Yilin Ōtaki College dux

Yilin Ōtaki College dux

Yilin Lyu is Ōtaki College dux for 2025.

Yilin received the Fun Zone Scholarship, the Wakefields Lawyers Scholarship and the Andrew Philips Cup for dux. She also received the MI Turnbull Award for t op year 13 student.

She intends to study for a bachelor of science at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, majoring in biomedical science, and hopes to continue on to study medicine. To help with her studies she has received a University of Auckland top achiever scholarship of $25,000.

Cruize Lambert was runner-up to dux. He received the XŌtaki College Alumni Trust Award for Proxime Accessit, together with the MI Turnbull Award for second in Year 13. He also received the XŌtaki Carla Hepplethwaite Scholarship.

As with Yilin, in 2026 Cruize will be studying biomedical science at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, with a view to a career in optometry. Cruize has received a University of Auckland Vakamoana Scholarship worth $23,000.

The chairperson’s award for best all-round excellence was Harriet Georgetti. She will be studying environmental science at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury.

This year’s Everiss Scholar is Keita Broughton-Alp. Keita will spend three weeks in England and Scotland early in 2026 representing Ōtaki College. She will visit Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, home of the Otaki Scholar. On her return, Keita will begin a degree in law and commerce at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington.

The 2025 Sportsperson of the Year is Manase-Jamez Bailey, who receives an XŌtaki scholarship donated by the Philipp Family Foundation. Manase is a high-achieving basketball player whose skill and commitment has been recognised at regional, national and international levels.

Top scholar in Year 12 this year was Giorgio Bevan; second was Pearl Glanville Hall. Top Year 11 scholar was Ailie Ironside with Elsie O’Sullivan second. All four students receive MI Turnbull awards.

Also announced at the college prizegiving was the 2026 ngā ringa whero – heads of school team. Next year they will be Mau-Atua Edwards and Giorgio Bevan, with ngā ringa tauawhiawhi (deputy heads of school) Turtle Lindberg and James Auld. Ngā kaingārahu (associate heads of school) are Jeana Bevan, Pearl Glanville Hall, Arnyah McLeod and Eddy Vidulich.