Suggesting that the selection process is a little like surviving Celebrity Treasure Island raises a sympathetic laugh from next year’s Taupō-nui-a-Tia College head students.
Deputy head girl Lihane Brink: “It's very nerve-wracking. And when you get to the end, you're like, ‘wow, it still doesn't feel real.’”
Being quizzed by other students whether they knew who had been chosen made it hard to get away from it all, she says.
Deputy head boy Jasjot Singh agrees the process of applying, a teacher vote, speeches to the student body and then interviews involved a lot of preparation.
“So mentally, it's a really long game. But it's quite rewarding to get to the other side.”
And they were contesting in a big field from a huge year group, says head girl Georgia Brown.
Lihane: “We have a lot of strong leaders within our group as well. So… obviously, for the teachers, it would have been difficult for them to separate you out from 22 to 4.”
On the upside, plenty of worthy applicants means head boy Kayden Keremete sees success as a vote of confidence.
“Every time you got through a round, and you saw the people who didn't get the opportunity to go through, you're ‘whoa, why didn't you get through?’ but then, okay, well you guys deserve to be here.”
Georgia believes while there are constants in the role, the four will be able to put their own stamp on student leadership.
“There are core responsibilities surrounding committees and attending certain events, but I think in terms of how this team functions we’ll be completely different to past years because we are completely different people, but it'll be fun.”
Kayden: “All four of us have our different strengths and what we can bring to the role and contribute to the school in different ways. Overall… we’re all strong.”
A top hockey player and coach, Kayden says he also enjoys music, playing piano, guitar and more latterly having a go on the drums.
He rejects suggestions from his fellow heads that he also sings.
“I just try to get myself involved in any instrument I can.”
Up until this year Georgia was a keen netball player but has also become keen on running.
“Being outside is always a great break from things, because I'm big on academics. And so I think having those other interests that lie outside schoolwork is really big.”
She has also enjoyed the leadership opportunities that come with being a senior student, including workshops and forums.
“I think it's really fun just to try a lot of different things, even if you're horrible or mediocre at them. I think just getting involved with anything possible is really fun.”
Kayden: “It's probably the biggest part. You don't know if you’ll like something if you don't try it.”
The suggestion he try singing crops up again which he bats back graciously. “Sometimes it makes it even funnier when you're worse at it.”
Lihane, a rower, has also got involved with track cycling this year.
“I wouldn't say I'm as hardcore study as Georgia, but I do keep my grades up, fortunately… So next year’s goal is to balance all my sport with head student duties and academic as well.”
Football and volleyball have been keen pursuits for Jasjot for about 10 years, he says, and Zenith (public speaking).
“I'm really into robotics and engineering… quite love maths as well. So, into my academics as much as my sports, a pretty 50-50 split.”
Leadership and volunteering are also passions.
‘Like cycle challenge… it’s a fun day out, but you're actually helping people and it's quite rewarding.”
They all agree that being good role models and mentors to younger students is an important part of the role.
“It reminds you when you were younger… I think each one of us probably has a cool memory with at least one or two Year 13s that really helped us see ahead,” says Jasjot.
Being the conduit between the senior management and their fellows, Kayden saw as “such a privilege.”
Lihane: “Those students from our speeches, they trusted us, and they thought we can trust them to get ideas across.”
But it also comes with responsibilities – one pressing one Kayden admits he has to get on to – getting to know his constituents.
“Georgia knows but there's this one kid that floats around school and every time I see him, he calls my name and comes give me a hug and I'm like ‘Georgia, I need to learn this kid's name.’
They bring you a lot of joy.”
Despite the work involved in preparing to be the school’s top student representatives next year, the four are happy they made the effort.
Georgia: “I think you’d kick yourself more if you didn't go for it.”
Jasjot: “You don’t want to live with the regret.”
Kayden: “We probably all went for the role knowing we’d do a bloody good job.”
Lihane: “The school does a pretty good job with developing confidence.”
