During assemblies held this week, the following students were awarded their WC Blues Pockets for outstanding achievements in the arts and sports.

Arts

Duncan Blennerhassett – NZSSSO, Trombone

Duncan receives his blues pocket for his place in the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra on Trombone. This is the second time Dunca has been selected for this national group. He also plays in the WC orchestra, Big Band, Secondline Band, J Parker Sextet and sings in Ngā Korimako.

Jonah Liu – NZSSSO, Clarinet

Jonah receives his blues for his acceptance into the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra on Clarinet. He also plays in the school orchestra, concert band, and sings in Ngā Korimako and Black & Gold Collective.

Johnson Ding – NZSSC

Johnson received his Blues for this selection for the NZ Secondary Schools Choir. He is now in his second year as a member and this year will see him travel to Singapore and Hong Kong with the group as part of their overseas tour. He also sings in Ngā Korimako, conducts Black & Gold Collective, and is pianist for the Big Band.

Parker – NZSSSO and NYO – Double Bass

James, while originally a guitarist, spends most of his time playing bass these days. He receives his blues for his acceptance into the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra on double bass and also the NZ Youth Orchestra, which is open to anyone under 25 – a massive achievement for a Year 11 student. Later this year he will also Perform with the NZSO as part of their Emerging Artists Series. He also plays in the Orchestra, Big Band, and J Parker Sextet, along with several other jazz combos.

William Ding – NZSO Emerging Artist – Piano

William has been selected to perform with the NZSO later this year as part of their Emerging Artists series of performances. This is a nationally selected opportunity that gives exceptional performers a chance to perform with the NZSO. William also sings in Ngā Korimako and is the accompanist for Black & Gold Collective. Well done William.

Hamish Harrison – NZSSSO

Hamish receives his blues for his acceptance into the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra. This is a huge achievement for a year 9 student!

Miles Beaglehole, Tom Simpson, Mahi Meo, Lui Meo, Advait Mathew, Moss McSweeney, Gus Duffy – Sheilah Winn Shakespeare

This group of students receive their Blues Pockets for their performance in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Regional and National Festival. Directed by Gus Duffy and Tom Simpson, these students put together a 15 minute competitive piece that compiled scenes from Hamlet. When competing at the Wellington Regional level, these students were selected as the top group out of 40 performances to represent Wellington at the National Festival. Miles Beaglehole was also selected as a direct entry to the National Shakespeare School’s Program – a program for elite actors from this festival. At Nationals, this group were again recognised for having the best understanding of their text, and Tom Simpson was awarded Standout Actor in a performance of a Tragedy.

Sports

Declan Broadfoot – Swimming

Vice Captain of WC Swimming, Declan has had an outstanding season, culminating in his selection for the NZ Tri Series team which will be competing in Perth in July. At the National Age Group Champs in the 16 years age group, Declan won two Gold 200 Fly and 200IM, along with 5 silvers. At the New Zealand Championships in Auckland, competing against the best swimmers in NZ he gained several top 5 finishes, the most exceptional being 3rd in the Open 400m Individual Medley.

Charlie Dickison – Swimming

Charlie has had an amazing season. At National Age Groups in the 15 Years Age group, he won 3 Gold, 6 Silver and 1 bronze – setting 4 Wellington records in the process. He also had top 5 finishes at the national championships. He has been selected for the NZ Tri Team Series in July and also for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships Team being held in Vancouver Canada in August. This past weekend, he raced again and his 50m freestyle time of 22.88 is now the new NZ national Short Course record for a 15 year old. This is Charlie’s first national record, beating the 10 year old record of 23.15 held by Youth Olympian Michael Picket.

Preston Maxwell – Swimming

Competing in the Men’s U 18 Multi Class, Preston is the first Para Swimmer from Wellington College to be selected for a New Zealand Team. Alongside Declan and Charlie he will be in the NZ Tri Series team competing in Perth in July. At the National Age Group Champs S14 Multiclass he won Gold in the 100 Fly, Silver in 50 Breast and 50 Fly, and bronze in 200 Free, 200IM, 50 Free and 100 Free.

Justin-Li Moroney -Tennis

Injuries unfortunately prevented Justin-Li from representing the school in the NZ secondary schools championship, however, he still had an amazing season. Justin-Li was named in the New Zealand Junior Davis Cup team and has just returned from a NZ Tennis Tour of Japan with this group. His selection was based on winning the 14 & Under Queensland State Championships and making the semi finals of the Under 18 NZ Nationals. He has also been named in the New Zealand Under 15 team to play in the Australian Teams Event on the Gold Coast at the end of this month. He is committed to climbing up the international rankings over the school holidays, playing further ITF tournaments in Australia and Fiji.

Joe Hopkinson -Powerlifting

Joe competed in the New Zealand National Powerlifting Championships, where he entered the Sub-Junior (Under 18) 93kg category. He performed exceptionally well, winning his division comprehensively. Even more impressively, Joe went on to secure the Overall Title across all weight classes in his age group. The powerlifting competition consisted of three core lifts: back squat, bench press, and deadlift. During the event, Joe also set a new national record in the deadlift, lifting an outstanding 288.5kg.

Jamie Harkness – BMX

Jamie has had a very successful local season and has been selected for the New Zealand team to the 2026 UCI BMX World Championships to be held in July at the Sleeman Supercross Track in Brisbane, Australia, featuring both top elite and amateur riders. This attracts riders from all over the world and is the pinnacle of the sport. With selection based on World Rankings and placings at national championships in 2025 and 2026 Jamie will be racing in the 17-24 year old cruiser class at the same time being first reserve in the 20” class

Jacob Eade – Indoor Hockey

An integral part of both Senior A Floorball and 1st XI Hockey Jacob also plays Indoor Hockey and in December last year was selected for the New Zealand Under 18 Indoor Hockey team which played in the 2025 Pro Series Indoor hockey tournament the Nkosi Cup in Cape Town South Africa. Competing against regional teams from all over South Africa plus teams from Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ireland the team finished a creditable 7th.

Hudson Todd -Floorball

Hudson captains the WC Senior A team as well as coaches the Junior A team. The Senior As took out the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cup and Hudson was named MVP of the Tournament. He too has been selected for the New Zealand Under 19 Team which will travel to Singapore in August to play in the AOFC Qualification Tournament for the Men’s Under 19 World Floorball Championships 2027. Incidentally he is also Co captain of the 1st XI hockey team.

Connor Sternagel-Silao – Floorball

Floorball has always been Connor’s main sport and his dedication has paid dividends this year. Still only Year 11, he has been an integral member of the Senior A team which won the NZ secondary schools Cup.

On the back of a great season, he has been selected for the New Zealand Under 19 Team. Connor will travel to Singapore in August to play in the AOFC Qualification Tournament for the Men’s Under 19 World Floorball Championships held the following year in 2027.