Olympic medals for former students of Catholic colleges

At least three former students of Catholic secondary schools in New Zealand won medals at the recent Tokyo Olympics.  

Grace Prendergast, who went to Villa Maria College in Christchurch, won a gold medal alongside Kerri Gowler in the women’s pair event in rowing. Prendergast was also a member of the New Zealand women’s rowing eight that won a silver medal.  

Posts on Villa Maria College’s facebook page expressed the school community’s pride in Prendergast’s achievements, and also in those of Maddie Davidson, another former student, who was placed tenth in the women’s trampoline event. 

Grace Prendergast responded to video of the Villa Maria students cheering and applauding during the women’s eight final. Prendergast wrote “Thank you so much!! This is an incredible thing to watch!! The support has been absolutely amazing.” 

Villa Maria responded by saying “you continue to be an inspiration to our whole community! We are so proud of you! Thank you for all the time you take to mentor our rowers too, they can’t wait to see you again soon!” 

Two former students of Catholic colleges won Olympic medals for rugby in 2021. Ruby Tui, who went to John Paul II High School in Greymouth, was a member of the New Zealand women’s team that won gold. Sam Dickson, who went to St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch, was in the men’s team which won a silver medal. 

According to information in a table prepared by Stuff, other former students of Catholic secondary schools in New Zealand to compete in Tokyo were:- Teneale Hatton, Carmel College, Auckland (Canoeing); Zac Reid, Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth, (Swimming); Erika Fairweather, Kavanagh College, Dunedin (Swimming); Carina Doyle, Kavanagh College, Dunedin (Swimming); Ethan Mitchell, Sacred Heart College, Auckland (Cycling); Michael Woud, Sacred Heart College, Auckland (Soccer); Hope Ralph, Sacred Heart Girls’ College, New Plymouth (Hockey); Holly Edmonston, St Kevin’s College, 
Oamaru (Cycling); Marco Stamenic, St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (Soccer); Quentin Rew, St Patrick’s College, Wellington, (Athletics — walker); Clayton Lewis, St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Soccer); Liberato Cacace, St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Soccer); Stephen Jones, St Peter’s College, Auckland (Rowing); Paige Satchell, John Paul College, Rotorua (Soccer).