Principal Anne Cooper said when she read the letter Juliet wrote to her she felt immensely proud.
"It's exactly what you want from your students - that element of critical thinking and reflection," Mrs Cooper said.
"When the letter was read out to the staff Juliet wasn't there but there was basically a standing ovation."
Mrs Cooper and Juliet consulted with staff, the Old Girls Association and students before finally putting it to a vote.
Changing the name to Sheppard was what the majority wanted, and was done in a formal ceremony at the first assembly of this year.
Mrs Cooper said she thinks Juliet is a special leader and an inspirational figure to younger students.
"This has been a once-in-a-career sort of thing to happen here," she said.
Juliet said she received a few negative comments from people who didn't want to change the house name, but most staff and students have been supportive.
"It just shows people that you can change things if you believe in it and are passionate about it," she said.
No social studies or history classes at Girls' High teach about Kate Sheppard, something that might need to be changed in the future, Juliet said.
