Eve Jolly - World Vision Advocacy Officer

Years at Woodford House: 1996 - 2000
After starting out working in commercial law, Eve has since gone on to live and work in Cyprus for World Vision as an advocacy officer for the Middle East and Eastern Europe region. With the life skills gained from being a student at Woodford House, Eve has faced all of the challenges that life has put in front of her with confidence.

What was it like to be a student at Woodford House?

My friends and I often talk about the ‘Woodford family’ that comes out of being a student at Woodford. Woodford was one of those schools where you make a lot of close friendships that stay with you throughout life. That feeling is really special - to the extent that when we get together we talk about how Woodford is still an influential part of our lives. I think that is really special and I feel really fortunate to have experienced it.

Why did you choose to go to Woodford House?

My grandmother and my mother both went to Woodford so there was a tradition of going there, which is really special. It wasn’t something I was forced to do, but the family connection, and the fact that it is a really good school, meant that I wanted to go there.

What are you doing now?

I’m now living in Cyprus where I am as an advocacy officer for World Vision’s Middle East and Eastern Europe regional office. The projects that I work on deal with child welfare reform in Eastern Europe, where we influence government policies to benefit vulnerable children, particularly those living in orphanages. It is really inspirational work, and I get to work with people from all over the world, which is an amazing experience.

How did you get involved with World Vision?

I was working in a commercial law firm, but I didn’t enjoy it, and I wanted to find a job that balanced what I am good at doing with what I like doing. So I completed some volunteer work in Georgia and I started meeting people who were working for World Vision. When a job came up with them I was available, so I flew to Cyprus for the interview and things just developed from there.

How did being a student at Woodford House help you get where you are today?

I wasn’t by any means someone that excelled in any one area, but being at Woodford taught me that it is just as important to participate in things that you aren’t good at, as it is to be involved in things that you are good at. In my career I’ve often found myself faced with tasks that I’ve had to accomplish without having a huge depth of knowledge or resources. Woodford helped me deal with the challenges I’ve come across in life and to face them with resilience and confidence.

What are your favourite memories of being at Woodford House?

The House music was always one of the most special times for me while I was at Woodford. It was always so much fun and it allowed the girls to be creative and feel independent. It was never hard to get people involved in any of the House activities, and so it was one of those times where everyone had the opportunity to have fun together.

What advice do you have for students going to Woodford House?

Participate. Honestly, when you have an environment as supportive as Woodford, you should push yourself to do things you wouldn’t otherwise choose to do.

Lisa Wilson - Photographer and owner of Lisa Wilson Photography

Years at Woodford House: 1984 – 1988
Lisa Wilson is a successful Woodford House graduate who spent time living and working overseas before settling back in New Zealand to start a family. With the knowledge and confidence she gained from Woodford House Lisa has now set up her own successful photography company, Lisa Wilson Photography.

What was it like to be a student at Woodford House?

When I went to Woodford I was confronted with so many opportunities, and I learnt very quickly how to fit everything in that I possibly could. Woodford House was a really rewarding experience because it made me strive to achieve. At Woodford it was about being the best you can be, and it was about looking for opportunities and using resources.

What are your favourite memories from your time at Woodford House?

I used to love going back to the boarders rooms and spending time with them. We would sit and talk and laugh and carry on. It was a homely thing, rather than just going to school.
And of course, there were also the plays, the drama, and the school music. The adults would come to watch and those evenings were always really special.

Was there a teacher that inspired you?

I really enjoyed Mr. Bowler, the music teacher. When he arrived and I saw what he did with the senior choir, and how amazing they were, I joined it. He gave us all respect on a personal level and he really encouraged me to strive to achieve my goals.

What are you doing now?

I’ve got three boys aged seven, five and three and I'm currently building up my own business, Lisa Wilson Photography. I am mainly a wedding photographer, but I also do some event work, fashion and a few portraits. But, because I'm passionate about photography I don’t really see it as work.

Did you work as a photographer right after you graduated from Woodford House?

I've had quite a long journey in developing my career since leaving Woodford. When I left I went to the University of Otago and graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education. I started out working as a personal trainer, but I decided that it wasn't a long-term career opportunity for me. So, I went to work for ACC and I spent two and a half years working for them. It was really interesting because my job there used a lot of the skills I learnt at Woodford. When I left ACC, my partner and I decided to travel overseas and we ended up living in London for eight years. It wasn’t until I chose to come back to New Zealand to have a family that I decided to set up my own business as a professional photographer, which is my passion.

How did your time as a student at Woodford House help you achieve your dreams?

When I left Woodford in seventh form I won the Industry Prize, which is a prize for being a hard worker. I think it was in part because I was the Head of Day Girls and I organised a lot of fundraisers. I learned at Woodford how to find a solution with the resources that were available in a situation, and that has helped me my whole life.

What advice would you give to a student who will be attending Woodford House?

Woodford is a really special school. Grab the opportunities that it offers and run with them; don't let your time there pass you by. You have so many resources available to you at Woodford and it is really about trying them all.

Dr. Louise Speedy - Registrar, Anaesthesia

Years at Woodford House: 1991 - 1995
Since graduating from Woodford House, Louise has spent time as a doctor in both New Zealand and Afghanistan. Louise feels that Woodford House was more than just an education, it was an experience that helped her to become a successful, well-rounded person.

What was it like to be a student at Woodford House?

At Woodford, you are exposed to so many opportunities and there are no limitations placed on what you can achieve. It is expected that you look around at the opportunities available at the school and, if there is something you like, you give it a go. I found that diversity of opportunities was always quite inspiring.

Why did you choose to go to Woodford House?

My parents were impressed with the school's values and the academic performance of the students. The school aims to provide more than just an academic education; it also aims to produce well-rounded individuals. Those extra things that Woodford develops are not something you can teach; it's more about the type of guidance provided.

What sort of activities did you do while you were at Woodford House?

I played cricket, volleyball and netball. I also really enjoyed the competitive House activities like music and drama. We put hours of preparation into the House activities and there was a lot of pride felt in achieving for your House.

What are your favourite memories of being at Woodford House?

One of the highlights of the year for me was school swimming sports, and that is partly because of the setting of the pool, which is at the bottom of a natural amphitheatre. With all of the students and parents sitting around the pool, it is very hard for the focus to be anywhere but the pool. It is also a competitive House event, so everyone sits around the pool with their Houses, singing whatever chant they have come up with for the swimming sports. That was always a very exciting day.

Do you have any teachers that you remember vividly from Woodford House?

At Woodford, we had many inspiring teachers who clearly enjoyed teaching. I remember our physics teacher, Mr. Cooke, because he was absolutely passionate about teaching. I still remember changing all of the tyres on his ute because we were learning about torque and learning that changing bolts with a short wrench is hard work but with a long handled wrench, it isn’t. And also, as young women, he felt we needed to be able to change tyres ourselves!

What have you been doing since graduating from Woodford House?

I graduated from medical school in 2002 and have worked mainly in the New Zealand hospital system. I’ve also worked in military medicine with the NZ Army, which I joined while I was at medical school as a territorial to meet a different group of people. I recently had the chance to go overseas with the NZ Army to Afghanistan. Where I went was the safest place in Afghanistan and I was really lucky because it was so beautiful. I really enjoyed the job, which most of the time was looking after the New Zealand soldiers and the local employees whom we had working with us in the camp. Then there was also the public health work, where we worked with local officials to build capacity and provide sustainable resources for the people living in Afghanistan.

Lucy Turner - Student at the University of Otago, currently on exchange in Paris, France

Years at Woodford House: 2002 - 2006
Lucy Turner is a Woodford House graduate in her third year of a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at the University of Otago. She is currently on exchange at HEC Paris, one of Europe’s finest business schools, and with the skills and confidence she learned at Woodford House, Lucy is excelling at university and working towards her dream of working for an international French company.

Did you enjoy being a student at Woodford House?

Woodford is a wonderful school. The environment is incredibly nurturing and supportive, and I feel that after being a student at Woodford I will always have a special relationship with the school and the students there.

Did you make a lot of friends when you went to Woodford House?

Whilst at Woodford I made some very precious, life-long friends. The girls that I went to school with will always be special to me because we went through so much together and shared so many memories.

What are your favourite memories of Woodford House?

I have lots of happy memories from school – House Music was always great and provided the opportunity for the whole House to get creative and have fun together. Other House events such as House drama and lots of the sports days like swimming sports, cross country and athletics were also fantastic, complete with a healthy competitive atmosphere! Other lovely occasions were carol service, Christmas dinner, music concerts and also the summer ball and leavers’ ball.

What sort of activities did you do while you were at Woodford House?

There is so much to get involved in at Woodford. I was always busy with lots of cultural activities at Woodford - I was in the Chapel choir, and I played the piano and the saxophone. I also loved being involved in House music, House Drama and regular school productions. I also played tennis and netball.

What did you do when you graduated from Woodford House?

As soon as I finished my seventh form I went on a gap year to the United Kingdom and I worked at a beautiful, very prestigious school called Oakham School in Rutland Water. While I was there I worked mainly with the intermediate aged children and the performing arts departments of the school. It was a fantastic experience. I got to join the choir on a trip to Italy and went to Scandinavia with a drama production. It was one of those situations where you got out what you put in.

What are you doing now?

I’m currently on an exchange at a university called École Des Hautes Études Commercials de Paris, in France, where I’m studying a selection of international business subjects as well as French. The school is a very reputable business school with a strength in marketing, which is my area of interest and the focus of my major, so I am very lucky and excited to be here. So far it has been an incredible experience; one that has broadened my perspective on the world, encouraged personal growth and independence, allowed for immersion in another culture and hopefully enhanced my academic studies and ultimately, career prospects.

What are you hoping to do when you graduate from university?

I would love to combine my French with marketing/international business and work for a French company such as L’Oréal, Nestlé or LVMH.

How is the experience you had at Woodford House helping you to achieve your dreams?

Because of the supportive environment, Woodford is a wonderful school for gaining personal confidence. There is such an exciting array of opportunities on offer that are there to be wholeheartedly embraced. Citizenship, loyalty and participation in the community are encouraged, and excellence is rewarded. Students are challenged to think more broadly and set goals – at Woodford, it really is a case of girls can do anything.

What advice would you give to a student who will be attending Woodford House?

I would say to go with an open mind and an open heart. Just be yourself and get involved as much as you can because you really do reap the rewards.