Sandra Matenga (Fawcett)

Sandra was the eldest Fawcett daughter and a very talented sportswoman.  For the two years she was at College she was a member of the College A netball and also took part in a range of other sports.  Volleyball wasn’t a recognized sport here at the College in 1969 but it didn’t take Sandra long once she went to Phys Ed School to take up the sport and become an outstanding player and leader.

Here at school she gained University Entrance and Bursary and went on to graduate with a Physical Education Degree from Otago University and then transferred to Christchurch where she completed her teacher training.

Sandra has taught for most of her working life starting at Papanui High School (Christchurch) 1975, Rutherford High School (Auckland) 1976-1977, Kaiapoi High School (Christchurch) 1978 and became HOD PE from 1979-1990. Sandra has taught at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School (Christchurch) since 1991 and was Head of Physical Education until 2012.

Sandra has played netball in Otago, Auckland and Canterbury and was selected in the Canterbury team which won the New Zealand Championships in 1979 at New Plymouth.

Sandra was also a very successful volleyballer playing for New Zealand in various Oceania and Trans-Tasman Tournaments  during 1973-1981 when she represented NZ and captained the team for most of that period.

She has travelled extensively to play sport, visit family and see the world –  Vanuatu, Singapore, Italy, England, France, Spain, Fiji, New Caledonia, Australia, Japan and America are all countries she has visited.

Sandra has one son Hoani Matenga born in 1987.  Her brother Kit was an All Black and sister Julie also appears on the Alumni (Julie Carle).  Younger sister Tracy attended Matamata College and her daughter is a very talented equestrian eventer who has also represented New Zealand.