2009 Fianna Scholarship Recipients, Kaydn Webster (left) and Harry Murphy (right)

Trust selects Westlake Boys students for Outward Bound

Story – with compliments of: Gail King, Managing Director - Word Sense Limited, Corporate writing and communication services

Each year, the Fianna Scholarship sends two outstanding North Shore students to Outward Bound. The 2009 winners are two Westlake Boys High School students, Harry Murphy and Kaydn Webster.

Funded by St Patrick’s Day Golf Classic Charitable Trust, The Fianna Scholarship was established in 2003and has already changed the lives of more than a dozen young students from North Shore secondary schools.

Harry Murphy (17) and Kaydn Webster (16) are this year’s recipients: the boys will participate in the21-day Mind, Body and Soul Outward Bound course at Anakiwa in January.  The course is specially designed for 16to 18-year-olds, providing them with new outdoor skills such as sailing,kayaking and navigation.

Says Trust spokesman Bob Nelligan: “Without exception, everyone who has attended the course through the Fianna Scholarship has benefitted enormously. It has stretched them way beyond their comfort zones and helped them recognise their potential”.

Though the Trust nominates the school to receive the scholarships each year, the school selects the recipients.  Westlake Boys deputy headmaster David Ferguson says: “Kaydn Webster and Harry Murphy were selected because the school felt they would benefit from such a fabulous opportunity. It’s hoped that it will help develop the boy’s leadership potential and that they will experience lifelong benefits. “

Kaydn intends to enjoy every moment, describing the scholarship as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.  He says: “It was a pretty big compliment to get selected and it felt really good”.  He is looking forward to stretching himself on the physical challenges and developing leadership skills.

Sport plays an important part in Kaydn’s life, particularly surfing and rugby. He surfs regularly all year round at Muriwai and Piha and on Fijian holidays with his family, and has represented the school.  As a member of the Westlake surf team, he was third in the Auckland event of the2009 National Scholastic Surfing Champs. A regular rugby representative for Westlake Boys, he played in the 2ndXV last season and next year hopes to take up club rugby.

His surprise at selection for the scholarship was echoed by Harry Murphy. “I was stoked and so happy.”says Harry who is excited at seeing how far he can push himself on the physical challenges offered by the programme. He is hoping the experience will increase his confidence and give him more insight into choices for the future.

Outdoor pursuits are already a passion for Harry. He is an experienced rock climber and caver, and regularly takes part in camping trips with friends and with his personal mentor from Holy Trinity Church in Devonport which he attends with his family.  A committed Christian, Harry is also a regular at Windsor Park Baptist Church where he teaches Sunday School. He was involved in Westlake’s Mentoring Programme this year.

Harry also plays soccer and badminton, is a keen singer and was a member of Westlake’s Voicemale, which took silver at Big Sing, the NZ Choral Federation Annual Secondary Schools Choral Festival in Dunedin in August.

 
In past years, the StPatrick’s Day Golf Classic Charitable Trust has funded students from Rosmini College, Westlake Girls, Takapuna Grammar, Rangitoto College, Birkenhead College, Northcote College, Carmel College and Hato Petera.

“And, we are celebrating our 22st annual charity St Patrick’s Day Golf Classic on March 5 to raise funds for future scholarships,” says trustee Gary Monk.

Further details on the StPatrick’s Day Golf Classic Charitable Trust and the event are available at: www.stpatricksgolftrust.co.nz