It's a great way for NZEST (New Zealand Education and Scholarship Trust) to complete 12 years in its present format, says executive officer, Sarah Taylor.

With the advent of the NCEA scholarship examinations in 2004, NZEST will move its focus from running examinations to providing scholarships for top academic students to attend university, with details to be announced early next year.

As national scholarship winner and medallist with a first place in biology, chemistry and physics, Richard Yu has gained scholarship funding of $3,250. His headmaster, Roy Kelley of King's College says, "Richard Yu is a genuinely talented, yet humble young man.. Richard has made a huge impression at King's College not only in terms of his academics, as he is also a very talented musician. As he won an NZEST scholarship in 2002, to qualify for a financial award, he had to sit three new subjects this year – one of these subjects was Music which he is not studying at school, yet he managed third place! In addition, he has made a fine contribution to the College's community service programme, as well as being involved in archery, soccer, chess and debating. He is an exceptional all-rounder and we are very proud of him."

Graeme Mak of Auckland Grammar School scored three A+ grades, is a medallist and gained first place in Latin, winning scholarship funding of $1,000. John Morris, his headmaster comments, Graeme is a very talented young man with great academic and personal strengths. At school he has maintained the highest academic standards in a variety of subjects encompassing the humanities and sciences. He has played sport at Grammar, particularly tennis, soccer and rugby. In addition he has been an active member of the Senior Film Society and a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. Graeme has a strong sense of duty, is courteous and reliable, and intensely dedicated to whatever task he undertook.

Top female student, on 40 scholarship points was Victoria Taylor, of Columba College in Dunedin. Her awards, including the Sir Robin Irvine Award netted scholarship funding of $2,500. Elizabeth Wilson, principal, comments that Victoria, who is head prefect, has been an outstanding student but is always modest about her achievements. She has been an active member of the Senior Drama Club, the Madrigal Choir and Chamber Orchestra, as well as participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and also Debating. Elizabeth is a truly all-round student and plans to study Health Sciences at Otago University.

Over its lifetime NZEST has attracted generous sponsorship from the business community and has a Trust Fund in excess of $1million. In twelve years of operation, the Trust has awarded close to $1million dollars in scholarship funding to 2,800 students - prizes range from a national scholarship of $1,500 to awards for high achievement of $150. A further 6,000 students have received certificates of merit and credit in recognition of a high standard of achievement.

"It is interesting to note that all three top candidates won Medallist Awards signifying that their subjects covered the wide spectrum from science and humanities," comments chairman, John Graham. "To qualify as a medallist a candidate has to include two humanities subjects and one science or mathematics subject in their total of five. NZEST has always aimed to promote and acknowledge the concept of the all-round scholar. This is a very pleasing result in its last year and we look forward to being able to award scholarships for achievement and application toward university study in the future."