A tweenager has done her parents, peers and teachers proud, winning the top prize at a global contest.
Sanskruti Banerjee of Epsom Normal Primary School received a medal in the ‘Writing Category’ of the International Competition & Assessment of Schools Examinations (ICAS) 2012, at a ceremony held at the Owen Glen Building in Central Auckland.
It is understood that she was the only Year 5 student to receive the high award in the 2012 examinations and that she scored the highest marks in the category in New Zealand.
According to her mother Radha Banerjee, she appeared in the ICAS examinations for the first time in 2011.
“She achieved a High Distinction and Medal in Writing and a Distinction in English language in 2012. She is also interested in Mathematics and has been attending the Gifted & Talented Maths Group (GNT) from year 1,” Mrs Banerjee said.
Varied talents
Sanskruti’s tally includes six medals and as many trophies for being a consistent High Achiever over the years in the ‘Kumon Mathematics and English Programmes.’
As well as being a good debater (she has been a finalist in several speech contests at her school), Sanskruti is a Bharata Natyam student, with over 20 stage performances to her credit.
“She is an able singer and participates in her School Senior Choir. She also plays the advanced Ukulele and performed at the New Zealand Ukulele Fest (labelled as the world’s largest congregation of Ukelele players) last year,” Mrs Banerjee said.
Born to a Tamilian mother and Bengali father, Sanskruti speaks both languages.
“She believes that there is no shortcut to success and with hard work one can achieve their dreams. She herself dreams of being an accountant or architect when she grows up.”
