Alex Borwick Alumni 2005
 Alex Borwick was a student at Kristin from 2001 to 2005. Recently, the Faculty of Performing Arts welcomed Alex back to school to join them in the production of Beauty and the Beast. Alex was a member of the orchestra for Beauty and an inspiration for the current students and budding young musicians with whom he sat on stage. Alex is now a full-time musician and has shared his progress and his story so far.
“I always wanted to become a musician. Music has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember; something I’ve always pursued before anything else. I dabbled in several genres and instruments during my time at Kristin: primarily the drums and trombone. It wasn’t until my last two years at school that I really focused on the trombone and my passion for jazz. I was always interested in all facets of music: performance, composition, teaching others, acoustics and sound engineering, as well as the laborious task of managing bands.
“When I left school, I went to university. I studied Jazz Performance at the New School of Music in Wellington and, after one year, decided to take some time to travel and explore various musical avenues. I’ve since discovered traditional folk music (primarily American and Celtic), have been performing and studying this genre for the last two years, and have picked up a banjo or two on my travels.
“Currently, I’m a full-time musician. As with most people in the creative arts, I have a portfolio of various jobs and skills which combine to make up my schedule. My partner, Frances, is also a musician and, consequently, we do a lot of work together. I teach a range of music from home – the trombone, tenor banjo, 5-string banjo, mandolin and the ukulele, to name a few! I also help run a weekly Irish music session at a pub in town and other gigs from time to time.
“My main focus and creative outlet is a band called Forbidden Joe (www.forbiddenjoe.com). The band consists of my partner and I, as well as a close friend of ours. Our intention is to contemporise traditional folk music – which is a bit of a contradiction in terms! We manage to challenge our listeners’ perceptions of what folk music is, whilst always relating to the core values of folk music (which, in a nutshell, can be music from any culture that tells stories about the people and their traditions, and often relies on an oral transmission for it to be passed on). Forbidden Joe has been performing for 18 months, we have toured New Zealand, released an EP to critical acclaim and performed at a variety of festivals around the country. We’re currently booking concerts for
the coming summer, recording an album, and booking a tour of Australia in 2010. I’m also in early pre-production for recording an album of music with Jono Lonie, who I’ve collaborated with a great deal over the last year. We’re intending to record an album of original and traditional Celtic tunes for the banjo and the fiddle.
“I remember as a student at school I was quiet and studious. I remember starting on homework as soon as I got it, so I worked the opposite to most others I suspect. After seeing the effects that delaying it had on my friends, I dreaded the idea of leaving school work until the night before it was due!
“I hung out with the arty and Thespian types. I always loved being involved in the production each year, either in the orchestra, or acting. It builds an incredibly strong bond between all involved, and gave us a feeling of unity and pride in our performance. There was always the withdrawal afterwards, as you’re thrown straight back into normal school life for another year. Nick Richardson played a big role in encouraging me to pursue my musical aspirations, and always tolerated my often obsessive interest in jazz! The overall attitude at Kristin was incredibly supportive and really enabled students to grow into mature young adults; it was an environment that bred independent learning.
“My friends are all still arty types and my diligent nature has allowed me to achieve a personal goal. After spending the last three years building my career as a musician, I have reached the day where I can actually claim to be a full-time musician! I’m proud that I pursued my dreams and have not let barriers get in the way.
“I hope to continue my goal of travelling the world as a performing musician and following my inner muse.
“From experience, the best advice I can offer is to follow your deepest desires and ambitions; there’s nothing which you can’t achieve with a bit of determination. Take pride in all aspects of your life, the big and the small.”
Hannah Collins Alumni 2005
 Still in training, Hannah says she has always wanted to be a Doctor. “I went to Kristin from 1999 to 2005 which for me was Year 7 until Year 13. Last year I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at Otago University and I am now studying Medicine at the University of Auckland and flatting with fellow Alumni Bridget Venning.
At school I had been involved in theatre, music and sport. I was also a Prefect. I worked hard but managed to fit in a lot of extracurricular activities which made school fun. I loved the camps. School productions and leadership opportunities were highlights as well. I enjoyed playing Hockey and Tennis for the school. The biggest highlight was having good friends, many of whom I still see regularly. Memorable teachers were Mr Bell, Mrs McLisky and Mrs Ngan. I miss Miss Navarro too.
At Otago University I lived at Knox College for two years (which I would highly recommend) while I completed my degree. Otago Uni and the Dunedin experience were excellent and I made friends from all around New Zealand. Now, I’m flatting with Bridget (and another nurse) which is fun!
I’m not quite sure what I want to specialise in yet, but I have plenty of time to think about it! I definitely want to travel when I’m a Doctor … but that seems like a long time away! I also did some Music papers with my degree which helped with my interest in songwriting, so I hope to develop that further too.
So far, I can offer this advice to those students graduating this year: go away for uni if you possibly can, get out of Auckland! If you have the opportunity to travel – take it! Keep in contact with your school friends, don’t lose touch when you leave school. Don’t get too stressed out at school; just enjoy it and work hard – that’s important practice for the future (and the stress that comes after school ends!). With all that in mind, you will look back and remember the camps, sports, productions and your friends long after you’ve forgotten what marks you got.”
Ananth Gopal Alumni 2005
 We've heard from Ananth Gopal who was a Kristin student from 2001 to 2005. He is now in Melbourne doing a BA in Geography and Literature with a Diploma in Spanish. A number of Kristin Alumni are living there and he tells us they keep in touch with each other. In addition to a heavy university workload, Ananth is also attempting to establish himself as a professional actor in Melbourne. Good luck with the challenge Ananth.
Kirsten Gray Alumni 2005
 My name is Kirsten Gray, and I was a student at Kristin School between 1999 and 2005. When I left school it was my intention to study law at Auckland University. I did so for a year but found the course did not suit me personally; I always wanted to study overseas, and Melbourne University had (and continues to have) a fantastic reputation for law.
With the support of my parents I had the privilege to make the rather scary but very exciting move to Melbourne. I now study law and arts at Melbourne University and I have never regretted the decision. The course, particularly law, is fantastic: I have highly stimulating lectures, genuinely interested teachers and a renewed passion for the law! I have also had the opportunity to meet a fantastic bunch of diverse students – both at university and the residential college where I live – from many corners of the globe.
Melbourne is a busy and creative city to live in. I especially enjoy the amount of theatre that is always taking place; there are so many opportunities to watch and participate in all aspects of the performing arts.
I hope when I finish my degree to work in the legal profession, in what area or capacity I am at this stage unsure, but I know I have found something I am passionate about. My years at Kristin stimulated an ingrained interest in social and economic inequality, which has developed during my time here. I think the greatest lesson I took from my time as a prefect was Mr Clague’s words that leadership is service. While the competition between students here is stiff and the workload at time seems insurmountable, knowing that I am learning the tools to help myself, and eventually to help others who perhaps never had the opportunities that I have, is reward enough. Kristin taught me the skills to cope with life and study after school; in particular the opportunity to study the International Baccalaureate prepared me for the intensity of a university workload.
To the 2008 students of Kristin, enjoy your time at school and take advantage of all that is offered; afterwards it seems to have passed all too fleetingly. To this year’s graduates, I hope to see some of you in Melbourne next year!
Blake Hansen Alumni 2005
 Blake Hansen was a Kristin student from 1992 to1998 and 2001 to 2005. With fond memories of all the extra-curricular activities he participated in at school: Basketball, Cricket, the Jazz Band, productions and being a Prefect, he has now updated us on the many highlights of his tertiary years so far.
“I am the 42nd Girdlers’ Scholar and I have recently finished my third year of four years studying Biochemistry at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
“Next year I will be doing my masters research in HIV-2 viral replication but recently I have been studying my Part II Biochemistry Tripos research dissertation on fragment-based drug design for tuberculosis. I requested to work on this project because I discovered that Sir Tom Blundell, my lab’s director, had worked in many areas I am passionate about working in in the future. He was previously a world authority on HIV (hence the ‘Sir’) and adviser to the government on scientific issues. I originally drew alongside him to request to work on HIV but he suggested this TB project. His initial enthusiasm for taking me on stemmed from some time I spent in Zambia. I am incredibly thankful for working under him, and gaining his experience and advice on how to proceed with future careers. He has also helped me to secure my Part III project on HIV-2 viral replication.
“One of the biggest differences from my previous experiences in education, which I have embraced in Cambridge, is the encouragement from peers to follow my academic passions. Simply put, nerdiness isn’t discouraged! I have relished the chance to begin forming my own opinions on scientific matters.
“In my own time, I am involved with two charities: Oakington Friends Group and Street Pastors and it has been encouraging to see how both have matured during my involvement.
“My youth group also continues to grow in leaps and bounds, with the young people growing in relationships with each other, and with us, the leaders. We took them for a night away in Radlett, all staying in a single house, playing games and teaching from Scripture. We held a photo treasure hunt around the village, a mini-Olympics and played lots of games like ‘Spotlight’ in the dark. As a leader, I was so pleased to see the kids really enjoy the weekend, and to see how the weekend improved the way that they all related to each other on future Sunday evening youth groups. Currently the youth group is in a stage of transition; we have brought in three new leaders to work with the increasing number of
youth coming along. Sadly, 2009/2010 will be my final year with the group.
“Over the Easter vacation, I worked for Corpus Christi College on their telephone fundraising campaign. It wasn’t all asking for money; I was able to have some pretty fun conversations with Cambridge Alumni: quizzing the vice-president of BP in North America on his thoughts about business in the future, and speaking to a woman who has just returned from Morocco about her experiences of the transition from Africa to England.
“Thankfully, less than half of my friends are graduating this year, so I will still have many returning, and those who are leaving Cambridge are still well within visiting distance. It is actually pretty exciting having friends scattered all over England, ripe for the visiting.
“Since leaving New Zealand, I have set foot on all five continents and I look forward to spending the remainder of the northern summer volunteering in Southern Africa before returning for my final year of study. I will be volunteering with two other friends from Church in Namibia and South Africa. We’ll be working with Scripture Union on their holiday youth programme in Namibia for four weeks. The remaining two weeks we will be with Campus Crusade for Christ in Johannesburg. In both places, we will be sharing the Gospel.
“I am looking forward to learning more about how Africa will incorporate into my future plans, and how I can marry HIV research and advocacy. As I approach my final year, I am aware I need to begin thinking about what happens next – I am happily dreaming about how I can fight for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves and feel heavily directed into HIV research.”
We are sure that with these goals in mind, Blake will encounter many more highlights and we wish him well.
Katie King Alumni 2005
 Katie King left Kristin School at the end of 2005. During her time here she achieved many MVP awards, played in and captained the Senior One team, and won the Sportsperson Cup. She coached teams as well, some of her budding young netballers are still at Kristin, following in her footsteps. Katie now attends Victoria University in Wellington where she continues to succeed in her netball career as well as completing her tertiary study.
In my last year at Kristin in 2005, I decided to give netball a good shot and see how far I could get with it. I made the U21 New Zealand squad late in 2005 which was an amazing opportunity and, as a result of being a New Zealand U21, I was awarded a Prime Minister's Scholarship to cover my university fees in 2006.
However, later in 2006, I was dropped for selection into the NZ U21 travelling team. On the back of this came disappointment that I did not make the cut for the Force, and then later in the year I missed out on selection for the North Harbour NPC1 team.
Though I was enjoying club and representative level netball at North Harbour, I decided a move to Wellington would open up new and exciting opportunities for my netball and to date it has. At the beginning of the year I was in the Shakers squad and then I was fortunate enough to have former Australian coach Jill McIntosh coach me for a while before making the Wellington NPC1 side which competed at nationals in September. I was awarded a Wellington Netball/Victoria University Scholarship to cover a large portion of my university fees.
After exams, it's back to Auckland for the off-season over summer and then I intend trialling for the Wellington based Trans Tasman Trophy side which is due to start its first season in 2008, replacing the National Bank Cup.
Bridget Venning Alumni 2005
You can’t blame a girl for looking forward to moving out of home when it’s to move in with her good school friend, especially when that’s not the only focus that they share. Bridget Venning and Hannah Collins from the class of 2005 are now flatting together in Auckland and both have found their passion for a promising medical career.
“I (Bridget Venning) attended Kristin for my Senior School years from 2003 to 2005. I was involved in lots of sports teams during that time, and had a place on the Sports Committee, which made school busy but fun. As I completed my Secondary education I was becoming interested in a career in health care, I had enjoyed Biology and PE at school (I have fond memories of Year 13 PE class with Mr Hayes) and it seemed appropriate that a career path which involved a mix of these subjects would be a good idea. Indeed, that was a good move. Now, I am a Nurse at Starship Children’s Hospital and I am loving it! I completed my Bachelor of Nursing (from the University of Auckland) at the end of 2008 and began work in early 2009. This year I’m also studying part-time towards Honours in Nursing.
So it has continued to be a busy time since leaving Kristin. I remember the highlights being: seeing all my friends every day, chemistry experiments with Mrs Pugh, the common room and field trips, but, since then, I have travelled around Europe this past summer, I’ve met lots of new friends at university, I have completed my degree, obtained Honours and moved out of home (no offence Mum).
Looking to the future, I would love to nurse in developing nations and use my skills in areas where they are needed most. To all Kristin students, my first advice is to be a Nurse! Most importantly, though, enjoy school while you are there and get involved, after school do something you love, and travel.”
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