. His sporting interests have also seen considerable success in rugby (Lisdisfarne 1st XV), basketball (trialist for NZ under 18 team) and showjumping (successful at national level). In 2003 he toured the United Kingdom and Ireland with the Lindisfarne rugby team. The holder of a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, Ryan’s cultural interests include public speaking and drama.

At Cambridge, Ryan intends to pursue undergraduate study in sciences in support of his career ambitions which centre on engineering. In his own words: “The future of New Zealand will be built on technology, innovation and infrastructure, and it is my ambition to one day make significant contributions in these fields.”

The Girdlers’ Scholarship is administered by the NZ Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and funded by the Girdlers’ Company, a British organisation with its origins in livery but which now focuses on charitable causes and property ownership. Ryan is the 41st Girdlers’ Scholar, a fact which underlines the lengthy connection between the company and this country.

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