Meet the 2017 college leaders
Matamata College’s 2017 head boy and girl are looking forward to their new roles, inspired by the actions and words of previous leaders.
Awhina Pearce and Kaleb Reid have been named as next year’s school leaders.
Talia Parker and Benjamin Lincoln will serve in deputy roles.
‘‘It’s really exciting,’’ said Kaleb.
It was a former school leader Joseph Freeman whom Kaleb says he is inspired by.
‘‘When I was in year nine I played basketball and I had the privilege to train with him, and the senior boys,’’ Kaleb says.
‘‘I didn’t have any friends there and sat by myself. Then he came over and talked to me and looked out for me. ‘‘Now I strive to be like him.’’ Awhina says it was Connor Paki’s end-of-year speech which inspired her. The speech was about the pride Connor felt in representing the school as a Maori person and representing his culture.
‘‘It really inspired me to do that for our juniors,’’ she says.
The four leaders agree that the role has made them think about their first experiences at the college.
‘‘Just four years ago we were thinking how much cooler and
‘‘Being a leader gives us the potential next year to make our own mark on the school.’’
wiser the year 13s seemed than us,’’ says Awhina.
‘‘And now we are going to be those people, leading the juniors.’’
She says in the coming year, the leaders are all heading into the New Year with fresh ideas.
‘‘Being a leader gives us the potential next year to make our own mark on the school and see the improvements that can happen come into light. The aim is to get back the school spirit that comes with being a close knit group of students. I think that’s a year 13 attitude change that will really come in next year.’’
Talia says being named part of the school leader team has been humbling. She says there were strong candidates for the boys and girls.
‘‘The group of girls on the short list was such a good group, it could have gone any way.’’