Avondale College students excel at Microsoft World Champs

West Auckland’s Avondale College has again demonstrated its prowess for digital technology with four top ten placements in the recent Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in California.

The annual competition attracts hundreds of thousands of entrants, ages 13 to 22, from 122 countries, each tested on their ability to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations in either Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint. 

Of the 200 finalists from 50 countries, seven were from New Zealand – all either current or ex-students of Avondale College. Ex-student Jayden Cook took the bronze medal for Exel 2016,  year 12 student Shrey Tailor came fifth in Excel 2013, Sebastian Thomas (year 11) was eighth in PowerPoint 2013, and Ed Allison (year ten) was eighth in PowerPoint 2016.

The college has now achieved 12 top ten placements, including three medals, since it first began competing in the world championship four years ago.

Avondale College principal, Brent Lewis, says he is very proud of the competing students. “They are setting a new benchmark for excellence for all young New Zealanders.”

At Certiport, competition organisers, Aaron Osmond says the competing students gain valuable workforce skills to benefit them throughout their academic and career pursuits. 

“The best part is watching the champions go home and then reporting back to us with all of the amazing things they are doing academically and in the workforce.”