We are fortunate to have five outstanding student leaders for 2020.

Name: Melissa McLeod

Position: Head Student

Age: 17

Why did you want to be head girl/boy?

I wanted to be head student for East Otago High School because I have always admired our past head students and have always strived to be one myself. I believe I have the right qualities to be a positive role model to the younger students. I hope to encourage the younger students to get involved in anything they can and hopefully strive to be a head student.

What are your goals for this year?

My goals for this year are to continue the positive rapport within the school, to overall endorse with excellence for my third year in a row and be accepted into nursing school so I am able to become a nurse in the ED. I will continue to learn new things within the fire brigade and hopefully become a better firefighter.

What sports/clubs/activities are you involved in at school and outside of school? Within the school I am student representative on the Board of Trustees, coach for netball, member of the Senior A netball team, the SADD committee, part of the School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning committee, Wellbeing Committee, Student Council (BOT rep), Peer Support leader and attend the radio program. Outside of school I am in the Waikouaiti Volunteer Fire Brigade and work at the Palmerston 4 Square.

What do you like about living in East Otago?

I like living in the East Otago community because of how close and positive a lot of it is. I have noticed this a lot more with working in the 4 Square and have developed a closer relationship with many different aged members of the community.

What would you improve about the district if you had the chance?

If I had the chance to improve anything in the district it would be to get the community more involved in our school, by encouraging them to come to different activities within the school.

Name: Ella Sheat

Position: Head Student

Age: 17

Why did you want to be head girl/boy?

I wanted to be head girl because I believe I have the qualities which are needed to be a great Head Student for East Otago High School. As a Year 7, I remember looking up to the Head Students and thinking how I wanted to be like them. They were motivating, responsible and someone who I aspire to be. I want to encourage the students to try their best at any activity, for the students to feel that they can come to me and talk to me about things that they are not too sure about.

What are your goals for this year?

This year, I would like to endorse NCEA level 3 with at least Merit and pass, enjoy my last year at high school, encourage the younger students to try their best at school and be a great role model for them and gain the required grades to enter Otago Polytech in 2021 and study to become a Vet Nurse.

What sports/clubs/activities are you involved in at school and outside of school?

Outside of school, I ride horses, enjoy spending time with my family and friends and work at the Palmerston Four Square. In School, I am a Peer Support leader for the Year 7 students, play netball for East Otago High School and a coach for the Year 7 and 8 netball team.

What do you like about living in East Otago?

I like living in East Otago because it’s a small but tight group of people which support and help each other out. I also like living in East Otago because there are a lot of farming families around the area, I come from a farming family and live on a farm and know how much all the neighbouring farming families support each other.

What would you improve about the district if you had the chance?

I would try to improve the way people talk and think about the school, East Otago may be a small school, but we have great teachers and support just like all the other schools around the district. 

Name: Sophie Woodhouse

Position: Deputy Head Student

Age:17

Why did you want to be head girl/boy?

I believe I have the qualities that are important for a Head Student. I wanted to be head girl because I wanted to be more involved in the school and to positively represent the school and to get students to be more positive about our school.

What are your goals for this year?

To do better in my classes and get better grades. And to do well in my role as Deputy Head Student. I also want to do better in my sports and out of school activities and sports.

What sports/clubs/activities are you involved in at school and outside of school?

I'm involved in netball by playing and coaching. I also play rugby inside and outside of school and I'm also involved in Kidz Kartz Otago outside of school. I also worked at a horse racing stable in Christchurch throughout the holidays.

What do you like about living in East Otago?

How everyone knows each other and are all friendly and everyone supports our school and is very positive about it.

What would you improve about the district if you had the chance?

To be more involved in the school and school activities such as special assemblies.

Name: Katelyn Toomey

Age:16

Position: Deputy Head Student

Why did you want to be head girl/boy? I wanted to become a leader and role model towards the younger students.

What are your goals for this year? To make more opportunities for those interested in the arts

What sports/clubs/activities are you involved in at school and outside of school? East Otago Musical theatre, choir, mixed hockey team, netball

What do you like about living in East Otago? The close community and the opportunity’s we’re offered by living in a smaller school.

What would you improve about the district if you had the chance? I feel like the district is alright the way it is but If I could, I would improve the Palmerston hall, so the community can utilise it more.

Name: Sydney McCaw

Age: 16

Position: Deputy Head Student

Why did you want to be head girl/boy? Because I wanted the opportunity to give back to the school and be a role model for the younger students.

What are your goals for this year? To excel in all of my subjects

What sports/clubs/activities are you involved in at school and outside of school? I am a student Librarian and a Peer Support leader.

What do you like about living in East Otago? The close and caring community where everyone supports everyone.

What would you improve about the district if you had the chance? Nothing, it’s pretty great how it is.