Meet our Student Leadership Team 2025
Bella Ngawhika, Head Girl
What is involved in my student leader role?
As Head Girl, I serve as a Leader and Representative of our kura. My responsibilities include being a role model for students, upholding and promoting the school’s values and creating a positive and inclusive environment.
I also represent the school at official events and co-ordinate with my fellow student leadership team to inspire and motivate ākonga. The role is about service, teamwork and creating a lasting impact on our school community.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
In my role as Head Girl, I aim to create and enhance a positive school culture by promoting inclusivity, respect and collaboration among students and staff, represent the student voice by advocating for ideas, concerns and initiatives that benefit the wider school community. I will support student wellbeing by encouraging a sense of belonging and providing opportunities for connection and growth, as well as encouraging ākonga to be proud and unapologetically themselves. I aim to lead by example by upholding the school’s values, maintaining high standards, and being approachable and supportive to others. I will also organise and participate in events that enhance school life and celebrate achievements across all areas, including academics, culture and sports.
My vision is to build a united and inclusive kura where everyone feels seen, heard and empowered to succeed.
What legacy do I want to leave?
On my first day at Te Puke High School, I remember sitting in the hall listening to the Head Boy and Head Girl, Giovanni Rai and Ellen Emerson and saying I want to be just like Ellen. I want to have the same impact that Ellen had on me, to encourage ākonga to step out of their comfort zones, be unapologetically themselves and know that they have the ability to do exactly what I’m doing in their own way. I also want to inspire ākonga Māori within our kura so they know that they can do whatever they put their heart to.
I want my legacy to be one of empowerment – where every ākonga feels proud of their identity, voice and their potential in our kura. I want to leave Te Puke High School where everyone feels seen, supported and inspired to step into their own leadership haerenga.
“E koekoe te Tūī, e ketekete te Kākā, e kūkū te Kererū”
“The Tūī sings, the Kākā chatters, the Kererū coos”
This whakatauki celebrates the uniqueness of individuals and the harmony that comes from embracing diversity.
Harrison Matthews, Head Boy
What is involved in my student leader role?
My role as Head Boy involves being a role model and representative for Te Puke High School in the community and beyond. I will have the opportunity to lead and support various committees throughout the school such as the Executive Council, Arts Committee and Blake House Committee. I will serve as the Te Puke High School representative at ANZAC Day services and other community events throughout the year. I also run many assemblies and our prizegiving where I will speak to the student body on various relevant topics such as our 5Rs and upcoming events. I encourage students to engage in everything that Te Puke High School has to offer as we have such a wide range of opportunities offered to us. I aim to guide and inspire students to succeed academically, socially and personally. I hope that my role as Head Boy can have a positive impact that surpasses our school gates.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
As Head Boy of Te Puke High School, I aim to be an ambassador of change. I want to make meaningful changes to our school to improve the everyday lives of our students.
I intend to ensure the student voice is ever-present when making decisions that affect the student body. I want to create a school environment where students feel comfortable coming to me to discuss new opportunities or improvements that can better the everyday lives of Te Puke High School students. I want to cultivate a positive school culture that is fun and encourages the student’s personal growth. I wish to be seen as an active part of Te Puke High School in every aspect of school life, this year I want to be known as someone approachable, supportive and a dependable leader.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I want to be remembered as someone who embraced responsibility with enthusiasm, someone who upheld our school’s values and encouraged others to do the same. I want to inspire future generations of Te Puke High School students to see leadership as an opportunity to create positive change. The message I want to leave behind is that success can be achieved through hard work, determination and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Ultimately, I want to leave behind a kura where every student feels proud to belong and motivated to succeed.
Juliet King, Arts Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
I cannot wait to explore my role as an Arts Leader this year alongside my co-leader Mollie Wilton. Together we will be choosing an incredible Arts Committee, leading the meetings and organising exciting events to celebrate The Arts.
This position also means working closely with all of the leaders at Te Puke High School and we are all looking forward to creating some wonderful activities with our fellow leaders but most of all, as an Arts Leader I will encourage others to get involved in The Arts, aiming to inspire them each day with enthusiasm.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
This year I want to focus on increasing the publicity of The Arts and displaying the diversity found in our Arts Department. I want to showcase the range of incredible opportunities there are for our students and support them on their journey of pursuing their creativity. I want to celebrate the incredible mahi created at our school. I am blessed to have Mollie Wilton as my Co-Leader and together we want to support students by pushing them to pursue their passion and build on the amazing community here at Te Puke High School.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I want to leave a legacy of love. I see The Arts as an exploration of creativity and a community that encourages me to exceed the expectations I have set for myself. The Arts have helped me grow into myself, joining the arts was scary at first. I was scared for others to see me try but when I put myself out there, I was met with love and encouragement. I want to grow on this legacy.
So I encourage you; to take that first step and be prepared to fall. But don’t be afraid because I will be here to catch you.
Mollie Wilton, Arts Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
As Arts Leader, I will work closely with my peers, Art Teachers, and my Co-Arts Leader, Juliet. Throughout the year, I’ll be planning and running a variety of events including Lip Sync, Dance shows, the Arts committee, and other events that come up. I’m also responsible for hosting arts-related activities. Above all, I will encourage students to get involved in the arts by offering opportunities for everyone to participate, feel included, and help create a fun and welcoming environment for all.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
In my role as a leader, I am driven to inspire widespread participation in the arts, creating a vibrant environment where every student feels empowered to express themselves. I aim to craft opportunities that allow students to showcase their unique talents and untapped potential, whether on stage or behind the scenes. I want to encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, push boundaries and embrace the excitement of arts-based events. Whether they’re performing, creating, or contributing in other ways, my goal is to help students discover the power of their creativity and realize the impact they can have through the arts.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I want my legacy as an Arts Leader to be one that inspires others to immerse themselves in the transformative world of creativity, no matter the form it takes. I strive to ignite a passion in students that encourages them to explore their own talents, helping them uncover their true potential and envision the limitless possibilities a career in art can offer. I want them to understand that art is not confined to just painting or drawing—it’s a universal language that permeates every aspect of life. Whether it’s through writing, the complexities of science, the precision of engineering, or the patterns of mathematics, art is the centre of innovation and expression in everything. My hope is to empower students to see the endless connections between art and the world around them, inspiring them to pursue their passions and contribute to shaping a future where creativity thrives in every field.
Marese Taumata,
Cultural Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
Being a Cultural Leader comes with many leadership qualities and encourages everyone to express their diversity in all aspects of school. Cultural Leaders are involved in leading all Cultural activities such as the Cultural Committee, Cultural Concert, Cultural Gala and more. My role as the female Cultural Leader will be to strive for our a’oga (school) to recognise their Cultures in all aspects around our a’oga (school).
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
By earning this Leadership role, my goals are to represent as many cultures as I possibly can around our kura (school) but also outside of school grounds. I wish to achieve my goals of publicly showcasing how passionate about my culture I can be to all students, teachers and parents and ensuring that knowing your identity will lead to many outstanding achievements.
What legacy do I want to leave?
The legacy I want to leave at our school is a legacy of all students and staff members having a passion for their identity and their cultures. Bringing light to all ethnicities at school and broadcasting it to not only our a’oga (school) but also to our wider communities. I will leave a legacy of how much of an impact it is to have a nu’u (village) filled with many different people with different identities and what they can and will lead to, just like a flower that has supporting roots, keeping it stable.
Osea Anson,
Cultural Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
As a Cultural Leader for 2025, my role is to promote the vast culture within our school, assisting my partner in this position Marese Taumata and those in charge of the culture committee. My role is to be a role model to the students and encourage more students to be involved in cultural events and activities to help develop the school’s Cultural presence for future generations of this school to come.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
What I want to do for Te Puke High School is to build and extend the cultural community in this school and of course, give the support the committee needs with the cultural events and activities. My main goal for 2025 is to increase the number of involvement in cultural events like Culture Week, Pasifika Festival and more.
What legacy do I want to leave?
As a Cultural Leader at Te Puke High School, the legacy I want to leave can have a profound and lasting impact on both the students and the wider community. Encouraging cultural awareness through curriculum integration and student-led projects. Encourage students to think globally, helping them understand the interconnectedness of cultures and the importance of empathy and understanding in a diverse world.
Baylee Hennell, Sports Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
My role is to oversee, guide and motivate the students of our school to participate in sporting activities or achieve their sporting goals. This includes building a community to recognise and celebrate efforts within our sporting community. I will assist Ben Hopkins, our Sports Co-ordinator and Martin Ash, our Director of Sports, when organising major sporting events within our school. I will regularly attend and run our Sports Committee meetings, where we will discuss ways to get the student body involved in sports weekly, along the hosting the annual Sports Awards evening.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
In my leadership role, I propose to remain organised, manage my time effectively and actively participate in all meetings I am involved in. I will provide support to our Sports Co-ordinator and our Director of Sports, Mr Hopkins and Mr Ash. As well as seize every opportunity to promote sports within the school by getting out there and being actively involved with the student body. My goal is to broaden students’ perspectives on how enjoyable and rewarding sports can be. Additionally, I will collaborate with and support my fellow Student Leaders in fostering our positive and inclusive school environment.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I aim to leave a legacy where students remember me as the Sports Leader who transformed their perspective on how enjoyable and inclusive sports can be. I hope the impact I make continues to inspire the school community even after I’ve moved on. I want to be remembered as someone who was always dependable, supportive and always “walking the talk” to actively encourage students to participate and get involved with me. My goal is to motivate more students to step into Leadership roles within any sports and continue fostering a positive sports culture here at Te Puke High School.
“It is okay to not be good at something and it is absolutely okay to be good at something” – Dame Lisa Carrington.
Johnny Trevelyan, Sports Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
Weekly meetings with the Sports Committee.
Running and organising the Sports Awards alongside our Sports Leader Baylee Hennell.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
Weekly sports activities and games including all year levels as well as members of the staff.
What legacy do I want to leave?
Zane Alusa, Student Trustee
What is involved in my student leader role?
My role as a Board of Trustees student representative is to ensure I effectively voice the concerns, ideas and perspectives of the student body through board meetings and help make decisions that improve our school. I also work to bridge the gap between students and the board ensuring their voices are considered in important discussions.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
In my time as student trustee, I hope to make a change in our school by ensuring students’ voices are truly heard in decisions that affect them, advocating for their needs and working all together to create a more supportive school environment. I propose to become a student rep who listens to the students (no matter what year group) to ensure I’m a person who is socially approachable, open to all opinions and dedicated to representing their voices, every time I get.
What legacy do I want to leave?
As the student representative I want to leave a legacy of positive change where every student feels heard and valued. In my time I hope to create an environment where open communication between the students and board is the norm and where all voices are always respected and always considered in each decision. My goal is to ensure that the changes that I make, will benefit future students, creating an impact that won’t be forgotten.