Former Nayland student wins Rhodes scholarship

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Former Nayland College Dux, Kimberley Savill, has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for 2016.

Kimberley, 22, was Dux at Nayland and won the NZQA Outstanding Scholar Award in 2011. She subsequently completed a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours at Victoria University where she won Victoria Excellence Scholarships and New Zealand Institute of Chemistry prizes during every year of her degree.

The Rhodes scholarship is awarded to 89 students from 32 different countries each year and covers study fees, accommodation and living costs for three years at Oxford. Academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service are all criteria for receiving the award.

A post on the Nayland College Facebook page from Kimberley says “a significant share of the credit for this definitely goes to Nayland. I couldn’t have asked for better teachers, or more opportunities to grow, than I found as a student here.”

At Oxford, Kimberley will study for a Doctorate in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry.

She says a desire to contribute and give something back shapes her studies. She is is keen to make a difference through science research, particularly in chemistry to address immediate and important challenges to renewable energy and storage technologies.

A skilled debater, Kimberley was a member of the Victoria University Debating Team which participated in the World Universities Debating Championships in Malaysia earlier this year. She is a volunteer campus coach at Victoria University to help new students settle into life on campus and volunteers at open days as an ambassador.