Latest news with #AshburtonCollege
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Oar-some opportunity in DC for Canterbury rower
Sienna Skilling of Ashburton is off to Washington DC on a four-year scholarship. PHOTO: TONI WILLIAMS Ashburton rower Sienna Skilling is heading to the United States capital on a full four-year rowing scholarship. She will study towards a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and criminal justice at George Washington University in Washington DC and compete for the university in the rowing eights. The 18-year-old was looking forward to studying in the capital city but most excited about taking her rowing to the next level. 'The facilities they have there are like nothing compared to here. We get our own nutritionist, our own trainer, our own physio, so just having access to all that will be pretty cool.' The full scholarship covers tuition, rowing, housing and food costs. She will live in the halls of residence for the duration of her time there. There are also a few attractions to check out in the city. 'There are lots of monuments and museums. It's very historical, with obviously the White House as well.'' Sienna, who has never visited the US before, leaves next week and will be accompanied on the journey by her father, Justin and his partner Emma. The distance between the US and home was a concern and getting back into formal education, she said. Since leaving Ashburton College last year, she had worked at signs and design company, Juice, and completed a rowing season with Avon Rowing Club in Christchurch. 'I went there because it's the biggest club in New Zealand so they've got lots of eights, which is what I will be rowing in America. So I wanted to get a feel for that.' She also trained alongside the New Zealand under-22 women's team rowing at Lake Hood with national coach Justin Wall. And has had a training plan from the university which she has been doing for the past eight weeks. It involved urging (rowing machine), weight training and isometrics workouts with body conditioning such as push-ups. Sienna Skilling started rowing at age 13, when in year 9 at Ashburton College. She loves the synergy needed in the sport. 'It's very cultural, you're in a boat – with however many – and you need to be like one. 'It's very (fulfilling) as well. You see hard work pay off.' Sienna's hard work saw her win bronze in the club pair at the New Zealand secondary school national rowing championships in February last year. Then messages started coming in from coaches watching the races. Sienna Skilling in action during pairs racing. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Being headhunted was an unfamiliar experience. She eventually signed up with Kiwi Athletes Agency who put together her education and rowing results and got her interviews with prospective universities state side. 'George Washington was the first one that said they would give me a full scholarship,' she said. It was too good an offer to turn down. Sienna believes she could be the first Kiwi rower at the school but would not be the only international this year with others from Australia, Italy and Germany. 'It will be good to have different people from different countries.' She would, however, be the only international in her rowing year group. 'There were originally three of us they were deciding between, then the head coach over there, talked to my school coach (Justin Wall) here. 'He obviously said a few good things, which was nice.'
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Ashburton College sends students home after power outage
Ashburton College Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Ashburton College has closed for the day following a power outage. A social media post said students were sent home at about 10am due to a lack of heating, lighting and internet. Students who used school buses were asked to remain at the school if they could find another way home. "We thank everyone for their understanding in this unexpected event," the school said. Electricity Ashburton general manager Pete Armstrong confirmed the outage was limited to the school and did not affect the wider network. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Calling all talented performers
Ashburton College students perform for pupils at Ashburton Christian School in honour of Filipino Language Week. PHOTO: FILE The Hakatere Multi Cultural Council is calling for Mid Cantabrians to showcase their talents at its Multicultural Talent Show. The show will be on June 13 at the Holyoake Auditorium at Ashburton College. Council members already have registrations from singers and dancers. They welcome more of these types of performances, along with musicians, poets and others. Co-ordinator Ana Taufa said the show would provide an opportunity for people to shine and showcase their heritage. ''It is the first time the council has held a talent show, but with so much talent and diversity of talent in the district, the Ethnic Leaders Forum decided to make holding the show a priority,'' Taufa said. ''Those who have registered are excited about the opportunity to showcase their talents and culture,'' Taufa said. Registrations need to be in this week and can be made with Ana on 027 2208791. The doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start for the two-hour show, which is free and open to the public.
Otago Daily Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury's own 'Vera Lynn' returns home
By Dellwyn Moylan Music has always featured in former Ashburton-lass Jan-Maree Baughen's life - and she is returning to the town to put her talents on show. She is performing with the 3Decibelles in an Anzac tribute at the Ashburton Event Centre on April 24. It is a fundraising performance for the Ashburton Event Centre. Baughen (nee Armitage) grew up in Ashburton and went to Ashburton College where she was active in the performing theatre scene with the Ashburton Operatic Society (now Variety Theatre), Tinwald Musical Society, Ashburton Repertory Theatre and the Ashburton Musical Club. She will appear alongside her 16-year-old daughter, Chloe and friend Lizzie Howarth. ''It's such an honour and delight to be invited back to my hometown alongside my daughter and fabulous friend Lizzie to perform our Anzac tribute concert,'' she said. ''I had always wanted to produce a close harmony trio as I had grown up with dad playing all the beautiful old time dance music include music by Glenn Miller, dad's favourite the Andrew Sisters, Vera Lynn, and others,'' she said. ''Lizzie and I shared the same passion for the music of the 1920-1940s having grown up on that style of music. 3Decibelles formed in 2021. ''This will be a musical reflection and commemoration to honour our brave serviceman both past and present who have fought for our wonderful country. ''The show will also include our wonderful Chloe and her dancing tap shoes,'' Baughen said. Chloe, in year 12 at high school, is the choreographer and lead dancer, and like her mother has been involved in musicals, including as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Baughen attributes her talents to parents, Pam and the late Arnold, who passed on their love of music to her. Pam was a singer and Arnold tinkled the ivories on the piano. She said her first foray into performing was as a four-year-old with Charmaine Quaid's ballet school (now known as Dance Worx Ashburton). At eight she took up singing lessons firstly in Ashburton before going to Christchurch for lessons where she later gained her LTCL and ATCL with distinctions. Baughen said the first musical she appeared in was as a nine-year-old in the Sound of Music where she played Marta VonTrapp, this was followed by Annie, Jesus Christ Super Star, Oliver and Good Evening Friends with Ashburton Operatic. Along with these productions she was also in three Ashburton College musicals. Her career and in fact her life nearly came to an end in her last year of college with a serious motor accident. She spent three months in Christchurch Hospital. 'I had a near fatal motor accident. I spent three months in Christchurch Hospital with multiple fractures and injuries,'' she said. 'I had to learn to walk and sing again. With love and support of wonderful friends, family and music teachers I built up the strength in my voice again. I went on to win the Ashburton Music Club's first scholarship in 1991,' Baughen said. She regularly performed at weddings, clubs and functions before moving to Christchurch when she was 18-years-old to undertake nursing studies. While living there she became a member of Canterbury Opera, ShowBiz Christchurch and 'The Kilmarnock Edition'. Following the Canterbury earthquake in February 2011 Baughen, husband Barry and their children, Nicholas and Chloe, moved to Auckland. Today Baughen is kept busy as an appearance medicine nurse, private vocal tutor/ director and musical director of 3Decibelles. Tickets are on sale now for the two performances of 'Watchcha Gonna Swing' on April 24 at the Ashburton Event Centre.
