Current Award Winners

Mr Philip (Phil) Kendon has been an instrumental part of the Wellington secondary school chemistry teacher network for many years. He has served as the Central New Zealand representative for Secondary Chemistry Educators of New Zealand (a division of the NZIC) for 6 years, and was the co-convenor of the very successful ChemEd BioLive conference for Chemistry and Biology teachers held in Wellington in 2024. Mr Kendon has played a key role in developing Professional Learning and Development workshops alongside academics at Victoria University of Wellington for their annual VUW Chemistry Teachers’ Days, as well as being involved in a number of other workshops and regional science fairs.

Mr Kendon has over 30 years of teaching experience both in Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom and is described by colleagues as an inspiring and committed Chemistry Teacher and leader. His teaching style incorporates story-telling, practical work, and contexts that make chemistry lessons relatable for students and helps them to understand the relationship between Chemistry as a subject, and their everyday lives.

Mr Kendon’s skill as a mentor and educational leader is reflected in the high levels of collegiality and collaboration in the science teaching team at Wellington College, and large proportion of students studying chemistry at a senior level.