While they’ve had different favourite subjects, they agree that having all their classes together has made their final year at the school all the more enjoyable.
Another thing Elise and Ellie-May agree on is that they were surprised to be named dux and proxime accessit respectively.
“We’d talked about in our year group, trying to work out who might get it. I hadn’t really considered it could be me,” said Elise.
Now they have graduated from high school, it’s time to look to the future.
For Ellie-May that means “finding my passion,” she said.
“I am looking for work, and I want to find the thing I love, that I enjoy and can make my career.”
Elise is currently working at Lovisa in New Plymouth, and she plans to save some money before heading off on a new adventure.
“I know I want to travel, so that’s my next goal really.”
When it comes to giving advice to the students following in their footsteps, both Elise and Ellie-May say it’s about taking the opportunities available at Taranaki Diocesan School.
“Do everything,” said Elise.
“I was the opposite of that a bit when I started. I got to my senior years, especially year 13, and realised there was so much we could do and get involved in. I really had fun once I started giving it a go. The other day, Ellie-May and I were on a water slide at school - it wasn’t something I may have done a few years ago, but it was fun.”
Ellie-May said the trick is to find the things that school that you enjoy.
“Find something that you love, and stick with it.”
Te Kura o Pi’opatanga o W’akaa’urangi Taranaki Diocesan School senior awards:
Bishop’s award (creative contribution to school community): Tess Hooker
Innovative artist award: Bryda Barr
Kapa Haka award: Elise Perrett
YMCA trophy for excellence in youth leadership: Tatjana Hanne
Josephine Rutherford Memorial prize for senior helpfulness: Sophie Ogle
Grover Tray for service to the school: Sophie Ogle/ Abby Meyer
Sutton Cup for Art: Maiy Ung
Senior Drama award: Abby Meyer
Design and Technology prize: Mckenna Norris
LA Alexander Trust award for agriculture: Hayley Shanks
Calvert cup for English: Tess Hooker
Jennie Petrie Mathematics cup: Maiy Ung
Stewart Family cup for Physics: Tess Hooker
Science cup: Tess Hooker
Keynesian Cup for Business studies: Amelia Ogle
Geography Award: Amelia Pearce
Classical Studies prize: Abby Meyer
History prize: Abby Meyer
Girdwood cup for outstanding diligence in class and extra-curricular activities: Ava Taylor
Best all-round Gateway student: Ashlan Jones
Best all-round star student: Kimberley Frewin
Moss Cup for senior speech: Isabela Lee-Alvarez
Catherine Richmond trophy for student contributing most effort: Maiy Ung
Year 13 Porrit prize for top overall year 13 academics: Stacey Lodge
Year 11 Porrit prize for top overall year 11 academics: Maiy Ung
Year 12 Porrit prize for top overall year 12 academics: Ava Taylor
Olex Cables cup for student with top NCEA level 1 aggregate: Tatjana Hanne
Best NCEA Level 2 aggregate cup: Karleigh Moir and Leand Sanders
Year 13 Porritt prize: Elise Perrett
Proxime Accessit: Catherine Hurly
Travers Cup for Dux: Stacey Lodge
Ilona Hanne is a Taranaki-based journalist and news director who covers breaking and community news from across the lower North Island. She has worked for NZME since 2011.
