The 2026 Academic Honours Dinner, with guest speaker the Chancellor of the University of Sydney, David Thodey AO FTSE, celebrated the impressive academic results of 2025 achieved by students of St John’s College.
This year, the event recognised yet another two University Medallists from St John’s College – which, in addition to the two University Medallists celebrated at last year’s Academic Honours Dinner (Law and Engineering), is an incredible testament to the culture of academic excellence and rigour at St John’s College.
This year, Mitchell Spanner was awarded the University Medal in Physics, and Max Heywood was awarded the University Medal in Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular). A huge congratulations to both students for their incredible achievements.
For those unaware, a University Medal is awarded to the student who achieves first place in a university degree upon completing their undergraduate degree.
With over half the College having achieved a High Distinction or Distinction average for yet another year running, the standard and culture of academic achievement at St John’s remains at the forefront of our students’ focus, under an academic program led by our College Senior Tutor, The Honourable John Sackar AM KC.
In fact, 23 students at St John’s College achieved a High Distinction average, and a further 137 maintained a Distinction average. This means that 58% of our student cohort is performing at a Distinction or High Distinction level – an outstanding academic achievement for a college of our size, and a result that surpasses last year’s performance.
Two of our Academic Deans, Lucas Perrignon and Will Gunns, announced the award winners, with presentations of the awards made by the Chancellor.
Mitchell Spanner, who commenced his university studies at 15 years of age, and a current first-year Physics PhD candidate, achieved the highest Weighted Average Mark (WAM) at the College in 2025 within his undergraduate Physics degree, with an outstanding WAM of 94.
Three years ago, recent College alumnus Lachlan Harris made history by topping the state in HSC Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics – an unprecedented accomplishment in recent memory.
Other distinguished guests were also present on the night which included:
- Prof Joanne Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Sydney
- Ms Andrea Strachan, Pro Vice‐Chancellor (Students) at the University of Sydney
- Sir David Higgins, Alumnus and Chair of United Utilities and Gatwick Airport
- Professor Jane Bleasel, Head of School and Dean, Sydney Medical School
- Professor Kate Conigrave, Senior Staff Specialist in Drug Health Services at RPA
- The Hon Robertson Wright SC, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW
- Judge Gerard Phillips, President of the Personal Injury Commission
- Alumnus, former RPA Colorectal Surgeon and Fellow, Dr Brian Morgan AM who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, and his daughter Mrs Lesley Pugh.
- Mr Ed Smith, CEO of Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness
- Mr Shaun Cousins, Chair of the College Foundation
- Members of the Scholarship Committee, including Mr Des Kennedy SC
- Mr John Coorey, Current Chair of St John’s College Council
- Benefactors or relatives of our College’s endowed scholarships, including Danny Eid, Dr Andrew Richards, John McCosker, Mary-Lou Potts, Steve Anthony, Phil O’ Hara, and Andrew Coorey.
Left to right (back row): House Secretary Charlotte Laundy, Senior Resident Assistant Issy Edmonstone and Co-House President Jemima Carmody.
The Chancellor was introduced by Academic Dean, Indigo Murphy, who welcomed the Chancellor back to St John’s College.
The Chancellor then addressed the students, staff and guests, sharing his insights on artificial intelligence and its influence on the state of education, industry and society as a whole.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by second-year student and Jack Goodacre Scholar, Will Hamel:
For me, the moment that will stay with everyone here was when he spoke about AI and the advocacy for its correct usage, and the indomitable human spirit and how we can adapt into the future. He spoke deeply about human judgement and how important it is. There’s a beautiful quote from comedian Stavros Halkias who said, ‘Weren’t the machines meant to do the work so we could paint?’Akin to Mr Thodey’s message of not losing human judgement and creativity.
May I offer my warmest congratulations, on behalf of the Council, staff and community of St John’s College, to all those who have achieved outstanding academic success.
Your results are a testament to your intellectual ambition, perseverance and willingness to pursue excellence even when the path is demanding.
Academic achievement is not simply measured by a mark or a result. It is reflected in the habits of mind that you have developed along the way: curiosity, discipline, resilience and the determination to do your very best.
You have given us every reason to be proud.
Dr Mark Schembri
Rector
Left to right (front row): The Rector, Ms Lesley Pugh, Dr Brian Morgan AM, Mitchell Spanner, Chancellor David Thodey AO FTSE, Max Heywood, Mr John Coorey, Mr Des Kennedy SC, Sir David Higgins, and Mr Jacob Lerner.
St John’s College Prizes
- The University Medal in Engineering
Max Heywood
- The University Medal in Physics
Mitchell Spanner
- The Steve Anthony Prize for the Highest WAM in College
Mitchell Spanner
- The Hon Robertson Wright SC Prize for the Highest Third-Year WAM
Greta Perrignon
- The Des Kennedy SC Prize for the Highest Second–Year WAM
Josephine Armstrong
- The Meurer Prize for the Highest First-Year WAM
Hugo Lockhart
- The Judith Williams Trophy for outstanding leadership and community service by a female resident
Jemima Carmody
- The Professor Bernadette Tobin AO Prize for the highest mark in a Music subject
Jai Johnstone
- The Professor David Celermajer AO Prize for the highest WAM in Medicine or Medical Science
Lottie Heywood
- The Emeritus Professor David Fraser Prize for the highest WAM in First-Year Veterinary Science
Camille Perrignon
- The Angus Wilson Prize for the highest mark in First-Year Macroeconomics
Monica Dunstan
- The University of Sydney Physics Foundation Prize
Mitchell Spanner
- The Peace Stone Prize for The Peace Stone Essay Competition
Liam Hill
- The Bannerman Prize for First-Year Chemistry
Manon Spinola
- The Herbert Francis Benning Prize for consistent academic progress and significant contribution to college life
Darcey Babbage and Will Perkins
- The John D’Arcy Prize for Excellence in English
Ella Forrest
- The Higgins Prize for the Highest Mark in First-Year History
Julia Richards
- The J G Dalley Prize for the Highest Mark Achieved in a University Subject
Will Mandeno and Mitchell Spanner
