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| 7 Aug 2025 | |
| Written by William Ward | |
| Current Students |
The College came together for its Semester 1 Academic Awards on Wednesday night to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the students. The evening, hosted by our Head Academic Mentors - Charlie Simmonds and Jesse Noad, recognised students whose commitment to learning and academic excellence reflects the best of the College’s values.
From a cohort of 315 students, 113 residents were recognised (= 36% of our College), 20 earned a High Distinction average and 93 achieved a Distinction average. This impressive performance highlights the ongoing strong culture of scholarly ambition, mutual support, and determination within the College community.
Awards were presented by the Academic Mentors (AMs), Board Members - Michael Lee, Anna Masters and Board Chair John Harris and special guests Casey and Carmen White (sponsors of the Infinity Medal), with moments of applause, laughter, and heartfelt pride throughout the night.
High Distinction Averages
Zoe Paul, Stephanie Buys, Raechel McKinnon, Joshua Riddle, Edward Brown, Louis Ross, Jessica Millin, Harriet Hughes, Zachary Brownjohn, Freya Mckinley-Rowe, Amelia Dowe, Darcy Mansul, Stephen Clarke, Yushan Gao, Jessica Hayhoe, Scarlett Edyvean, Maggie Anderson, Thomas Skeffington, Emily Webb, Oliver Moore
Distinction Averages
James Ritchie, Milla Brown, Kristen Deller, Jasmine Evans, Aimee Hosegood, Lola Debell, Xavier Butler, Juliet Borean, Rongting Sun, Hamish Hammerton, Laura Flack, Milla Frlan, Jasmyn Bull, Joseph Bartram, Pippa Barnes, Luke Berry, Lily Coombe, Cormac O'Callaghan, Lucy Finlayson, Tara Collins, James Northcote, Sophie Paton, Zoe Crabbe, Grace Khoury, Jesse Noad, Benjamin Fairbrother, Kenzie Clews, Sophie Gale, Ethan Hansen, Hugo Bennett, Olivia Larcombe, Alexandra Seal, Luella Tobin, Zara Sweetman, Darcy Robertson, Halle Doyle, Oscar McMillan, Francesca Burke, Aerin Slater, Emerson Aurisch, Gracie Bottomley, Isabelle Richardson, Sophie Osmond, Toby Sawyer, Cam Tregaskis, Madeleine Begg, Matilda Crocker, Phoebe Oayda, Stephanie Lee, Emi Lennon, Jemima Thibault, Laura Penning, Poppy Mayo, Alison Bolt, Isabel McCaughey, Jack Levinson, Morgan Wixted, Nicholas Einoder, Ching Kwan Huang, Lauren Peach, Annabelle Gillard, Elise Willett, Lucy West, Ben Vanstone, Holly Alder, James Collier, Scarlett Blamey, Jack Hawksley, Lucia Haan, Hayden O'Brien, Kitty Foley, Oscar Corah, Charlie Simmonds, Olivia Miller, Stella Hopkins, Zachary Yap, Anouk Bennett, Hugo Buller, Matilda Corsham, Rosie Oxley, Holly Thompson, Matthew Callaghan, Athena Hinton, Charles Langdon, Isabel Mellor, Thomas Aylward, Charlie Mitchell, Lily van Son, Anna Burt, Edward Laukka, Lachlan Simmonds, Oscar Head, Oscar Veitch
The Accies – Golden Gnome Awards
Each Academic Mentor selected students who, in their view, had gone above and beyond academically during the semester:
Special Awards
Biggest Nerd Award - Lola Debell - for consistent dedication to Wednesday Nerd Nights.
Firetruck Award - Zoe Paul - for “putting out academic fires” and mentoring peers without holding an official AM role.
Piggy (HAM – Head Academic Mentor) Award - Recognising an all-rounder who excels academically and in all areas of College life. Nominees: Freya McKinley-Rowe, Ollie Moore, Ben Vanstone, Ali Bolt, Tom Skeffington.
Winner: Milla Brown.
Highest Achievers in Individual Courses
Several students stood out for exceptional results in their respective subjects:
Top WAM Achievers by University
Infinity Medal – The White Family Award
The Infinity Medal - The White Family Award was presented to Penny Friend. This honour recognises an individual who has made a clear and lasting impact on College life through consistent, purpose-driven contributions. Acting out of genuine care rather than seeking recognition, Penny has demonstrated measurable influence, uplifted others with a quiet but powerful presence, and lived out the College’s values of Gratitude, Respect, Integrity, Courage, Empathy, and Inclusivity every day.
The Academic Dinner was more than a night of awards, it was a celebration of the determination, generosity, and community spirit that defines John XXIII College. As Head of College remarked,
“Behind every academic achievement is a network of support: peers, academic mentors, student services and the whole College community, encouraging one another to strive for their best.”
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