Life-changing scholarships

Life-changing

scholarships

Jacob Giles (Year 12 – right) on board Spirit of Adventure in Katherine Bay on Great Barrier Island.

Two more lucky St Andrew’s College students have had the opportunity to develop leadership skills, build character, and face some exciting challenges, thanks to the generosity of Old Collegian, Ben Gough (OC 1991), who funds annual scholarships for a Year 11 student to attend Spirit of Adventure, and a Year 12 student to take part in Outward Bound.

Jacob Giles (now Year 12) was awarded the scholarship to spend 10 incredible days on the Spiritof Adventure, sailing around the Hauraki Gulf.

He is full of gratitude for the lifechanging experience, saying it helped him to feel more confident in himself and his abilities. “I can push myself further to try new things now and am much more confident meeting new people.”

Highlights of his adventure include climbing the ship’s 30m mast, steering the ship, visiting several stunning beaches on Great Barrier Island where they also tramped to the top of Mt Hobson, and eating amazing food. “Being in the ocean for such a long time was a new experience for me but I quickly found my footing and settled in. I was most nervous about talking to all these new people, however it wasn’t an issue as everyone was in the exact same boat – literally.” Jacob would like to thank the Ben Gough Foundation for the ‘incredible’ opportunity. “I was able to explore the beautiful Hauraki Gulf region, make new friendships, and most of all, create lifelong memories. I encourage everyone with even a slither of interest to apply for the scholarship. You won’t get another opportunity like this.”

The Outward Bound Scholarship saw Neisha McKenzie (now Year 13) take part in a 21-day course at Anakiwa in January. When she heard she had won the scholarship, Neisha says she was excited about the new experiences and people she would meet, but was a bit nervous about being away from family and friends for so long.

However the personal growth she experienced during her adventure made it all worthwhile, she says. “I have a better understanding of my physical and mental limits after doing Outward Bound, and am a lot better at dealing with unknown and scary situations. I am also better at focusing when under stress, and being able to relax and think when I get nervous about things.”

Neisha McKenzie (Year 13 – front row second left) at the Outward Bound base in Anakiwa with other participants. Sailing was the biggest highlight of her experience. “I loved the sailing. It was so much fun to be out on the water with everyone, and cool to learn how to sail.”

The most challenging part of her experience was also on the water – learning to kayak with a spray skirt, she says. “I had never used a spray skirt before, and was scared of getting trapped under water and not being able to get back out.”

Neisha encourages all students to consider applying for a Ben Gough Family Scholarship, especially if it is something they would not normally do. “After doing Outward Bound, I am more confident in my abilities and much more positive and willing to give unknown things a go. I gained so much from it, made new friends and had many new experiences. I’m so grateful to the Ben Gough Family Foundation for this amazing opportunity.”