Piopio College dux, Grace Purdie, and Proxime Accessit, Abbie Blakeman
Two of Waitomo’s top students have earned their wings, named school dux at Te Kūiti High and Piopio College.
Sandy Ru, who plans to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine, said she was thrilled to be named Te Kūiti High’s dux at the school’s prizegiving.
“I was really happy to have won,” she told The News. “I’m pleased that the work I have put in has paid off.”
Te Kūiti High School dux, Sandy Ru
Ru also won the Perseverance Award and awards for excellence in physics, science and maths. She also secured the University of Otago’s Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarship and the University of Auckland 140th Anniversary Academic Scholarship.
Both scholarships recognise outstanding academic achievement. The selection panel for the Otago scholarship said that Ru’s achievements stood out among a field of high-calibre applicants.
Ru’s schoolmate, Elliot Meads was confirmed as Te Kūiti High’s Proxime Accessit.
A quiet achiever in academics and sport, Grace Purdie is Piopio College’s dux for 2025.
“It feels really good and a little surreal. I knew it would be really close between all of our Year 13s, so I definitely wasn’t expecting it.”
Grace has pursued excellence with grace, living up to her name, her academic dean and mentor, Gina Draper, said.
“Although she prefers to avoid the limelight, Grace has become a valued citizen of our school community, willingly giving her time to support others. She has volunteered at numerous Active As initiatives, charity fundraisers, and school events, always contributing with kindness and humility.”
An adept young sportswoman, Grace was also named Sportsperson of the Year. She holds numerous equestrian titles, representing her school, region and her country.
“Grace has achieved an outstanding list of titles and accolades in her chosen sport,” Draper said “She is also a highly academic student. Her quiet determination and self-discipline are evident in every aspect of her learning.”
Further achievements include being awarded a $30,000 Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship. Grace intends to study at the University of Waikato from 2026.
“I haven’t completely decided on my major yet, but I’m really looking forward to starting uni and figuring out what direction I want to take.”
Abbie Blakeman was named Piopio College Proxime Accessit.
