Introducing our Head Students for 2023

Arwin Viduya

Why did you want to be a Head Student? What do you want to achieve in this role?

I wanted the role of Head Student so I could challenge myself and be in a position where I would have to do things outside my comfort zone. I believe that a leader shouldn’t always be someone who is a perfect flawless student but someone who understands the student body and voice, someone who makes students feel comfortable to talk to and I believe that I fill that role.

What are some of the duties and responsibilities you have as a Head Student?

My main responsibility is representing the student body and school. Representing it with truth and integrity.

Favorite subject and or extra-curricular activities?

My favourite subject and my passion is music. I’m interested in the way music acts as a universal language that everyone can relate to no matter where you’re from.

Most important lesson you have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College?

My most important lesson I have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is that everybody makes mistakes but the impact comes from whether you acknowledge your mistakes and develop from them so you can progress further, or whether you let your mistakes dictate your behaviour.

Advice that you would give to your Year 9 self: Try everything you can. Explore your strengths and weaknesses.

Who is someone that inspires you?

My parents have been a big inspiration to me. They have taught me a good set of ethics and morals and have been great role models.

What are your plans for next year once you leave Ōtūmoetai College?

Hopefully go to University at either Univeristy of Auckland or Canterbury to study engineering.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

Finished my Masters in Engineering (hopefully). Travelling around the world for work as a contractor for different companies.

Charo Heijnen

Why did you want to be a head student? What do you want to achieve in this role?

When I first came to Ōtūmoetai College, I really looked up to the head students. They inspired me through their positive influence and I wanted to have that similar impact on other students in our school. I knew this role would give me the opportunity to encourage growth within the school and within individuals which is what I hope to achieve in this role.

What are some of the duties and responsibilities you have as a Head Student?

Being a head student, we are representatives of our school, displaying our school values and modelling the way for students to act. A lot of what we do now is working on our leadership skills through courses and papers and organising initiatives which encourage others to do good. I love the flexibility the role gives me in order to inspire improvement in sections of the school which I’m passionate about driving change in and hopefully helping the school display a set of values I stand behind.

Favorite subject and or extra-curricular activities?

My favourite subject is probably biology. Even though I’m not taking it this year, (I’ve prioritised the workload of chemistry and physics) I really enjoyed the course at Level 2 and definitely see it as being part of my studies next year. In terms of extra curricular activities, I’m very passionate about track and cross country and all the training, recovery and nutrition that goes along with it.

Most important lesson you have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College?

The most important lesson I’ve learnt at Ōtūmoetai College is the importance of a sense of community within your school or wherever you are. This comes when you put yourself out there and immerse yourself in committees and groups who strive for the same ideas as you. To me, it’s made such a difference to feel part of the events at school, knowing you helped organise them to allow others to enjoy the activities.

Advice that you would give to your Year 9 self:

I’d say to surround yourself with people who will encourage you to be the best version of yourself as these are the people who will rub off on you the most and support you through college.

Who is someone that inspires you?

A person who inspires me is actually all the people I train with. They inspire me to push myself through every training and get through even the most difficult sessions, especially, my coach Craig Kirkwood who inspires me to be the best runner I can be. Without them, I wouldn’t love the sport nearly as much as I do now.

What are your plans for next year once you leave Ōtūmoetai College?

Next year, I hope to go to the US on a track/ cross country and academic scholarship. There are so many universities which I’m considering which makes this process both nerve wracking but also really exciting! There, I plan to do a Bachelor of Science majoring in psychology, neuroscience or heath and nutrition or a combination of these which is possible due to the flexibility of degrees there.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

To be honest I have no idea where I see myself in ten years’ time. I hope to be finished with my studies, but whether it’s

Karlia Taylor

Why did you want to be a Head Student? What do you want to achieve in this role?

I wanted to be a Head Student because I am passionate about connection and believe that you get out of school what you put in. I want to improve the sense of belonging students have to our school as both individuals and as a collective by showing them that school can be more than compulsory learning, it can promote community, connection, and personal fulfilment as well.

What are some of the duties and responsibilities you have as a Head Student?

We are tasked with representing both the students within our school and our school in the community. We aim to be role models for peers and younger students by following both our own values and the school’s values. This term we focussed on connecting with the newcomers to our school by going around Year 9 form classes and having conversations with the students. Apart from regular meetings our duties lie where we decide improvement is most important.

Favorite subject and or extra-curricular activities?

My favourite school subject is probably chemistry or biology as I love science and the way it can be used to understand more about ourselves and the world around us.

In my own time I enjoy taking my dog for big walks, reading, and going to the gym.

Most important lesson you have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College?

That the power lies in your own hands. Nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen so get stuck in and let your values guide you. Having a strong sense of your own purpose and goals is important when choosing where to spend your time and who to spend it with.

Advice that you would give to your Year 9 self: Be brave and authentic in everything you do.

Who is someone that inspires you?

My science and student leader teacher, Ms McPike, from Ōtūmoetai Intermediate. She has always followed her passion for the environment and everything in it. She always stands up for what she believes in and has dedicated her life to educating youth about our precious environment and helping others. Although she hasn’t taught me for four years, the influence she has on who I am today and what I stand for continues.

What are your plans for next year once you leave Ōtūmoetai College?

I am planning on studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in environmental science at either the University of Auckland or Victoria University.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

I hope to be working as a sustainability or climate change advisor for a government body or international business. My purpose lies in improving the world we live in and protecting the environment for future generations. Somewhat unrelated, I would also like to have two dogs and a handsome husband!

Peter Colonna

Why did you want to be a head student? What do you want to achieve in this role?

I wanted to be a head student so I could be a role model for students in the future. I love the idea of planting a tree that one day your children will sit under. I want to help make our school a more accepting and loving place now, and into the future.

What are some of the duties and responsibilities you have as a Head Student?

As a head student I represent the school at events like ANZAC Day and orientation evenings. We also oversee various committees and help out with various jobs around the school. But more importantly, I bring lost Year 9 students to their classes!

Favorite subject and or extra-curricular activities?

My favourite subject is media studies and my favourite extracurricular activity is theatre. I’ve been involved in theatre for just over 10 years now and I’ve always loved it. Buy tickets for SpongeBob the Musical!

Most important lesson you have learnt at Ōtūmoetai College?

Be yourself. Before you can ever grow as a person you must learn who you are, and most importantly, express that freely and genuinely. This is the most important thing I have learnt at our school.

Advice that you would give to your Year 9 self:

Like I mentioned before, be yourself. Also, have fun with it, work hard, and make the most of all the opportunities you’re provided with.

Who is someone that inspires you?

I’ve forever been inspired by David Bowie. His passion and bravery to speak up and be unabashedly himself has always been admirable and are traits that I wish to emulate. He was also incredibly wise and well-spoken in his music and interviews.

What are your plans for next year once you leave Ōtūmoetai College?

I’m planning on completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in media and minoring in film at Victoria University. I’m also planning on becoming a semi-hermit once I move into the halls.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

I’d love to see myself working in the film or television industry. If I am making media that moves and inspires people to change, grow, laugh, etc then I will be proud.