"Rockstar" jazz musician nets national accolade
Auckland teenager Toby Barrett is turning heads in the jazz world.
The Avondale College student has won the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award this year.
He is among 85 students from 18 secondary schools around the country to earn the prestigious accolade.
The awards recognise the achievements of learners who took Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A levels in November.
Barrett came top in the country in Cambridge International AS level music.
A saxophonist and band leader, he is an award winning performer.
Barrett has netted awards in jazz competitions around the country and won the improvisation award at Avondale College.
Peers and teachers describe him as a "rock star."
Barrett plans to study music and commerce at the University of Auckland.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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