Student Executive Team 2023

Mia Brake – Head Student
Hello everyone, my name is Mia Brake, and I am head student at John Paul II High School 2023. As a Head Student, it is my job to display and promote our school by showing our schools catholic values, working with staff, student leaders with the organisation of school events and activities while encouraging students to participate in more events. I am very interested in helping students take advantage of their learning by obtaining knowledge, skills, and credits that will enable them to open doors to possible career paths.

Samantha Donaldson – Head Student
Kia Ora everyone, my name is Samantha Donaldson, and I am one of our two Head Students for the year of 2023. As a Head Student, it is my job to be a supporter, primarily supporting the rest of our leadership team, but also every other student and member of our John Paul II whanau to ensure everyone is getting the most they can out of their journey here. In this role, I am passionate about finding ways to improve our hauora wellbeing and to encourage students into finding their own sense of leadership inside and outside of school. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and am so excited to see what this year brings.
Our head students act as the ambassadors for Catholic character at JPII, supporting the formation of Eucharistic Ministers and encouraging students to explore their faith in a positive and inclusive way
- Work with school leaders and the student body to support school events
- Contribute to the planning and organisation of cultural initiatives within the school, including cultural week, cultural evening, Kapa haka group, the school pōwhiri or mihi whakatau
- Represent the school at formal occasions as required
- Works with house leaders to promote student participation in key school sporting events e.g. athletics day, swimming sports, cross country, and house competitions/activities
- Works with other school leaders to promote the improvement of the school environment e.g. recycling, rubbish duty, murals, and the beautification of JPII site
- Work with other school leaders and local environmental organisations to promote ‘act local, think global’ causes e.g. beach clean-up, community service, environmental innovation awareness at JPII
- Works with the Pastoral Care Team and Whānau teachers to promote wellbeing initiatives in the school, including Te Whare Tapa Whā
- Collaborates with other student leaders to achieve positive outcomes for the school and students
- Shares progress and achievements termly through an article in the newsletter, and a final report for the school yearbook
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Jack Byrne – Catholic Character
Kia Ora, my name is Jack Byrne, and I am the Catholic Character leader for 2023. This role entails helping organising masses/liturgies, supporting students in their spiritual journey, and embracing social justice at John Paul II High School. I will be focusing on the social justice aspect of this, aiding those in our school and wider community who would benefit from additional assistance.

Alexander Stone – Sports Captain

Taine Hilton – Learning Support Leader
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Libby Boddy – Academic Leader
Hi everyone, I’m Libby, John Paul II’s academic leader for 2023. My role is to promote academic learning for all students, both inside and outside the classroom. This year, I aim to improve awareness of opportunities for students and support them in all their learning, whatever their passion may be. I aim to create a space within the school where students are able to receive the help and resources they need in order to succeed and achieve their fullest potential.

Raphaela Roper – Arts & Culture Leader
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Maia Grosser – Hauora Leader
As one of this year’s Hauora/Wellbeing leaders, I act as the student voice for general wellbeing, which involves communicating the needs of the students to the senior management team and working with Ms Beach, our school’s Hauora Navigator. I am passionate about getting students actively engaged in the way the school supports our wellbeing and giving everyone a safe, happy and inclusive learning environment.
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Finn Van Mierlo – Environment Leader
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Our Multicultural Leaders:
- Act as the cultural ambassadors for the multicultural body at JPII
- Uphold the Catholic character at JPII
- Contribute to the planning and organisation of cultural initiatives within the school, including cultural week, cultural evening
- Liaise with Te Tai Poutini West Coast Multicultural Council to promote diversity and inclusion
- Represent the school at formal occasions as required
- Collaborate with other student leaders to achieve positive outcomes for the school and students
- Shares progress and achievements termly through an article in the newsletter, and a final report for the school yearbook
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