Publication: nc23042012

This week the Northern Courier continues its series highlighting the Head Boys and Head Girls at secondary schools in our circulation area. This week we feature the top students at Samuel Marsden Whitby and Newlands College.

Left in Green - Simon Yip and Rebecca Good.
Right - Lisei Le’aupepe and Michael Howard.

Samuel Marsden Whitby

Simon Yip, 17, was surprised to be named Head Boy at Samuel Marsden Whitby. “It was quite a bombshell. There were quite a number who put themselves up for the head boy role. They were all quite talented.”

Head Girl Rebecca Good, 16, says she had to write a letter of application and speak in front of a school assembly. “It was a bit scary and daunting. But it was good because we know all the other students. It was like talking to our friends.”

Simon and Rebecca have been in their positions for a couple of months. They’ve already taken part in a meeting of Head Boys and Head Girls from other Porirua-area colleges. Rebecca and Simon are also organising a linked-activities day with Samuel Marsden’s Karori campus.

Despite having to fit in their duties with a full academic workload, both Rebecca and Simon say they have no regrets about taking on their roles.  “I’ve really enjoyed it – it’s been a good experience,” says Rebecca. Everybody has been really supportive and they help us out.”

Simon is studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art, Calculus and Music. “I’m thinking of doing chemical engineering at Victoria.”

Rebecca is doing Spanish, History, Statistics and Art. “Next year I want to start International Relations and Political Studies at Victoria and I hope to have a career in that field.”

Michael Howard, 17, and Lisei Le’aupepe, 16, were chosen at the start of the year to be Newlands College’s Head Boy and Head Girl for 2012.

It was the culmination of a rigorous selection process that also incorporated the choices for Sports, Academic and Cultural captains. “It was exciting not knowing what position I would get,” says Lisei. Michael admits he was shocked to be named as Head Boy. ‘I was quite surprised. I didn’t see it coming.” 

Michael and Lisei say they have been busy for the last couple of months, organising school council and executive meetings. Both have given their maiden speeches at assembly. “It was cool,” says Lisei. “We spoke about how excited we were to be in our roles.”

Next on their agenda is the Johnsonville RSA Anzac Day service, where they will continue the Newlands College tradition of laying a wreath to remember the country’s war dead. They also plan to work with Academic captain Brooke Watson to organise a quiz night and help other executive members with their activities.

As they go through the year they will be guided by their motto - PSP (Pride, Success and Passion).

Both will have to combine their duties with busy academic programmes. Lisei is studying Media, Drama, Photography, Physical Education and Biology. She is also busy on the sports field, having represented Wellington in softball and netball, while she is a member of the Newlands College team that recently won the New Zealand Secondary Schools championships in Lower Hutt.

Michael is studying English, Drama, German, History and Classics. He is also part of the college’s senior debating team and coaches the junior team.

Next year Michael hopes to study linguistics at Victoria University, while Lisei says she is “quite interested” in joining the navy.