Class Notes 2024

FROM THE COMBINED EDITIONS OF 2024 REGULUS

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MAY REGULUS

Eddie Oakley (1958) was recognised for his contribution to the rural Rakaia community at the 2023 Ashburton District Council’s Community Honours Awards.

Brian Palliser QSM (1962) received a Civic Award for his outstanding service by Christchurch City Council in December. These awards are presented annually to honour those who ‘go above and beyond’ for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

Mike (Scrump) Johnston (1974, Staff) represented New Zealand in the International Masters Cricket World Cup in Chennai, India in February in the Over 60s division where they came third.

Feleti Teo (1982) was elected by the new parliament of Tuvalu as the country’s Prime Minister. Feleti, who was Dux in his final year at the College, has had an illustrious career in a number of Pacific-wide organisations since he graduated with an LLB degree from the University of Canterbury. Feleti follows in the footsteps of another Old Collegian, Sir Toalipi Lauti (1951), who was the first Prime Minister of independent Tuvalu in 1978.

Grant Walker (2002) completed the Moab 240 in Utah, an endurance race across the Utah Desert. Runners had 116 hours to make their way from Moab, back to Moab, with 240 miles (385km) and 31,564ft of elevation along the way. Grant completed the race successfully, leaving behind 84 others who could not complete it in time. It was an exceptional feat of endurance.

Marianne Gilchrist (née Dutkiewicz, 2008) swam the length of Lake Taupō, which is a staggering 40.2 kilometres, making it the largest lake in the Southern Hemisphere. She achieved this test of endurance and determination in 14 hours and 35 minutes. This swim has been achieved by less that 100 people, and was first done in 1955 by Margaret Sweeney.

Henry Nicholls (2009) and Leo Carter (2012) put on a great show in Canterbury’s Ford Trophy cricket match against the Central Stags in February, scoring 209 runs. This was the highest third-wicket partnership for Canterbury. Henry got his eighth List A century seventh for Canterbury, ending with an astonishing 138 off 123 balls. Leo smacked his second List A century goingfor 107 off 103 balls. Zak Foulkes (2020) took three wickets in their victory over the Stags – great work from our Old Collegians!

Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson (2013) starred as the witch in the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s production of Hansel and Gretel, which toured New Zealand late last year.

Sam Gilbert (2016) signed with the Highlanders for the 2024 season of Super Rugby Pacific.

Neil MacLeod (2016) released his new single, Fear, in March. Neil is a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and artist, who has received a nomination for Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu (Favourite EP/Mixtape) at the 2023 Student Radio Network Awards with his EP, We Have Known Lost Days.

Britney-Lee Nicholson (2017) is the top goal scorer of all time for the New Zealand Futsal Ferns after scoring two goals against the Philippines in November. Britney-Lee is the current St Andrew’s Girls’ futsal and football head coach.

Lizzie Stevenson (2017, Head Girl) graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) with Distinction. She was also awarded the Dean of the Otago Medical School Prize for outstanding service to the University of Otago Medical School by a graduating student. She was the only one of her cohort to receive the prize, which is awarded at the discretion of the Dean. She was also the dual winner of the Division of Health Sciences Premier Undergraduate Prize. In 2024, Lizzie has taken up a position at Nelson Hospital, working as a junior doctor alongside her sister, Annie Stevenson (2013, Head Girl) who graduated with the same degree with distinction in 2020, and recently achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health.

Saxon Morgan (2018) achieved a careerbest at the World Triathlon Cup in Hong Kong, with his tenth place finish taking his world ranking from 110th to 102nd.

Tom Rance (2018) competed in the New Zealand National Flag Football Team at the Asia/Oceania Continental Championships in Malaysia. The team lost the tournament to Thailand in the dying seconds of the final. Tom's highlight was beating internationally ranked Japan in the semi-final. He scored an intercept touchdown on full time to seal the game and also led the competition in intercepts.

Monique Rees (2018) made her debut for the Wellington Blaze in November as part of the New Zealand Cricket Women’s One Day Competition.

Luca Vinnell (Head Boy 2019) was awarded the Helen Goodwin Doctoral Scholarship and is starting his research career, looking at the immune system’s connection to Parkinson’s disease.

Anika Boet (2019) secured a contract as a company dancer with Sydney Dance Company and departed on an international tour. She was a member of the Ballet Academy from its inception in 2011 and enjoyed many wonderful roles during her time with the Academy.

Mika MacDonald (2021) and the Christchurch Golf Club’s men’s team retained the Woodward Cup in the finals at Pegasus in November.

Harry Waddington (2021) won the 2023 Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie Essay Competition. His essay was published in the Māori Law Review Journal in February 2024. Harry was proud to be the first recipient of the prize from the University of Canterbury.

Molly Spark (2021), and her team, FEAR Youth, placed ninth at the 2023 Adventure Racing World Championship on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. They completed the 840km course in 150 hours and 32 minutes and were the youngest team competing against over 100 fourperson teams from around the world.

Milly Christie, Brianna Sloper, and Isla Miers (all 2022) received their Diplomas for Highland and National Dancing at the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing Conference. They are all now fully qualified to teach and adjudicate Highland Dancing.

Sophia Clark (2021) and Zee Hammond (2017) were presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, at a reception in Government House hosted by the Governor-General.

Moses Armstrong-Ravula (2022) has been named in the Moana Pasifika Under-20 squad. His brother Isaiah (2021) has become a fan favourite in his rookie year with the Fijian Drua Super Rugby team and was named 'Fan Player of the Match' in their victory over the Canterbury Crusaders in Lautoka.

At the New Zealand Young Piper of the Year 2023, Campbell Wilson (2020) won the Overall U21 prize for the fifth consecutive time with a first in Piobaireachd, first in March, Strathspey and Reel, and first in the Hornpipe and Jig events. Lauren Whittaker (2023) made the Tall Ferns travelling team for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in China in February.

Lose Faingaanuku, Holly Munro (both 2021) and Sienna Stowers-Smith (2023) were selected for the 2024 Mainland Synergy Hair Netball League team.

The following Old Collegians were named in the Canterbury U20 basketball team: Kavanah Lene, Lauren Whittaker, Mitch Corkery, Torin Ward (all 2023). Sam Jenkins (2020) was named as coach of theCanterbury U18 team.

The 2024 New Zealand Elite rowing squad includes four St Andrew’s Old Collegians – Robbie Manson, Ben Taylor, Thomas Russel, and Zack Rumble. The College is currently the most represented school in the Rowing New Zealand squad.

Old Collegian rowers participated in the New Zealand National Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro. The Men’s Double Scull was won by Robbie Manson (OC 2007) and his doubles partner, Jordan Parry, qualifying them for the Paris Olympics in July. The School of Origin Men’s 4 was won by Ben Taylor, Thomas Russel, Flynn Dijkstra, and Zack Rumble (all OC 2017), who also rowed together in the winning Maadi Cup 8 in 2017. The Boss Rooster (Men’s Premiere 4) was won by Ben Taylor, Thomas Russel, Zack Rumble and Oli Welch.

Ben Taylor has qualified for the Men’s Reserve Pair to race at the three World Cups leading up to the Paris Olympics in July. Zack Rumble has been selected into the Elite Men’s quadruple sculls to compete at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland and if placed in the top two, he will qualify forthe Olympics.

Freddy Todhunter (2023) was selected for the U21 New Zealand rowing team to compete at the 2024 U21 Pacific Regatta in Sydney, Australia in May/June.

AUGUST REGULUS

Gary Christie (1959) visited from Auckland to donate a saxophone he played while he was at St Andrew’s College to the Music Department.

Jack Allan (1960) received The Mayor’s Award for Public Service at the Ashburton District Council’s 2023 Community Honours Award. Jack has spent the best part of his 80 years working for his community in a wide range of district activities, including tennis, golf, and Lions, and most recently with the Mt Somers Walkways Society. He is described as working tirelessly and enthusiastically for his community.

Ian Harvey (1977) won the 2024 Prospa/ Stuff Local Business Hero competition for the Canterbury region, with his floristry business, Flower Bazaar.

Head South, a film directed by Jonathan Ogilvie (1979), will kick off the Ōtautahi Christchurch season of the New Zealand International Film Festival in August, following sold-out sessions at the Sydney Film Festival. Parts of the film were shot at the College and among the credits are Lee Hubber (1979, Executive Producer), Chris Sinclair (1988, Sound Designer) and Dougal Holmes (OC 1979, Stills Photographer).

Rick Harvie (1989) is making headlines, with his feature-length documentary, Maurice and I. The film, co-directed by Rick, pays tribute to the powerful architectural collaboration between Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney, skilfully blending scarce archival footage with exclusive interviews featuring Sir Miles and Maurice Mahoney. The film screened around New Zealand, and stars Kelvin McMillan (1977) as Sir Miles himself. Sir Miles Warren was a student at the St Andrew’s College Preparatory School from 1934 to 1935.

Tim Ogle (1996), Director and Founder of Cellar Door in the Arts Centre in Christchurch, was the recipient of a prestigious ‘Best Of’ Award for Excellence at the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards in New York. Only one other New Zealand restaurant has ever received the award.

Four Old Collegians are applying their Media skills at exciting high-profile sporting events around the globe. Rupert McKee (2011) has been serving as the onsite Engineer in Charge (EIC) for the Formula E World Championships. This year he has also worked at Wimbledon and the Olympics. Tim Murdoch (2004) worked as an EIC for ESPN’s coverage at Roland Garros (French Open) before heading to the LIV Golf in Spain and the UK, as well as the US Open tennis. Steve Hartley (2001) constructed two studios for ITV’s coverage of the UEFA Euros. He led a team of audio engineers at the sailing at the Olympics and will be Head of Audio for America’s Cup Media at the America’s Cup. Blake Morgan (2013) was responsible for the technical delivery of Sky’s coverage of the Summer Olympics. He was stationed in Paris at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), alongside broadcasters from around the world.

The Toshiba Brave Lupus, with Richie Mo’unga (2012) at No. 10, won their first Japan Rugby League 1 title in 14 years. For his efforts, Richie was crowned the Japan Rugby League 1 MVP of the season.

Patron of the St Andrew’s College Ballet Academy, Joshua Guillemot- Rodgerson (2013), has been promoted to the highest professional rank of Principal by the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB). Joshua was recently on tour with the RNZB season of Swan Lake, in the lead role of both Prince Siegfried and Rothbart.

A group of Old Collegians represented Canterbury in the New Zealand Mixed Nationals Easter Netball Tournament in Auckland. Charlotte Elley (2014), Sam Paterson (2017) and Olivia Clark (2017) were in the Canterbury A Mixed Open team. Grace Cameron (2021) and Arlya Guard (2022) were selected for the Canterbury U23 Mixed team.

Ned George (2014), a shepherd from northern Hawke’s Bay, was the standout performer at the New Zealand and North Island Sheep Dog Trial Championships, clinching both the national and North Island titles in the Straight Hunt category with his dog Bounce.

Mitchell Small (2016) won the 24th annual St Jude Nashville Marathon. This was his first marathon with the win qualifying him for the Boston Marathon, which he will run in 2025.

Thomas Russel (2017) was a special guest at an assembly to present the rowing medals from the 2024 Maadi Cup. Thomas was a member of the U18 Boys’ rowing crew who won Gold in both the Springbok Shield and Maadi Cup at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ regatta in 2017.

Marcus Armstrong (2018) crossed in third place at the IndyCar Championship in Detroit to achieve his maiden IndyCar podium. This is his first full season racing in America after switching from Formula Two last year.

Frankie Morrow (2019) signed for the Florida Elite Soccer Academy for the Summer League football season in Florida.

Harri Silcock (2019) was unbeaten in all six rounds of racing to become New Zealand Grass Cart Champion in the 0–205cc Four Stroke Class.

Alicia Smith (2019) received the Distinguished Undergraduate Award from the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), becoming just the second non-American student to receive one of these prestigious international awards. Alicia is working for Rocket Lab in Auckland after graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Canterbury.

Zak Foulkes (2020) was selected to represent the Black Caps to play in the Twenty20 International in Pakistan.

Tapenisa Havea (Head Girl 2021) representing Arizona University, opened the outdoor season with a win in shot put, hitting the second-best mark in the nation and a new personal best of 16.83m.

Jackson Rhodes (2021) committed to Waynesburg University on a basketball scholarship for the 2024–2025 season.

Will Stodart (2021) started at the University of Otago Rugby Football Club in 2022, progressed through to their Premier Men’s team, the Otago rugby team, and has officially debuted for the Highlanders.

Moses Armstrong-Ravula (2022) was selected for the Fijian U20 team for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.

Hugh Nixon (2022) was selected for the U21 Future Black Sticks hockey team. Hugh and Jakarta Klebert (2022) also played in the U21 North vs South series.

Tom Rae (2022) made another big impression in the international Milky Way Photographer of the Year competition, with his stunning photograph, Lightning Lake, showcasing the Milky Way galaxy against the backdrop of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, being selected as one of the top 25 images from around the world. This is the second time one of Tom’s photographs has been selected.

Tom Turner (2022) played for the Young New Zealand polo team as part of the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo 2024 in the Buckmaster Trophy (Young England vs Young New Zealand).

Charli Watts (2022) completed the South Island Ultra 100km Greymouth to Hokitika race in a time of 11:46.49.

Jonah Cropp (2023) was selected to represent New Zealand at the World Athletics U20 Championships, which takes place in Peru in late August/ early September, where he will be competing in the 10,000m Race Walk. During this season, Jonah has broken seven longstanding New Zealand U19/U20 age group records and represented New Zealand at the World Teams Race Walking Championships in Turkey, where he placed 33rd.

Edwin Short (2023) is playing rugby for Dorset and Wiltshire U20 which made it to the national finals at Twickenham.

Old Collegians Kavanah Lene, Lauren Whittaker, Mitch Corkery and Torin Ward (all 2023) and their coach Adam Morgan, won BBNZ U20 National titles with Canterbury Basketball.

Lauren Whittaker (2023) won the Lance McGloughlin Trophy for Female Junior Player of the Year at the Basketball New Zealand awards.

Elly Li (2023) claimed the triple crown with wins in the Women’s singles, Women’s doubles, and Mixed doubles at the Otago Badminton Open in Dunedin.

Torin Ward (Head Boy 2023) has committed to the Saint Vincent College basketball team in Pennsylvania.

Kavanah Lene (2023) has committed to continue her collegiate career with the University of Montana, after evaluating offers from several superb NCAA Division 1 schools across the USA. She will head over to Missoula on a full scholarship after the FIBA Asia Cup. Kavanah is also representing New Zealand at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China, as a member of the Junior Tall Ferns.

The fourth annual Alumni Basketball match was held in June, with a star-studded roster of 20 Old Collegians from 2012–2023 taking part. The Year 13s restricted the Old Collegians to a 45–45 score at half-time, however, the experience and depth of the Old Collegians squad pushed the lead out in the second half. The Old Collegians cruised home to a 112–91 win, with Mac Stodart (2019) gaining MVP honours.

Scarlett Kirby (2022) represented New Zealand at the International Korfball Federation’s World Korfball Championship in Turkey in July.

Marcus D’Acre (2022) was selected for the Hong Kong Under 20s side to compete for the World Rugby U20 trophy in Edinburgh, Scotland in July.