to a career in medicine. He is looking towards working with an organisation where he can apply science in a humanitarian way. He believes his time at College has prepared him for the different way of life at university. “Now I have left, I can look back on College as a unique experience because of the huge variety of activities you are able to pursue. If you get stuck in, it is a lifestyle which envelops you totally. I got involved in committees, cultural activities and sport and often didn’t get home until after 7pm as there was always so much to do. “I really think that helped my academic career because I had a balance of other activities to complement my studies. College is adept at discovering boys’ aptitudes and encouraging them to pursue these with a passion. You soak up the entire ethos of the school, which is to enhance the raw abilities you have when you arrive. “It is this sense of busyness and belonging that you get used to at College that I want to retain so I get involved in life at university and in the Hall that I am living in. College has taught me the benefits that I can reap from being involved and has shown me that I can get out of my comfort zone and take on new experiences.”
A word from George’s former English teacher
The Grand Hall of Parliament was the imposing setting for this year’s Top Scholar Awards ceremony, held in May at a formal gathering of top scholars, parents, teachers, NZQA staff and MPs. Sitting in place of honour were 32 young men and women, the top students from the 2014 New Zealand Scholarship examinations. Among them was our very own George
Fitzgerald, who was there to receive his Top Scholar in English award. The ceremony began with karakia, mihi and waiata, then NZQA Board Member, Murray Strong began proceedings by welcoming “the very very best of the best” to Parliament. And George certainly is “the very best of the best”. Scholarship English is by far the most strongly contested of all Scholarship subjects: 16,843 students sat the exam last year. The next biggest Scholarship subject is statistics, with 11,859 students. Latin had just 23 students sitting last year. Thus to win the Top Scholar of English is a particularly outstanding achievement. The most engaging and entertaining speech of the morning was delivered by the Hon. Hekia Parata, who had to hold the fort, so to speak, for an extra 10 minutes until the Prime Minister arrived from a previous engagement. She explained that this would be a straightforward task, as “it is true I can suck the oxygen out of any room!” She then proceeded to explain why this was such an important and enjoyable event for her. Mrs Parata noted that, “Scholarship isn’t something that just happens in Year 13, it is a culmination of years of hard work and discipline. But most importantly, it’s about pursuing what you are most passionate about. Find what you are passionate about and you will succeed.” Addressing the top scholars, she encouraged them to “nourish that passion – you’ll be a lot nicer person to be around!” Ever since Year 9 George has impressed English teachers and tutors alike with his vast vocabulary, voracious reading, wonderful oratory skills and compelling writing. While reading his essays, there was a frequent need to lunge for the nearest dictionary to look up yet another obscure word. I’m sincerely grateful to George for teaching me glorious lexicon, such as epizeuxis and deracinate.
“Scholarship English is by far the
most strongly contested of all Scholarship subjects: 16,843 students sat the exam last year.’’ Christine Rayward
We wish George all the very best in his future studies.
- Christine Rayward
College Issue 29 2015
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