Students consider options

Some Marlborough school-leavers were put off studying in Christchurch after earthquakes this year, but others say the quakes didn't affect their decision about where to study.

Queen Charlotte College head boy Robert Riach wanted to go to Canterbury University, but changed his mind after reading the university was cutting staff and that many students left after the February earthquake.

"I was actually really keen on going to Canterbury because there was a really cool scholarship I could have got, but in light of what happened it just wasn't possible," he said.

Instead, Robert is going to study towards a Bachelor of Arts in history, Japanese and music at Victoria University in Wellington.

"Wellington is close to home, just a ferry away. It's also the hub of music in New Zealand which is a big drawcard and a lot of my mates are going there," he said.

Queen Charlotte College head girl Alora Johnson always intended going to Canterbury University until the earthquake happened.

"I hate earthquakes. I don't mind that the city is destroyed [which has affected the social life] but earthquakes freak me out. I couldn't live in a place like that," she said.

Alora plans to study a bachelor of law and bachelor of arts, majoring in political science and international diplomacy at Victoria University.

But the quakes won't stop Marlborough Boys' College leaver Emilio Dell-Yaxley, 18, from returning to his hometown to study a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at primary level at Canterbury University.

Emilio moved from Christchurch to Blenheim three years ago.

"[People] talk about how the social life isn't as good anymore, but in the end life is what you make it. I'm sure there's plenty of opportunities there – we'll just see how it goes."

Primary school teaching seemed like a "good fun degree and profession" and schools he had spoken to were interested in hiring more male teachers, he said.

Shannon Hawkey, 18, said she was one of about five Marlborough Girls' College pupils she knew heading to Christchurch.

"For them, they're going to Canterbury because they got scholarships and it's best suited to what they were studying."

Shannon will be studying Performing Arts at Hagley Community College, in Christchurch, with the aim of acting on screen and stage.

The year-long course would hopefully be a stepping stone into the New Zealand Drama School Toi Whakaari, she said.

Shannon considered studying in Sydney, but staying in the same island as her family was a drawcard.

"It means I can come up [to Marlborough] on weekends, get some food and come back."

Auckland University was the clear choice for Marlborough Girls' College head girl Lily Sullivan who plans to study a bachelor of science in biomedical science.

She went on a two-week Science and Technology Forum in January at Auckland University which gives potential students a look at life at the university

Lily had considered Otago University, but Auckland appealed more.

Claudia van Velthooven was deciding between going to Auckland and Wellington, but being closer to Marlborough tipped the balance. The girls' college pupil will be studying architecture at Victoria University.

She said the course was meant to be really good and being near home was important. A lot of her friends were going to Dunedin and to Wellington to study.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG AND TANIA BUTTERFIELD