Class notes

Colin Watson (1940) attended the Methven Museum’s King’s Birthday royal commemoration. Colin was invited as a Methven resident who had a royal connection, having received one of the last birthday cards from the Queen when he turned 100 last year.

John Storey (2005) has completed his PhD, looking into different nasal high flow therapies that can be used to clear carbon dioxide from apnoeic neonates. John’s study was completely supported by the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Programme. He is now working in Hamilton with Gallagher as a Research and Development Engineer in their Security Department.

Richard Storey (2006) has passed his final surgical examination to become an orthopaedic surgeon.

Logan van Beek (2008) helped his Netherlands cricket team to a famous ODI win over the West Indies. Following a dramatic tie, he hit 30 runs from six deliveries before claiming two wickets for eight runs.

International full-back, Telusa Veainu (2008), from Stade Français Paris Rugby, has signed with UK side, Sale Sharks, on a one-year deal for the 23/24 season. Telusa has been in France since 2020 having previously spent five years in the Premiership with Leicester Tigers.

Leo Carter (2012) and Rhys Mariu (2019) represented Canterbury against the Central Stags, in cricket’s Ford Trophy Grand Final.

Thomas Russel and Ben Taylor (both 2017) from the 2017 winning St Andrew’s Maadi Cup crew have been selected by Rowing New Zealand to race in the Men’s Coxless Pair at the World Rowing Cup III regatta in Switzerland and World Championships in Serbia. Robbie Manson (2007) has been selected to row in the Men’s Double Scull event.

Jack Aimer (2018) is one of nine recipients nationwide of a competitive William Georgetti Scholarship from Universities New Zealand. In August, Jack is leaving to study a Master of Advanced Studies (MASt) in Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Graeme Sanders (1973) founded Today Homes 35 years ago, which is now managed by his three sons, Simon Sanders (2007), Mike Sanders (2009) and Jon Sanders (2012).

Dale Stephens (1977) has been selected as National’s Christchurch Central candidate for this year’s general election.

The University of Canterbury has bestowed an honorary Doctor of Commerce on illustrious graduate, international businessman, and philanthropist Mark Stewart (1980).

Isaac Leota (2012 and current Preparatory School teacher) was selected for the New Zealand Universities rugby team that toured Japan at the end of May. Also selected in the team were Sam Lester (2015) and Charlie Murray (2019).

Robbie Stokes (2013) won the 2023 Lone Star Canterbury Rally.

Martini Talapusi (2013) was selected for the Pre-Rugby World Cup 2023 Manu Samoa squad.

Sophie Gualter (2014) is only the second woman to be included in the famed London Scottish Regiment Pipe Band. This esteemed band is known for performing at royal events and participated in the procession for the Queen’s death.

Sam Lane (2015) was selected for the Black Sticks hockey team’s tour of Europe. The team played Pro League games against Belgium and Argentina in Antwerp, and the Netherlands and Germany in Amsterdam.

Sam Gilbert (2016) was named in the All Blacks XV squad for 2023.

Twins, Britney-Lee and Ryan Nicholson (both 2017) and Jasmine Donald (2020) were selected for the 2023 Ngā Whanapoikiri Māori o Aotearoa Tane and Wahine football squads.

Olivia Brett (2019) was selected to attend the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup 1 in Szeged, Hungary in May. She also received the MacDonald/ Thompson/Ferguson/Bramwell Cup for 2022 Team of the Year alongside her teammates, Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin and Tara Vaughan.

Manaia Butler (2020) was selected in the New Zealand Universities Women’s rowing eight crew, to race against Australia in a Trans Tasman test. This was an amazing achievement after only nine months in the sport.

Genevieve Henstock (2020) has been employed as a Production Assistant for the upcoming Avatar 3 movie, due out in December 2024, working alongside the legendary director, James Cameron, and an ensemble of A-list actors.

At the Hastings Easter Highland Games, Campbell Wilson (2020) was announced the U21 New Zealand Piobaireachd (classical pipe music) winner.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (2021) joined the U20 Fijian team which competed in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa in July.

The Regional Leadership, Climate and Community Resilience Committee appointed Oscar Bloom (2021) as one of two youth members with full voting rights to a key committee of the Canterbury Regional Council. Oscar is currently studying Law and Communications at the University of Canterbury.

Lochie Frazer (2021) was part of the New Zealand squad for the World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championships, held in Bucharest in June.

Tanae Lavery (2021) was named in the New Zealand U23 3×3 Basketball team which played in the FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League for the first time in Shandong, China.

Ethan McBreen (2021) won his first national crown, becoming the 2023 New Zealand Enduro Champion at the Yamaha New Zealand Motocross Championships.

Tapenisa Havea (Head Girl 2021) finished 19th in discus at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas, the annual collegiate track and field competitions for athletes representing Division 1 institutions organised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the USA.

Lose Faingaanuku (2021) was selected for the Tongan team to play at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town.

Will Stodart (2021) was named in the New Zealand U20 rugby team, which played in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa in June.

Kiara Bercelli (2022) was selected for the Oceania Football Confederation U19 Women’s Championship in Fiji in June.

Cameron Paul (2022) was named as vice-captain, to help lead the New Zealand U19 squad at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier in June.