By Candese Mamaia-Hellesoe, 2024 Head Prefect at Westlake Girls High School

Editors Note: At the 2024 Educating Girls Symposium in Auckland, New Zealand, Candese Mamaia-Hellesoe, Head Prefect of Westlake Girls High School, delivered a powerful and heartfelt welcome that resonated with educators and leaders alike. Her speech, filled with personal reflections and gratitude for her educational journey, set an inspiring tone for the symposium. Below is the full text of her address:

“Talofa Lava, Kia Ora, and warm greetings to you all!

My name is Candese Mamaia-Hellesoe, and it is my great pleasure to be speaking to you all today as Westlake Girls’ Head Prefect for 2024.

I’ve been at Westlake Girls’ since year 9, and I can confidently say that I would not have had it any other way. In saying that, having the privilege of attending this school has worked wonders at shaping me into the person I am today.

In a world where women often have to advocate and fight to be heard, Westlake Girls’ has been a place where our voices are not only encouraged but celebrated. Here, we are free to explore who we are, what we are passionate about, and pursue our dreams without the fear of judgment, distractions, or feeling pressured to follow the unrealistic expectations and stereotypes that society places on us as young women.

In this space, there is no competition to be seen or heard over male counterparts. Therefore, as mana wahine, we lead every club, every event, and every initiative at our kura. This has given me the confidence to get involved and step into leadership roles, helping me become the leader I am today. Particularly, one who listens, collaborates, and stands tall as a role model for others. These skills have been incredibly useful, and I carry them with me, not only within the school but into every aspect of my life.

Since day one, I’ve been immersed in an environment of ambitious, driven, and supportive young wahine, who have influenced me to constantly push myself to thrive and excel in whatever I do. Here, we’re all about women empowerment, and uplifting one another. Our sisterhood is unmatched, and is a core factor of what being at Westlake Girls’ means to me. It also reminds me of a quote I’ve consistently heard during my time here, and this is, ‘When one wins, we all win.’ I find this saying so true, as our sisterhood supports holding each other accountable and celebrating one another’s successes.

With that being said, I feel truly blessed to be a part of an inclusive community of young women who value the whanaungatanga, and manaakitanga that are the foundation of what Westlake Girls’ is all about.

Being a part of this school has been one of the most empowering and impactful experiences of my life. It has provided me with a strong foundation of confidence, leadership, and resilience, and it has shown me the power of what a female-led kura can really do for its students. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities, the education, and the sisterhood I have found here, and I know that the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me long after I leave this place, shaping the person I will become in the future.”

Candese’s words captured the essence of the Educating Girls Symposium—an event centered on the empowerment and leadership development of students. Her reflections offered a moving reminder of how schools like Westlake Girls foster a sense of community, sisterhood, and resilience in their students. As educators and leaders, it is a privilege to witness these voices rise and inspire us to continue our work in empowering young people. Candese’s message was a fitting and inspiring start to a day dedicated to the future of education.