Ex-Hagley student Ava Trevella is enjoying her first year as a fine arts student at Canterbury University and believes she made it there thanks in no small part to the Catch up College summer programme offered each year, here at Hagley.

Ava is keen to dispel some of the stigma around taking Catch-up College. “'Summer school’ sounds like a place for drop outs", she says; "however I wasn’t a drop out, I was a relatively good student and had been well supported by teachers like Brenda in Art; I had even been granted a scholarship for University. I had simply underestimated my work load and should have put more energy into particular subjects instead of completely favouring the ones which came most naturally.”

“When I got my level 3 NCEA results I found that I was short of credits for UE. I was so gutted as I thought I wouldn’t be able to go to art school that year, but in Catch Up Naomi picked up on my passion for film and helped me get the credits in about a week! In the grand scheme of things, that week really influenced my future."

Ava says she was so determined to get her film completed and pass that she gave it her full focus which meant she was getting work done at a very fast pace and this has influenced her ongoing work ethic. “I had previously been put off by the technical aspects of film making. The ideas would start out great but then by the time I came to the physical process I was always disappointed with how things were turning out and then I would ‘give up’. However, by starting fine arts this year I have found that I work best on short time constraints for deadlines which keeps the momentum going as I am a very fast and enthusiastic worker when I want to be; however if I have too much time I get bored and rather lazy.”

Ava is currently undecided about which of the various fine arts she will major in over the coming years. “My mind is always changing. I went to art school with the intention of going into Painting, which I have a strong passion and flair for; however every art practice sounds very appealing to me and I'm loving them all. I know whatever one I choose for next year will be a strong decision and I am thankful that Hagley's Catch Up College gave me this opportunity.”

Click here to view a short film made by Ava.