Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 7, 2024
Teenager Vikram Varadarajan of Westlake Boys High School in Foresthill, Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland, is fast becoming an icon of the student community and a source of inspiration for youngsters with his sporting, leadership and debating skills.
He is now on the threshold of a scholastic career at the University to pursue a course in Engineering and continue playing Cricket and achieve the highest possible level.
Headmaster David Ferguson said that since he was appointed the Deputy Head Boy, the School has experienced wider contributions to its ‘wider life.’
“He is intelligent, conscientious and reliable and has consistently displayed a commendable work ethic and impressive time management skills. Vikram is confident in working independently and producing excellent results. He is a willing and welcome member in collaborative activities where his considerate manner and positive outlook are genuine assets,” he said.
Mr Ferguson commended Vikram’s leadership skills, which were evident in his participation in the Academic Council, the Charity Council, Interact, Future Problem Solving and the Enviro Council.
“He has generously volunteered his time to help others as a Reading Tutor and Mathematics Tutor at local primary and intermediate schools. Vikram has served as a member of the Transition Buddy Committee, as a Westlake peer mediator, peer tutor and as the student representative on the Board of Trustees in 2023. As a Deputy Head Boy, he played an important role in the School’s Senior Prefect Team in 2023,” he said.
Joining Westlake Boys High School in January 2019, Vikram completed Year 13 last in 2023.
His interest in sports has manifested in Cricket, Table Tennis, Football, Hockey, Chess and Frisbee.
He has played Cricket in the School’s Colt 1 and First XI Cricket teams and was a part of the 2020 Colts 1 Cricket team which won the Vettori Shield for the first time since the School was established in 1962. He was part of the First XI Cricket team in 2023, finishing second in New Zealand at the Gillette Cup National Cricket Tournament in Lincoln, Christchurch.
Vikram has also been in the U20 New Zealand Ultimate Frisbee Squad and has represented his School at the Premier Ultimate Frisbee, Table Tennis, Football and Hockey.
He has also been a member of the Chess Club.
Awards and Scholarships
Vikram received top awards from the Westlake School and Scholarships from many Universities in New Zealand.
Among them are the (1) Arthur Schubert Shield for outstanding and selfless contribution to Westlake Boys School (2) Red Blooded Award for the student who shows the most Westlake Passion And Spirit in 2023 (3) First XI Cricket Trophy for Best Sportsmanship and Ability.
His academic achievements include the (a) University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship (b) University of Canterbury Hiranga Scholarship (c) University of Waikato Te Paewai o te Rangi Scholarship (d) University of Otago Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarship (e) AUT Find Your Greatness Academic Achievement Scholarship (f) Victoria University Wellington Tangiwai Academic Category and (g) Massey University Undergraduate First Year Scholarship
Mr Ferguson said that the Westlake Boys High School has been a great school to support all students to achieve great success.
“It has been very welcoming and provides a place for all its students to reach their full capabilities, the school has many opportunities for students to find their passions to excel at their strengths,” he said.
