Meet our Student Leadership Team for 2023
Evie Gibney, Head Girl
What is involved in my student leader role?
My role as Head Girl gives me the opportunity to further advance and develop my leadership skills and qualities. This role enables me to build greater connections with staff and students of Te Puke High School as well as the wider community. Alongside our other Head Students, I share the important responsibilities of representing the student body at both school and community functions as well as organising and attending events which will be beneficial for the students of our kura. I encourage students to be themselves but also to aim high by demonstrating the core values – the 5Rs. I also have the special privilege of attending weekly executive meetings and working amongst the student leaders to make important decisions which will enhance the kura positively.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
I will always provide a supportive approach towards staff and students and inspire engagement in ways that benefit my peers. My goal is to share guidance amongst our students, offering effective knowledge, communication and leading by example. I will always take the time to recognise individuals’ strengths and encourage greater involvement in all areas of the kura. I hope to develop and maintain a connected and collaborative system and build a stronger relationship between all year levels. My vision consists of uplifting and empowering our students to promote a positive school spirit and inspire all to strive for achievement.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I would like to leave a legacy where I am remembered for fulfilling my role to the best of my abilities and having inspired students to embrace my challenges. I hope that my contributions make an impact on today as well as the future bringing positive outcomes for Te Puke High School. I wish to motivate the strength of students’ abilities and ensure they have the opportunity to access their dreams. I hope to instil a lifelong connection to the kura and be considered for more than just the role I was given but as a supportive friend and role model.
Harrison Hennell, Head Boy
What is involved in my student leader role?
My role as Head Boy opens up opportunities for personal growth and growth for my leadership. I will be attending events and public gatherings such as ANZAC Day on behalf of Te Puke High School. Around school, I will be in charge or a part of various councils and teams such as The Student Executive Council which are dedicated to further improving our school. I am becoming familiar with the student body as I will be addressing and presenting to them during school assemblies and ceremonies. As Head Boy, I will set an example by demonstrating our core values, the 5 Rs. I will be guiding and encouraging our students towards the right direction to help everyone achieve their personal best. I will represent our school with pride during school, at sports, while attending events and out in public.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
As Head Boy, I want to provide our students with the best that Te Puke High School has to offer. I will effectively run our Student Executive Council to ensure that the best choices are made. I will bring positivity and enthusiasm into our school to create a safe and enjoyable environment. I want to make the school feel more connected by bringing all years and staff closer together. I want anybody to be able to have the opportunity to learn, grow and exceed here at Te Puke High School. I will lead from the front with a good mindset and my leadership to be a role model and mentor to our school. I want to make our students and teachers’ visions a reality in and for our school.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I want to be remembered as someone who challenged the imposable, someone who never gave up and someone who was known not for their title but for being them. I would like to leave behind a legacy that others want to aim and strive for but I would also leave behind a legacy for my fellow students, that with the right mindset, anything is possible. I hope to be seen and remembered as a mentor or a guide, someone who helped turn people’s dreams into reality. I would like my legacy remembered and still dreamt about for many years to come. I would like my legacy and my impact as Head Boy at Te Puke High School to be greater than my success and my achievements to come.
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan
Teri-Ann Barker, Arts Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
As an Arts Leader involved with the arts it is my duty to take on the leadership role at art functions around our kura and in our community, like the Production, Performing Arts, Cultural Festivals and the Visual Arts as well.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
I would like to enhance the energy and emotion of the Arts in our kura, with whatever that may be. I wish to be a role model for the younger generation of students to look up to and say “Hey I wanna be like them, but as my own person”.
What legacy do I want to leave?
The legacy I want to leave is that you do not need to be set on one hobby or career interest. People need to try out a range of options that may not be their first choice. I want future students to have the mindset that they can do it and just have fun with it.
Amber Brown, Arts Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
As one of the Arts Leaders for 2023, I will have the responsibility of running the Arts Committee along with the planning of activities throughout the year. We encourage students to participate in The Arts activities at school with the help of the Arts Teachers.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
I would like to get students more involved in The Arts at Te Puke High School and help make The Arts a more positive and supportive space. I want to be someone that younger students can look up to and be able to talk to.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I want to leave behind a legacy of someone who pushes to make changes throughout the year and who encourages students to speak up about anything. I want to be able to give younger students the motivation and determination to do the same.
Harsimran Kaur,
Cultural Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
As a Cultural Leader my role will include working with my co-leader and the Teacher in Charge. In my role I will organise the Cultural Week which includes cultural activities, the Cultural Gala and the Cultural Concert. We will be working throughout the year to organise various types of activities such as Language Weeks around Te Puke High School. I will ensure diversity is celebrated and recognised in a unique way.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
I want to create an environment where there are opportunities for students to represent their culture and inspire students to take many leadership roles as possible. I will communicate regularly with the other Student Leaders so we can inspire students to get involved in Cultural Week and show their talents. I will support all student activities and promote a positive school spirit. I will make sure I lead students in a positive direction and act as a positive role model fulfilling my full responsibilities.
What legacy do I want to leave?
The legacy that I want to leave behind is that students look up to us and see the changes that we have made throughout the year. I want to be remembered as a kind, respectful and hardworking leader. I want to be able to leave Te Puke High School making sure everyone understands the importance of a multicultural society and feeling Te Puke High School is a place where diversity is celebrated and accepted.
Kiritiana Takuira-Mita,
Cultural Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
My role involves running our school Cultural Committee and engaging with the community to incorporate unity and kotahitanga back into our school and community as one. We promote equity to provide opportunities for cultural expression in all ethnicities. Overall, I lead an ethnically diverse team of akonga to create, promote and facilitate cultural activities and events.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
Bring whanāu kotahitanga back to the school by having a whanāu fun day to have our whanāu of all ethnicities to bring them comfort and security when being in our school.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I want to be seen as a tukana or inspiration that many aspired to be like or want to be a similar figure of.
Jessie Dickson, Sports Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
Part of being the Sports Leader at Te Puke High School is running a committee once a week with the help of the other Sports Leader, Louie Te Hiini. In this committee we help organise school sporting events such as swimming sports and athletics and propose new ways to grow sport at
Te Puke High School. We also hold a Sports prizegiving which both our Sports Leaders will MC this evening to recognise our students who have achieved greatness within a sporting context. A part of my role is also attending the weekly executive meetings and also weekly leaders meeting, where I help organise school events and fundraisers.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
I propose to expand the opportunities for students to get involved in sport. This would be through activities such as Students Vs Teachers games. I also hope to build a committee devoted to sport at Te Puke High School so that I can trust the future of sport at Te Puke High School and help run successful events.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I would like to leave a tradition at our school where sport at Te Puke High School is something that future students can be excited to participate in. I want to leave sporting traditions that boost school morale and are inclusive to all students that want to get involved.
Louie Te Hiini, Sports Leader
What is involved in my student leader role?
Working alongside our Sports Leader, Jessie Dickson, and the Te Puke High School Sports Co-ordinator, Ben Hopkins, we will be encouraging students to get involved in sports and hold fun sporting events at Te Puke High School. Also, part of my role as Sports Leader is to attend Student Executive meetings with the other students at our kura.
What I propose to do in my student leader role?
I wish to encourage as many Te Puke High School students to play sport and to give things a go. I will also be running the Sports Committee and promoting sports at Te Puke High School to the best of my ability.
What legacy do I want to leave?
I wish to leave a legacy that will encourage students to be willing to give new things a try and inspire people to live a healthy lifestyle and to be someone that people feel like they could come to talk to.
Akash Gurung, Student Trustee