SEF Class of 2020

Commenced study 2020

Andre Chan

University of Auckland
Degree: BSc
Mentor: Dr Kimiora Henare
Buddy: Josh Rolston (Dilworth Old Boy)

Braiden Dyer

University of Auckland
Degree: BE (Hons)
Mentor: Flight Lieutenant Donte Kelly (Dilworth Old Boy)/Warren Law
Buddy: Tommy Hou (Dilworth Old Boy)

Braiden is a dedicated and driven student who studied BE(Hons) in Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland. He completed his degree in 2023 and starting working full time at March Cato Construction in November 2023.

Braiden is passionate about innovation, cars, gym, and snowboarding and thirsts for engineering and investing knowledge.

Braiden is actively engaged in research investigating how Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) pads embedded into our roading infrastructure will impact the pavement performance. He is working in collaboration with UoA and Downer Group New Zealand, where he is using a bespoke accelerated pavement testing device to analyse how strain properties are affected when an IPT pad is installed.

Outside of academia, Braiden is an avid enthusiast of various pursuits. One of his primary passions is powerlifting. You’ll often find him at the gym, pushing himself to new limits and embracing the discipline it fosters. His fascination with mechanics and cars has led him to spend countless hours working on cars and machines, gaining hands-on experience that complements his academic endeavours. When Braiden has the opportunity, he’ll find his paradise ripping it up on the mountains snowboarding and finding adrenaline rushes wherever he can. Moreover, Braiden is keenly interested in finance and investing, constantly seeking to expand his knowledge to build his portfolio and then blow it all on his hobbies.

During his academic journey, he has had the privilege of interning as a Site Engineer at March Cato Civil Engineering Contractors, where he was exposed to real-world challenges and solutions in the contractor industry. This experience enriched his understanding and expanded his skill set but also ignited a desire to begin his own contracting company once he acquires the knowledge and skills to do so.

Braiden is thrilled that he is set to embark on the next phase of his journey as he steps into his graduate role at March Cato Developments. This opportunity will allow him to gain valuable knowledge in land development. It will set him on the correct path to succeed in all of his endeavours in his engineering career.

He worked within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Thomas Burke who is also studying BE (Hons) at the University of Auckland.

SEF Work Experience

2021 Feb Harrison Grierson

2021- 2023 March Cato

Harrison Dudley-Rode
Head Boy 2018

University of Auckland/AUT
Degree: BSc/MSEH
Graduated: BSc May 2023
Mentor: Bill McKenzie
Buddy: Sam Michie (Dilworth Old Boy)

Sponsored by: Idonea Investments Ltd

Harrison has completed his Bachelor of Science and he is currently studying a Master’s of Sport, Exercise and Health at AUT. His thesis is on the effects of exogenous carbohydrate ingestion on durability of the moderate-heavy intensity transition in well-trained cyclists.

After several years of high intensity Ironman training Harrison has decided to take a step back from his training this year to focus on his one-year master’s study.

He is currently working part-time for Canoe Racing NZ on a coaching development project for regional coaches on general training principles and physiology.

Harrison is looking forward to completing his study this year, which will hopefully lead him into a future career in Performance Physiology with one of the big sporting organisations next year.

He worked within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Anthony Bray who studying BSc/BCom at the University of Auckland.

Award

Presbyterian Methodist Congregational Grafton Scholarship
Ella Burford Award

SEF Work Experience

2020 High Performance Sport NZ

Jean-Luc Ellis
Prefect

University of Auckland
Degree: BSc/LLB
Mentor: Martin Goldfinch
Buddy: Simon Barter

Sponsored by Idonea Investments Ltd

Jean-Luc is on is on track to complete his studies at the end of 2025. He is studying a degree in Law and Science (majoring in Chemistry). I

In 2022 Jean-Luc and three young entrepreneurs started a labour hire business. - ERC Contracting. Jean-Luc loves the challenges that accompany running and organising a business, with his primary objective being to continue growing this full-time as he finishes his studies.

Jean-Luc has been privileged with work experience at the law firm Jackson Russell through the Staples Education Foundation; this has blossomed into a part-time job at the law firm. This has been a brilliant insight into the legal profession.

In the future, Jean-Luc hopes to engage in the legal profession and perhaps look to become an in-house lawyer in the commercial space.

He works within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Jaydan Koeberg who is studying LLB/BMus at the University of Auckland.

Award

NZQA Scholarship Drama
Ella Burford Award

SEF Work Experience

2021 - 2022 Jackson Russell

Joji Joseph
Prefect
Proxime Accessit 2019

University of Auckland
Degree: BSc
Graduated: September 2022
Mentor: Nick Polson
Buddy: Matthew Macnaughtan (Dilworth Old Boy)

Sponsored by Idonea Investments Ltd

Joji completed his Bachelor of Science with a double major in both Mathematics and Computer Science in July 2022. Joji is currently working in Wellington and growing his skills in cyber security and software development. Joji works with technologies such as JavaScript and Python to create web applications, as well as using DevOps tools such as Docker to set up infrastructure.

In his spare time, Joji enjoys running, reading and learning new programming languages. Joji is also a huge fan of chess, which he plays at club level and studies avidly.

Joji has been privileged enough to gain experience as a technical support engineer at Metro Performance Glass, and also gain an insight into the NZDF as a computer scientist conducting research into various topics.

He worked within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Josef Williams 2022 and in 2021 for Joshua Coleman who are both studying BSc at the University of Auckland.

Award

NZQA Scholarship Classical Studies

SEF Work Experience

2020 Metro Performance Glass
2021 Defence Technology Agency

Kellen Dudley-Rode

University of Auckland
Degree: BSc
Graduated: May 2024
Mentor: Michael Whitehead
Buddy: Indivar Kumar (Dilworth Old Boy)

Kellen has always had a strong passion for biology which has led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Ecology and Zoology. Kellen graduated in May 2024.

Kellen is now a co-owner/founder of ERC Contracting, Est. 2022. A business that he started with fellow SEF students Jean-Luc Ellis and Andre Chan. This business has posed challenges and obstacles that have been great learning curves and given Kellen a lot of experience in the field of contracting and business ownership.

Kellen was awarded The University of Auckland Sportsman of the year award in 2022 for his key role in 7 different interfaculty sporting events in which he received MVP for Netball and Kī o Rahi. In his spare time he enjoys taking part in a wide range of sports. Kellen’s main sports being basketball and football, while he also enjoys many outdoor pursuits, namely Mountain Biking, Hiking and Snowboarding. To keep fit for all these activities he loves weight training at the gym.

Kellen has taken on multiple leadership and management roles at The University of Auckland. This includes being a Sport manager for the Science Faculty (2021-2023) and he is also part of the executive team that runs the UOA Basketball Club.

Kellen is now studying part time at The University of Auckland for his last year while he works full time at ERC Contracting. When he finishes, he plans to move overseas to continue his studies as a postgraduate student, studying spider behaviour and morphology.

Awards

Chenery Trust Scholarship
NZQA Scholarship Drama

SEF Work Experience

2020 Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research)

Liam Ottley
Deputy Head Boy 2018
Dux 2018

University of Auckland
Degree: BCom/BProp
Mentor: Kim Hughes (1 year)
Buddy: Nicholas Blenkinsopp

Liam started a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Property in 2020.

In 2019, Liam took a gap year in Scotland where he will be a tutor at Stewart’s Melville College. While he was overseas he made the most of his holiday breaks by travelling around Europe as well as continuing to hone his skills in App and Web development.

Liam is exceptionally hard working and driven. No challenge is too demanding due to his highly organised work ethic. In Liam’s eyes, anything can be achieved!

Liam has been a real asset to the Dilworth community as can be seen by his record of cultural achievements – being part of Dilworth choirs for many years. Liam has also achieved both his Grade 6 and 8 musical theatre examination with Distinction.

Liam’s most impressive sporting achievements include being named top senior champion for both Cross Country and Athletics.

Liam has also achieved incredible academic results – gaining NCEA Scholarship for Classics while in Year 12 and Excellence for NCEA Level 1 - 3.

At the end of 2017 Liam commenced a Summer Internship at Shine Communications – a marketing agency. Liam learnt many skills and made a number of connections during his internship which will help him in the future. Volunteer work is a passion of Liam’s. Liam has been involved in a number of charity events from Walking Stars, Circus Quirkus, School Aid, Music at Elizabeth Knox Rest Home and as an academic tutor and mentor at Dilworth. Giving back to Dilworth, a school which has shaped Liam, is always at the forefront of his actions.

At the end of 2020 Liam decided to end his studies at Auckland University and focus on his online businesses which he had started during the first COVID-19 lockdowns.

Award

PwC Scholarship

Marvin Tao

University of Auckland
Degree: MBChB
Mentor: Dr Dean Singleton, (Dr Graeme Finlay 2020)
Buddy: Thomas Swinburn (Dilworth Old Boy)

Nganatatafu Finau

University of Auckland
Degree: BCom
Graduated: May 2023
Mentor: Kaison Chang
Buddy: Guneesh Jubal (Dilworth Old Boy)

Nganatatafu (Ngana) has completed is BCom and graduated in May 2023. He started working as an Auditor at KPMG in Auckland in February 2023.

He has always had a passion for numbers, solving maths problems and accounting. Ngana believes accounting is incredibly relevant to everyday life, teaching us how to balance our assets to our liabilities. Ngana aspires to being able to give back to his community, by being an accessible accountant to Tongan clients upon completion of his degree.

Ngana is passionate and proud to be Tongan. He takes part in Dance, which allows him to make connections with his culture and develop a sense of discipline and resilience. Ngana uses his creative energies to also produce print work. Ngana explores the use and meaning of traditional Tongan symbols, patterns and motifs through his art works. This is evidenced by the fact that Ngana achieved First in his class for Printmaking in 2018.

Ngana held several leadership roles during his time at Dilworth, including being Captain of the Senior A Volleyball team and in 2018 being awarded the Armagh Boarding House Prefect role, showing he is highly respected and liked by his peers.

Ngana has had summer jobs with DHL, but his passion lies within volunteering. Ngana has taken part in several volunteering initiatives including, assisting with the Circus Quirkus production, helping to clean his local Church St Marks, and since 2014 Ngana has worked as part of his local Church to help those in need, by cleaning their lawns, houses and picking up rubbish.

Ngana has demonstrated that no matter where you come from or what stereotypes are against you, you can achieve academic excellence in the face of adversity. Ngana has proved himself to be capable, driven and resilient. All qualities which will continue to take Ngana far in life.

Award

NZQA Scholarship Printmaking
Ella Burford Award

SEF Work Experience

2020 Baker Tilly Staples Rodway
2022 B.R. & Associates Ltd

Quinn Gray
Dux 2019

University of Auckland
Degree: BA
Graduated: May 2023
Mentor: Graeme Clark
Buddy: Oscar Read (Dilworth Old Boy)

Quinn has completed is BA and graduated in May 2023. He is now studying for his Masters. As part of Quinn’s Bachelor of Arts degree he wishes to major in both Psychology and French. Quinn’s interest particularly in psychology sparks from his love of biology and research, especially human evolution.

Quinn has consistently achieved incredibly academic results. Quinn sat a Scholarship Level Classics exam in Year 11 and was successful. In Year 12 Quinn achieved Outstanding Scholarships in Classical Studies and English, and Scholarship in Geography.

Quinn also achieved Excellence endorsement overall in Both Level 1 and Level 2 NCEA.

Quinn came 1st in Year 12 at Dilworth for his academic results. This is evidenced by the fact that Quinn achieved subject excellence endorsements in all five subjects he took in NCEA Level 2.

In 2018 Quinn was also awarded the University of Auckland Faculty of Arts Award for achievement in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Further, Quinn took part in the Young Scholars programme at the University of Auckland. This programme involves a school student taking a university paper alongside their school studies.

Quinn entered the Massey University Secondary Schools Classics Essay Competition and his essay was judged to be the best in Auckland.

Quinn also volunteered for Circus Quirkus in 2018. This fundraiser is set up to support young and disadvantaged special needs Aucklanders. Quinn’s role was to help set up the show and serve food.

Quinn has worked at the Cider Shed as a waiter and dishwasher over the Christmas break from December 2017 to January 2018.

Quinn recently took up weight training, after previously playing hockey and wrestling. He enjoys the routine associated with weight training as well as the results and sense of achievement that come with the sport.

Quinn is fascinated by languages, he is currently learning both Mandarin and French.

He worked within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Dhruva Trivedi who is also studying BA at the University of Auckland.

Awards

Jackson Russell Scholarship
NZQA Scholarship Top Scholar English
NZQA Scholarship Classical Studies, French and History
University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship
University of Auckland Entry Level Law
University of Auckland Dean’s Honours List for Arts 2020

SEF Work Experience

2020 Jackson Russell
2021 The University of Auckland

Shaan Johari

University of Auckland
Degree: BAS
Graduated: May 2023
Mentor: Neil Martin
Buddy: Karl Mendez

Sponsored by: Broadway Property Group

Shaan grew up in a small household with his Mum and cat. He was always focused on the creative side of life, starting off in Kindergarten by being the last kid during play-time to be making towers out of old cereal boxes and coloured cardboard.

His passion grew when he was lucky enough to be accepted into Dilworth School. His time at Dilworth school presented him with an abundance of opportunities that he is immensely grateful for. This is where he discovered a profound interest in the subjects of Art and Design & Visual Communication. He also learnt the value of kindness and leadership which eventually led to him becoming a school prefect.

The year after high school in 2019, he decided to take a gap year to refresh, travel, and experience the greater world. He worked as a gap tutor at Campbell College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. During his time working there he gained valuable skills in communication, leadership, time-management, and problem-solving. However, the most valuable lessons came from his time travelling which you can learn more about here.

His time at University was a rollercoaster. As the infamous COVID-19 put the entire world on pause, he faced an unprecedented time of trying to navigate through periods of online learning which created new challenges. Throughout his three years at University, he always found himself drawn to various ‘side hustles’ including running an e-commerce store for around 6 months and more successfully, being the artist and creative director for an NFT project. Shaan says these projects “slapped some grit and determination into me which further helped to develop my character”.

Shaan has transferred his skills that he learnt throughout his Architecture studies into his current position as a video editor. He is currently working on developing a YouTube channel with a small team that focuses on Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship.

He worked within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Thomas Nguyen who is studying BAS at the University of Auckland.

Award

Ella Burford Award

SEF Work Experience

2020 Buchan Group
2021 Architectus

Tamale Taufa

AUT University
Degree: BA
Graduated: March 2023
Mentor: Callum McGibbon (Dilworth Old Boy)
Buddy: Anthony Pereira-Bureta (Dilworth Old Boy)

Tamale completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, Children and Learning in March 2023. Tamale was inspired by his teachers at Dilworth and the contribution they made to his life. He dreams of one day returning to Dilworth as a teacher to help young boys like himself find their passions whilst at High School.

Tamale prides himself on his passion for learning and pursuing a career in something he loves. Tamale also has an independent work ethic, a quality which will take him far in his progression from Dilworth and beyond.

Tamale currently works at Tipene Funeral as a Funeral Director, read more about his story.

Award