Together with Blake Trust, Westpac recognizes promising young leaders across New Zealand from years 5-8.

Sir Peter Blake believed in the incredible potential of our young kiwis to achieve great things and the Blake Young Leaders Award celebrates young students who demonstrate outstanding leadership.

This year Columba College nominated Lila Rhodes from Year 8 to receive this award.

Lila is a very active student participating in many sporting codes. At school she plays Touch and Futsal and has represented Columba in Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country. This year she is also participating in the PAL’s programme.

Outside of school she is involved in Athletics, Cross Country and Hip-Hop dance.

She likes to help younger children with their sport and would enjoy assisting in the Junior School in the future. Due to her love of reading, helping in the Library is another area she sees herself getting involved in. At the moment she is an active member of the Kea Crossing team.

As a class captain this year she was confident to speak on behalf of others and frequently looks for ways to help others. Always enthusiastic and encouraging, her cheerfulness adds much to the class atmosphere.

Her peers see her as confident, kind, caring, and organised. She is helpful to those who need it, shows responsibility and is considerate of other people’s ideas.

It gave us great pleasure to nominate Lila for the Sir Peter Blake Award for 2020.