Fees may sustain the school, but philanthropy
builds its future. – Oliver Hickman, Old Boy
travelled from Malaysia to study at the University of Canterbury in the 1950s on a scholarship – an opportunity that helped shape his future. “None of that would have happened without the scholarship,” they say. At Christ’s College, they see that same potential unfolding through the boys who receive scholarships today. “We have seen firsthand the results – the opportunities taken, the service given, and the love for the staff, the school, and the beautiful aroha that exists in the school grounds and beyond.” For Old Boy Oliver Hickman, giving is also about recognising the privilege of the education he has received and helping ensure others benefit in the same way. “I consider it a great privilege to have attended College, and that opportunity was only possible because of those who chose to give back,” he says. His hope is that philanthropy will continue to strengthen College for generations to come. “Fees may sustain the school,” he says, “but philanthropy builds its future.” It is a sentiment Jeremy shares. “The history, culture, and campus are irreplaceable,” he says. “However, it will only flourish when College’s community stands behind it. If we want to preserve our special school, we need to support it.” The future of Christ’s College will always depend on people who recognise the difference their generosity can make. Every gift – whether for scholarships, facilities or the wider life of the school – adds to a legacy built over generations. It helps ensure that boys who have the ability and determination to thrive at College have the opportunity to do so.
Today, his philanthropy focuses largely on scholarships, continuing one of the founding purposes of the school – ensuring that talented boys can attend, regardless of financial circumstances. “College exists to educate boys to be young men of virtuous character and to achieve their potential in life,” Jeremy says. “When I give to College, I give to help it achieve those outcomes.” That belief in the transformative power of education resonates strongly with past College parents Wendy and Andrew Oh. When reflecting on their own approach to giving, they were struck by the origin of the word philanthropy itself. “Historically, philanthropy stems from the Ancient Greek, philanthropia, meaning ‘love of humankind’,” they say. “This is precisely what philanthropy means to us.” Their family has experienced firsthand the life-changing power of educational opportunity. Andrew’s father
2025 Philanthropy Report
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