Aquinas College is celebrating a landmark academic achievement, with students earning an extraordinary 33 New Zealand Scholarships — the highest number in the college’s history.
The results, released today by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), place Aquinas students firmly among New Zealand’s top academic achievers.
Even more impressively, three Aquinas students were awarded Outstanding Scholarships, reserved for the top 1% of learners nationwide, while four students gained multiple Scholarships. Leading the way was 2025 Aquinas Dux Ture Hansson, who achieved an exceptional six Scholarships. Of the total awards, 13 were in science subjects and eight in English and Media Studies.
New Zealand Scholarships are awarded to the top 3% of students nationally, recognising academic performance at the very highest level.
This year’s Aquinas tally eclipses the previous college record of 22 Scholarships in 2024, marking a significant step forward and reflecting the strength, depth, and consistency of academic culture across the school.
Scholarships were achieved by nine Year 13 students, five Year 12 students, and one Year 11 student, highlighting the depth of academic aspiration across multiple year levels. Notably, one Scholarship was gained by a Year 11 student — only the fifth time in Aquinas history that this has occurred.
Special congratulations to:
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Ture Hansson (2025 Dux) – Five Scholarships (Calculus, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Statistics and an Outstanding in Physics)
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Monique Faire (2025 Head Girl) Four Scholarships (Biology, Health & PE, Religious Education, Media Studies)
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AJ Goodin – Three Scholarships (Biology, Religious Education, and an Outstanding in English)
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George Holmberg – Three Scholarships (Biology, English, and an Outstanding in Religious Education)
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Jordan Kay – Three Scholarships (Biology, Earth & Space Science, Statistics)
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Isla Martin (2026 Head Girl) – Three Scholarships (Biology, English, Health & PE)
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Jonathan Coster – Two Scholarships (English, Physics)
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Nathan Holmberg – Two Scholarships in (Biology, Earth & Space Science)
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Lucia Watt-Martinez – Two Scholarships (Media Studies, Religious Education)
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Jenna Arrowsmith – Scholarship in English as a Year 11 student
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Michelle Boby, Kitty Coyle, Holly Fausett, Jane Hartman, and Isla Wills – One Scholarship each
Across learning areas, results included:
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Science – 13 Scholarships
(Biology 7, Physics 2, Chemistry 1, Earth & Space Science 3) -
English and Languages – 8 Scholarships
(English 6, Media Studies 2) -
Religious Education – 5 Scholarships
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Mathematics – 4 Scholarships
(Statistics 3, Calculus 1) -
Health & Physical Education – 2 Scholarships
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The Arts – 1 Scholarship (Photography)
Leadership response
Principal Matt Dalton said the results were the product of sustained commitment and high expectations.
“These results do not happen by chance. They reflect students who have committed themselves to learning at the very highest level, and teachers who have challenged, extended, encouraged, and supported them well beyond what is required.”
A moment of pride for the whole community
Today’s results are a celebration of relentless effort, academic courage, and a shared belief in excellence at Aquinas College.
Congratulations to every student and staff member involved — an outstanding collective achievement and a proud moment for our whole Aquinas whānau. 🎓🔥
