Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial scholarship fund was augmented by donations from a 1985 function to honour two retiring School lecturers, Frances Cruickshank and Hillary Evison. Funds left over from the event were committed to a scholarship fund in the name of the founding director of the School. As Hillary and Frances had been 'practical physical education teachers' the scholarship was tagged to emphasise the applied aspects of physical education. Leftover funds from the School’s 50th reunion celebrations, donated via Rex Thomson, were also contributed. More recently a generous donation from the late Frances Cruickshank’s daughter and an injection of $8,000 in pledges from the School’s 60th Reunion dinner in Dunedin were received.
The existing scholarship funds have been transferred to the University of Otago's Foundation scholarship fund, yielding higher interest rates and increased benefits for donors. These funds are now 'ring-fenced' for Physical Education and enable alumni to donate to the scholarship fund while enjoying the usual tax benefits.
Donations
Download Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Fund pledge form
Applications
Application information is available from
the University of Otago Scholarships Office:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/database/otago014657.html
Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Scholar 2012
Timothy James Chambers
From an early age water has dominated Tim Chamber’s life. Hailing from Rongotai College, this third year student has an impressive resume in his chosen sport of waterpolo and has big plans for its future.
Tim has represented New Zealand at every level and has coached, administered, played and refereed in the sport. He credits family influences for his love of waterpolo. Tim’s family have even gone so far as to save, restore and manage a local pool in their Wellington community so that others can learn to swim and enjoy aquatic sports.
Academically Tim is a strong scholar who has helped tutor his peers through the challenging HUBs papers. He hopes to gain entry to honours research in 2013 where he will explore the pressures on athletes to play on, or return early when injured. After that he hopes to teach and coach to carry the message of physical education to New Zealanders. The Smithells philosophy is carried forward.
Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Scholar 2010
Bruno Reece Watkins
A gifted sportsperson and student, Bruno Watkins is in the final year of a Physical Education honours degree. His research is exploring the construction and expression of Mäori identity through aspects of Marae Touch.
At Whangarei Boys High School, Bruno was a prefect, a prominent sportsman and school leader. Amongst his many representative honours, his proudest achievement has been selection to the New Zealand under 17’s rugby squad. Today, he participates in anything that involves a ball, movement, vigorous physical activity or competition.
As well as aspiring to become a physical education teacher , Bruno intends to actively promote the ‘pleasure’ aspects of physical activity and human movement back in his Northland home community. He has recognised that the widespread health messages surrounding contemporary physical activity may not work for his community, and sees himself as a potential role model when he returns home to contribute to the far North.
With his commitment to sharing his physical activity passion and his critical appraisal of physical education, Bruno Watkins is a fitting scholarship recipient who exudes the Philip Smithells ethos and visions for Physical Education.
Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Scholar 2008
Abbie Claire Law
Abbie Claire Law is the inaugural recipient of the Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Scholarship, named to honour the founding Director and first Professor of the School of Physical Education. Abbie is in the final year of her Bachelor of Physical Education degree, and will also complete her Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) at the end of this year.
At secondary school, Abbie was Head Girl, school council member, peer mentor and peer leader at Cashmere High School, and took part in cultural exchange programmes in both Chile and Mexico.
Abbie has been a keen participant in sport and physical activity, her involvement in dance being especially noteworthy. However, she is also involved in netball, touch rugby, running and lawn bowls, is a KiwiSport leader, and holds surf survival and first aid qualifications. She is also a University of Otago tour guide.
A talented student, Abbie has obtained first class marks throughout her academic career, and is committed to a career in physical education befitting the winner of this scholarship named after one of the foremost figures in New Zealand physical education.
