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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.