Avcol students top world & NZ in Cambridge results

L-R: Shivam Mehta, Oscar Cao, Shrihan Bobbala, Xincong He, Louis de Biaiso, Remi Baudet

Avondale College has once again celebrated a remarkable year of Cambridge success, with students earning a Top in the World placing, four Top in New Zealand placings, and three High Achievement Awards in the November 2025 Cambridge International Examination series. The results reflect the depth of talent across the school and the dedication of students who consistently push beyond expectations.

Leading the achievements is Year 12 student Oscar Cao, whose exceptional performance saw him awarded Top in the World for IGCSE Biology, alongside Top in New Zealand for both IGCSE Physics and IGCSE Chemistry.

Strength in the arts was also on display, with Louis de Biasio (Year 12) achieving Top in New Zealand for IGCSE Music.

In languages, Remi Baudet (Year 12) earned Top in New Zealand for IGCSE French, drawing on both school learning and practice at home.

Avondale’s strong reputation in digital technologies continued this year, with Shivam Mehta (Year 12) gaining a Top in New Zealand and Srihan Bobbala (graduated) and Xincong He (Year 13) receiving High Achievement Awards in New Zealand in Information and Communication Technology.

Principal Mrs Watkinson says the school is immensely proud of the students’ achievements and the dedication behind them. “At Avondale College we talk a lot about striving for personal excellence. These students embody this through their perseverance and determination. They set ambitious goals, they work with purpose, and they inspire others around them."

The students will be acknowledged at next week’s Scholars Assembly and will also attend the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards evening held at Pinehurst School next week.

Our scholars in their own words

Oscar Cao

Top of World Biology, Top of NZ IGSC Chemistry & Top of NZ ICSCE Physics

"I've been aiming for this since I was in Year 10. It's about putting little amounts of effort every day and it adds up over the years. I studied ahead of the syllabus, and over time I saw how the sciences and maths interlink so beautifully. This achievement, in internationally recognised qualifications, will hopefully help me get into a top university in Australia, or even Cambridge University, where I'll likely study Chemical Engineering."

Remi Baudet

Top of NZ, IGSCE French

"It's all a matter of practice. My father speaks French but the majority of my knowledge has come from school. I practiced with my dad and closer to the exams I trained myself to think in French rather than English, which was tricky at times. I think it'll be easier to travel and potentially learn a third language in the future."

Louis de Biasio

Top in NZ, IGSCE Music

"I did a lot of revision for exams, not just for music, so it was surprising for me to place. I do a lot of music inside and outside of school so that definitely helped me to score higher as a lot of the theory part I already knew."

Shivam Mehta

Top in NZ for Information & Communication Technology

"Consistency is everything. Stay consistent and things will go well for you. I studied for hours most days. It feels good to put that the effort and come out on top. My friends are all proud of me. In the future I might study ICT or engineering, and this achievement will make the Universities see potential in me."

Srihan Bobbala

High Achievement Award for Information Technology

"It's about understanding what the paper's asking and honing down on those specific skills. Certain questions have certain styles and patterns, and it's easier to work with them once you recognise them. I'm grateful to my parents who have encouraged me and given me the time and space to do well."

Xincong He

High Achievement Award for Top for Information Technology

"Something I heard from Mr Kucio, my ICT teacher, was 'you cannot speak French after watching TV shows in French, you have to practice it and speak it.' I believe this applies to many things, and practising past papers is how you find your weaknesses. Mistakes and struggle are part of the journey. I am glad and proud to have this achievement under my belt."