My years at Ashburton College were ones to remember. I was surrounded by plenty of like-minded people, and many of whom, I am still in contact with today. Along with a lot of the students, I got on well with many of the teachers there, which despite what some may say, was never a bad thing.

Ashburton is well known for its sporting culture, and the college thrived on its sports and athletes, but they also had a strong focus on the arts. There was always support there for the students like myself, who never really cared to partake in those cold early morning physical education lessons haha.
I spent most of my time in the music block, or the auditorium, even during the times I should have been in class. Those times though were what entrenched my love of music, performance, and the technical aspects of such. I was part of multiple groups such as the Phoenix Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and the Blues band, as well as the schools “tech crew”, who operated all the sound and lights, which amongst these, is where my loved for all this music related grew.
Because of all this, I am now a full time professional musician working and living in Australia with regular trip back home to catch up with everyone.

I’ll always appreciate the things I learnt at Ashburton College, and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Liam Kennedy-Clark

Being a very recent pupil at Ashburton College (2011-2015) I have great memories of my years there, especially my Senior years. This journey began for me playing netball for Ashburton College and the exposure you can get through the secondary schools sports system. This is when my involvement in the High Performance system for Netball began. I had a whirlwind couple of years with inclusion into the High Performance Sport NZ Pathway 2 Podium programme which meant many trips up & down the road to CHCH & very early morning starts but was hugely beneficial to me and gave me an insight into what is expected in the sporting pathway. If anyone ever gets the opportunity to be involved in this I strongly recommend you grab that opportunity with both hands and go for it. The highlight being selected to travel with the NZ U21 team to Canberra to play Australia & England. I was selected into the inaugural National Beko Netball league, played Premiership grade in CHCH and also the U19 Canterbury Team, so 2016 was a very busy year. I have since been signed as a train on player with the Canterbury Tactix team and also the Beko team again.

I wish to acknowledge the huge input, support & commitment I, and the rest of the Ashburton College netball girls received from the school in particular Angela Mitchell, the Ashburton College Netball management & committee.

Kate Lloyd

Ashburton College was where I was able to truly find and develop my creative self. Drama and Art were my forte and I have to thank my teachers Claire Bubb and Claire Robertshaw who whole-heartedly supported me throughout my years at Ashcoll. If it weren’t for them I definitely would not have had the courage to follow the path I had always desired, so I am forever grateful!

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be Red House Captain in my final year along with my Co-Captain - Charlie Morrison. This was such a beneficial experience for me as I found my voice and grew leadership confidence which is crucial to the career path I have chosen.

As soon as I finished in 2013, I moved to Auckland to study on-screen acting, film directing and screen writing at South Seas Film and Television School.

My painting skills helped me get my “day job” which is face-painting at kids birthday parties so that was a bonus!

As I’m sure we all did; I made life-long friends in those College gates that will always mean the world to me. I am so proud of my roots and I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for what I learnt in the supportive environment Ashburton College had to offer. There are multiple precious memories from being on the netball court to performing at music and dance evenings that I will always reminisce back to in good light.

I cherish my years at Ashburton College so much and believe it was the true foundation (along with my parents!) that gave me the determination and drive to achieve my goals I am currently aiming for.