VMC FOUNDATION

The role of the Foundation also incorporates assisting with capital projects and the maintenance and support of the special character of Villa Maria College and the Mercy Charism through which the College was founded. 

The objectives of the Foundation include:-

• Maintenance and support of the special character of the College and its Mercy charism
• Support of students who may be disadvantaged either financially or socially
• Assisting the promotion and the wellbeing of the pupils of the College
• Participating with the College Proprietor and the Board of Trustees in capital expenditure
• Contribution of scholarships, grants and provision of teaching materials and equipment

For 88 years Villa Maria College has helped thousands of young women realise their potential and it is up to us to ensure this tradition of excellence is maintained for the young women of tomorrow.

The first initiative of the Foundation was the commissioning of a film "Cead Mile Failte - a Hundred Thousands Welcomes" to record the history of the college from 1918 to the present day. The concept was for the assembled material to form the basis of an oral and visual history for the college which could be built up every year by further interviews, studies and materials.

‘Cead Mile Failte" is available to purchase from the College Shop or through the Foundation.

Make a Donation

Bequests

If you wish to initiate a bequest or make a donation please either contact the Foundation in writing or download the donation form at the top of this page and return it to:

The Villa Maria Foundation
PO Box 13 131, Christchurch

The Trustees

Profiles of the Inaugural Foundation Trustees

Chris Frank
Chris's involvement with Villa Maria College has been through the attendance of his three daughters from 1992 until 2003.   "I have served on committees for both the Board of Trustees and the Proprietors, Villa Maria College Christchurch Ltd.  I support the aims of the Foundation and was happy to be nominated by the Proprietors to represent them as a Foundation Trustee.  I am involved in commercial real estate and have a keen interest in building and in all sport".

Bernard Duncan
Bernard's family has extensive connections with Villa Maria.  In addition to his two daughters attending the College in recent years, his two sisters also attended in the 1970's and 1980's as have various cousins and aunts.  Bernard's mother also served on the PTA in the 1970's.  More recently Bernard served for two three year terms on the Board of Trustees, including three years as Chairman of the Board. "I work as a Financial Planner in Christchurch and see the Foundation as a long term way for Villa Maria to have a strong capital base". 

Christina Duncan (nee Ryan)
Christina was a boarder for five years at Villa Maria from 1963 until 1965.  All of her four daughters attended the College between 1995 and 2004. She is a self employed and successful business woman.  "I am a member of the Past Pupils Association and delighted to be representing it as a Trustee on the Villa Maria College Foundation. I firmly believe in the special character of Villa Maria and what it has to offer the young women of Canterbury".

Margaret Gifford
Margaret is a lawyer for the Ministry of Social Development. She and her family enjoys an almost 40 year uninterrupted involvement with Villa Maria College.  Margaret attended Villa from 1968-1975 and her two daughters have also attended. Her mother was the College librarian for many years and an active member of the PTA and her father held a position on the College Board of Governors for many years.  Margaret has served a 3 year term on the Board of Trustees and more recently became an inaugural Trustee of the Foundation.   

John Ryan
John is a Registered Valuer/ Management Consultant operating in private practice from Tai Tapu. His sister Mary attended Villa Maria from 1959-62 and his daughter Elizabeth attended the College from 1990-95. The Ryan family has supported the College over the years with a special merit prize for a final year pupil.  

Ann Malloch (nee O'Regan)
Ann was a boarder at Villa during the late 1950's, at a time when her cousin, Sister Pauline O'Regan, held the role of Principal of the College. There have been many family connections with the College through the years via the attendance of cousins, a niece and also a great-niece. Ann's personal connection to Villa was rekindled when, in the late 1970's, she was appointed as Relieving Vice Principal.  A career shift in the 1980's saw Ann studying in Law, which she continues to practice in Christchurch. "I see the Foundation as providing Villa Maria College with an appropriate legal entity through which to build its capital base."

Further Information