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Issue 52 – February 2015 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
Opportunity of a Lifetime
S
he was selected for the eight month internship while
completing a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of
Physical Education with Honours at Otago University.
Kate, a Year 13 in 2010, was a keen sportswoman while at Queen
Margaret College and took on every new opportunity that presented
itself, including an exchange to Chile and an Outward Bound
Scholarship from the Old Girls’ Association.
Kate’s love of travel and adventure encouraged her to apply for
the Disney internship, a decision she says she does not regret.
At Walt Disney World she worked in operations where she
oversaw four rides in the Magic Kingdom, including Space
Mountain, one of Kate’s favourite rides. Her second role was as a
merchandise assistant working in Fantasyland.
Kate says the highlight of working at Walt Disney World was the
opportunity to make someone’s day.
“Seeing kids with huge smiles on their faces when they came off
a ride or when they were given their favourite princess dress.”
It was also a great opportunity for Kate to expand her own
knowledge and learn valuable new skills.
“These skills are invaluable and will help me in the future.”
After eight months Kate was not quite ready to come home so
she applied and received a student exchange to Western University
in Canada. At Western University in Canada she studied towards
her Bachelor of Physical Education degree for a semester completing
four courses, several which are not offered in New Zealand.
2014 was a busy year for Old Girl, Kate Sheedy, swapping her
university text books for theme park rides after she was chosen
for an internship at Walt Disney World Florida.
She even had the
opportunity to learn
how to play Ice Hockey
which she describes as
a great game. Kate was
able to join several
clubs,
including
the Outdoors Club.
Through the club Kate
went hiking, camping
and canoeing around
Canada.
The highlight of
Western University for Kate was being able to meet students from
all around the world.
“I was truly fortunate to meet so many fantastic people who will
be lifelong friends,” Kate comments.
This year Kate has returned to Otago University to complete her
studies with a goal in mind of also completing and attaining her
Chartered Accountancy qualification.
Kate’s adventures in 2014 have also motivated her to do more
travel in the future.
“These are experiences that I will remember forever, and I now
have the opportunity to travel around the world, meeting up and
staying with old friends I once studied with.”
World At Her Feet
S
hruti graduated from Queen Margaret College at the end of
2013 and was one of two students to achieve a perfect mark of
45 in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma studying
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, French and English.
The keen scholar earned a $70,000 scholarship to Monash
University in Melbourne to be used over the five years of her degree
in medicine.
Shruti says her first year at Monash has been a challenging but
incredible experience.
“Working with an exceptional group of people is very humbling,”
Shruti says.
“I did not know what to expect but it has been amazing.”
Shruti admits starting university was a big change.
“I started at Queen Margaret College in preps…I had spent all
my life there.”
She says her first year has been interesting, even getting the
opportunity to practise what she has learnt on fake patients.
“It is different to anything I have done before but I love it…the
course is fantastic.”
A year into her university degree Queen Margaret College Old Girl,
Shruti Iyer, is making waves over the Tasman.
The workload may be greater
but Shruti says her IB Diploma
experience has made the
transition easier.
She explains the holistic
nature of the IB Diploma gave
her a well-rounded education
helping to prepare her for
university.
The IB Diploma has also
taught Shruti about herself as a learner.
“It certainly teaches you how to be efficient,” Shruti says.
“I have learnt there is no such thing as too much hard work.”
As part of the IB Diploma, Shruti completed an extended
essay in the field of Biology, and she says the experience was great
preparation for research at university.
Shruti says she has been lucky for the support she received from
her parents and Queen Margaret College.
“They set me up to dream big…I am very grateful.”
Kate Sheedy
Shruti Iyer
