Jackie Rodgers, my Ako teacher, was by far the standout of my time at WHS. Showing up to school and seeing her 3 times a week in ako time was a highlight - the person she was always made it show that she was so interested and cared about how we were in our day-to-day lives beyond school too. I felt my Ako class was my family at school - we would always see each other and have a bit of fun (which Ms Rodgers made sure). 

Branches camp was one of the best parts about WHS. As much as I hated some parts of it at the time (especially the 3-day tramp to Lochnagar), it was an extremely memorable 6 or so days - pushing my comfort zone as a year 10 as well as having fun with my cohort and peers. 

I feel like looking back at the fun and experiences I had in extracurriculars was also a definite standout. I mainly participated in sport but I feel like whatever you wanted to do, WHS had a club or an extracurricular for you. It went a long way in bringing people together - especially for my peers and me.

Leadership opportunities while at WHS (Head student 2024, 1st XI cricket captain 2022-2024, stars peer mentor 2023, sports council, academic council) helped me grow as a person in ways I couldn't believe. To this day I am extremely grateful for the responsibility I was given to be a role model, have extra initiative and to represent the school and wider community.

During my time at school, I was lucky to represent New Zealand at the 2024 U19 men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa - playing against the best countries and players in the world on live TV, which at the time was a huge opportunity for me in my cricket. I then returned to school to be the head boy for 2024. 

After graduating, last summer I was selected for the Otago Men’s Cricket team (Otago Volts) to make my professional debut in the Super Smash T20 competition where New Zealand’s top domestic and international cricketers compete. In my first game, I played against and bowled to multiple current New Zealand BLACKCAPS, such as the current captain Tom Latham, and in the following game, I bowled to Martin Guptill (one of NZ's most successful batsmen). After playing multiple games for the Otago Volts last summer,  I am now (this summer) on my first Domestic contract for Otago. Meaning I am a full-time professional cricketer. I also recently returned home from my second U19 men's Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia- another huge opportunity to show myself and the people I represent on the world stage.

Alongside cricket, I’m a 2nd-year university student studying a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics at the University of Otago.

My advice to WHS students: 

Anything is possible if you work hard enough.

The beauty of WHS and high school in general is that you have so many opportunities to explore what you love inside and outside the classroom, so find what you love and do that. There are so many extracurricular activities available, I would encourage students to do as many as possible. My biggest regret is not trying more and doing them for longer.

On top of that, your time at high school and as a teenager goes so fast. Enjoy it while it's there. My time at school has definitely been a highlight of my life so far - coming to school 5 days a week and hanging out with your mates, it doesn't get much better. 

I’m extremely proud to say I went to Wakatipu High School for 5 years and hope that many students get to experience what our amazing high school and community have to offer as I did!