Cambridge High School’s newly elected head students for 2024, Chiara Woodford (left) and Levi Lamb.
They’ve been great mates since year 10 – now they are Cambridge High School’s head girl and head boy for 2024.
Chiara Woodford and Levi Lamb were still processing the fact they’d just landed the school’s most coveted student leadership roles when they caught up with The News last Thursday.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Chiara said.
The pair got to know each other at school in year 10 and hit it off immediately.
“It was weird as, because while we haven’t known each other for ages it kind of felt like I’d known her my whole life,” Levi said.
“Since we had such similar values we just connected really well. And now the fact that we’re head boy and head girl together is actually pretty awesome.”
They are excited about teaming up with deputy head girl Ally Smith and deputy head boy Brady Mitchell to run the student executive in 2024.
“Both me and Chiara fully trust and have faith in our exec because they’re all amazing people and they’re really, really driven,” Levi said.
The executive is made up of the four head students, two prefects from each of the school’s six houses, and the student representative on the Board of Trustees.
Levi was also looking forward to encouraging young leaders and Chiara was keen to develop the school’s house system further.
“Mr Thornton started the system when we were in year 8, so it’s been going for about five years, and it’s just thrived so much since he’s been here,” she said.
Greg Thorton is the school principal.
Levi said he and Chiara were both “naturally quite extroverted”.
Their advice for younger students keen to make the most of school:
“Just give things a go.”
Cambridge High School’s head students for 2024 Chiara Woodfood (left) and Levi Lamb are looking forward to running the student executive next year.
“I guess just the ability to be able to talk to people, I think, for a head student, is really important,” he said.
Chiara felt the ability to make connections was also important, especially at a big school.
“I think they look for that, and how you’re going to impact others,” she said, “because the role’s not for you, it’s for the school and for the students. You want people to trust you and feel like they can just come and talk to you.”
Chiara was born in Auckland and moved to Cambridge with her parents in year 5. She previously attended Goodwood School and Cambridge Middle School.
“I’m an only child, so I don’t have any siblings but that’s what Levi is for,” she said.
Over her time at school she has competed in swimming, surf lifesaving and water polo and played social football.
“Some of my biggest achievements recently have been becoming a lifeguard, getting my level 1, 2 and 3 first aid, getting my IRB (inflatable rescue boats) driver award, and getting my first paid lifeguarding work in Waihi this summer,” she said.
Currently eyeing a career in design, she is taking fitness, design, photography, business studies and psychology next year and aiming to study at university or Wintec in 2025.
Levi, who has three younger siblings, was born in Hamilton and has always lived in Cambridge.
A previous student of Cambridge East School and Cambridge Middle School, he is a huge fan of water sports – particularly surfing – and music.
His band, Sure Brake, made the regional finals of this year’s Smokefree Rockquest and recently won two free recording sessions in a Tunes of Waikato youth music competition.
“I’m in a band and lead worship at my church sometimes, so music is kind of a big family thing,” he said. “It’s one of the most important parts of our lives.”
Levi played representative rugby at primary school and is planning to trial for the 1st XV next year. He also coaches year 5-8 students in boxing at the Velodrome.
He is taking business skills, music, fitness, sports science and a Wintec gateway building course next year and plans to go straight into the trades from high school and start a property development business.
“I’m going to make it happen; it’s just one of those things that if you work hard enough, things will come to you,” he said.
Levi said he wasn’t planning to apply for head boy until Chiara and her mother persuaded him.
“Once they convinced me I was right, let’s do it,” he said. “And then I really wanted it.”
Chiara didn’t start high school dreaming of being head girl one day either.
“You see the head students when you’re in year 9 and 10 and think we could never do that,” she said. “But you actually can, so I would definitely recommend applying for a house leader role because it’s a great introduction.”
Both students were house captains this year – Levi of Horotiu and Chiara of Te Koopu Maania.
Now, they are looking forward to making their mark on Cambridge High in 2024 alongside other student leaders.
“It’s going to be a great team – it’s really exciting,” Chiara said.
Their advice for younger students keen to make the most of school: “Just give things a go.”
“I’d say apply for everything you can,” Levi said.
“Because I mean, the worst thing that’s going to happen is you don’t get it, you know. Some people might take that to heart, but at the same time, actually putting your name forward is a really important part and teachers recognise that, that you’re actually trying to go for it. So get stuck in and apply for everything you can.
“You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take.”
