Flying south for a new life

29th July 2010

THEY say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but one Stratford family now knows a little different.
When 13-year-old Georgia Satherley won a $15,000-a-year Aspire scholarship last year, Mum Kyla thought that might be it for exceptionally good fortune in her family. However, turns out her family must have been fated for great success because now her oldest son, Ben (12) has just won the same thing: a huge stroke of good luck considering Aspire scholarships are basically a lottery.
“These scholarships are available to any family whose income is less than $65,000 a year. They’re simply drawn by ballot and go 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.
This means that Ben can join his sister Georgia at Wanganui Collegiate next year. Because she’ll have two children at the school, Kyla herself will relocate to Wanganui to be nearer them, while her other two boys, Jack (11) and Daniel (9) will join their father on his farm near Mangaweka.

“It will be a big change for everybody, but I think we’ll manage it. The younger boys are looking forward to life on a farm and Ben’s looking forward to going to his new school.”
For Ben, finding out about winning the scholarship was both exciting, and a little embarrassing.
“I found out about at school,” says Ben, presently a Year 8 at Pembroke School
“The principal, Mrs Biessel told me in front of the whole class. Everybody was really supportive.”
Ben can’t wait to use all the great facilities at his new school, especially its ICT, science and PE resources.
“The place is really big – it’s like its own little town, and some of the classrooms are like those in Harry Potter!”
Ben himself is a fan of art and history, and he is looking forward to being involved with the school’s rowing and design programmes.
“I’m not worried about the school’s strict uniform rules – people say I dress funny anyway.”
He admits he will miss being next to the majestic mountain of Taranaki, and he reckons he’ll miss the town’s glockenspiel too.
However, he’s looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and is glad that he’ll be able to live in Wanganui with his family. By all accounts, Georgia has battled with homesickness in her first year at collegiate, so will no doubt also be glad that she’ll be living with her family once again.
“Some people have joked that I somehow rigged the draw,” laughs Kyla.
“But, I can assure them I did no such thing. I guess, it’s fate; it’s meant to be.
“We’re very grateful to all those people who have been so supportive, especially Mrs Biessel and the teachers at Pembroke School.”