“There definitely is no where I’d rather be than at Hagley”

Lilly Anderson is a leader, a role model and a proud Year 13 student at our kura. She is inspiring, has big goals and an even bigger future. I caught up with her to chat all things leadership!

Lilly has a long list of contributions she makes to our school, but she is most well known for being the Student Representative on the school Board for 2023. In fact, when she stood and delivered her election speech, I couldn’t help but think she should be running this school! Lilly is the senior representative on the Junior student council and sits on the Senior council, represents Hagley at the One Schools Network, is a Peer Support Leader and a member of the Choir.

I was interested in whether Lilly had always thought of herself as a leader, as the word itself can be a polarising and pressure-filled word. Lilly, however, always knew that she wanted to be part of something at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa, and knew she wanted to be a role model and to make a difference. She started with her involvement in a Junior leaders group but was very much still in her shell as a Junior. With the right kind of support and encouragement, Lilly started to believe in herself and see herself as a leader!

This all came together for Lilly when she realised that for her Year 13 year she was ready to put herself forward for the role of student representative on the school Board. This is the only traditional leadership role we have in our school. She wasn’t sure what to expect from the role but she has enjoyed connecting with a wide range of people and finding solutions to problems. She enjoys being a role model and representing the student body at the governance level of the school. She also describes it as being cool to see the background workings of our school and recognises how complex it can be.

Without a traditional structure, leadership opportunities are open to everyone at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa and Lilly has taken advantage of many. She recognises Pūhoro, a programme for Māori students focussing on STEM subjects, as a great oppotunity for her to advance academically but also as a means to learn about who she is from a cultural sense. She has also opted in to student councils which run both as a senior and a junior council and if you are interested in making a difference to our school you can be part of it. That is the best bit! You don’t have to be selected to lead here, you can choose to and then grow into the role. Lilly describes this as our school "being blanketed in this equality thing!" Our leaders are all approachable!

Lilly has grown into roles and an example of this is through her involvement in the choir. She was more than happy in her junior years to sway in the back of the choir. Fast forward to this year where she is putting her hand up to solo in the Big Sing! Lilly really wanted to emphasise her leadership and personal growth over her time at Hagley.

Lilly chose Year 12/13 Leadership as one of her school subjects and she has very much valued hearing from other leaders and learning from them. Her advice is that it is great to take this class if you are a Peer Support Leader as you have class time to plan engaging activities and spend time reflecting on the sessions you led.

Her advice for new senior students: put your hand up for any opportunities. Immerse yourself in things even if you are not sure initially if they are for you. Become a Peer Support Leader in Year 13. This gives you the chance, before school starts for the year, to meet people and learn how to be the bridge between seniors and juniors. Being able to help someone learn about our school and learn their way around is such a great contribution to make.

Leadership at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa does not have to involve doing big things! It can be smaller things such as leading a club and activity – if it doesn’t exist, make it happen yourself.

Lilly is focussed on her future and plans to work in business. She would like to work in Human Resources and would very much like to enhance Māori women in business. She is motivated by her Grandma who did the degree that Lilly is planning on doing and works to support people that really need her. I can see Lilly being just great at that!

When I asked Lilly what she will take away from this school with her for her future this is what she replied:

“My experiences at this school have shown me that I am capable of doing these things. I can’t wait to get involved in things like the Clubs and Societies, particularly Women in Business. I will be putting myself out there!”

I am 100% confident that she will. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Lilly! Thank you for all you have contributed to our kura.