ACG Strathallan School
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ACG Strathallan achieves outstanding academic success in Cambridge International Examinations

ACG Strathallan has taken a quantum leap, more than doubling its award count in the 2023 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, achieving a total of ten awards, up from four in 2022. 

Strathallan Students

Stellar award success 

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards honour students who achieve distinctions such as Top in World, Top in New Zealand, or High Achievement in Cambridge examinations. ‘High Achievement’ recognises learners who have excelled in less commonly taken subjects. 

ACG Strathallan’s ten awards (including two Top in World awards, four Top in New Zealand awards and four High Achievement awards) marks the school’s highest award count, to date, and is a notable uptick from 2022 when the school achieved two Top in World awards, one Top in New Zealand award and one High Achievement. The school’s 2023 award haul contributes to ACG Schools’ total award tally of 46 (up from 33 in 2022), setting the benchmark for excellence in education across New Zealand. The total tally is made up of one Best Across Three A-Level subjects award, one Best Across Four AS-Level subjects award, 14 Top in World awards, 18 Top in New Zealand awards and 12 High Achievement awards.  

High Achievement: 4 

Top in New Zealand: 4 

Top in World: 2 

Impressive A-Level pass rate and university entrance 

ACG Strathallan also proudly achieved an impressive overall pass rate of 99.2% for all A-Level subjects, showcasing the school’s commitment to academic success and student advancement. 

Exceptional student achievement 

Among the outstanding ACG Strathallan award winners are Amanjot Kaur - who achieved not only a Top in World for Mathematics in the June exam series, but also a Top in New Zealand for Computer Science in the November exam series - and Misha Uthayakumar who achieved Top in World for Digital Media and Design. 

Principal Danny O’Connor says the record-breaking 2023 results – which include awards across a wide range of subject fields – are a testament to the school’s holistic education and commitment to academic excellence. 

“This is an outstanding achievement for these students and a credit to their hard work, dedication and the support they received from their teachers,” he says. “Creating an environment that fosters academic success is one of the cornerstones of life at ACG Strathallan, and these fantastic results underscore our steadfast commitment to global competitiveness and excellence in education.”  

November 2023 exam series 

  • Top in World Cambridge International AS-Level Digital Media and Design – Misha Uthayakumar 

  • Top in New Zealand Cambridge International AS-Level Computer Science – Amanjot Kaur 

  • Top in New Zealand Cambridge IGCSE Biology – Sophia Polansky 

  • Top in New Zealand Cambridge IGCSE Physics – Annie Gai 

  • Top in New Zealand Cambridge IGCSE Design and Technology – Lizzy Swendson 

  • High Achievement Cambridge International A-Level Digital Media and Design – Hannah Twisleton 

June 2023 exam series 

  • Top in World Cambridge International AS-Level Mathematics – Amanjot Kaur 

  • High Achievement Cambridge International AS-Level English Language – David Grey 

  • High Achievement Cambridge International AS-Level Business Studies – Lauren Aylward 

  • High Achievement Cambridge International IGCSE Level Chinese Language – Chloe Li 

Recognition at the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards Ceremony 

At the recent Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards Ceremony held in Auckland, a remarkable one out of every three awards was presented to an ACG student. ACG Schools are represented by ACG Strathallan (Karaka, South Auckland), ACG Parnell (Central Auckland), ACG Sunderland (Henderson, West Auckland), and ACG Tauranga. 

ACG Schools: Setting the standard for high achievement in New Zealand 

Mike McFadden, CEO of ACG Schools, remarks, “As New Zealand’s largest independent school group, it’s a significant achievement that collectively our schools have outperformed every other school in the country that offers the Cambridge curriculum.”