Head Students
Neve Molloy
Kia ora everyone. My name is Neve Molloy and I am proud to be your Head of Well-being assisted by Lily Payton for 2023! I decided to apply for this role as I am a very personality based person and love to help others. I have plenty of ideas that I can bring to the table that will uplift others well being’s e.g. a safe space around the school. If I could achieve one thing this year it would be to see more smiley faces around the school. This can be achieved by holding activities to uplift students' well being and to make sure I am always checking up on others and doing the best I can to make others smile, as you know what they say, a smile a day keeps the doctor away ;).
I have always had a passion for supporting and helping others, so when I leave school I am going to pursue this passion by going down the line of mental health work. For me this may consist of psychology, counselling or nursing which all come under the term well being.
I can’t wait for the many fun activities the well being committee is going to bring to the table this year, and I hope to see more smiley faces around the school soon!
Lily Payton
Hey team, I'm Lily. For me, my reason for wanting to be head of well-being was purely to help others around the school feel good about themselves and understand the importance of one’s well being. I am so grateful for being given this opportunity. Well-being to me is a really big concept as I know how important one’s well being is and being able to promote hauora this year is really special to me. I haven’t set myself just one goal in this role, I’m looking at it overall. All I want to do is help others, be a positive role model to my peers and other students within the school and help others understand well being itself and how important it is. Once I leave DHS I would love to pursue my passion for nutrition and health or become a teacher for the younger years. I’m so excited to see everyone grow in 2023 and work together with an amazing group of student leaders to bring some really cool things to the school.
Alicya Cook
Kia ora koutou, I’m Alicya and I’m your Head of Culture for 2023! If you know me you’ll know how enthusiastic and passionate I am about the arts and all things culture, and if you don’t know me I’m sure it won’t stay that way for long (some may say I make myself known!) Ever since I started at DHS I’ve known I wanted to be Head of Culture, my goal has always been to set an example of how cultural events and activities aren’t embarrassing and that’s exactly what I plan to continue this year. I especially want to help the junior students gain confidence in the arts and languages to encourage them to take part in the various cultural activities in future years to come. I’ve been lucky enough to participate in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Competition the past 2 years and am super excited to be competing again this year as well as in Smokefree Rockquest. After school my plan is to head over to Canada to pursue my hobby of Sled Dog Racing as a Career while continuing to do music and drama on the side! I can’t wait to kick off Culture events for 2023 and hope to see heaps of students participating in them!
Louis Ridgen
I’m Louis, your Head Of Sport for 2023! Well along with Isla. Most people would say I’m sports mad but I’m just… well yea I am sports mad. That's why I am excited to be our Head Of Sport this year. I applied to be to be in this position because I am passionate about sports and the growth of sports, especially at the younger ages and am wanting to set the sport side of DHS for years to come as it has lacked a bit in the last 2-3 years. I myself play rugby for the Selwyn Schools 1st XV in the Miles Toyota Championship, this will be my 2nd year playing in the team and I am excited for the year ahead. After 2023 I am planning on attending the NZIS (New Zealand Institute Of Sport) and completing their Diploma in Sport Recreation and Management course.
Isla McPherson
Hi! I am Isla McPherson and I am one of the Head of Sport leaders for 2023. I decided to apply for Head of Sport because I want to pass on my passion for sports to younger students around the school. I also want to encourage and motivate as many students as I can to get more involved with all the cool different sports around the school. I am very excited to work with the younger students around the school and help them develop their skills in sports and help them increase their knowledge in sports by organizing workshops and training plans for the students. My main passion out of school is football and I play in the Coastal Woman's Premier League team and also play in the U18 Canterbury women's team, so when I leave Darfield High School I either want to go to America on a football (soccer) scholarship or go to Otago University and do first year of health science. Bring on 2023!
Mason Thompson
Kia Ora Koutou, my name is Mason Thompson and I am one of Darfield High School's head students for 2023. As a head student my goal is to make DHS a school that students are proud of, a place where students understand that it actually is cool to try your best. I hope to work alongside staff and make sure that students can get the same opportunities at DHS that they could at a town school. I look forward to working towards kaitiakitanga to leave a better future for our school. Once I leave Darfield I am looking at going to the University of Canterbury to study psychology. As a Year 13 I am excited to have a fun year doing what I enjoy which includes playing rugby for Selwyn Schools 1stXV and actively competing in all sports teams / events that I can.
MacKenzie Butler
Kia Ora! I am MacKenzie Butler and I am one of your head students for 2023. I am beyond excited to have been given the opportunity to lead our student leadership team and engage our ākonga, kura and wider hapori. It’s our final year, so we may as well go out with a bang and “leave a legacy.” This year I’m very keen on introducing a number of projects (hush hush) and improving school culture. It’s a massive task, but something that our student leadership team is down to tackle with confidence! (Cause go big or go home right?)
Next year has a range of emotions (some of which are yet TBC), But the plan is BSc majoring in something boring, moving out and starting my forever husband search…
So... to wrap things up, Super excited for 2023 and please don’t be afraid to come and say hi or get into the hives with us!!!!!
Blakely Bruce-Sheppard
Kia ora, I am Blakely Bruce-Sheppard and I am one of Darfield High Schools head students for 2023. The head students of Darfield High School have always been a huge part of student life at DHS. They were role models and played a part in my decision to run for head student. I wanted to have an impact on students at Darfield High School just as how they had an impact on me throughout my years. For 2023 I aim to help students with Rangatiratanga, becoming their best self. As Head students, we are here for the students. I want to help make 2023 a memorable and fulfilling year for students at DHS by supporting their journey and helping them slowly discover how to become their best self. After finishing here at DHS I hope to go to the University of Otago or Canterbury to further my interests. I also hope to soon have the time to travel and gain experience out of New Zealand. I am most excited about having this leadership role where I can make decisions, work with the student leadership team and be a part of creating a fun, motivated and welcoming atmosphere at Darfield High School. I hope to see you all around!
Liam Morris
Kia ora, I'm Liam Morris and I am one of the head students at DHS for 2023. I'm very fond of Darfield as a whole having moved here when I was 3. I love musical theatre, am involved in several community theatre groups, and would love to make it my career! I'm hoping to bring positivity and enjoyment to the students as they make their way through the wonderful world of school. And I'm keen to help make people feel as if they 'belong'. 2023 has many exciting prospects such as a full year without covid (hopefully) and so many activities and opportunities for everyone. One of my goals as a head student is to untie the secondary schools around the area and become a part of a larger community. I'm so grateful to have been chosen as a head student and to be working with an amazing team of staff and students.