In Residence Programme

St Cuthbert’s College understands the value of bringing experienced professionals on-site to encourage, inspire and teach our students at a level beyond normal teaching expertise.   
The In Residence Programme gives art and English students the opportunity to work alongside, and be mentored by working professionals.
The artist in residence has a studio, where students can observe the processes and procedures used by artists in creating works.
The writer in residence spends around two weeks at the school running workshops with students from both the junior and the senior school.

Artist in Residence-Peter Madden

During June the College was fortunate to have Peter Madden as artist in residence. He worked with groups of senior students, discussing their photography assignments in general and photo collages in particular, which are his speciality now although his artistic origins lie in sculpture.
Tessa Laird probably summed the New Zealand artist up best when she wrote in The Listener:
“To say that Madden cuts up and rearranges photographs from National Geographic magazine is like saying that Hendrix played the guitar. Madden is an artist who clearly doesn’t know when to stop, but then, why would you want him to?” Anne-Marie Daly-Peoples in NZ Art Monthly called him “the master of kitsch” and intended it as a compliment – the implication being that the art world can be too full of pretension and inaccessible work.
Peter has enjoyed his time in the College and acknowledges the talent of the girls he has observed.
He clearly inspired more than one student to push the boundaries of their work.

Writer in Residence-Kate De Goldi

For eight days during Term 1, St Cuthbert’s was privileged to have Kate De Goldi as the College’s writer-in-residence.
Kate writes short stories, fiction for young adults, children’s books and journalism.
She also presents book reviews regularly on radio and television.

While at St Cuthbert’s, Kate taught in classes ranging from new entrants to Year 13, including specialist writing groups. She clearly relished the experience and has said that going to schools is one of the best things about being a writer.
Her many awards include:
• American Express and Katherine Mansfield Memorial Awards for short stories
• LIANZA Children’s Book Awards Esther Glen Award 1997
• New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 1997
• New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards Honour Award 2000
• Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate 2001
• LIANZA Children’s Book Awards Russell Clark Award 2005
• New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award 2005
• New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award 2009
• Montana New Zealand Book Awards Readers’ Choice 2009

Kate De Goldi was born in Christchurch and now lives in Wellington. She is perhaps best known for her 2008 novel for young adults, The 10pm Question, tipped by the judges at the New Zealand Post awards to become an “enduring classic”.

Artist in Residence-Michael Shepherd

The Artist in Residence for 2008 has been Michael Shepherd.
Mr Shepherd created a magnificent sequence of four paintings titled Score, which are based upon the 1963-1980 electronic works of composer and academic Douglas Lilburn and in response to the poem The Return by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell.
His paintings are best observed with Mr Lilburn’s music playing in the background.
In 1972, Mr Shepherd graduated with a Diploma of Fine Arts with honours from Elam, the School of Fine Arts, the University of Auckland.
Since his third form days he has had a particular fascination with New Zealand History, and has drawn inspiration from the philosophy of history - how it is constructed and viewed.
He was awarded a Queen Elizabeth Arts Council travel grant in 1982, had a biography written about him by Claudia Bell in 2005 and was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to the Arts, this year.
The College has been very privileged to have such an experienced and significant artist to observe and learn from.

Writer in Residence-Oscar Kightley

St Cuthbert’s College English and drama students were lucky enough to be taught and entertained by renowned Kiwi author, director and television personality Oscar Kightley in term 2.
Mr Kightley was the College’s 2008 Writer in Residence, an annual programme which gives students the opportunity to work alongside and be monitored by working professionals.
He was at the College visiting classes to answer questions and shed light on the writing and film industry in New Zealand.
Mr Kightley’s long list of roles and achievements includes scripting the TV3 series Bro' Town, as a member of comedy crew Naked Samoans.
Bro’ Town has won Best Comedy at the NZ Screen Awards from 2005-2007 and is entering its fifth season.
He also acted in and co-wrote New Zealand film Sione's Wedding which topped the New Zealand box office in its first week of release.
Mr Kightley says he always enjoys being asked to come and speak to young writers.
“You’re never too cool to try and give something to young people.
“I really wanted to impart and encourage students to feel free to write and tell their own stories - writing is not some big mysterious force in the world.”
When asked by a Year 12 student why they mocked St Cuthbert’s College in Bro’ Town, Mr Kightley politely remarked: “Because everyone gets mocked in Bro’ Town and we didn’t want to make you feel left out.”

Previous Artist & Writers in Residence