Lily and Riley will work to support the Head Prefect, Helen Li, next year, deputise for her when she is away, run the student council and help to drive prefect projects and initiatives throughout the College. They will need to have excellent communication skills, deep reserves of patience, superior organisational strategies and be flexible enough to pick up a task with a minute's notice...all without missing a beat!

What year did you start at Columba?

Lily: Year 3 (2012)

Riley: Year 0 (2010)

What is your best Columba memory so far?

Lily: I've been here a long time so there are quite a few, but I think most recently, my best memory isn't necessarily my happiest memory. Over the past few years, the Senior Madrigal Choir has become like a second family to me. This meant that at our last rehearsal it was very emotional singing our last song together, showing how this quite random group of people had, without realising it, become very good friends, which I think is really special.

Riley:In 2015 we performed our Junior School performance where I played the role of a Praying Mantis which has always been a funny memory. Or, in 2018 we won a gold medal at the Senior Touch Nationals in Auckland.

What were your thoughts when Mrs Duthie offered you the role of Deputy Head Prefect?

Lily: I was honoured to have been chosen and trusted with this role and I was grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Columba community. I was surprised to have been offered such a highly regarded role and initially slightly apprehensive but after consideration I think it's a role that is well suited to me.

Riley: When Mrs Duthie offered me the role I was very excited and thrilled for the opportunity. I quickly realised the work and management that will be required but it will be a challenge I am ready to embrace.

How have your parents responded?

Lily: My parents are very proud of me and we went out as a family for a celebratory dinner.

Riley: My parents were both very happy and excited for me. I told both Mum and Dad the day I found out and they were very proud.

What life experience do you believe prepares you for your prefect role?

Lily: I have three younger siblings that I have always had to watch out for and help out with different things over the years which has taught me communication skills and empathy.

Riley: I have always been a people person and I love getting to know new people. I have captained a number of teams. Currently I captain Senior A netball and Otago u18touch which have given me the opportunity to establish strong leadership skills. I have attended Columba my whole life so Columba is a part of who I am. In Year 10, I first started coaching sports team which taught me about patience, organisational skills and time management. These are skills I believe that prepare me for my prefect role. I have continued coaching different Year groups as well as different codes and have recently also started tutoring. I tutor a Year 7 and a Year 10 student, which also prepares me as it has taught me about communication, reliability and responsibility.

What are your passions beyond school?

Lily: My greatest passion throughout my life has been my dancing which I have done for the past 16 years which, ballet in particular, has given me a disciplined mindset, helping me a lot throughout school and I have made many life-long friends. I also enjoy playing the flute and singing classically which has led me to join the school orchestras and choirs which has allowed me to push myself as a musician.

Riley: Sports- competitively I play netball, touch and basketball. I have played sports for most of my life and it is also a large part of my family's background. I love playing sport because of the people I meet, the friendships I create and the ability to grow personal skills. Working with and being a part of team is something I love and I believe it is an experience everyone should have. It's an opportunity to discover yourself through the ability to learn life skills as well as life experiences.

What are your personal and academic goals for 2022?

Lily: My goal for 2022 is to focus my time efficiently so I can both maintain my personal academic standards while also carrying out my prefect duties to the best of my ability. As I will be Year 13, I also need to make a decision about what I want to pursue in my further studies.

Riley: Personally, I would like to become a role model for other students and be able to work and learn from a range of different people. Academically, I would like to gain a scholarship into Otago University. I am still unsure of the course I would like to do but am considering first year Health Science or Sports Science. I also would like to gain Level 3 with an Excellence Endorsement.

If you could be an animal, what would it be and why?

Lily: At home we have both cats and chickens. Surprisingly, it tends to be the chickens that chase the cats but this seems to be the only hardship these scaredy cats face. In all other areas of their life (sleeping and eating for free), they seem very happy and quite frankly I am envious of my cat Ron.

Riley: If I could be an animal I would probably be a Monkey. I always like to be doing something and I am never sitting still. I am a very social/talkative person though I do need independence at times. I believe I am reliable, loyal, positive and ready to take on any challenges I should face.