Education

Takapuna Grammar Head Prefects Talk the Future

Seventeen-year-old William Godfrey sings baritone in a barbershop, in addition to numerous co-curricular activities, including being in his school's 1st XV Rugby.

Amelia McDonald grew up on Motutapu, learning by correspondence until the age of 12. Recently, she went to Cambodia as a World Vision ambassador. What does this duo have in common? Both were appointed as Takapuna Grammar Head Prefects for 2010.

”The first time I saw Amelia MacDonald was when she was in Year eight, singing Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit at the school talent quest,” recalls fellow student Mattea Mrkusic.

That was over five years ago. Since then, William and Amelia have built their reputations and earned the respect of both students and teachers, proving themselves to be natural leaders. In the last months of 2009, the choices for Head Prefects were whittled down to four girls and four boys, and their hard work finally paid off when William and Amelia were announced as the Head Prefects for 2010.

“I was definitely hoping, but not expecting it,” reflects good-natured Amelia.

Being chosen as Head Prefect is only the first step, and they have to prove themselves over the year. One of their jobs is to be the representatives of the school, often giving speeches to the students or visitors to the school.

They also have the task of organising the prefects.

"The prefects are a tight group," says William. "It makes it a really positive environment for coming up with ideas and making them work," adds Amelia.

So what about their future plans? William’s sights are set on studying physiotherapy at AUT, while Amelia wants to do medicine at Auckland University.

“I definitely want to travel,” says Amelia.

“Definitely,” William seconds. Whatever they choose to do, they’ve proved themselves to have the skills and energy to excel at anything they put their minds to.

By Isabelle Verney and Mattea Mrkusic