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The key to being a leader is simple: be a good role model and help students toward their goals.
It’s something the Hauraki Plains College head students for 2026 believe as they kick off the new school year with a goal to encourage their fellow students.
They hoped to reach a place where all students “feel a sense of belonging” at the college, the young leaders told The Profile.
Head of academic and hospitality council Georgia Green, 16, said she was excited to encourage students to “strive for excellence” and support them in all aspects of their learning, while also making sure every event is properly catered for.
One dream the young leader hopes to achieve personally is to reach her full potential and never give up.
When faced with challenges, the young academic said: “I just work to get it done, [and] never give up until I succeed”.
Meanwhile, fellow leader and head of arts and environmental council Selwin de Haast, 17, said he hoped to live a life full of different experiences.
He was excited to run some of the big events, such as HPC’s annual outdoor musical event One Autumn’s Night, and to start some new events to offer arts students more opportunities to show their work, he said.
Someone who inspired Selwin to be a great leader was Nelson Mandela, because he “changed people for the better”, he said, while head of cultural and wellbeing council Malia Mason, 17, said she admired her Poūa (grandfather).
“He is someone who I have always looked up to and admired through his hard work,” the leader said.
She looked forward to influencing students to try new things and “feel supported” while doing so, as well as promoting cultural awareness and education.
Having a positive mindset really helped her get through challenging times.
Meanwhile, fellow leader and head of sports and service council Amber Perry, 17, said she always faced challenges “head on” and strived to do her best.
Amber’s goal was to help uplift school spirit and make it a fun environment through the school events, she said.
One dream she hoped to achieve was to live life to the fullest.
Fellow leader and head of technology and hapū council Hamish Paterson, 17, said he aimed to continue the winning streak for the Waihōu house group and support the interests of students through technology and engineering.
The thing that encouraged him to press on and do his best even when there were challenges came down to the fact that “I am very stubborn and driven to always give 110 per cent in everything I do”, he said.
The group of young leaders believed they had a strong set of strengths and skills amongst them.
“We think we are all confident, approachable and understanding.
“We all have the desire to succeed in our leadership and leave a lasting impression of awesomeness across the school, leaving an unforgettable legacy,” the head students said.
Their advice for fellow students was to work hard and “don’t forget to have fun”.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
