Scholar Catherine Hsiao-Wei Hsu has come a long way from struggling with her English at primary school.
The 17-year-old valedictorian of ACG's Senior College in the city is off to study medicine at a prestigious English university.

Her scholarship to Cambridge follows impressive results in her 2011 A-level examinations and a 100 per cent score in 2010 advanced A-level mathematics.
ACG College is one of the few high schools in New Zealand that follows the British high school curriculum and examination format.
''When I was little my parents had to speak to the teacher about my English,'' the Taiwanese immigrant says. Those memories of struggling to learn a new language have been replaced by an outstanding academic and extracurricular record. As well as scoring 99 per cent in her English literature exam Catherine fits in volunteering at a rest home and also started a school orchestra last year. ''Sometimes you do have to sacrifice some things,'' she says.

Congratulations to the following award recipients from ACG Senior College:
 

Waiheke Islander and ACG Senior College student, Jacob Smith-Jude's Cambridge International Examination worries evaporated as the realisation of his straight A results began to sink in.

"There have been a few changes to how the exams were marked this year, which has meant fewer 100 per cent passes and A grades. So I was really worried before they came out and now I'm relieved and pleased with the overall results," says Jacob, Year 13.

"Jacob's results were particularly impressive given that he sat one subject, Classics, at A Level which is normally done in Year 13, not Year 12," says ACG Senior College Principal, Kathy Parker. "Jacob was chosen to be one of 13 student leaders this year out of 35 applicants. He is a high achiever, works hard and genuinely deserves the success he has gained."

This year Jacob is studying abroad mix for his A levels, covering Physics, Biology and English Literature. Interestingly he has also chosen to study a new subject covering both year 12 and 13, called Global Perspective Research (GPK).

Catherine Hsu has been accepted to study for a BA degree in Medicine at Christ's College, Kevin Chang has been accepted to read for an undergraduate degree in Engineering at Churchill College. Both students begin in October 2012.