Celebrating their 26th year, the annual ODT secondary school awards were celebrated in Dunedin yesterday as students were recognised by their schools as future leaders in politics, arts, business, education and sports.

Jethro Melville was announced as The Catlins Area School's Class Act for 2025 and travelled to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery where 56 students from 28 schools gathered to receive their prestigious award. Jethro was recognised for his passion in mathematics and excelling in sports, and was presented to the new Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker. Mrs Hanley was in attendance and was excited to celebrate alongside Jethro and to also celebrate the successes of our Area School whānau.

Here is the full write up from the ODT:

Jethro Melville, Class Act:

A curiosity for numbers, systems and the way things work makes every day fascinating for Owaka 18-year-old Jethro Melville.

He says mathematics underpins all sciences, becoming ever more intuitive the deeper you explore.

"I love maths, and I want to do something that involves maths, while having a practical application.

"Sports are my other big interests and, together with fitness, getting into the strategy and underlying systems makes them more enjoyable.

"It all comes down to numbers."

The Catlins Area School head student hopes to attend university next year to study engineering or physics.

"I’m leaning towards engineering at the moment. I’m interested in how things work."

Something of an all-rounder, Jethro has played several sports to a high level, including cricket, basketball and, at present, volleyball, in which he recently represented Southland.

"Volleyball has a good combination of short-burst fitness and strategy."

He wants to remain involved in high-level sports, but does not think he will pursue any of them as a professional career.

"I think engineering has more avenues to explore."

He says he has been "pretty happy" to be nominated for Class Act.

Stepping up as head student this year has been another unexpected honour.

"You get the chance to take care of the youngsters in the school ... It’s pretty good fun," he says.

Achievements:

Head student (2025); sports prefect (2024); Southland U19 volleyball representative (2025); Southland U17 cricket representative (2024); Southland Country cricket representative (2021-23); Canterbury Country cricket representative (2020); National Area Schools Tournament South of the South rugby, basketball and volleyball representative (2023-24); South Island Area Schools basketball team (2024); South Island Area Schools volleyball team (2023-24); National Area Schools basketball team (2024); National Area Schools volleyball team (2024); University of Canterbury Math199 (Advancing In Mathematical Sciences) A+ (2024); 30 excellence credits in level 3 calculus (2023-24); NCEA level 1 excellence endorsement (2023); NCEA level 2 excellence endorsement (2024).

Role models:

Barack Obama, for leading a nation while remaining positive and friendly.

Hopes for the future:

To study engineering and to keep playing sports.