The lion, the star, the sash...

"It's just the mana that the boys had," said Josiah Moetara, a Deputy Head Prefect of HBHS, as he reflected on what he remembered most about the Head Prefects when he was in Year 10. As a Year 13 student now, Josiah’s mana is one of his most admirable characteristics and it is clear that he has developed this through having the courage to build resilience, a commitment to the virtue of arete and a genuine love for service. With these three characteristics, Josiah encapsulates the symbols in our HBHS crest of the lion, the star and the sash, making him a role model to aspire to.

Rugby has not only always been a significant part of Josiah's life, but growing up to be an All Black was also his childhood dream. Josiah recalled one of his most challenging moments when he said, “In Year 10 I missed out on the Under 15 A and B rugby team. This was quite tough for me… It was almost time to quit rugby to be honest.” But with the encouragement of some teachers and the courage of a lion, Josiah continued playing and training hard. He ended up leading the 2nd XV Rugby Team as Captain in 2022, and in earning his place this year in the 1st XV, his resilience and courage paid off. These accomplishments are a testament to his perseverance, resilience and dedication which would not have been possible without having the courage to work towards being his very best.

Working towards being his best rather than being the best is how Josiah demonstrates the virtue of arete. Josiah openly discusses that he isn’t the best student or an “academic weapon.” He isn’t the “best athlete or the most confident.” When discussing the life lessons he learned from rugby, he explains that “Nothing will come without hard work. You can’t expect rewards and good fortune without hard work.” It is in the striving for excellence and the discipline day after day to achieve his goals where Josiah demonstrates the symbol of the star emblazoned on our HBHS school crest.

As Leader of the Service Committee, it is not a surprise that Josiah embodies the symbol of the sash. Josiah spends many hours every week in service to his church and to our school. When Josiah first started signing off hours for his service badges as a junior, his mum challenged his motivations for the service. It was then that Josiah realised that service is doing good for others without expecting rewards. By joining clubs and lending a hand whenever possible, Josiah demonstrates that service means showing up for other people. “Service is a big part of being a good person. There’s rewards and all that - there’s the badges.. but I think service is just giving yourself up for something greater…you become a better person through service…you start to look out for other people.”

With everything Josiah Moetara has achieved, he could be intimidating to junior boys. However, Josiah’s natural charisma and warm personality make him approachable and his integrity to be himself is worthy of respect. While every student at HBHS wears the school crest on their uniform, Josiah has earned the symbols of the lion, star and sash on the crest he wears through his courage, arete and service to the school and his community. Josiah carries the mana that he respected and admired in the HBHS leaders he once aspired to be like and now, as a Year 13 Deputy Head Prefect, he is the role model we aspire to be like.