This year, our prizegiving looked a little different at ACG Tauranga due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions across the Bay of Plenty area. With family and friends unable to attend such a popular annual occasion, we decided to live-stream the event, allowing everyone to be a part of the ceremonies.

While students attended the event in person – across four separate year group assemblies to ensure numbers were kept to a minimum – proud parents, grandparents and friends were able to watch from the comfort of home. The prizegiving ceremonies were also recorded, allowing an additional opportunity for viewing at a later time.

As one of the highlights of our school calendar, the new virtual format, with professional videography, generated a great deal of positive feedback from the online audience. And although ACG parents were disappointed not to attend in person, the virtual presentation still managed to convey the air of excitement and anticipation as student achievements were celebrated with delighted smiles and cheering applause clearly in evidence.

Additionally, the online presentation proved popular with some of our prospective families whom we had invited to join us. Seeing the way ACG Tauranga supports and awards our students made a big impact and reinforced the inclusive nature of our learning community and how we reward and celebrate our students’ successes.

In another first, our school launched a Pin Reward System at the prizegiving. Platinum, gold, silver and bronze badges were awarded across ACG Tauranga’s four strategic pillars (Arts, Sports, Learning and Community), with each metal colour denoting the level of accomplishment in each category.

Students were incredibly enthusiastic about this ACG initiative and immediately affixed the bright shiny badges to their uniform blazers to showcase their specific areas of interest and expertise.

Alongside naming the upcoming student leadership team for 2022, the prizegiving saw students receive a wide array of awards – from excellence in poetry and dance to numerous sporting accolades and those embodying school spirit. Students were also recognised for their positive dispositions and continuing growth, which are equally important in their journey to success.

After such a challenging year, finishing on such a strong note is a true reflection of the resilience, motivation and commitment of students and staff alike. We were thrilled to see out 2021 with such a successful and uplifting event, and with 2022 just around the corner, the next school year promises to be one to watch.

Special Award Recipients