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For immediate release
Local student benefits from Whitireia scholarship
Former Aotea College student Josh Casey is working towards a career in social and community work at Whitireia Community
Polytechnic, and has been given a major boost with a secondary school leaver scholarship to help cover his fees.
Whitireia offers ten of these scholarships, each valued at $4,000, to selected secondary schools in the greater
Wellington region. Eligible students must be enrolling in their first year of full-time study towards a multi-year
diploma or degree programme, and must submit a personal statement outlining their desire and ability to succeed in their
chosen field of study, as well as their reasons for applying.
Josh, 18, says he always knew he wanted a career that would give him the opportunity to help people, but wasn’t sure
that medicine or nursing were for him. While at college, a personal experience gave him an insight into social work, so
when it came time to look at tertiary study choices, the Bachelor of Social Work at Whitireia was an attractive option.
‘Whitireia was the best choice for me,’ says Josh. ‘It offered the best course and the opportunity for applied learning
through a number of field placements. Being close to home is also a bonus.
‘The scholarship has made me even more motivated and excited to study here. I'm just extremely grateful to have been
chosen as a recipient, and I’m loving every minute of my course,’ he says.
Whitireia Schools Liaison team leader Fiona Wain says the polytechnic is incredibly proud to support passionate young
people in their studies.
‘Josh is a great example of the personal qualities we look to foster in our students,’ says Wain, ‘and we know he will
do well in his studies.’
ENDS