Rowena supports students as they come to grips with the requirements of academic study. She works with individuals or small tutorial groups on everything from time management and study planning, to research and resourcing, shaping an academic essay and reviewing marked assignments,. She helps unravel two favourites for all students: “What does this question mean?” and “How do I reference this?"

Rowena offers academic and pastoral support to students on the Christchurch campus. She loves seeing students move from nervousness to competence. She helps others find a way to manage study alongside life’s derailing curveballs. 

Rowena engages in life-shaping conversations, guiding programme and course selection, particularly for Theology Students on the Christchurch Campus and those studying by distance. As part of the wider Student Experience team, contributes to ensuring a smooth progression from enquiries to graduation.

Outside of Laidlaw, Rowena is a registered Marriage Celebrant, preaches at Anglican churches in her locale, aspires to walking the Port Hills more often than she does, pulls weeds from her garden paths, and watches the tides and the seasons come and go.

As a founding trustee she keeps an eye on Sonrise Christian School in Gisborne, but these days her eye is more on her delightful grandchildren and wondering why they live so far away.