After six long years of study, during which he excelled, Oscar Read is celebrating his newly minted law degree from Auckland University. We were lucky enough to spend an hour with Oscar on his graduation day when he returned to Dilworth with Karen Bennett, General Manager of the Staples Education Foundation.
When asked how it felt to graduate, Oscar commented in a very understated way, “It’s nice to pause and reflect after six years of study.” But this unassuming young man has had anything but an understated academic journey.
Even at that young age, Oscar demonstrated his planning skills by researching his own options for secondary school. Oscar received a Prime Minister’s Scholarship at Intermediate School as well as a Dilworth Scholarship. He could have chosen to go anywhere, but he says he elected Dilworth “because of its unique offering, the chance to have time in the outdoors through the Rural Campus at Mangatāwhiri, the wrap-around education and options on offer”. Another important aspect of his choice was the belief that other students “would just get him" at Dilworth. That insight appears to have served him well across the years, as he mentions many friendships woven through boarding, playing sports and taking part in drama and debating — friendships that have stood the test of time.
With his outstanding academic form, Oscar became Dux of the school in Year 13. He also sought to develop his leadership skills and became Deputy Head of House Dungannon, Prefect in Year 13 and Head of the Arts Council. Oscar says he has since used his leadership skills to give back and sees this as such an important role. In recent years, he has coached the International Humanitarian Law Mooting (a mock trial competition, where the term moot point comes from, apparently!) Team (Hong Kong) at Auckland University.
Oscar also developed a love of drama at Dilworth and saw it as an “awesome way to develop your confidence and to meet and connect with other students.” He recalls taking part in the Mikado, Guys and Dolls, and many other productions, which he clearly loved. He credited Mrs Stephanie Cooke-Allen as a teacher who " Stood out for me on the arts side.”
Oscar decided on Law in Year 13 due to his love of debating and English. He was awarded several significant scholarships—PWC, Jackson Russell, and Staples Education Foundation (SEF). He found that the SEF scholarship was a winning formula for him when he arrived at the University because it was about development, not just money, and provided an opportunity for him to connect regularly with driven individuals and learn about his chosen industry and the working world more generally.
“I didn’t know any lawyers, but through Staples, I got a buddy at Law School, and then I got a mentor in David Reece, a practising barrister who gave me practical insights into the lawyer's role”.
Oscar also met with General Manager Karen Bennett every other week at university. He said having this opportunity from a pastoral care perspective was invaluable: “Someone was there to explain to me what University was about, and someone cared about me — I had a touchpoint”.
Work experience, also part of the SEF scholarship, followed. In his first year at Law School, Oscar found himself at top law firm Bell Gully for holiday work experience. He says this showed him the world of commercial law, and he thought, “I can do this.”
In his second year at Law School, Oscar branched out into Stakeholder Strategy. Again, SEF found him work experience, this time a permanent part-time role at Jackson Russell.
While still at University, he also interned in the Construction and Infrastructure Disputes Team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, followed by commercial dispute resolution. Then, in 2023, Oscar had the fantastic opportunity to participate in an exchange programme with Toronto University. He says this was “A chance to live overseas and to study at a high calibre university. It was so exciting for me to learn from leading academics and practitioners and to expand my view”. He said the University at which he studied was “Made up of people dedicated to achieving the best you can achieve”.
After his incredible journey of academic success, combined with strong work experience, Oscar has a bright future. While his natural talents and academic gifts stand out, it is clear that his success has also been down to his commitment to study, his foresight and planning, and his mindset to make the most of every opportunity that has come his way.
Two final things stood out as he reflected on his achievements. The importance to him of the life-long friendships he made at Dilworth and the inspiration of Haydn Staples, the Founder of the Staples Education Foundation scholarship.
“Haydn has been my overarching mentor about life and my career. Haydn’s ethos about working hard, with a focus on people and his personal commitment to me and SEF has been so much appreciated”.
Oscar is a shooting star with a stellar career ahead of him. He has started a role at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, as Solicitor in the Construction and Infrastructure Disputes Team.
His final word: “It’s a wide world, and I’ll see where it takes me”.