Grants ease study burden

ACHIEVERS: Kuranui College students Elizabeth Simpson, Izabelle Brown, Paris Mason and Civic Cruz. PHOTOS/CATHERINE ROSSITER-STEAD

A number of Year 13 students will be leaving Kuranui College this year with a financial boost to help them with their tertiary studies.

For one lucky student there's a chance to perform at the Globe Theatre in London.

Paris Mason's tuition and accommodation fees will be paid for over the next three years after being awarded a substantial Girls Friendly Society (GFS) scholarship.

This special award is given to an outstanding young woman living in the greater Wellington region.

The GFS Trust was set up 125 years ago to provide safe housing for young women settling in Wellington from England.

"My parents applied for the scholarship on my behalf, so I'm very grateful to them," said Paris.

"I want to study musical theatre at Whiteria, to learn dance, drama and singing.

"I hope to get my diploma in performing arts then go on to do a bachelor in performing arts.

"After that I would like to spend some time working on the cruise ships."

Having been given a place at Victoria University, Izabelle Brown, Emma Croskery and Elizabeth Simpson have been awarded Excellence Scholarships of $5000 each to help with the cost of their first year of study.

Callum Skinner will be heading to Massey University supported by a $3000 High Achiever Scholarship.

These scholarships are given to students who gained excellence endorsements at NCEA Level 2.

Lewis McCoshim and Callum Skinner are also the recipients of this year's Martinborough Fair Trust Bursaries and Trophy that provides $4500 to each student to assist them with their tertiary studies.

Year 13 student Civic Cruz will be heading off to the Globe Theatre in London next July with the New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company.

"Back in April I got direct entry for National Shakespeare Schools Production and then I went to Dunedin to compete for a place to go to represent New Zealand to perform at the Globe Theatre in London," he said.

"They select 48 students from all over New Zealand and then half of those to go to the UK as members of the New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company 2015.

"I will have to get the money myself to pay for the trip, but next year I'm taking a gap year out to concentrate on working so I can attend the Globe. Kuranui are going on a history trip to Vietnam in September, so I'm also hoping to go along as an adult helper. The year after that I want to go to Whiteria to study musical theatre," he added.