Duxes

McNaughton, Euan School Dux 2000

Excellence and Distinction would be key words in summing up Euan’s academic life at King’s. He has achieved a very high standard in academia, the highlights would be Distinction in Australian Science, Mathematics and English exams in the third, fourth and fifth forms. In the sixth and seventh forms Euan attained High Distinctions in Chemistry, Mathematics and English which puts Euan in the top 2% of students in the country and he also attained a High Distinction in the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry exam. he has of course achieved in a variety of subjects throughout his time at King’s; an academic record to be proud of and one for others to aspire to. In 2000 Euan won the Special Prizes for Chemistry Physics, Biology and Mathematics and an excellence in English and was awarded Dux.
Euan has been a House Prefect and has been awarded a Blue for Scholastic Achievement.
Next year he wishes to continue his interest in Science by studying Genetics at Otago University.

2001:

Pennell, Michael School Dux 2001

Michael has had a very successful academic career at King’s, achieving excellence at all levels in a range of subjects, as well as Distinction awards in the Australian English competition. He is very passionate about Art, and knowledgeable about Art History An accomplished soccer player, Michael has played in the school 1st J since the 5th form and achieved provincial representation in the Otago Under 16, 18 and 20 teams. He ahs also turned out this year for the 3 XV rugby team and has been involved in Harriers. Academically this year Michael receives the University Bookshop Special Prize in English, The Art Department Special Prize in Art History The PTSA Special Prize for Painting and Excellence in 2 subjects. Michael is also this year’s Dux and receives the Dux medal, the Old Boys’ Jubilee Scholarship, the PTSA Prize and the Rector’s Scholarship.

2002:

Young, Paul A.

Special Prize for Chemistry — the Melville Cup
Special Prize for Physics — the Coombs Prize
Special Prize for Mathematics Calculus — The Baker Prize
Excellence in English and Biology
The Band Trophy for Music
The Senior Creative Writing Prize
Award for Services to the School Council
Paul arrived at King’s from Balmacewan with a reputation as a top scholar. This year has seen this early promise come to fruition with Paul being named as Dux for 2002.
Paul has always achieved highly right from his very first year at school when he achieved a remarkable nine Excellences at Prize-Giving. In the last two years Paul has received High Distinction in the Australian Mathematics Competition, placing him in the top 1% of candidates. While Paul excels at Mathematics, unusually, he is also a top English scholar winning this magazine’s Creative Writing Prize with a thoughtful piece on the topical issue of euthanasia. Of course, Paul is also an outstanding musician, whose jazz saxophone has enthralled many an audience at school and around town. Indeed, Paul entertained this year’s Prize-Giving with his Paul Young Quartet immediately before being named Dux. Paul has also served the school well as Prefect, Windsor House Prefect and School Council treasurer.
Next year Paul will attend Otago University where he will study mathematics and sciences.

2003:

Robertson, Jesse (At King’s High School 2000 to 2003)
Special Prize for Physics — The Coombs’ Prize
Special Prize for Art History
Special Prize for Mathematics with Calculus — The Baker Prize
Special Prize for Geography — The Whitcoulls’ Prize
Jubilee Scholarship — KHSOB Association
Principal’s Scholarship
Dux Medal and Prize — PTSA
Jesse has excelled academically since his first arrival at King’s High School and thoroughly deserves the school’s top award. He has frequently studied a year above his age level gaining 88% in both School Certificate English and Mathematics while in Year 10. In Year 11 he went one better sitting Bursary Classical Studies in which he remarkably achieved a Scholarship; the next year, from Year 12, he passed Bursary Chemistry; Biology and Music.

In his final year at school Jesse has studied Art History; Physics, Mathematics with Calculus and Geography. As jesse‘s eclectic choice of subjects indicates, he is a well-rounded individual at home both in the arts and the s.As he says, “I’m more into the subjects that interest me.” Indeed, Jesse has not studied English this achieved top mark and High Distinction in the Australian English Competition. He lists Tolstoy and Old Boy, James K. Baxter as two of his favourite writers.
And then there’s his music. Jesse is a most accomplished pianist with a special passion for classical music and during his time at King’s he has won many awards including a Diploma in Music from the Royal Schools ic, London.

Jesse is studying for a PhD in geology at Australian National University in Canberra; Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, ACT 0200
Australia. His research investigates the role of physical processes which are active in geological settings such as volcanoes and orogenic belts. This includes a range of topics in geological fluid mechanics, tectonics and geodynamics

2004:

Mason, Christopher

The Mayhew Memorial Prize for History
The UBS Prize for English
Special Prize for Accounting
Special Prize for Mathematics with Statistics
Special Prize for Geography
Special Prize for Economics
Chris took first place in all his subjects after an excellent Year 13, thoroughly deserving the award of Dux for 2004. Chris has always excelled academically at school frequently winning Distinctions and Credits in the Australian Science, English and Maths competitions over the years. In Year 10, his ability as a writer was recognised with an award in the Australian Creative Writing Contest. One of Chris’s pieces this year features in this magazine. Chris was also a school prefect this year, on the School Council, a World Vision fund-raiser organiser and part-time McDonald’s worker, no doubt saving up for his years to come as a poor student.
Chris has also found time for basketball, gym, hockey and debating and has fond memories of this year’s Formal and party Next year Chris plans to study Commerce at Otago.

2005:

Walker, Nathaniel

The Robertson Richards Kouka Prize for Classical Studies
The Department Prize for Economics
The University Book Shop Prize For English
The Robertson Family Award For School Council
Excellence in Accounting and Mathematics with Calculus
Nat came to King’s from East Otago High School and, in his final year, was Deputy Head Boy and Chairman of the School Council, a 40 Hour Famine organiser, House Prefect and an ODT Class Act Recipient. Nat is also a talented sportsman. He has been a XI hockey member and was chosen for the Otago U18 Development Squad. Snowboarding is a great love but Nat has tried most things: basketball, rugby, skateboarding, sailing, and even represented the school at the NZSS Cross Country Champs in Yr 11. Nat received Blues this year for hockey and snowboarding.
One of the highlights of his time at school was a trip to France on exchange in Yr 11. Next year Nat will begin a Law and Arts degree at Otago, majoring in Political Studies and Philosophy

2006: Robertson, Bonar  co-dux

The Department Prize For Accounting
The Robertson Richards Kouka Prize For Classical Studies
The Mayhew Memorial Prize For History
The Department Prize For Mathematics With statistics
The Coomb’s Prize For Physics
Being Head Boy can be the kiss of death academically for even the most organised of pupils. That Bonar has continued to excel academically, and in sport, drama and music, too, says much for his character and attitude to life.
His academic career has almost certainly been unequalled in the history of the school. In Years 9 and 10 Bonar received Excellence in nine subjects and Merit in one. That Merit was to be the only occasion Bonar did not either receive Excellence or a prize in every subject at every level, over five years. Remarkable! There is more to Bonar than just his academic endeavour and leadership skills. He has been a true all rounder.
In sport, Bonar has played for the 1S XI hockey team for four years and was in this year’s 3 cricket XI. He has received Blues for music (3 times), scholastic competition and choir, been a House Prefect and School Council member and appeared onstage in Joseph and Stage Challenge.
Bonar has also been a member of the school choir, the jazz and chamber music bands and the National Schools’ Brass Band. A talented public speaker, Bonar won the prestigious Dunedin Rotary Speech Competition this year.
He was also the recipient of the ODT Class Act Award and has recently won a Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship to Otago University.
In his Leavers’ Profile Bonar’s favourite King’s moment was getting the bus back up the hill from Long Beach on House Day, which probably says a lot about this unassuming young man.
Bonar has made every moment at King’s count, grabbed every opportunity, asked little and given much in return. He has been one of King’s most outstanding pupils ever and will next year study law and commerce at Otago University.

Bonar works for Audit New Zealand. He was an Auditor from 2012 – 2015, an Advisor, Accounting Technical from Aug 2015 – Feb 2017, a  Senior Supervisor in 2017,  an Audit Manager from 2017 – 2020  and an Audit Manager from 2020 to the present

Payne, Tony co-dux

The Department Prize in English
The Department Prize in Economics
The Department Prize in Biology
The Department Prize in Geography
The Department Prize in Mathematics with Statistics
Tony has had a wonderful five years at King’s High School. He has always been a top performer academically regularly winning prizes throughout his time in the junior school and in Years 11 I and 12. His commitment, determination and effort have earned
everyone’s respect.
A school and House Prefect, and good Tudor man, Tony has been well-known outside the classroom for his running where his grit is legendary. He has won medals at National Secondary School level in road race and cross country as well as performing well on the track. Tony ends his running career at King’s in this December’s National track and field and road race championships in Christchurch.
This year he was also the runner up in the Otago Secondary Schools’ duathlon and his triathion team are current South Island schools’ champions. Tony must have great self-organisational powers because he has also found time for canoe polo and has been a member of the school choir, School Council, Young Enterprise team and Senior Formal Committee. Amazingly, there was still time for a role in Joseph and Stage Challenge.
For Tony, highlights of his time at King’s have been the Yr 13 Geography trip and Stage Challenge.
Next year he will be starting a double degree in law and science.

2007: Bennington,Philp

The McKellar Memorial Trophy for Biology
The Pall International Corporation and Melville Cup Awards for Chemistry
The Baker Prize for Mathematics-Calculus
The Department Prize for Mathematics- Statistics
The Coombs Prize for Physics
Excellence, Classical Studies
Philip’s career at King’s has been simply outstanding. He has a real love of learning and awards have just kept coming every year at prize giving, especially in the Sciences. He was a member of the New Zealand Geography team to the Geography Olympiad in Australia in 2007 and this year made the training camp for a similar Biology team.
A Prefect, Philip has contributed a lot to King’s and has been one of our most outstanding scholars ever. Next year he will start a new life at Otago University where he will study Physics and Biology.

Philip, achieved 3 scholarships, the most by any one King?s boy since the new scholarship system was introduced. These were in: Mathematics with Statistics, Biology and Physics.

2008: Robertson, Bede

Chalmers-Brown Prize for Art
The PTSA Prize for Art Painting
The Pall International Corporation Prize for Chemistry
The Melville Cup for Chemistry
The Robertson Richards Kouka Prize for Classical Studies
The Coombs Prize for Physics
The Jazz Committee Tray for Music
The Jo Weggery Trophy for Choir
Excellence Art Design and Music
Bede has completed a superb five years at King’s, excelling academically in each of them. He was the best all-round student inYr 10 and won the Bremner Scholarship inYr 12. His list of achievements above testify to his determination, self organisation and motivation.
His skills in music have been our pleasure. Bede is a very talented pianist, a member of our choir and jazz bands. His contribution to school drama has been similarly huge. Bede this year had a leading roll in the demanding Les Misbrables. He is also a gifted public speaker who has placed in several local schools’ competitions. In the most competitive, the ORC Anniversary Day competition, Bede reached the final two years running and was second in 2007.
At Blues Evening this year, Bede received four individual Blues for choir, drama, music and public speaking, a very rare feat. Yet, Bede also had time for orienteering and hockey.
Next year, Bede will be studying architecture at Victoria University.

2009: Robertson, Nicolas

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