2025 Scholars’ Assembly
Yesterday we gathered as a school community for our annual Scholars’ Assembly — a special occasion to honour the exceptional academic achievements of our students in their NCEA studies. It was a moment to reflect on the dedication, perseverance and intellectual curiosity that lie behind these accomplishments.
We were privileged to welcome back Marsden Old Girl Erica Dawson as our guest speaker. Erica is currently the Deaf Cultural Lead at Deaf Aotearoa, where her work includes leading the national New Zealand Sign Language Week campaign, delivering Deaf Awareness training, consulting, and NZSL coaching. She is a passionate advocate for the deaf community and is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of deaf culture and NZSL in Aotearoa. Erica also serves on the NZSL Board at Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. She holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology and is now undertaking postgraduate study with the goal of completing her Master’s degree. Erica was accompanied at assembly by her NZSL interpreter, Caitlin.
Erica Dawson
Students were recognised for their academic success through the presentation of Scholars’ Badges, Colours and NZ Scholarship Awards. These awards reflect excellence at every level — from students gaining large numbers of excellence credits, to those earning national recognition through the New Zealand Scholarship examinations.
We are incredibly proud of our Scholars and the determination, curiosity and passion for learning they continue to demonstrate. Their success embodies our school value of Hiranga – Excellence – and serves as an inspiration to our whole community.
2024 Scholars
| Level 1 Scholars' Badge | Level 2 Scholars' Badge | |
| Riley Bennett Jessica Greening Paige Jago Jayna Parag Lulu Roberton Cole Yasmin Rodda Philia Shu Piper Taylor Kate Urry |
Unnamalai Alagusundaram Arabella Allwood Vanessa Ardern Isabella Boyer Gracie Hayward Helen Johnston Neala Hunter Cecelia Jackson Emily Liu Thea Olney-Boyd Alisha Ramsay Paloma Sen Asha Todd |
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| Level 1 Scholars' Colours Award | Level 2 Scholars' Colours Award | |
| Bay Johnson Amelie McClintock Akshara Ravi Stephanie Wu Emily Yu |
Ari Andrews Alba Caeiro-Sitja Jessica Cheals Aubane Farcy Milliann Lim Lopa Mistry Ashreya Ranchord Tiantian Ren |
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| Level 3 Discretionary Colours | Scholarship Award* | |
| Milliann Lim | Jessica Cheals (Year 12) Aubane Farcy (Year 12) |
*NZ Scholarship assessments are designed to be challenging for the most able students in each subject. Assessment is by either a written or spoken examination or by the submission of a portfolio or report of work produced throughout the year. To be awarded the NZ Scholarship, students are expected to show deep understanding of the subject, demonstrate high-level critical thinking and the ability to apply their understanding to complex situations. These examinations are mostly sat by Year 13 students and scholarships are awarded to the top 3% of candidates.
