Introducing Student Leaders for 2022

Introducing our Student Leaders 2022

Azmi Hirota - Mentoring Committee Leader

Although I was a shy person in year 9, I pushed myself to join new groups and attend activities even if I didn’t know anyone. Over time this became a habit and now I am comfortable giving most new opportunities a try. I’ve learned that no one is naturally comfortable at all times. Pushing myself outside my comfort zone has helped me develop my confidence and leadership skills. I credit my teachers and Ms Woodward for encouraging and supporting me during my time at Ōtūmoetai College. My goal for 2022 is to be accepted to the Engineering Department at Canterbury University. I am super excited to live in Christchurch, my favourite city in New Zealand.

Outside of school I enjoy playing badminton for the Bay of Plenty U19 REPs team. I’ve been playing badminton since year 7 at OIS. The one week national tournament in Palmerston North is the highlight of my year. I love hanging out with my badminton friends and playing against some of the best badminton players in the country. Even though I don’t drink coffee, I’m passionate about making great coffee and latte art at my family’s cafe. I hope to get a job as a barista in Christchurch when I attend uni.

Dianne Galorio - Whare Leader - Manunui

My favourite subject is Media Studies and English as it enables you to incorporate theories within a text and encourages you to think creatively. The most important lesson I have learned at college is to try things out!! Go for leadership opportunities and put yourself out there; you’re only at college once! My goal is to leave this place where students can be encouraged positively and feel they are in a safe environment to grow and succeed.

Ella Crichton - Publicity Committee Leader

My favourite subject this year is soft materials, I love that it gives me the opportunity to do hands-on work based on real situations and that it allows me to improve on a useful skill. The most important lesson I’ve learnt while at Ōtūmoetai College is that it’s more important to like yourself than it is to be liked by other people. When you’re surrounded by as many people as you are in the college it’s impossible for everyone you encounter to like who you are, but if you’re good with who you are at the end of the day and you’re always trying to improve, that’s enough. My main goal for this year is to genuinely do my best in everything I do.

Emily Wahab - Creative Arts Committee Leader

My favourite subjects are calculus and chemistry and my favourite extracurricular is dance which I am also lucky enough to take as a subject as well as leading one of the school’s competition dance troupes. The most important lesson I have learnt from my time at Ōtūmoetai College is how important it is to maintain a balance of school, social, and extracurricular activities. Academically, my goal for the year is to gain NCEA Level 3 endorsed with Excellence. As a leader of the Creative Arts Committee my goal is to get as many students as possible involved in the creative arts, especially the juniors to help them feel more integrated into our school community.

Ethan Andrews - Whare Leader - Ōtanewainuku

My favourite subject is physics and I also currently play rugby for the school which I started playing when I was in year 11. The most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is the importance of leadership, with my proudest achievement being a Whare house leader. The school has taught me the significance of good leadership qualities in a wider school setting. My Goal for this year is to develop my leadership skills and also achieve well in NCEA level 3.

Eva Guccione - Whare Leader - Maunganui and Environment Committee Leader

My favorite subject is history, I´ve had some really great teachers and it is a super interesting subject that I hope to continue with at university next year. One lesson I have learned at Ōtūmoetai in the past five years is that you decide your own pathway. There will be people that get in your way, but it’s your choice on how to deal with it. My goal for this year is to endorse Level 3, as well as this, I hope to leave the school with a positive mindset for the future.

Eva Karena - Mentoring Committee Leader

My favourite extracurricular activity would definitely have to be indoor and outdoor rock-climbing. I have been climbing competitively for 10 years and now I’m growing into a coaching role for my climbing clubs at school and at the climbing gym in Mount Maunganui. The achievement I am most proud of is probably my acceptance into my Student Leader position. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be in a leadership position at school, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity that I was presented with. If I could encourage everyone to apply for such roles, I would (and I definitely have). Moreover, my goal for this year is to worry less about my grades. Throughout high school, like many, I’ve always been really disappointed when I didn’t get the grade I strived for. This year, the only academic achievement I’m aiming for

Grayce Gill - Environment Committee Leader

My favourite subjects are biology and chemistry. I’m grateful for the teachers I’ve had as they have helped me discover my passion for the science behind our day to day lives. The most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is that you should follow what you love and not let others influence your actions. I am proud of the confidence I have gained within myself over the years and my achievement of becoming a student leader. My goal this year is to enjoy my last year of college and to make many more amazing memories, while learning more and preparing for university.

Hailey Cottam - Sports Committee Leader

My favourite subjects at school are Sport Education and Sport Science. I also enjoy my sports a lot which are volleyball and netball. The achievements I am most proud of are endorsing both NCEA L1 and L2 with merit, becoming a leader for the sports committee and also achieving the top sports teams in volleyball and netball. My goal for this year is to leave school knowing I have done everything to the best of my ability. And to also figure out what I’m doing with my life!

Hazel Blissett - Whare Leader - Ōtanewainuku

My favourite subject at school is sport science as I get to learn about how my body works and develops but mostly because it’s a practical class where I can have fun with my friends and improve on my sporting skills. The most important lesson I have learnt is that you can always dream of the big things but without doing the small stuff the big stuff will never be possible. My goal for this year is finishing school not regretting anything if it’s doing sport, something in class, or even something with friends.

Kate Amundsen- Special Events Committee Leader

My favourite subject this year would be dance but I really like English too. I also love sailing, being out on the water and going to the beach. The most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is to try as many things as you can and make the most of all the opportunities the school has to offer, and that it is okay to fail because support will be given. My goal for this year is to organise an amazing ball that the seniors won’t forget and I hope that everyone will enjoy themselves!

Maia Baunton - Hauora Commitee Leader

My favourite subjects are Economics and Outdoor Education, I am passionate about volleyball and rugby. The most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is giving new things a go and venturing outside my comfort zone. My goal this year is to gain university entrance, and endorse the year with merit.

Neisha Moore - Special Events Committee Leader

As a favourite this year I enjoy Outdoor Education along with my police course that I’m doing as an extracurricular subject- super exciting and filled with new learnings. As an extracurricular activity I enjoy fitness and keeping my body moving! This definitely includes running up Mount Maunganui! As well as this, I love the social atmosphere at my part time job currently working at Harbourside! The strength of independence - and the achievement I’m most proud of is achieving academic excellence both level 1 and 2, as well as being selected as 1/80 students to travel to Wellington for the Young Enterprise Scheme EIA experience last year - fantastic!! My goal for this year is to have fun, make memories, and achieve to the best level I can with the aim and goal to succeed.

Nico Brown - Sports Committee Leader

My favourite subjects are economics and outdoor education, I am passionate about volleyball and rugby. The most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is giving new things a go and venturing outside my comfort zone. My goal this year is to gain university entrance, and endorse the year with merit.

Phoebe Dougherty - Whare Leader - Karewa

My favourite subjects are English and Earth and Space Science as I’ve found a real interest in the topics and have had really amazing teachers backing me up throughout the years. The most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College over the past 5 years is that it’s ok to make mistakes. Those mistakes don’t mean failure but instead they equip you with the right tools to deal with problems that arise in the future. My goal for 2022 is to leave this year and my last 5 years knowing that I’ve done my best. I want to leave knowing I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish and that I have no regrets.

Tom Voller - Creative Arts Committee Leader

My favourite extracurricular activity is rock climbing. I am proud of getting first in level 2 maths. I also want to improve the students’ connections with the arts this year.