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Roman philosopher Seneca is recorded

as saying: “Wherever there is a human

being, there is an opportunity for a

kindness.” And it’s this kindness that

young George Feilding Hight experienced

when his mother was ill. When his father

decided he couldn’t run the farm and

raise children, five-year-old George was

sent to live at St Andrew’s College under

the care of the Rector in 1943.

George excelled at St Andrew’s and,

after he left in 1953 went on to become

a successful farmer. He later married

his sweetheart, Merrilyn, in the

Memorial Chapel.

Now with the opportunity to give back to

the College and help students from rural

communities who would be precluded

from attending St Andrew’s through

financial constraints, George and

Merrilyn have set up the George Feilding

Hight Scholarship.

Sports Scholarships

Since the scholarship was set up in 2013,

George Hight says it’s been a pleasure

to see the wonderful calibre of students

who now have the opportunity to attend

St Andrew’s. “I tell them to be sure and

learn as much English, Science and

Maths as possible,” he says. “Especially

Maths, don’t skip Maths. There were

plenty of times as a farmer I’ve wished

I had known it better.”

Students with sporting talents are the

beneficiaries of a scholarship made

possible by a donation to the St Andrew’s

Foundation from the late Denis Ager.

Denis attended St Andrew’s in the early

1930s but was forced to leave school

and head into the workplace because of

the Depression. He went on to become

a chartered accountant. He stayed in

touch with the College and was an active

member of the Old Collegians, including

a period serving as President. He was a

keen sportsman. He played cricket for

Canterbury and coached the StAC First XI.

Old Collegian and executor of the Ager

Estate, Graham Riley, says the success

of the scholarship programme would

have gone beyond Denis’ dreams. “The

students chosen for the scholarship

do more than just play sport. They

contribute to a larger life and have

the potential to go on to bigger things,

including leadership positions. They

mirror what Denis was able to achieve.”

Outward Bound and Spirit of Adventure

Another generous scholarship has come

from Old Collegian Ben Gough (1991).

In 2008 Ben committed to providing

scholarships for four students per

year to attend Outward Bound and

Spirit of Adventure. These courses are

a wonderful opportunity for students

to develop skills, resilience and

character. This year Elizabeth Ray and

Samuel McLean (both Year 12) received

scholarships for Outward Bound, while

the Spirit of Adventure scholarships

were awarded to Ruby McNab and

Mason Gardener (both Year 11).

Ben says it was that sense of personal

discovery that inspired him to create

the scholarship. “In 2004–2005 I had

the privilege of sailing competitively

around the world, an environment with

which I was not previously familiar.

This experience taught me a great

deal about life, people and managing

oneself through difficult and challenging

experiences.

“The Outward Bound and Spirit of

Adventure Scholarships have been a way

for me to help inspire our future leaders

to push their own personal boundaries

and build their personal skills through

experiential learning and to help prepare

them for the future.”

Scholarship recipient Sam Williams

(now Year 13) said his experience on the

Outward Bound course last year made

him realise that you always had it within

you to dig a little deeper. “We also talked

about opportunity and how to recognise

the good things that come your way.”

Rector Christine Leighton says

education is essential in achieving

many of life’s ambitions and goals, and

scholarships and gifts to the Foundation

that support scholarships give young

men and women the chance to reach

their full potential. “The benefit is

to the greater community because

scholarships are an investment in the

leaders of tomorrow.”

Among the larger gifts, Christine says

people have also given smaller cash

gifts that all help grow the capital in the

Scholarship fund held by the St Andrew’s

College Foundation, which in turn

provides the opportunity for the College

to help nuture students who strive for

academic or sporting success and who

just need a little financial help to make

their dreams a reality.

giving

of

gift

The

Recipients of the 2014 Outward Bound and

Spirit of Adventure scholarships Elizabeth

Ray (Year 12), Samuel McLean (Year 12), Ruby

McNab (Year 11) and Mason Gardener (Year 11)

with Ben Gough.