Through learning, exploring, and seeking knowledge, students unlock doors to endless possibilities.

Isabella McNaught is an example of a student making the most of the opportunities provided here at Roncalli College. We asked Isabella to list what she has been involved with and how she found out about these opportunities. Thank you Isabella, we know this will inspire and encourage other students.

• I applied and got into the Junior Academy of the New York Academy of Sciences. Here I work with other high school students all over the world to design innovative solutions to some of the world's challenges. This was advertised as a poster in the science classrooms, I didn't think I would get in but I applied anyway and now have been a member for 3 years. (2020 - 2023)
• An opportunity came up to help out a Pasifika family by walking their children to school in the morning. Instead of viewing the fact that I live in Temuka as an excuse, I took the approach that it was a strength. My bus gets to school early and because of this I had time to walk to their house, to Sacred Heart and then back for class, plus I got to meet some amazing little girls who brightened my day. (2021 & 2022)
• STEMinism was a talk hosted by UC that I attended which greatly helped me with deciding on my path of tertiary study. This was advertised in the notices and was completely free. (2022)
• I participated in the GirlBoss Primary Industries programme. In this 10-day online course I was part of 300 other girls around NZ who got to learn the basics of putting yourself out there for career opportunities. We were talked to by multiple different influential characters in the industry with the opportunity for one on one sessions too. In the last 4 days we were given a problem within the primary industry to fix. I came up with an initiative and ways to implement my idea and was a finalist. (2022)
• I am the student representative on our College Board. I attend meetings once a month and have gotten to know the ins and outs of a school that is so important to me. I have developed many skills in this position and it has set me up really well for going off into the “real world”. (2022 - 2023). If you would like information about coming our next Student representative, please ask.

• I went to the University of Canterbury for a week and was part of a five day Science camp. We stayed in the halls, went to classes and got to experience what it was like to be a uni student for a few days. (2022 December)
• I went to the University of Otago for a week and completed a taster course for Food science. While I was there I was also able to experience other courses such as politics, sports science, biochemistry and more. Once again I got to see what being a uni student would be like and was able to make decisions regarding my future. Hands-On Otago was advertised in our notices and with posters around school, Roncalli even supplied some funding for me to attend. (2023 January)
• For flex I have been to the hospital in the Medlab unit as this is something I'm interested in after high school. I volunteer my time at St Vinnies for three hours every afternoon and also do loaves and fishes, a free lunch service for the parishioners. (2023)

• This year I participated in the GirlBoss HealthCare programme, it was slightly bigger this time with approx 700 people! With the healthcare industry something I had already decided to go into, this course cemented my decision and opened my eyes to the change that I could make. Similar to the primary industries course we were spoken to by different people within the healthcare field and I took so much out of my one on one sessions. Once again, we were given a problem with the healthcare industry and 4 days to come up with a solution to this. I was very passionate about this challenge and ended up coming away as a winner. (2023 April)
• My most recent accomplishment was securing a place and a scholarship for a three week Outward Bound course. Once again, I discovered this through the notices. This course changed my outlook on life and helped me develop new relationships and strengthen existing ones. (2023 June)

Well done Isabella, you have been proactive and maximised your learning experience, making the most of the opportunities that came your way.  You have taken the initiative to seek out new experiences and broaden your horizons. You have embraced challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. A great example of becoming the best version of yourself!