While many might find a head student selection process a bit of a trial, Tauhara College 2027 head girl Sophie Harrington says the experience wasn’t too harrowing.
“I haven't really done anything like that before, so it was actually pretty cool. I enjoyed it.”
Her deputy for next year, Charlie Manunui, agrees it was good life experience but not without angst.
The hardest part was having to write down all her achievements and qualities.
“I find it had to put it down onto paper and give it to somebody…. ‘this is why I'm great’.”
Along with their male counterparts, head boy Matthew Carroll and deputy Michael Hancock, the four made videos of themselves to be screened to the student body during whānau time as part of the process.
Charlie admits she found this worse than a one-off performance to a jam-packed hall.
“I had so many takes because… it needs to be perfect.”
For Michael too it was time-consuming getting the best version.
“Definitely the exact same. It took me so long. So many stuff ups. It took me about an hour and a half.”
While used to being filmed as part of her dance training and performance, ironically Sophie says she probably would have preferred the stage.
To their credit, the four all appeared quite natural and confident in the videos, says Paula Burnett, who will be their Dean at Tauhara next year.
“You all didn't look like you were reading… So be proud of that.”
Undercut somewhat by Charlie: “With how many takes I had, I just memorised it, over and over again.”
In their roles as representatives for the student body next year, combined with being the liaison for the school’s senior management team back to students, Matthew realistically thinks there will be some “learning on the job.”
“For most of us, we haven't really had to do much of that. So, it will be a lot of learning… what works, what doesn't.”
Though their good relationships with many in the school means the communication both ways should be quite effective, says Michael.
Sophie: “I think our communication is probably one of our biggest strengths.”
With all four involved in dance or various sports, they see themselves as already interacting well with other students from across the year levels.
While recognising they are part of a head student continuum and tradition, Matthew says they’d like to find new ways of doing things.
“We'll definitely try to build on this year and just make sure we're doing something unique… Just to make sure we do get remembered for something new.”
Charlie: “The previous execs and head students have all made their mark in different ways, so it'd be good for us to find our own way.”
Sophie: “There are definitely lots of things that previous students have incorporated into the school that have been uplifting for our culture, which I definitely think we'll try to incorporate as well.”
Michael felt relating to fellow students on a one-to-one basis would also be important – fellow students said they remembered head students less for what they did and more for the person they were.
“So, engaging with everybody, being nice, just doing the little things will help a lot as well."
As role models the four also could see the importance of maintaining their academic results.
Matthew: “It was quite cool to see us up on the stage at the academic prize giving, for the head students, but also for topping classes… So, it does show that we are well-rounded.”
Sophie: “We can balance academic demands and sporting and extra curriculum.”
And while all still have another year at school, they are already pondering the year beyond that with sport study or the defence forces possibilities for Matthew and Michael, sport science or teaching in the mix for Sophie, and fashion marketing a current thought for Charlie.
“I'm still kind of undecided at this… but we have a really great support system at Tauhara College, so next year, I think, will be a lot of looking around and seeing what is on offer.
“I don't want to just go to university for the sake of it. I want to actually find something that would be useful and good for me.”
Back to their roles next year, Sophie feels, creating experiences for all will be important.
“Sometimes the minority groups miss out, but we're really going to make an effort to include them and provide them with something that they want to come to school for.”
Charlie: “Making sure everybody has the opportunity to get involved and giving everyone a reason to show up at school. Because it's not always that easy.”
Michael: “Making sure that student voice is heard because some people want different things.
Talking to those groups can help give us positive outcomes.”
Departing slightly from his fellow leaders, Matthew admitted a desire to bring 'back the biff' and rekindle some passion in the school’s interhouse rivalry.
“I want to make the waka competitions a little bigger. I feel like next year will be my chance.”
A desire not lost on Michael: "My dad used to say the reason people turned up to school was to have the waka competition."
