Heads of School 2022

On Wednesday 9 February, the 2022 Heads of School were announced at Chapel of Christ the King by Headmaster Ben Skeen and predecessors Gretel Muir and Frazer Tam. Congratulations to St Paul’s Collegiate School’s newest leaders:

Head Boy – Samuel Peoples

Samuel joined St Paul’s in 2018 as a Year 9 day student in Hamilton House and previously attended St Joseph’s Catholic School. He is competent academically and has gained his NCEA Level 1 endorsed with Excellence and Level 2 endorsed with Merit. For his Level 1 studies, he was awarded his scholars' tie with a GPA of 87% and acknowledged as a Scholastic Centurion in Sports Science.

Samuel has done outstandingly well swimming over the years, gaining many podium finishes for his ability as a swimmer, and is a member of the elite swim team. Samuel has also played water polo for the school and in Year 9, was an enthusiastic participant in the Get2Go Adventure Racing team who were regional winners in the mixed premier category.

While at Tihoi in 2019, Samuel was named Most Valued House Member for Mollys House but of more significant note is that he was one of the small number of boys nominated as Most Outstanding Student for his particular intake.

Samuel has been a member of the school choir for the past four years, and last year, he joined the cast of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar to add to his cultural skillset. He learned piano as his instrument in Year 9 and enthusiastically participates alongside his housemates in the house singing and haka competitions.

Samuel has participated in the Over the Fence Ministry and volunteered to work alongside the St Joan’s Resthome and Hospital residents providing ukulele lessons and art classes. He also attended the World Vision Youth Conference in 2021 and was recognised for his contribution to this area of school life by being awarded his service tie.

Samuel is described by house staff as having integrity and drive. This has been proven time and again as he balances his considerable involvement across all areas of the school. Samuel is well-liked by his peers and has gained the respect of many through his approachable manner. He is looking for a new challenge for 2022 and leading the Prefects as they move alongside the student body to help to integrate the many and various facets of our school community into a united whole.

Head Girl – Leah Weck

Leah joined us from ACG Strathallan College as a Year 11 boarding girl in 2020 and is proudly of Tainui and Ngati Porou descent. Leah is an academic scholar who has gained her NCEA Level 1 and Level 2 certificates endorsed with Excellence. After her Level 1 studies, she was awarded a Scholars’ Tie with a GPA of 94% and was acknowledged as a Scholastic Centurion for Level 1 Art Design/Photography and IGCSE Physics.

Leah is an extremely capable and talented sportswoman and has played in our Premier Reserves Netball side for two seasons. However, her work on the water has been most impressive. She is an active, committed, and dedicated member of the St Paul’s Rowing Club, and in 2021 she held the vice-captain position. Leah has achieved podium finishes, senior sporting colours and her rowing cap.

Leah has enthusiastically worked alongside her housemates each year to produce the highly anticipated Harington Fashion Show and in conjunction with the boys of Clark House when working towards the house singing and haka competitions. At the recent girls’ camp held at Tihoi, Leah led the girls in haka training, and it was certainly an impressive display to watch.

Leah has actively participated in the Over the Fence Ministry and has raised money towards Flame Cambodia through her involvement in the annual charity relay. Leah is described as diligent, thoughtful, confident, personable, and positive. Leah is ready and willing to take on this leadership role which will be another stepping stone in her desire to prove herself worthy of gaining a scholarship to a prestigious American University for her tertiary studies. She is someone that students can count on to get the job done.

Deputy Head Boy – Daniel Williams

Daniel joined St Paul’s in 2018 as a Year 9 day student in Fitchett House, having previously attended Horsham Downs School. He is a competent academic contributor whose name has regularly been featured at the annual educational prizegiving events. He has achieved his NCEA Level 1 and 2 certificates endorsed with Excellence. He has been acknowledged as a Scholastic Centurion at Level 1 for Te Reo Maaori, IGCSE Chemistry, IGCSE Mathematics, and IGCSE Physics and at Level 2 for chemistry, English, geography, mathematics with calculus, physics, and Te Reo Maaori.

Daniel has been a member of the St Paul’s ski team for the past four years, which he captained in 2021. He also enjoys rock climbing and in 2021, was named vice-captain. While undertaking the Tihoi experience in Year 10, Daniel gained his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and was named Most Valued House Member for Gills House.

Daniel has been a member of the St Paul’s Choir and travelled with them to the Aspire International Music Festival in Australia in 2019, where the choir placed third. He actively participates alongside his peers in Fitchett House in the annual House Singing and Haka competitions. As a Year 9 student, Daniel was a member of the Chapel Worship Team and learned to play the drums.

Daniel enjoys giving back and does this through his participation in the School’s service programmes. He was a coordinator of the Year 11 Service Committee in 2020, and in 2021 he participated in the Over the Fence Ministry, volunteered his services to the St Joan’s Resthome and Hospital through the ukulele and art classes, and attended the World Vision Youth Conference. His active engagement in service saw him awarded his service tie last year.

Daniel is held in the highest regard by his housemates and house staff. He has a considerable work ethic, shows maturity, and has made the most of every opportunity presented to him over the past four years. In recent years, he has exercised his considerable leadership skills within both sporting and service arenas and is ready to take on a greater leadership role in his final year.

Deputy Head Girl – Joanna Li

Joanna joined us from St Peter’s School as a Year 11 day student in 2020. She has gained her NCEA Level 1 and Level 2 certificates endorsed with Excellence. For her Level 1 studies, she was awarded her scholars’ tie with a GPA of 100%, was acknowledged as a Scholastic Centurion in Level 1 Geography, IGCSE Chemistry, IGCSE English, IGCSE Physics, Level 2 mathematics, and Cambridge AS Mathematics, and gained an Outstanding Scholarship in geography, all while still a Year 11 student. The same year, she was awarded first place in the world for chemistry in Cambridge IGCSE. Following her 2021 studies, Joanna will receive recognition as a Scholastic Centurion in Level 2 chemistry and geography and Level 2 mathematics with calculus and physics.

In her sporting areas, Joanna is a New Zealand and Waikato representative in badminton. She is a member of the senior debating team, placed second in 2021 in the Race Unity Speech Awards, and gained a Highly Commended Top 4 in the region in the same year.

Joanna is service-focused in her approach to life and has enthusiastically involved herself with the Over the Fence Ministry volunteer at the St Joan’s Resthome and Hospital, and participated in the World Vision 40 Hour Famine. Joanna attended the World Vision Youth Conference in 2021 and was nominated for and awarded an Altrusa Youth Award representing St Paul’s. She also received her service tie for Community Service.

The staff describe Joanna as positive, with an encouraging attitude, friendly and cheerful. She is multi-talented and able to maintain a high level of balance across the many and varied facets of life.