BDSC has had a strong Enviroschools group since 2008. Often the largest co-curricular group in the ���߲ݴ�ý, students are able to participate in a range of activities that improve the local environment, while also making friends and engaging with teachers away from a curriculum setting.

The benefits of the skills, experiences and enjoyment gained, often extend well beyond BDSC as two of our alumni demonstrate.

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Alex Huang, an Endeavour student who graduated from BDSC in 2023 and is now studying at the University of Auckland for a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Environmental Sciences writes:

“At BDSC, I participated in the Enviroschools program, becoming the Lead Student in 2022 and 2023. Enviroschools allowed me to engage with our local communities through Pest Free Howick and the Otara Waterways and Lakes Trust (OWLT).

OWLT provided me with paid work opportunities for sustainability and enabled me to connect with others in the field. These experiences were valuable and gave me the impetus to become an environmental science student. In particular, the field work experience and real-world examples I can draw from, gave me a much smoother experience integrating into the university in terms of course work.

My involvement with these groups saw me awarded a First Foundation (FF) scholarship. FF offers internships to students with companies such as Kiwi Rail, Spark, Fletcher Building and Mitre 10. FF also provides financial support for my time at university. The scholarship has provided me with the resources to focus on study and community work by alleviating the financial cost of studying. I am glad that for students like me, there are organisations able to connect me with other like-minded individuals willing to help me on my career path, throughout and after my time at university.

I value taking up new opportunities to explore my pre-existing interests within environmental concerns while discovering new pathways along the way. I hope that I can encourage more students to develop their personal skills and interests further: to grow them into something much more.”

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Alex Parker a Britten Whānau Alumni of 2021 found himself graduating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alex writes:

“A flurry of deadlines rarely ever met – and sanity likewise missing, I was often told that my reluctance to relinquish Enviroschools leadership duties would surely hamper my future opportunities after high school. So, with due diligence, I ignored this advice.

In 2020, Matthew Quot & I started off as leaders of the Enviroschools rat trapping group. I took to never saying no to anything environmental. I was soon a part of Worm Farm, Trees for Survival, Kilkenny, and countless other extracurricular activities. Matthew & I won the Ros Nicholson Award the following year as a result of our contributions to improving the natural environment in the Howick Ward.

Generally, I always found more comfort in the tangibility of environmental conservation compared to schoolwork. It always felt much better to be able to tell I was physically making a difference.

I did not gain NCEA university entrance. Instead, I went straight into the workforce. But one afternoon I received a phone call – and next thing I knew, I was a Conservation Assistant at Pest Free Howick. And this is where I am today.

In 2025, I’ve progressed to a Conservation Field Specialist role. I now support all of the school rat trapping lines in the Howick Ward, including BDSC’s trapping project – operating on the ‘other side of the curtain’. I also help organise the annual Moth Plant Pod Competition, participate in pest plant eradication and organise community events among other things. It’s a very versatile role. My time in Enviroschools at BDSC helped prepare me for it.

Due to my experience at Pest Free Howick, I had a CV hefty enough to get myself into AUT – where I am now, double majoring in Biological and Environmental Sciences.

So there you have it. Enviroschools can make a difference – not just to the planet, but also to your future career opportunities. My best advice – “never say no to an opportunity.”

“I am truly grateful for all the staff who helped me through all the incredible learning at BDSC. I have fond memories when I think back to you all. I would like to update you on a few things I have been up to in the past years since graduating (2021). I have been pursuing my career in Acting and these are a few little milestones I’ve had so far along the way. 

In July 2023, I was accepted into the Juilliard School’s Extension Division for Drama. I travelled to New York City and took part in the Summer Program working with industry professionals alongside American Actors and Actresses. It was an incredible experience and I felt very blessed to have been selected.

In 2024, I was then invited by the faculty at Juilliard to return for the Summer Drama Program. This was truly something special to receive from the Juilliard School. I attended the program in New York City once again and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The time spent was both valuable and instructive, allowing my understanding and appreciation for the art of acting only to grow.

In February 2023, I was selected and took part in the Lee Strasberg Method Acting Workshop in Toronto. I worked with and under the likes of industry professionals such as David Lee Strasberg and Paul Rush from the Actors Studio in LA. The workshop consisted of meeting with casting directors, agents/managers as well as of course masterclass acting training. The workshop ended with a showcase of the scene we had been working on for the given time. I was amongst the likes of actors all across America and Canada. I was truly humbled to be able to represent New Zealand within the space.

I thank you all once again for everything. I hope this helped give some insight on what I’ve been up to on my journey. I am most blessed to have been able to work with reputable world-class acting institutes such as Juilliard and Lee Strasberg. Most of all, I am proud to be a BDSC Alumni. God has truly been so great and I can’t wait to continue to update you with my further pursuits.

God bless you always, most sincerely.”

~ Shalom DeSouza

Congratulations to Olivia Dixon (13E2 in 2024) on achieving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. In the Gold award, participants are required to undertake a service, develop a skill, and participate in a physical recreation activity each of which must be completed over a period of 12 months. At the Gold level, a 5th section is added which is the residential project. This is where a participant undertakes a purposeful activity away from home for five consecutive days in the company of other people outside of school, clubs, or work.

While working on the gold award, Olivia completed several different activities. These included improving her performance to complete her sprint time in the triathlon, playing piano and volunteering at the Pakuranga Athletics Club helping tiny tots with their activities. Olivia spent 13 days on an Outward Bound Course, providing community service by building concrete retaining walls and raking roads, putting in practice all the skills she learned in the bronze and silver adventurous journeys.

Olivia started her Duke of Edinburgh Award journey in 2021. During this time, she has developed her leadership skills, built up resilience, and challenged herself to move out of her comfort zone, all while embracing the opportunities that the Award has to offer. She has been a dedicated participant of the Award programme and is a well-deserving recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a Gold level.

~ Mrs D Bottom, Duke of Edinburgh School Co-ordinator

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Ladies and gentlemen, baseball enthusiasts from around the world, let’s give a warm welcome to the newest addition to the DownUnder Junior World Series family: Sharysse Kjestrup-Caudwell. Hailing all the way from the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, Sharysse is here to showcase her incredible talents on the diamond. Representing the formidable Counties Baseball team, Sharysse is ready to make her mark at the upcoming DownUnder Women’s World Series.

Position: Catcher/First Base

Proudest Baseball Achievement: Sharysse’s dedication and skill on the field have led her to remarkable feats, including drawing a walk in the bottom of the 9th inning to secure her team’s ticket to the finals at Nationals one year. But that’s not all – she also pulled off a stunning successful bunt down third against the legendary Jimmy Boyce, turning it into a safe hit due to its perfect positioning.

Sharysse’s unwavering determination and impressive plays are sure to keep us all on the edge of our seats during the DownUnder World Series. Don’t miss out on witnessing her talent firsthand!

~ Facebook: DownUnder World Series

Going into the last day of finals, Sharysse’s team was top of the table playing off for first or second.

Injuries plagued the team but they put up a great battle. Final score 5-3 to the other team Lassies.

Sharysse was the only player on the team that played all seven games with not being benched. Sharysse’s positions normally are Catcher and 1st Baseman.  However, she become a very valuable player for her coach and  ended up even pitching two games out of the seven. One game she pitched the entire game for the win 9-2 which was the best score their team had for run differential.  The other she closed the last inning out for Peaches to take the win as well.

Positions played throughout the tournament Catcher, first base, second base, third base and pitcher.

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Howick Hawks outfielder Tui Amosa is among the four young baseballers who have received a development player contract with the Auckland Tuatara for the 2022/23 Australian Baseball League (ABL) season.

Amosa, 19, finished his last year at Botany Downs Secondary ���߲ݴ�ý in 2021 and has already racked up several impressive accolades.

Amosa made his Auckland premier grade debut for the Howick Hawks when he was just 15 and has represented New Zealand in age-group baseball for the Under 12, 16 and 18 sides respectively.

General manager of sport and communications for Auckland Tuatara Dale Budge says, “Tui is someone we have been keeping an eye on for a couple of seasons now.

“He is very talented and combines that with a great attitude. We hope to continue to see him in a Tuatara uniform in the years ahead.

“He has plenty of athleticism and a nice left-handed swing. We think he is one of the best prospects in New Zealand and feel he can go a long way in the sport.”

“Having experienced the competitive aspect the sport brings, it has allowed me to develop the drive and motivation to develop and sharpen my skills in all areas of the game, both physically and mentally,” says Amosa.

Dan Amosa, Tui’s father, says he has been playing since October 2009, at age six, and has made it clear that’s what he has wanted to pursue since he was about 13.

“There was no Tuatara or much baseball in New Zealand for that matter when he was younger, so we were mapping out a path to get to America to go through the NBL (National Baseball League) farming system or college route,” says Amosa.

“It has been our life supporting Tui with his baseball, as with all our children – we are there week in, week out,” he says.

The Auckland Tuatara have given a further three contracts to Central City infielder Ayrton Laird and left-handed pitchers Todd Hatcher and Maclain Roberts.

The New Zealand side begun their ABL season on November 10 when they travelled to Brisbane for a four-game series against the Brisbane Bandits, which they lost three games to one.

~ As published in Times Online –

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