Rotorua Lakes High School head students keen to be role models

Rotorua Lakes High School's head girl Kairangi Cox and head boy Tangaroa Yorke. Photo / Stephen Parker

Kairangi Cox and Tangaroa Yorke can't wait to use their roles as student leaders to guide the newcomers at Rotorua Lakes High School.

The head girl and boy were both surprised to be named in the top roles for 2018 but are looking forward to helping Year 9 students settle in.

"I was pretty shocked. It was unexpected. But I was also excited," Kairangi said.

She was looking forward to doing her part to show the community what the school had to offer and contributing to the wider community.

"I'd like to be a role model for the young kids and lead by example and contribute to the supportive atmosphere at Lakes."

Tangaroa said he had always looked up to his brother when he was younger and wanted to be a role model too.

"I like being a role model for young ones and making people look up to me," Tangaroa said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how the Year 9s go in their first year and I'm looking forward to my last year here."

The pair said the teachers were a key reason they enjoyed attending Rotorua Lakes High School, as was the size of the school.

With just 674 students on the roll, Kairangi said the school was inclusive, welcoming, and everyone knew everyone.

Maria Trass and Leroy Nurkka are the 2018 deputy head prefects and found out at the prizegiving last year.

"I wanted to be able to represent and be one of the faces of our school," Leroy said.

He wanted to raise the profile of performing arts in the school.

Maria said she was excited to work with the student leadership team in her role and help the Year 9 students find a place.

"I had really good student leaders when I was Year 9. They always seemed amazing and I always wanted to be like them," she said.

"I want to get more kids involved in performing arts. It made such a difference for me being introduced to it."