A Burnside High School graduate has secured one of New Zealand’s most prestigious academic scholarships, opening the door to study at one of the world’s leading universities.

Sam Allan has been awarded the Sir Douglas Myers Scholarship for 2026, allowing him to attend University of Cambridge, where he will study history and politics at Gonville and Caius College.

The scholarship, established in 2000, covers tuition, college fees, and living costs, with a total value exceeding $400,000.

Sam, who was named a 2025 NZQA Outstanding Scholar, had already earned a place at Cambridge, but believed the cost would put the opportunity out of reach.

That changed with the scholarship announcement.

Burnside High School Principal Scott Haines said, “this is a remarkable achievement. Sam’s work ethic, talent and curiosity have culminated in an extremely well deserved opportunity. We knew that Sam was destined to do great things in life and we are so proud that he has found a path to bring his dreams to fruition.”

Alongside his academic success, Sam has represented New Zealand as part of the Secondary Schools’ Debating Team at the World Schools Debating Championships in Panama and served as a Youth MP in 2025.

Sam said, “I am so excited to be able to undertake this opportunity. The support and guidance I have received from my family, friends and teachers from Burnside High School has been incredible. My teachers have been so supportive of my application and helped me immensely throughout the process. I can’t thank them, alongside the Sir Douglas Myers Scholarship Selection Committee and Universities New Zealand enough for bestowing this opportunity upon me. I never thought that this would be a possibility, so am incredibly grateful to all those who have supported me in getting to this point.”

He also paid tribute to his teachers, particularly within the school’s history department.

Sam said, “Burnside’s history department is truly world class, and I am so privileged to have had teachers that have provided such a diverse and engaging curriculum. It was the passion of my teachers within topics such as the Vietnam Wars or the Rwanda Genocide that sparked my love for history, so I am so appreciative of all they do.”

Year 13 history teacher Sarah Maguire said, “The History Department is so very proud of Sam. His enthusiasm for understanding the complexities of Aotearoa and world history has been a career highlight. We look forward to following Sam’s journey and seeing the impact he will undoubtedly make in whatever field he chooses.”

Sam is the first Burnside High School graduate to receive the Sir Douglas Myers Scholarship and the first recipient from the South Island since 2019.

He will begin his studies in October 2026 at the start of the academic year in England.