Graduates

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.

Jenna Donaldson (graduated VMC 2008) - Sullivan Scholarship Award for 2009

This scholarship is available to students of the Roman Catholic Faith who will attend Medical School at either the University of Auckland or the University of Otago. Applicants must be a practising Roman Catholic intending to enrol at either Auckland or Otago University's Medical School for a degree in Medicine. Students entered a first year of a medical degree are therefore eligible to apply.

Roberta Hager  - When in year 13 at Villa Maria College Roberta Hagar was honoured by being announced the the Top Pacifica Student in New Zealand. The College Principal, Mrs Mary Lynch, went to Government House to celebrate the presentation of that award.

Since that time Roberta studied at the Massey University School of Aviation and graduated in November 2008 with a Bachelor in Aviation. The first two years of this degree are practicum years and Roberta sent this photo showing the presentation of her "wings". 

Amanda Fernando and Roberta Hager - 2009 Massey University College of Business Dean's List

Dean's List students need a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 7.0, or at least an A- average.

Arts Achievements

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"

Career Achievements

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. 

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.