Each year, the Rotary Club of Plimmerton presents Service Above Self Awards to senior students at Aotea College. President Denise attended the Award Ceremony and had this to say.
'Rotary gave me an early Christmas gift, when I attended the Aotea College Senior Academic Awards to present the Plimmerton Rotary Service Above Self awards to year 11, 12,13 students.
'For the departing year 13 students, this is one of the first times since the pandemic, they have been able to meet with a full gathering of school and local community. Talented individual and group musical interludes were expertly woven between different award groups.
'Academic excellence, attitude and effort were celebrated. As each awardee took the stage they had their moment recognised, although in that moment most of them looked like they were wishing for the fire alarm to go off to divert focus from them.
'The Kapa Haka group demonstrated a very high standard, you could see they were whanau for each other. Their repertoire grounded in Ngāti Toā knowledge was infused with language, sounds and actions from across Pacifica and Europe in the aptly named “This is Us” waiata.
'Talking with a couple of the College Board members, we can be assured our Service Above Self awards are very well received. Upon presenting the awards, we were thanked for the continuing support and involvement with the College. However, on this occasion, it is I who gives thanks for the opportunity to celebrate the community on the hill and surrounds that make up Aotea College village.'
These were the students who received the awards, together with their citations.
Year 11 Plimmerton Rotary Award for Service Above self was awarded to Amelia Taatiti
This student has shown a positive attitude towards her school and community throughout her three years at Aotea. This student has displayed commitment and resilience to maintain her role as Lead Student and responsibilities in the School Kapa Haka group as well as maintain tikanga and kawa within the context of Manaakitanga.
This student has shown a very positive attitude to Te Ao Māori and her Academic Learning at Aotea College over the last two years. As a year 11 student she has already achieved 131 NCEA L1, L2 and L3 Credits with 89 of them at Merit and Excellence. This student has displayed cultural leadership skills in areas across the school and community which include Kapa Haka events and practices, Noho Marae, Tikanga Māori, Northern Kahui Ako activities, Māori Whakaata Televisions 5 mins of fame performing with Stan Walkers Band, Church Youth Leader, Relay For Life, Shave For a Cure, Dream Weavers Leader, Papa Tai Ao Performing Company, NZ Hip Hop and Dance Company, Whānau Ora Kai, PCC Youth Advocates and Iwi youth initiatives.
Year 12 Plimmerton Rotary for Service Above Self was awarded to Kaela Stodart
This student has led with distinction throughout 2022. They have been the face and voice of Rainbow Aotea, helping to promote initiatives such as Pink Shirt Day and Day of Silence within Aotea College. Their courage in owning their own personal story as a victim of bullying for Pink Shirt Day was inspiring. They have also been a dedicated and committed co-chair for our Student Council and I am sure they will continue to play an important role in the College into 2023.
Year 13 Plimmerton Rotary Award for Service Above Self was awarded to Fa'amalele Tovio
This student has served the school community in many different ways while maintaining a very high level of academic excellence. She has achieved excellence endorsement at both Level 1 and Level 2 while actively contributing to the school. She has been on the school council, a Y12 Peer Supporter, contributed to Open Evening, participated in Polyfest and organized the school cultural day. She has been an international buddy, helped organise the 40 hour famine and was a First Foundation Candidate in 2021. She has also served our school community as the Head Girl for 2022.