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As our new website develops we aim to profile of the notable accomplishments of our graduates - in the Arts, Academia, Sports and Career Achievements.
If
you are, or have been, the recipient of a notable award or achievement
since graduating from Villa, or know of someone else who has been,
please contact us and let us know!
Academic Achievements
A
significant number of Villa Maria College graduates move into tertiary
education, gaining National certificates, diplomas, Modern
Apprenticeships, University undergraduate and post graduate degrees.
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Rosemary Banks (VMC 1966-1960) has had a long career in New Zealand’s diplomatic service and is currently Ambassador to France after previously serving as Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.
She recalls that when she joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1975, women were in the minority and the environment was (and remains) highly competitive.
She muses over the role of the Sisters in preparing her well for her career. Looking back, she recalls a busy and cheerful school. “The unfailing energy of the Sisters swept us along, taught us the value of our own time and how to use it productively.
“They showed us how women could be strong and opiniated, but, at the same time, caring and supportive of each other. They made us laugh. They reinforced in us the value of good diet and exercise.
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Kylie Rochford ( VMC 1997- 2000) received
the Prime Minister's Athlete Scholarship for undergraduate studies
after representing NZ in the National karate team between 2003-2008.
She graduated with first class honours in 2009 and has recently been
awarded the Guardian Trust Masters Scholarship to complete her Masters
thesis in Commerce. Kylie plans to start a PhD in September 2011, and is
currently visiting universities in the United States, including
Harvard, Stanford, and University of Michigan.
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Dr Rebecca Warr (VMC 1993-1997)
is a successful and respected research scientist. Upon leaving Villa
she studied at the University of Canterbury gaining a B.Sc (1st Hons),
majoring in Chemistry. Her impressive academic record did not go
unnoticed and in 2002 she was the recipient of an Australian National
University scholarship; this enabled Rebecca to complete a PhD at the
Research School of Chemistry in Canberra.
Following her PhD, she worked as a Postdoctoral Scientist at the University of Nottingham,
U.K., leading a team of scientists developing reagents for the
transport of precious metal chlorides for industrial applications.
Rebecca
has been the recipient of a variety of scientific awards including the
Don Stranks Award for outstanding performance in research with a PhD
candidature. Her academic research has resulted in publications in both
Angewandte Chemie and Inorganic Chemistry.
At present, Rebecca is
the Research and Technical Support Manager for Izon, a company that
provides the world's most comprehensive nanoparticle analysis system in a
single instrument.
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Arts Achievements
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Sarah Robertson (VMC 1992 - 1998) studied
at the University of Canterbury where she majored in English before
moving to Melbourne to further pursue her writing aspirations. In 2007
Sarah moved to London, "the theatre capital of the world". Sarah was
announced a winner of PlayRight 2007 - a one-act play competition
launched to have original New Zealand works seen and heard. Her career
highlights in her yet short dramatic career include twice a winner of
the Playmarket New Zealand Young Playwright of the Year.
Sarah
also co-directed and produced one of her plays in the 2006 Melbourne
Fringe Festival and had another of her plays produced at the Aotea
Centre in 2008.
Sarah's earlier days at Villa influenced her path
in writing. "I was often writing in classes (maybe I shouldn't be
revealing that) and took part in a lot of musical theatre and
performance at school. I loved English and that definitely directed me
to the more specialised classes I did at university"
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Career Achievements
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Jenny Harper (VMC 1963-67)
was appointed Director of the Christchurch Art Gallery in 2008. Jenny
was formerly the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Victoria
University of Wellington where she was instrumental in fundraising for
and building the Adam Art Gallery. She also worked previously in art
galleries in Australia and New Zealand, latterly as Director of the
former National Art Gallery in Wellington. In 2011 Jenny was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit after more than two decades of leadership in the cultural sector.
Jenny attended Villa
as a boarder from 1963-67 and recalls her time there with warmth. "There
were virtually no art classes in schools back then or visits to museums
and galleries as there are today!" she recalls. So Jenny's study of art
came later in life with her interest fuelled through her study of
religion at the University of Canterbury.
Following the
completion of her Master in Arts (MA) she attended the Christchurch
Teachers' College and taught for almost three years before enrolling as a
postgraduate student at the prestigious Courtauld Institute, part of
the University of London. She wrote her Master of Philosophy thesis on
the English artist, Bridget Riley.
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