Ashburton College Phoenix 2014 ASHBURTON COLLEGE PHOENIX 2014 VOLUME 50 As have the past 49 years, 2014 presented Ashburton College students with a wealth LEADERS & STAFF P2 of opportunities; academic, sporting, cultural, or a combination of all three. From stage floorboards to finish lines, basketball to books, any given weekday or weekend would see members of our student populace making the most of these opportunities. Many of our College representatives were even awarded recognition at a local, regional, national, even at an international level. For many, such interests are sparked on days such as Orientation day, as seen above, when the chessboard is a canvas of diverse opportunities our College has on offer. Study nights, sports practices and stage rehearsals. Such opportunities can only happen with the time, help and goodwill of others, and this magazine is an attempt to capture all that goes into celebrating the success of those involved in College life. PRIZE LISTS & To that end, my thanks go to Alesha East for her striking front cover design and Paige ACHIEVERS P 12 Sheehan for her handiwork with the back cover. Additional thanks also go to the journalism students for their contributions. Inspired, this time, perhaps by their All Black encounter, once again the assistance of Jenny Crouchley and Anne Sheehan in the office is much appreciated, as is that of Sheena Tyrrell whose help is always without fuss. Adam and Sophie lead a wonderful student body and are to be applauded for their inclusive and supportive approach in their leadership, so supportive, in fact, that the Staff vs. Student Trophy now resides in the staff room. Helping put all of these achievements together is Paul Johnson at DPI. Paul’s understanding of the printed page is matched by his calm and reasoned approach, all ARTS, MUSIC & for which I am appreciative. CULTURE P 26 2015 will see Ashburton College celebrate 50 years, and with that more opportunities for success. Bring it on! Happy reading and a happy and safe holiday break. Regards Michael Clark SPORTS P52 1 HEAD GIRL HEAD BOY HEAD GIRL REPORT This year would not have been made complete without my trusty pal - HEAD BOY REPORT to fruition and that the effects of this initiative, one we have only taken Tupps! The dedication, commitment and just plain hard work you have the first steps towards, will be felt all through the college. Golly! What a year it has been, and an amazing one at that! This year has Hey Ashcoll! I don’t know about any of you but looking back over the year, put into your role has astounded me and working with you has been my been full of so many unique and memorable experiences and I am blessed I think that there is possibly only one word which can describe it. Wow! I Now before I run out of words, there is also one other group of people privilege. Your calm, confident self has served us well when things seemed try to define the experiences, the challenges and of course let’s not forget to have shared them with the amazing people around me. So before I go who have worked close alongside me this year and deserve a huge to be getting hectic or just a tad ridiculous! I have so enjoyed working the oodles of fun; but I realise that somehow amongst all the thousands congratulations. Lachie, Caleb and Jack; long story short, you guys have any further I want to thank just a few of them. alongside you this year. of words there are, we have not one that can really explain how awesome been awesome! For those of you reading this who don’t know what these To my crazy family, thank you for fuelling my craziness! You have graciously this year has been. three fine young men have helped me with, they have been bringing to you This year I enjoyed being involved with the College cultural events, which put up with my stressed, overtired mood swings and helped put things I am so lucky to have to been able to work with so many fantastic the amazing Ashcoll presents videos which have grown into box office hits were definitely a highlight. From cross-dressing with Adam and speaking in perspective when I’ve needed it. I’ve also had the privilege of working people this year that my 500 word allocation just wouldn’t come close in family form rooms everywhere! Unfortunately, my praise and gratitude in hilly-billy accents at Lip Sync, to being an impromptu dorky prop for alongside my Dad, which has been the icing on the cake this year. I so to being long enough to name them all. However, I think it’s safe to for your skills, the help you have given and your bucket loads of creativity Lucy in her Music Evening piece, we had a lot of fun. Duelling with the appreciate all of the advice and encouragement you have given me, as well say that there is one group of people who really deserve a huge pat on cannot be expressed in so few words, but I’d like to take this space to teachers in both Lip Sync and Music Evening this year gave us the chance as passing on the punny humour! the back and they are our Student Executive! Maddy, Immy, Jemma, congratulate you on a job well done! Our videos have been watched all to finally break their winning streak at Lip Sync. However, when we called Max, Harry, Alex, Ash, Danni, Marjenta and Sala you lot have honestly over the world, and that’s no joke! We’ve had views in countries such as A big shout out goes to Mr McMillan - thank you for being a great mentor for a rematch for Music Evening, after our trophy went ‘missing’, they took been nothing short of amazing! Your enthusiasm and enjoyment Bulgaria and Belarus haha! to Adam and me and giving us so much of your precious time. Also to out the winning spot by beating some sticks against their rubbish bins … of your roles have really helped to make this year both memorable Just before I sound off, there is one further person I would like to shout Mrs Pearce, Mr Congdon (Dad!) and Mrs Shore-Taylor for always having well deserved, staff! and successful in every way. We started off the year, thrust into our out to. Now this interesting, quirky, funny, motivated, organised creature your doors open and advice ready for when we needed the help. A special first exec meeting looking wide eyed in awe of what our jobs will Ashburton College has set me up for life, not just for the workplace, but in entail, but I have never doubted for a second the team of people who Sophie Rebecca Congdon (aka “Slothie”) has really, without a shadow of mention also goes out to Mrs Tyrrell who was always my first port of call teaching me independence and taking every opportunity. College is full of were so very aptly chosen by my fellow Year 13’s for the task. If I’d a doubt, made my year. I couldn’t imagine how this year would’ve been when I needed something done and when I wasn’t sure what to do. Over people who go out of their way to help you succeed and the quality of the painted you lot yellow then you’d have been the best team of minions without you, but certainly not as fun! I am so lucky to have been able my five years here at AshColl there have been countless teachers who have students and teachers should not be taken for granted. ever! I believe the successes which we have had with Junior Socials, to work with you and share with you the awesome experiences that this helped me along the way and some who I constantly have to sharpen my Cultural Week and the Ball, just to name a few, are all testament to year has thrown at us. So, finally, just before I leave this lasting memory I’ll leave you with my favourite quote: wit around - Clarky, Jonesie and Mr Naldrett - thanks for all the banter, it the hard work which has gone on behind the scenes by some very alone, I had a wee chat with Clarky and asked him to hide an especially always brightens my day! “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely motivated and determined people, people which I thank very much beautiful picture of you somewhere amongst this magazine (you know the in a well preserved body, rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used for their services to the college and most importantly to the students. Now to the people who have worked tirelessly throughout the year and one haha), happy hunting! up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ‘WHOA! What a ride!’” We have not only worked hard over the year, but also had a lot of put in the hard yards to make every College event a success - the mighty The people I have met, worked with and the memories I have of this year - borrowed from a birthday card. fun. Take lip-sync and music evening as an example, Madeleine’s 5 Student Exec! I have been honoured to work alongside you and had a blast star hosting (I swear I put on weight from all your foodie goodness) will stay with me for the rest of my days and I have only one message getting to know you better.