The new house leaders for 2023 have been chosen from a huge group of Year 8 applicants with a vast range of leadership capibilties.

14 students applied and eight were selected to represent our four Westburn houses, Rutherford with Nia P. and Harry W., Te Kanawa with Lucy G. and Kate C., Sheppard with Leah K. and Ashley C. and Hillary with Levi E. and Ruby W.

Westburn School has a strong connection with the Hillary family, once hosting Sir Edmund Hillary, his son Peter and last year at our re-opening his grandson Alexander. Hillary students wear blue.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa addressed the audience on Zoom at our opening as well, we are connected to Te Kanawa through music. Te Kanawa students wear green.

Ernest Rutherford was a New Zealand Chemist. He became known as the father of nuclear physics after doing three incredible things. He found out that the structure of elements can change. He developed the nuclear model of the atom still used today and he split the atom in half! Rutherford students wear red.

Kate Sheppard was a suffragette, and recognised as the leader. She fought to allow women to vote and be thought of as equals to men. She and many other women campaigned and fought so hard and efficiently that in 1893 New Zealand became the first self-governing country and allowed all women above age 21 to vote. Sheppard students wear yellow.

Written by Elliotte, age 11 (2023 Media Team)