The dedication students have shown in all areas of the creative and performing arts throughout 2026 has resulted in unprecedented successes at both regional and national level. These acknowledgements and awards represent achievements beyond the academic curriculum.
Our programs have seen record numbers of students involved across music, dance and drama, top-level national awards and outstanding in-house productions drawing audiences in their thousands over the year.
You can view a short clip from the event here.
You can view citations for our Year 13 trophies and staff awards here.
Group Awards
Chicago Production
Show Captains: Millie Bridger and Eloise Voss
Dio Hip Hop Mega Crew
Leaders: Emma Lamberton and Ella May-Manks
- 3rd place at Velocity Dance nationals
- 3rd place at Project 2026 nationals
- 3rd place at ‘FOMAC’ competition in the Mega Schools division
Instrumental Achievements – KBB Music Festival
Four large instrumental ensembles were represented at this prestigious instrumental festival at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Dio struck gold this year and took the festival by storm, winning three Gold Awards and three Best Performance Awards and being the only all-girls school represented at the Gala Concerts.
Dio Symphony Orchestra
Leaders: Chloe Xiao and Meredith Leu
- GOLD and Outstanding Award for ‘Swan Lake’
Dio Chamber Orchestra
Leaders: Meredith Leu and Eve Lu
- GOLD and Outstanding Award for ‘Buenos Aires Suite’
Concert Band
Leader: Chloe Xiao
- GOLD and Outstanding Award for ‘La Tupalaga a Aotearoa’
Choral Achievements – NZCH Big Sing Competition
At the Regionals and Finale in Christchurch our choirs won the following awards:
St Cecilia Singers
Leaders: Annabel Smith and Emilia Young
- Silver Award at Finale
Dio Cantoris
Leaders: Eloise Voss and Melissa Lau
- Runner-up for Choral Art Song Award at Regionals
- Selection for Cadenza
Individual Awards
Hip Hop Internationals
The following students were selected for Hip Hop Worlds in Phoenix, Arizona and achieved 2nd place:
- Isabel Brabant
- Selina Shi
- Isa Carnachan
Visual Arts – National Youth Art Awards
- Xinyu Jiang
- Lucy Xu
- Sophia Davies – plus Merit award for her painting (image below)
National Secondary Schools Art Awards
- Olivia Maire
- Hana Eiamsittiphan
Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ – National Awards
- Lara Woods – Best Comedic Performance
- Isabelle Brabant – Best Delivery of a Text
- Francesca Eglington, Bea Taniguchi and Claire Tong – Best 15 minute Performance, Scene from Richard 111
- Anya Taylor – 1st Place in Dawn Sanders Costume Design Award
- Francesca Eglinton – Winner of Direct Entry to NSSP
- Anya Taylor – Winner of Direct Entry to NSSP
Music Diplomas from Trinity College London and the Royal School of Music, London
- Chloe Xiao – oboe
- Sarah Cheng – piano
- Stacey Chen – flute
- Yolanda Zhang – violin
- Icey Wang – violin
- Claire Nichols -cello
- Zilin Ye – cello
Speech and Drama Diplomas from Trinity College London
- Claire Tong – ATCL Diploma
Arts Council Award Star Award for 2025
- Chloe Xiao
Bayley’s Staff Award for the Arts
- Ms Olwyn Davidson
Staff Honours Award for the Arts
- Mrs Shona McIntyre-Bull
Presentation of Cups and Awards
Cups are presented to students with an exemplary level of commitment, ability and participation.
Dance
Diocesan Dance Cup for Excellence in Choreography and Performance
- Ella-May Manks
- Olivia Watson
Most Improved Dance Cup
- Shayla Young
- Sofia Lock
Service to Co-curricular Dance Cup
- Alice Bright
- Madeleine Bowkett
- Emma Li
- Olivia Watson
- Emma Lamberton
- Chloe Xiao
Upcoming Dancer Award in Co-curricular Dance
- Grace Pereira
Drama
Sandy O’Brien Cup for Excellence in Drama Performance
- Francesca Eglinton
Mannion Speech and Drama Cup
- Claire Tong
Shakespeare Cup
- Anya Taylor
Most improved Drama Performer
- Bea Tanguchi
Cultural
Kapa Haka Koru Award
- Betty Fricker
Service to Cultural Performing Arts at Dio
- Zara Oliyath
- Audrey Tse
- Yolanda Wang
- Hana Eiamsittiphan
- Betty Fricker
- Claudia Lim
- Eseta Tavui
- Caroline Kennar
Debating
Penny Macdonald Award for Excellence in Debating
- Jess Shuttleworth
- Zara Oliyath
Music
Contemporary
McCabe Cup for Excellence in Contemporary Music
- Alice Zhang
- Melissa Lau
Instrumental
Diocesan Instrumental Cup for Outstanding Leadership and Loyalty
- Chloe Xiao
- Meredith Leu
Jean Gallagher Cup for Commitment to Instrumental Music
- Maddie Hegley
- Luna Zhao
Y12 Most improved Dio Instrumentalist
- Elizabeth Flint
- Mandipa Mhuka
Choral
Terri Crouch Cup for the Most Promising Vocalist
- Emilia Young
Hazel Kinder Cup for the Most Committed Chorister
- Annabel Smith
Year 12 Most improved Dio Choristers
- Bronwyn Howe
- Beatrix Sharpe
Musical Production
Excellence in Performance for Musical Productions
- Francesca Eglington
- Emma Lamberton
Musical Production Cup for Commitment and Service
- Hannah Goldwater
- Emilia Young
- Melissa Lau
- Maddie Hegley
Upcoming Performers Award for Musical Production
- Gabrielle Ram
- Sarah Green
Commitment and Service to Backstage
- Daisy Ellis
- Miles Wackrow
- Tyler Orrick
Year 13 Trophies
Presentation of four special Year 13 Trophies which are also re-presented at the 2026 Senior Prize giving.
Averill Award for Services to the Performing Arts
- Annabel Smith
- Eloise Voss
The Imogen Wells Award for Excellence in the Arts
- Hannah Goldwater
- Isabelle Brabant
The Rosey Eady Cup for a ‘special individual who will make a difference’
- Anya Taylor
The David Gordon Cup for Outstanding Commitment and all-round Excellence in the Arts
- Chloe Xiao
