At Lincoln High School we regularly recognise student achievement in a wide variety of areas. Importantly, we celebrate student academic achievement at four annual ceremonies. 

The Year 13 Graduation Ceremony takes place in early November at the James Hay Theatre.

Students will receive a Graduation Diploma if they have fulfilled the following: 2026 Graduation Criteria 

Students will also be awarded the following based on their academic results:

A Distinction award - students who achieve in the top 5% of a course

An Outstanding Scholar award - students who gain three or more distinctions

YEAR 13 MAJOR ACADEMIC AWARDS 

Dux of the School - Ross Woods Cup for Excellence in Year 13: This is awarded to the Year 13 student with the highest academic standard.

Proxime Accessit: This award is for the runner-up to the Dux.

YEAR 13 MAJOR AWARDS

R.B. Strange Cup for Leadership: This is awarded to the student whose leadership has been the most positive and significant during the year. 

McMahon Cup for Citizenship: This is awarded to the student whose general contribution to the life of the school has been the most worthwhile and significant. The recipient will usually have been involved in a wide range of school activities, and may sometimes have taken a leading role (but this is not necessary). The recipient's contribution will always have been a positive one, and in the spirit of a "good citizen" of the school.

R.S.A. Cup for All-Round Achievement: This is awarded to the student who has demonstrated the overall highest level of ability in a wide range of different spheres, e.g., academic, sporting, and cultural. 

Garters Cup for Commitment to Colleagues: This award is presented to a school leaver who, during their time at school, consistently put aside self-interest to help others achieve their personal goals and potential. The goals can relate to academic, sport, personal development, etc.

Arts Council Trophy for Contribution to the Arts: This awardee will have made a significant contribution to the arts, either in Music, Drama, Dance or the Arts Council, throughout the year. Typically, they have been involved in a number of different branches of the arts; have demonstrated performance to a high standard in at least one branch of the arts; and have helped to raise the profile of the arts at Lincoln, either by leadership or by example, for example, through individual performance, commitment, or by being a good role model.

Mana Māori Award for Contribution to Mana Māori: This award will be given to the student who has made the most significant contribution to Mana Māori in the school throughout the year. This could be in a variety of spheres, Māori Culture, Academic, Sport, Music, or Council, etc. The winner will have helped to raise the profile of Mana Māori at Lincoln by: showing leadership and/or by example, i.e., through individual performance, commitment; by being a good role model, and having a positive impact on any group they have worked with; and/or showing a commitment to Mana Māori.

Old Students Association Challenge Trophy: This is awarded to the student who has shown determination to succeed. 

YEAR 13 SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are financial awards often attached (but not exclusively) to tertiary study beyond school. Prize money mentioned below is not fixed and can change. Applications for scholarship awards are available in Term 3.

The Rowe-Martin Award ($300): This is awarded to a student whose attitude has consistently reflected a determination to succeed.

Gammack Scholarship ($7,000 per year for three consecutive years): Applicants must have studied four or more Level 3 NCEA courses, or beyond (e.g. University papers); must intend to enroll in a full-time University Degree Course in the year following application at either Lincoln University or The University of Canterbury; have clearly demonstrated the academic ability to succeed in tertiary study; and have demonstrated through involvement in the life of the school that they would be a worthy recipient of the award. 

Past Pupils’ Scholarship ($500 – STC): Applicants must be studying five Level 3 subjects; be intending on enrolling in full-time study at a Tertiary Institution in the year following the application; must have made a positive contribution to the school through full involvement in the life of the school, in particular in their final year at Lincoln High School; and must have achieved high academic attainment in their final year at Lincoln High School.

Lions Club of Selwyn Annual Scholarship ($500 - STC): This is awarded to a student identifying as female who is planning to study for a tertiary qualification in the field of science. 

Selwyn District Council Secondary School Students' Tertiary Scholarships(worth up to $3000): There are two scholarships available. Applicants must be planning further study at a tertiary institution or other post-secondary study.

Alma Newton Memorial Literary Award ($500): Awarded to a student who has demonstrated an ability and involvement in English Literature.

OTHER YEAR 13 ACADEMIC AWARDS (by Learning Area)

ARTS

Hillyer Medal for Senior Sculpture (Arts): Top Year 13 sculpture student

Parsons Award for Excellence in Achievement and Attitude in Year 13 Art

Excellence in achievement and attitude for a Year 13 Art student

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Murray Award for Excellence in Year 13 Social Sciences ($200): The recipient must have studied at least two Level 301 Social Science courses (History, Classical Studies, Social Studies, Geography); must have demonstrated a consistently high level of achievement; and must have shown the ability to work cooperatively with others.

William Haase Cup: Excellence in achievement and attitude in Classical Studies

Lincoln Historical Society Prize for Year 13 History

Excellence in achievement and attitude in History

Dickison Cup for Psychology

SB Gilpin Star for Best Film Production

TECHNOLOGY

Morgan Cup for Merit in Senior Practical Clothing

Excellence in Achievement & Attitude in Senior Textiles Technology

Barnett Cup for Progress in Senior Food and Nutrition

Outstanding progress in Senior Food and Nutrition

Meaclem Cup for Year 13 Hospitality

Excellence in Achievement & Attitude in Hospitality

DESIGN & VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Trophy for Tenacity in Year 13 DVC

MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS

LHS Mathematics Award: This is awarded for Excellence in and Contribution to Mathematics & Statistics. The recipient will have studied two Level 3 Mathematics & Statistics courses; Demonstrated a consistent outstanding level of achievement and enthusiasm for the subject; Worked to advance not only their own level of Mathematical understanding but that of others; Participated in extra-curricular opportunities in Mathematics (for example, Cantamaths, CMA Year 12 Maths competition, Eton Senior Mathematics competition or the Australian Mathematics Competition.)

Year 13 Statistics Cup

SCIENCE

Carnaby Cup for Excellence in Year 13 Science ($1000 when available): This award goes to the student who has the most outstanding Science achievement. They may have studied Year 13 subjects when in Year 12 & this will not count against them. When considering who gets the award, the following can be taken into account: Achievement in any Level 3 or Scholarship Science courses (in any year); Achievement in any university courses; Participation in extra-curricular opportunities in Science (for example, Science Fair, CPIT Competition, or Hands On Science); Production of an exemplary piece of practical Science work. This could be research or experimentally based; Demonstrated a positive attitude towards achieving in Science.

Peter van Leeuwen Cup for Senior Chemistry: Excellence in achievement in Chemistry (Year 12 or 13)