Kia ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei!
Our names are Le’Aniva So’o and Josie Aitken, and we are the Head Prefects here at Te Kura Kohine o Te Rāwhiti o Te Upoko o Te Ika, Wellington East Girls’ College.
Welcome to our school on the hill! Rāwhiti is a place where we each come to learn and grow our knowledge but it is also a space where we support and uplift one another, celebrating our differences whether that be culture, religion, interests or identity, so that we can thrive as a community.
Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takatini.
My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.
To us, this whakatauki embodies what it means to belong at East. Our kura is not just a school but rather a community powered by its people. Together, our tuakana, teina, whānau, kaiako and tumuaki foster an environment where we are challenged to be curious. Everyone within our East community is united by the responsibility to uphold our school values of whanaungatanga, rangatiratanga, and aroha - a kaupapa which allows us to become the best version of ourselves, and flourish in the blue and gold.
So a little bit about us:
Le’Aniva (Niva) grew up here in Wellington and has Samoan-American heritage. I first met her towards the end of Year Nine when we both attempted (and eventually dropped out of) Learn to Row. She has eight siblings, bakes cookies and cakes for work, and is also an absolute beast at Waka Ama. Niva has perfected the 0.5 selfie and I am so excited to be working alongside her this year!
Josie was born and raised in Christchurch but relocated to windy Welly in 2019, and is a big sister to three siblings. Jos is small but mighty, standing at a whopping 5 foot 2 (just) and despite the constant, friendly smile on her face, she is ferocious on the tennis court. Over the years we have navigated many challenges together, from Duke of Ed tramps to mosh pits, and I am beyond grateful to be facing this next challenge with her.
So, whatever brings you to Rāwhiti, we welcome you! Our motto here at East is to “take the light and pass it on.” As your 2023 Head Prefects we can’t wait to help light the way for each of you, and see the contributions you each bring to this kura, this year and beyond!
With lots of Blue and Gold spirit,
Josie and Niva xx