Joe Parkinson awarded RJ Graham Scholarship

By Vai Mahutariki and Elaine Kelly | Posted: Monday May 30, 2022

Great news for Joe Parkinson, a Year 12 student from McIndoe House!

Joe has just been awarded a scholarship to the tune of $500 through Toitū Kaupapa Māori Mātaurangi (the Māori Education Trust).

The Māori Education Trust scholarship programme comprises a range of scholarships for Māori secondary and tertiary students. The purpose of the scholarship programme is to provide support for Māori students to pursue and achieve success in programmes of study and training.

The RJ Graham Scholarship is available to Year 12 and Year 13 Māori students with academic merit studying Te Reo Māori and either mathematics, information technology or science. (Science is defined as physics, chemistry or biology.)

In order to qualify, Joe had to be of New Zealand Māori descent, be enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school in 2020 and meet all criteria for the scholarships which included displaying excellence in his knowledge of Māori language and culture.

Only 40 such scholarships are awarded to students across New Zealand from Year 12-13 in secondary school and also in tertiary education. So, Joe has done really well to secure one. He has also been recognised this week at house assembly with a Phoenix Award for bringing honour to the house. Joe will be giving back to his school community by being part of a Year 12 and 13 leadership group which will coach the juniors for the upcoming Haka competition in week 8.

Congratulations Joe!