From left: Orange house leaders, Jane Cribb and Riley Vessey, Green house leaders, Sapphire Kururangi and Isaac Bazley, deputy head students, Kyle Cabangun and Maria Costas, head students, Poppy Killworth and Henry Chapman, Blue house leaders, Liam Sullivan and Harriet Leverton, Red house leaders, Joseph Collins and Teresa Herewini. Photo Heather MackenzieIt’s always been a pathway towards strong leadership during the schooling year and the Ashburton College leadership camp for 2020 was no different.

Held over three days last week, the camp again proved to be a popular start to the academic year for those who took part after they expressed an interest in taking up a leadership role during their final year of school.

The camp is designed to build confidence and develop leadership skills.

Head girl for 2020, Poppy Kilworth, said 40 of her school peers joined her and head boy Henry Chapman for the three-day camp at the Glenroy Lodge in Hororata, led by the Christian group Horizon.

On offer for the young leaders were outdoor activities including raft building, high ropes, abseiling and walking though Cave Stream, in addition they attended workshops outlining what makes a good leader.

Kilworth said there were a lot of takeaway moments from the camp.

“We learnt there are many different leadership styles and anyone could actually be a leader,” she said.

The time spent together meant stronger bonds developed between the school’s leaders during the course of the camp.

“We all grew closer, and more comfortable, with each other – we had to work as a team to build the raft for example, you couldn’t do it by yourself.”

Deputy principal Ron Cresswell said he was proud of the 2020 leadership team and is looking forward to working with them.

“The more student-led involvement we have at the school the happier we are,” Cresswell said

Kilworth and Chapman agree there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to leadership.

“Specific personality traits may not be immediately apparent as leadership qualities, but they could end up working to your advantage and make for a great leader,” said Kilworth.

The group also spent time talking about and understanding above and below the line behaviour.

The concept was reportedly first mentioned by English author Carly Taylor in her book Walking the Talk, where she also credits Robert Kiyosaki with the notion.

The popular personal development philosophy focuses on individuals being accountable, taking ownership and being responsible for their actions – classed as above the line behaviour, and being aware of below the line traits – like apportioning blame, making excuses and finding fault.

Again, Kilworth and Chapman agreed this knowledge was going to be a help to all the leadership team.

“I looked back over the three days and thought there were times when I had dipped below the line.”

However, Kilworth is well aware that it is not possible to stay above the line 100 per cent of the time.

“In order to stay above the line, you have to share the load with others in the team, and in doing that, everybody can take part in building a strong team together,” she said.

By Heather Mackenzie © The Ashburton Guardian - 6 February 2020

Celebrating the completion of a major restoration project on carvings surrounding the Ashburton College whare (from left) college staff members Andrew Young, Charlie Kelland, Mike Pearce, Jono Hay, principal Ross Preece, Damian Peeti in charge of the carving restoration, Tipene Phillip and Michelle Brett, chair of the Hakatere Marae committee. Photo supplied.For more than 20 years impressive carvings have guarded the entrance to the Ashburton College whare wananga.

Those carvings were created by master carver Vince Leonard and were installed in 1997, but in February last year, showing signs of wear and weathering, they were removed for what would prove to be a year-long restoration project.

Approval for the restoration, paid for from the school’s maintenance fund, was given several months earlier, but college principal Ross Preece said it was important they remained in place for the school’s powhiri at the start of the 2019 school year.

After more than 20 years of weathering the carvings were very much in need of work, but their restoration has taken longer than anticipated, because of Leonard’s death part way through the project.

Fellow carver Damian Peeti, who had worked with Leonard on the original carvings, was able to step in and continue the work with the help of a team of college students.

Removing the 12 carved pieces was a monumental job, Preece said, with the larger pieces requiring a team of 20 to move them into the whare where the restoration would take place.

Each time those pieces were turned, teams of lifters were needed.

On Friday those involved in the project were able to see the results of many months of hard work as the carvings were reinstalled at the whare entrance ready for the start of the new school year and a powhiri on Wednesday.

“It’s been a huge job and they look magnificent,” Preece said.

The tapu was lifted from the carvings at dawn on Friday.

Ashburton College made history for South Island schools when the whare was built and the carvings placed.

With funding for a rebuild of the 50 plus year old college approved, the carvings would be retained and become an important part of the ‘new’ school, Preece said.

“The idea is now they’ve been restored, when the master plan is considered we have permission to relocate the whare to the front of the school.”

That the college was able to break new ground for a South Island school and establish a whare, complete with carvings was down to the efforts of principal at the time, Digby Prosser, Preece said.

“He fought very hard with the ministry over this and it wasn’t a cheap exercise.”

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 3 February 2020

Global Ambassadors (from left) Marc Juntilla, Mary Bernarte, Mayor Neil Brown, Fylgia Romero and Jade Kruger. Absent: Jasaiah Claydon-Wade. Photo supplied.The Ashburton District Council has announced the names of five young people who have been appointed to its new Global Ambassadors Programme.

Mary Bernarte, Jasaiah Claydon-Wade, Marc Juntilla, Jade Kruger and Fylgia Romero are the district’s new Global Ambassadors who will be working with council to support Ashburton’s international partnerships.

The group will have the chance to gain practical experience and make valuable connections to kick-start their future in international relations.

Mayor Neil Brown said the group had an exciting year ahead and would be taking part in workshops and training.

‘‘I’m sure they’ll do very well representing our district to the international community here and beyond, and I wish them all the very best for a great year of professional development.’’

The Global Ambassadors’ first assignment will be to assist the Welcoming Communities programme in its support of the upcoming Holi Festival of Colours, hosted by the Ashburton Indian Multicultural Charitable Trust on February 15.

Another important project the ambassadors will get to be involved in is the upcoming national Sister Cities Conference in Ashburton in April this year. The theme for the conference is Growing Cultural Diversity in the Regions.

Throughout the year, the ambassadors will attend workshops on topics such as Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo Maori, cultural competence, international relations and communications. They will also be connected with people in politics and will get to participate in planned activities for five hours a month.

At the end of the 12-month programme, each ambassador will receive a certificate of completion.

Mr Brown said the Global Ambassadors will have the chance to make a significant contribution to the community.

‘‘Economic development doesn’t just depend on gross domestic product growth. Diversity and prosperity are equally important factors in the community’s wellbeing and the Global Ambassadors Programme will help to share our district’s story locally and around the world.’’

One Global Ambassador position is still available, and council is accepting applications for this role. It is open to young people aged 18-24.

© The Ashburton Courier - 23 January 2020