North Canterbury News: June 10, 2021

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ARA INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY
Free computing
course delivers
unexpected benefits
A simple desire to become more digital
savvy has opened aworld of possibilities for
businessowner ThomasKing.
Aco-director ofalogistics business for 20
years, Thomas has seen huge changes in the
waybusinessisconducted.
“The world is rapidly changing and to keep
pace with it, having some confidence and
competence in computing iscrucial,” hesays.
“I realised that I’d have toembrace this new
tech-driven world sooner orlater, and now
here Iamtoday,lovingwhatIonce feared.”
Thomas took his first steps incomputing at
Ara Connect which offers free, non-assessed
computingcourses foranyonewanting to gain
skillsand confidenceusingdigital technology.
Thomas says the tutors at Ara Connect
welcomedhimwarmly, madelearning
an enjoyable experience and were
very supportive. “Ifelt soinspired
during my journey. The tutors want
you tosucceed and they encourage
you to push your boundaries without
ever throwing youinthe deep end.”
Discovering something new and
amazing every time he got on a
computer was one of the things
Thomasenjoyed most about his time
at Ara. “There are some amazing
apps and software out there.
I’ve especially fallen in love with
collaboration tools which can help
y
me complete ahost ofproject management
tasks.”
Thomas isnow considering further study
and possibly acomplete career change. “I’m
keeping myoptions open but afuture inIT
is becoming more likely for me with every
passingday.”
His advice for anyone else considering the
computing courses at Ara Connect is to just
go forit. “Knowing howtouse computerscan
make life so much easier. Icertainly wish I’d
taken courses like these two decades ago. My
advice is to pluck upthe courage and just go
forit.”
Ara Connect has ahub at Rangiora High
School. To find out more, visit ara.ac.nz or
call 0800242476.
NEWS
20 North Canterbury News, June 10, 2021
Alexandra’smusical
talents to the fore
By SHELLEY TOPP
Alexandra Watson, the North
Canterbury Academy of Music’s new
musical director,looks forward to
inspiring youngmusicians in her new
role.
The high­achieving young musician,
who was born in England but now lives
in Ohokawith her parents,was
delightedtoaccept her new role and is
uniquelyqualified to excel in it.
Alexandra,aged 20, has played six
instruments —piano, voice,violin, cello,
flute and harp —from ayoung age.
‘‘While in the United Kingdom Isang
withthe National Youth Choir of Great
BritainGirls’ Choir, recording Benjamin
Britten’s ACeremonyofCarols as part of
aCD, AFestival of Britten,’’ Alexandra
said.
‘‘Following our move to New Zealand
in 2013 Ijoinedthe University of
Canterbury Chamber Choir Consortia
and played violin withthe Christchurch
Youth Orchestra.’’
She graduatedwith aBachelor of
Science (mathematics) in 2020 and is
completingaBachelorofMusic
(classical voice) thisyear.
‘‘I then plan to complete my Honours
followed by my Masters at theUniversity
of Canterbury,studying performance in
composition.’’
Alexandra has also been composing
music for severalyearsand has released
recordings of bothclassical and
contemporaryoriginal songs. She plays
cellowith Secret Sinfonia,aUniversity
of Canterbury student­ledorchestra
bridging the gap between youth
orchestrasand professional musicians,
andhas sung with the Seasoning
Ensemble,aNew Zealand baroque
musicchamberensemble.
She enjoys different music genres,
from classical to contemporary, and
musical theatre.
She recently performed with the
University of Canterbury Voices singing
groupduring its second concert in the
Chamber Galleryinthe Rangiora
Library. Alexandraalso has alove of
flying and gained her privatepilot’s
licence in 2019, at 17.
She aimstocomplete her commercial
pilot’s licencethis year.
She alsoenjoysaerobatics, whichis
supported by her enjoyment of
Musical director ... Alexandra Watson,
aged 20, of Ohoka, was appointed musical
director of the North Canterbury Academy
of Music earlierthis year. PHOTO: SHELLEYTOPP
trampolining, as bothrequire spacial
awareness.
Alexandracoaches at ICE Trampoline
in Rangiora on Saturday mornings and
competes in the sport at junior
international level.
Sheisthe youngestpersontobe
appointed musical director at the North
Canterbury Academy of Music.
Alexandra hopes to encourage
studentsatthe academy to gain
confidencetoperform individuallyand
in smallensembles.
She looks forward to the academy’s
Orchestral Weekend(on June 18 and
June19). ‘‘I am encouragingall students
frombeginners to students to join us.’’
Trust funds two Outward Bound courses
Explorethisoption
todayatara.ac.nz
By ROBYN BRISTOW
Funds from Transwaste, the owner of
the Kate Valley Landfill, will help two
young Waipara community members
attend an Outward Bound course at
Anakiwa.
Kate Valley Landfill Community
Trust chairman Julian Ball says
sponsoring Ethan Trethowen and
Danielle Love to do the 21­day course
was anew approach for the trust.
In the past, funds granted by
Transwaste to the trust, which total
about $80,000, had gone toward capital
Dates for Matariki night walks in park
The dates published in the May 27 edition
of the NorthCanterbury News for the
Matariki guided night walksatTuhaitara
Coastal park wereincorrect.
The night walks willbeheld on Wednesday,
June30, and Wednesday,July 7.
‘‘We are timing the launching of anew
cluster of nine biotanode ponds at the
park during Matariki,’’ park ranger Adele
Jackson said.
‘‘Thelayoutofthe new pond cluster will
projects within the community, and
sports uniforms.
‘‘For the first time this year we
decided to start and invest in people.’’
It called for expressions of interest
from young people aged 16 to 26 to
attend the course fully funded.
Two nominations were received, and
both were interviewed.
Believing the course would benefit
both candidates, the trust opted to fund
both of them.
The remaining funds will be
distributed to community projects, and
worthwhile causes.
mirror the arrangement of starsinthe
Matariki cluster, with each individual
biotanode named after the star it
represents.
‘‘Theplanting choices at each node will
take inspiration from the story and
meanings associatedwitheach of the
individualstars.’’
For more information on the night
walks, contact Adele on (021)0260 6676or
at thepark office on (03)313 1768.