Meet our Head Students for 2024

Grace Cliffe

Kia ora. I’m Grace Cliffe, one of the Head Students this year! 2024 has already started off with a bang for Waimea and I’m positive that there is plenty ahead for students to look forward to in the year.
For some insight into my life, I was raised here in Nelson and attended Appleby School and Waimea Intermediate before Waimea College. I love our region and believe it is one of the most stunning places in New Zealand.

You can often catch me playing netball or getting in some training for upcoming adventure races. My passions lie in getting into the outdoors in whatever way I can (fair to say I take advantage of Waimea’s awesome Outdoor Education program). When I’m not outdoors, I’m probably creating a mess in the kitchen, attempting to bake recipes, or completely zoned out in a book. This year the subjects I’m taking are Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Geography and Outdoor Ed. These subjects really interest me and provide me with good challenges.

I’m really looking forward to Year 13. I’m sure it will be filled with heaps of learning, new opportunities and making some lifelong memories with my classmates.  When the time comes for me to leave Waimea College, I plan on heading to Canterbury or Otago University to study Environmental Science.
This year I aim to be a friendly face around school that students can approach. I love to meet new people, so feel free to approach me for a chat. 

My message to the students for the year ahead is to be brave and be kind. I believe personal growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone and that the world could always do with a little bit more kindness. Wishing everyone all the best for 2024!

Mia Kinzett

Kia ora koutou! I’m Mia Kinzett and I am excited to be on the Head Student team for 2024. My Waimea story started long before I attended Waimea College. I started off my journey by attending Waimea Kindergarten, heading around to Henley School, Waimea Intermediate and finally Waimea College. I’m excited to be back after a hot summer break! This year I am studying Music, Physical Education, Media Studies, English Advanced and Geography. My goal for this year is to give my all to everything I do, to ensure it's to a high standard.

In my spare time you will most likely find me in the hills tramping with my family, mountain biking, on the court playing netball or working as a swimming instructor. Waimea College offers many opportunities around the school. I would encourage your teen to take every opportunity that interests them. Some of the opportunities I have taken up this year is playing lead guitar in Waimea College's upcoming musical Mary Poppins, taking many music lessons, playing tenor horn in the school orchestra, netball, volleyball, hockey and much more!

This year I aim to be a friendly and approachable person that strives to be the best version of themselves. I look forward to seeing you in school and around in the community. Bring on 2024!

Sebastian Lams

Hello everyone, my name is Sebastian Lams, and it is with great pleasure that I can introduce myself as one of the Head Students this year.  I am the youngest in my family of four with an older brother Tom who came through Waimea College a few years ago. My parents, Nicole and Michael are the most supportive and kind parents I could ask for and they are the reason I wake up every day ready to challenge anything that may come my way.

I have lived in Nelson, New Zealand for the last thirteen years since moving from England, where I was born. I attended Richmond Primary, Waimea Intermediate and now Waimea College. This year I am studying English, Statistics, Psychology, Media Studies and Drama. I enjoy all the subjects I take and hope to continue my education next year in the psychological field.

I am a keen sportsman playing rugby and both indoor and beach volleyball. But to be honest, volleyball is my passion. I have been playing for as long as I can remember, and it is where I feel most comfortable and excited. I am already stuck into my schoolwork, so between school and volleyball I don’t see the light of day.

I am ready for this coming year and am prepared to take on any challenges with the rest of the Head Student team. I am super excited for everything to come, and I am sure we will get lots done this year as we have a great leadership team.

William Seymour

Kia ora, my name is William Seymour and I'm super excited to be one of Waimea's Head Students for 2024. I'm looking forward to having an amazing year with our awesome team of Head Students (and learning as many names of students as I can!)

Before arriving at Waimea College, I attended Waimea Intermediate, Henley and Enner Glynn Primary. I live in Richmond with my Mum, Dad and my younger sister Maddie who is in Year 11. I also have two cats named Pippi and Fred. Beyond the classroom I enjoy playing the piano as well as volleyball. However, I am probably most well known for being a competitive swimmer. I have been swimming for around 14 years and have won multiple national titles in butterfly and backstroke.

This year at school I am studying Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics and Calculus, with a goal to endorse NCEA Level 3 with Excellence whilst keeping my prowess on the sporting side of things.
In 2025 I am hoping to receive a swimming scholarship to a university in the USA where I will study Finance or Science (I haven't decided yet).  

This year I want to be someone who's approachable and inclusive, as well as encouraging others to get involved with the vast number of opportunities that are offered at Waimea College. I wish everyone the best for 2024, and I cannot wait to see you around the school!

Jess Spurgeon

Hey! I’m Jess Spurgeon, one of your (very excited) 2024 Head students.  Unlike the others, I haven’t been at Waimea College from day one, having only joined at the end of Year 10. In 2021, my family of 5 (Mum, Dad, my older sister, Becky, who graduated from Waimea last year, and my younger sister Katie, who just started Year 9 at Waimea) made a big move from England to New Zealand and happily settled in Nelson.  It was a big decision to move halfway across the world, but it was one we never regretted as it has offered so many great opportunities.

Next year I am planning on returning to England to attend University and study Law. My subjects for this year are Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, History and Economics. One of my goals for Year 13 is to Excellence Endorse at NCEA, whilst participating in as much as possible around the school, whether that be House skits or peer mentoring.  I believe this will help make it a memorable final year. I keep myself busy outside of school with netball, running and swimming at the beach. 

In the role of Head Student, I hope to be approachable, helpful and a good role model for younger students. I would love to use this year to not only create memories for everyone but also start new traditions that will embrace and elevate the fun and friendly atmosphere of Waimea College. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team that will help everyone make the most of their school experience. Let’s have a great 2024!

James Strang

Hi everyone, hope your start to the year is going great. I am James Strang, and I am thrilled to be one of your 2024 Head Students. Before Waimea I went to Brightwater Primary School and then Waimea Intermediate. I have lived in Teapot Valley my whole life along with Mum, Dad, younger brother and younger sister. We live on a small farm with a few sheep, dogs, horses, and cattle, but now spend most of our time beekeeping, harvesting and packaging honey to export overseas.

This year at school I am studying Physics, Calculus, Chemistry, Geography and Agriculture with the aim of getting into engineering at Canterbury University. However, when I am not attempting physics equations or mixing chemicals in a lab, I am outdoors! Whether I'm hunting on the top of a Marlborough high country farm or diving under the waves on a coastline, my passion for the New Zealand wilderness is unlimited. Like many other Kiwi lads, I also have a big love for sport, especially rugby, which I have been playing from the moment I could catch the ball. This year I am playing my third season in the number 12 jersey for the Waimea Combined First XV. Over these years I have learnt a lot of lessons about teamwork and leadership from older players and my own experiences - lessons that I believe will help me in the Head Student role.

This year I hope to be an approachable role model for all students, from all backgrounds, and to provide support and guidance to those who need it. I am very excited to get stuck into the opportunities that will come throughout the year.  

Reuben Holtham

Hello, I’m Reuben Holtham and I am excited to be the Waimea College Board of Trustees Student Trustee for 2024. I have just settled into the new school year and have started talking to lots of students to get to know them and for them to know what I do on the Board of Trustees.

To get to know me, I was born and raised in Nelson and have since then grown up in the small rural suburb of Hope. I previously attended Ranzau School, then Waimea Intermediate and now Waimea College. This year I am focused on not just the Board and school challenges, but also my education, and am studying Mathematics, Accounting, Geography, Chemistry and Performing Arts Technology. I live with my Mum, Lesley and Dad, Rob, who have helped me get to where I am today. Outside of school time, I enjoy spending time exploring the outdoors, or doing long bike rides around Nelson or being at the gym.

After I finish my studies at Waimea College this year, I will begin my tertiary study for a Bachelor of Accounting at NMIT and continue my employment at Kmart until I get my degree.  After I plan to move to Australia to work in a financial institution or government department related to finance.

This year, I also hope to see every student excel academically, demonstrate school values and to always strive. For me, I also want to excel, and make sure that Waimea College is a place students want to be at because - this is a good school.