Sophie, who went to Auroa School before Taranaki Diocesan, said being a school leader was something she had hoped to achieve.
“When I was in year nine I remember looking up to the leaders and hoping I would have a leadership role later on.”
In 2025, she will be studying Biology, PE, English, photography and agriculture.
After school, she hopes to gain “lots of work experience” on sheep and beef farms, or attend Lincoln University - either way, the long term goal is to work in farming.
Living on a dairy farm herself, farming is something she understands the value and importance of, she said.
“I am looking forward to learning more as I carry on.”
Jugging two leadership roles in 2025 will be a challenge she said, but one she will enjoy.
“I am looking forward to working with different people.”
Her advice to students just starting their high school journey in 2025 was simple.
“Join in with everything and have so much fun. School is a lot better when you are having fun and enjoying your time.”
Taranaki Diocesan School head girl for 2025 Tatjana Hanne with some of the awards she received at the school's 2024 prizegiving.
Tatjana, 16, is also no stranger to a leadership role, having served as deputy head girl for 2024.
The highlight of that role, she said, was being part of the school’s Big Sister programme in which senior students are matched up with a new student to the school, providing support as a “big sister” would.
“This year I was involved in organising some of the activities for the big and little sisters to do together, and I really enjoyed that.”
Tatjana, who is studying history, health, drama, English and stats in 2025, plans to go to university when she finishes high school to study either international relations, law or politics before joining the military or working in peace keeping in some way.
She said while she is looking forward to her future, she doesn’t want the next year to go by too fast.
“I’m looking forward to working with all of the student leadership team and we will be making our final year at Dio our best year.”
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.
