We caught up with Tegan Brickland, former head student and graduate of 2012, to find out what she has been up to since she left Ficino.
Q: What have you been up to since you left Ficino School?
A: After Ficino I attended Mt Aspiring College in Wanaka. It was vastly different to Ficino but I thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor education, as we got to go skiing and snow caving during school hours. I then attended both Victoria University in Wellington and Auckland University, gaining a BA in Education and Psychology, and Diploma in Primary Teaching. Now I am back walking the halls of Ficino as the first alumnus teacher! It is a wonderful experience working alongside the people that taught me as a child.
Q: What was your favourite subject at Ficino and why?
A: My favourite subject was Philosophy. I thoroughly enjoyed thinking outside the box and contemplating different thought patterns. Quite often I tried to look at contrasting perspectives to my peers, I enjoyed fleshing out different ideas with everyone.
Q: Favourite school meal (and least favourite)?
A: My favourite was definitely rice and dahl! There was nothing I didn’t like except cottage cheese haha.
Q: Please share a vivid memory from your time at Ficino.
A: Gosh, there are so many! One memory that I have from my time at Ficino was during lunch time. It was pumpkin soup day (a great day in my books) with fresh homemade buns. I had the brilliant idea to make my bun into a bowl shape and then pour my soup into it! Perfect. Until Mrs Preston thought it wasn’t such a good idea after all. Let’s just say that I didn’t make bun bowls again.
I also remember standing backstage before my first appearance as Ariel during our performance of The Tempest. Spray-painted bright red hair, silver swirls painted on my skin and my classmates jiggling with nervous anticipation alongside me. I was anxiously waiting for my cue to enter, the heat of the lights already causing my body to warm inside my costume.
Q: How do you think your time at Ficino has influenced you?
A: Without Ficino I wouldn’t be where I am today! Right back in and amongst it teaching year 4 students.
Ficino is the baseline of my values and part of the core of who I am. The value of ‘Respect All’ is foundational to how I live my life, how I approach people and situations.
Q: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give to 10 year old Tegan?
A: It’s the person you are that matters. Your self worth is not based on what you know, but your ability to be kind, open-hearted and ask the deep questions.
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