Big money means big move

Leon Gray-Lockhart | 4th February 2010

AT THE tender age of 13, you wouldn’t expect to have your entire world turned upside-down – not unless you are Georgia Satherley, that is.
Facing a new future beyond the safe confines of Pembroke Road School was always going to be a little scary for the Antonio Street resident – but prior to December 16, knowing she was staying in Stratford would have softened any difficulty she faced transitioning to high school.
However, all that changed when Georgia and her family got the word that she had won a $15,000-a-year Aspire scholarship package from the Ministry of Education.
“We were absolutely blown away,” says Georgia’s mum, Kyla.
“It was kind of like winning Lotto; the whole thing is worth about $60,000 all-up.”
Kyla applied for the scholarship on Georgia’s behalf back in July 2009, after Kyla’s mother – a primary school principal herself – alerted her to it.
“Basically, it’s a scholarship available to any family whose income is less than $65,000 a year. It’s simply drawn by ballot and goes to 50 Year 9s, 50 Year 10s and 50 Year 11s from around New Zealand.”
Aspire scholarships are awarded to cover the day fees of any fully private school that a student wishes to enrol at – lasting for the remainder of that student’s time at the school.

There are also additional funds available for course-related costs.
“Getting the money was one thing, but at the time we’d found out about it, Georgia wasn’t actually enrolled anywhere.
“Private schools normally have long waiting lists and we didn’t have a lot of time to find one. The money wouldn’t have been any good if Georgia wasn’t going to be accepted anywhere, so everything had to move pretty quickly.”
Having done a bit of research, and taken advice from friends, Kyla and Georgia’s first choice was Wanganui Collegiate as it was the nearest fully private school.
“Wanganui is near enough that Georgia won’t feel too far away from home, and because her dad lives down that way, she’s familiar with the area.”
With her excellent primary school achievement record, positive attitude and winning interview skills, Georgia managed to secure a last-minute place at the exclusive and highly regarded school only a couple of weeks ago.
Freedoms
“I’m looking forward to be able to participate in just about anything I want,” says Georgia.
“I really enjoy English, drama and music and they seem to have a group for everything down there. They also have a huge auditorium for performances.”
As well as extensive cultural resources, the school has excellent sporting facilities - not that Georgia will be racing to get her hands on those.
“I’m not really into sport, and taking a sport is compulsory. They do fun sports like kayaking and sailing though, so I might do one of them.”
And as well as developing her outside interests more fully, Georgia is looking forward to making great academic and personal progress at the school.
“The classes are really small,” says Kyla,
“Sometimes as low as five students to one teacher, and they have start-of-the-art IT facilities too.”
Responsibilities
There are many things that Georgia is looking forward to, but with freedom comes responsibility, and in true private school fashion, she will be expected to work hard at the school.
“They will be quite strict, but I don’t mind that,” she says.
“I think there are different uniforms that you have to wear. There’s a formal uniform and a proper sports uniform, and something you wear called your ‘greys.’”
As well as observing a strict uniform policy, Georgia will also have to observe a six-day school week.
“Compulsory sport occurs on a Saturday afternoon, right after Saturday morning school. School finishes at 3.45pm during the week, but with all the groups you have to get involved with, you don’t usually finish until 5pm.”
Because of her tight school schedule, Georgia will only get one day off a week, meaning she won’t get to see her family that much.
The idea of being away from Stratford most of the time is going to take some adjusting to, given Georgia’s life to date has largely centred around being with mum and her three brothers, and going to a wee country school.
However, she will be staying with some family friends who will take good care of her.
“I think being away from her family will be hard for her, but it will give her a chance to develop her confidence and independence; helping her to become much more self –reliant,” says her mum.
“It’s going to be hard for me too though. She’s the oldest of four, and my only girl.
“I know this is an amazing opportunity for her, but I don’t really want to think about not seeing her much.”
Georgia started at the school on Saturday and by all accounts, is already enjoying her time there – despite the odd bouts of homesickness.
She and her family are indebted to all those who have supported her so far, including Caroline Biessel at Pembroke Road School.