Prize Winner Expose Senior Academic Awards DUX - SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY Gijs van Gorp Your commitment to learning and ability to focus is outstanding. Explain how you managed this throughout your final year? I managed my learning throughout the year by planning when to do work but also taking time off and relaxing so not to get overwhelmed. How did your education at Ōtūmoetai College help you to feel prepared? Otumoetai College helped me feel prepared through the teachers giving me access to all the information I needed, even during lockdown. How did you manage to stay focused and committed to your studies throughout your final year? It was quite hard to stay focused on my studies especially this year with the lockdown however, I believe it was that if you set goals and work towards these goals even if you do not achieve them you will still be more successful than if you didn’t try. 20
How did your teachers influence you and/or assist you to achieve to your best? All my teachers always gave all my classmates and I the time and effort so that we could learn our best. I am extremely grateful to all my teachers throughout my five years at Otumoetai College, as they have always been supportive and allowed me to reach my goals. What has been your biggest take away from your final year? My biggest take away from this year is to work hard but balance this with your social life because being able to get along with people is really important. Once you have finished with NCEA, what are your plans for next year? My plans for next year are to study Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland.
What has been your biggest learning through your final year? I didn’t really have the biggest learning in any specific field this year because I learnt so much in all my subjects especially the sciences. What comes to mind when you think about how your life will look like in 5 – 10 years from now? I plan on becoming a doctor and hopefully a cardiothoracic surgeon in the future however, I have many other interests that I may pursue and nothing is set in stone. What are your parting words/ suggestions for students at Ōtūmoetai College My parting words for the students of Otumoetai College are try to enjoy your time at College but also take advantage of the opportunities that are provided to you.
