St Peter’s leaders chosen

Sights set on service

Milla Price is St Peter’s School’s head girl for 2026.

“St Peter’s has played such an important role in shaping my identity, so the idea of being head girl felt like the best way to give back to a community that has given me so much,” she said.

“I wanted to have the chance to contribute to a purpose so much bigger than myself. It is my biggest aspiration that every student feels the exact same sense of pride and belonging that shaped my own journey at St Peter’s, and being head girl gives me the platform to help that happen.”

Milla was born in Christchurch and lived there until she was five. Since then, she has spent time in Auckland with her mother, Joanne Young, a town planner, and Nelson with her father, Jonathan, a property developer. She has two sisters – Mia, 11, and Macy, 7.

Milla moved to Cambridge to board at St Peter’s for her first year of high school in 2022.

“My mother and aunts attended, and I wanted to live on my family’s legacy,” she said.

This year she won prizes in level 2 economics, health and history. She also studied English literature, chemistry, and mathematics with statistics.

“Right now, I’m not entirely sure what exactly I want to do, but I have plans to go down to the University of Canterbury to study law and economics, maybe with something in public health,” she said.

“I do know I want to pursue a career that serves others and makes other people’s lives better, whether that’s being a lawyer or involved with the government.

“I just want to do something that serves a real purpose to others.”

Milla is in her school’s premier volleyball team and also enjoys walking, listening to music, shopping and hanging out with friends, particularly in her boarding house.

“We can sit there in the common room for hours on end, talking about literally anything,” she said.

“That’s something I love so much about boarding, and it’s become part of my daily routine.”

Milla said her head girl role came with a “massive sense of responsibility”.

“But it’s the kind that motivates me more than scares me,” she said.

“Honestly, I just feel really privileged to serve my community in this way.

“Not that we don’t already have an amazing school culture, but I really want to enhance it and create an even stronger environment where students feel a sense of belonging, support, and pride. I want words like these to define everyone’s experience at school.

“If, when people look back on 2026, they say they felt more included, inspired, and proud to be a St Peter’s student, then I’ll feel like I’ve done my job well and achieved my main goal.”

Inspired by a legend

All Black legend Richie McCaw’s, work ethic, commitment and humility were inspirational to Joe Lang on his journey to becoming St Peter’s School’s head boy for 2026.

“I also really admire Sophie Devine for her endurance and her ability to stay at the top of her game for more than 20 years in women’s cricket,” he said. “She’s been awesome.”

An accomplished sportsman himself, Joe has captained his school’s 2nd XV rugby team and 1st XI cricket team and vice-captained the 1st XI boys’ hockey team. He has also coached U15 and five-year-old hockey players.

In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, golf, and investing in shares.

“I have always tried hard to be my best self in everything that I do,” he said.

“You don’t have to succeed all the time or always win but you have to try to be your best.”

Joe was born in Wellington and moved to Russell in the Bay of Islands when he was three years old. He started boarding full-time at St Peter’s in 2020, in year 7.

His father Rob and mother Kate are small business owners and his two sisters, India (22) and Merryn (19) also attended the school.

Close relationships with past head prefects and school leaders from year 7 fuelled his interest in the head boy role.

“They motivated me and inspired me to want to be a future leader,” he said.

“I hope that I will be able to give back and inspire others, especially those starting out, in the same way that I was inspired.

“My parents have also had a big influence on my success. They have always encouraged me to try hard and be curious about new opportunities. They have taught me the importance of effort, to have gratitude and be respectful to others. My family is really important to me and is very supportive.”

Joe studied NCEA level 2 economics, accounting, mathematics with statistics, English, outdoor education and physical education this year, and won the Seabrook Family Trophy for the Greatest Commitment to Service in Year 12.

He expected delivering on his responsibilities in academic, sporting, community and social spheres would be challenging.

“But I’m excited about it,” he said.

“I would like to make a really positive contribution in my time as head boy. I want to give back to my school and community – they have really rewarded me with great experiences, and I will encourage others to take advantage of any opportunity that they have been given, and also hopefully be a great role model and inspiration for others.”

Joe said he had no “clearly defined ambitions” at this point, but was interested in investment, finance or entrepreneurship.

His long-term goal was to find his niche, give it his all and make it a success.

“Hopefully that takes me on a journey for the rest of my life,” he said.

Following in her parents’ footsteps

You race you.

That motto has kept Darcie Granwal focused on what’s important in life – and helped her win the role of St Peter’s School head of girls’ boarding for 2026.

“This quote just reminds me to focus on me,” she said.

“At the end of the day, you only have control over yourself and your actions; you can not control other people.”

Darcie was born in Dublin, Ireland, and lived in England before moving to Auckland with her family in 2016. She joined St Peter’s as a year 8 boarding student in 2021.

Her father, Toby, is Fonterra’s Chief Information Officer and her mother, Joelle, is an executive coach. She has a 15-year-old sister, Eden.

Darcie said her parents’ leadership skills – particularly her father’s – had been inspirational.

“Although dad manages such a big team of people, he still makes time to get to know them individually as a person, which is something I really admire in leaders.

“My mum has also been a major influence in my success. She is quite literally my number one supporter. She has had a lot of experience coaching women who are in senior leadership positions in big corporations, so she always has so much good advice and so much knowledge to share with me and my sister.”

Darcie said building strong relationships with others at school was one of her own key strengths.

“All around the school, but particularly in boarding, having connections with others is so vital,” she said.

“Being able to listen and understand other people’s thoughts and perspectives on things, even when they may differ from yours, is definitely a factor that helped me secure this position.”

In her spare time, Darcie enjoys hockey, lacrosse, reading, journaling, running and working at the school pool.

“My favourite hobby would probably be talking with my friends about literally anything,” she said.

“My best friends are some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and every conversation we have, I learn something new.”

She has also volunteered as an U15 hockey umpire and given her time to St Paul’s Collegiate School’s after-school programme for refugee children.

“This was such an amazing and fulfilling experience and all the kids there were so sweet,” she said.

“Getting to hear their stories about school and what they were getting up to was definitely the highlight of my week.”

Next year she wanted to ensure everyone in her school’s boarding houses felt included.

“If I can create an environment – not just in Wrigley but in the wider school community – where every student feels valued and appreciated, I would say that I had achieved my goal,” she said.

“I think the biggest challenge for me will be managing everything…I’m definitely going to have my hands full, but I have bought myself a planner which should hopefully help!”

Darcie hopes to attend university in either the South Island or Melbourne after finishing high school.

“I would say I am definitely interested in doing something to do with workplace or organisational psychology, so that would involve me working in an office, which I am very excited about, surprisingly,” she said.

“I think my end goal would be to have a senior role such as head of HR or CPO at some sort of corporation.

“Before that, I would love to travel and see a bit more of the world than I already have, before starting my career.”

Be authentically and unapologetically yourself

Regan Gallien, who grew up in Wharepuhunga and now lives in Te Awamutu, is St Peter’s Cambridge’s deputy head girl for 2026.

“I hope that I am able to truly have an influence on the students of St Peter’s year next year and use each day as an opportunity to make positive change,” she said.

Regan’s mother, Anna, is a governance advisor for the New Zealand School Boards Association, and her father, Peter, owns a farm. She has three sisters – Ava (24), Kate (19) and Jade (11).

“My mum and my dad have to be my biggest inspirations as leaders,” Regan said.

“My mum works with governance and is constantly having to lead school boards out of difficult times. Seeing how she manages to improve and work alongside these organisations and balance and compromise differing opinions truly inspires me.

“My dad owns a farm…watching how he can be in every place at once has definitely had an impact on my leadership style.”

Her basketball coach, Leanne Walker, had also been hugely influential in her success.

“The first time Leanne coached me was in year 7, where I followed my sister to her Sunday basketball academy,” Regan said.

“Leanne taught me how to work hard and do it with a smile on my face. I would not be able to uphold the values and commitment that a leader should hold today if it weren’t for Leanne Walker shaping me into the character I am now.”

Regan said her Catholic faith had strongly impacted her beliefs, morals and leadership journey.

“It has built into me the values of kindness, humility and service, which I believe have easily reflected onto how I lead,” she said.

“I try to bring these values into not only leadership roles but everything I do, and my faith helps to hold me accountable for that. My faith reminds me that leadership isn’t about recognition or status but using your strengths to serve and benefit others.”

Regan studied English literature, mathematics with statistics, dance, outdoor education, history and psychology this year and won the Van Marrewijk Family Trophy for All Round Excellence in year 12.

A keen dancer and sportsperson, she plays basketball, social touch rugby, premier volleyball and premier netball.

“Long term for me, I look to attend university and come out the other side with a degree that is the rock for my future career, whatever that may be,” she said.

“Currently, I am still quite uncertain of what I look to do in the future, but I know that I have family and friends around me, supporting me in making these decisions. I want to continue my sports, whether that means making it the centre of my university experience or not, but I know that sport will never not be a massive part of my life.”

Regan said her family had a big influence on her decision to pursue a head student role.

“I grew up with two older sisters who had both been the head girls in year 8 at Korakonui primary school, so when I changed primary schools in year 7, moving to St Patrick’s, I knew that that would be a role I strived for and was honoured enough to be awarded.

“Then when I came to St Peter’s, my eldest sister didn’t apply for a perfect role and my other older sister started her uni degree instead of completing year 13. Seeing this helped to encourage me to put myself out there and make the most of every opportunity available to me. I wanted to challenge myself, give back to the community and become a role model for my peers, as my sisters were to me.”

Her advice to other students: “be authentically and unapologetically yourself”.

“My biggest regret during year 9 was not feeling confident enough to express my true self,” she said.

“School is so much more enjoyable and beneficial when you put a little bit of who you are into everything you do.”

A desire to give back

St Peter’s School’s deputy head boy for 2026 is Joshua Teh, who dreams of repaying his parents for the opportunities they’ve given him.

“My biggest long-term ambition is to retire my parents early, since they worked so hard for my education,” he said.

“I want them to live the rest of their lives with ease of mind and hopefully sipping a
coffee by the beach without worrying about the bills.”

Joshua’s father, Jim, is an engineer, and his mother, Rachel Teo, a radiologist.

The couple moved their family from Malaysia to New Zealand eight years ago in pursuit of better educational opportunities for their children, and settled in Hamilton, where they still live.

Joshua has 18-year-old twin sisters, Grace and Phoebe, who share his passion for music.

“My mum plays the piano, and my sisters play violin and cello, so I’ve always had chances to jam some tunes with them,” he said.

“I’ve done a lot of volunteering within the performing arts, such as playing at the retirement
village close to the school and managing a couple of music groups during lunchtimes.

“I also like to tutor students in my year and those in younger years, since teaching others has always been a strength of mine.”

Also a keen volleyball and tennis, player, Joshua studied International Baccalaureate Chinese, geography, mathematics, chemistry, biology and English literature this year.

He won prizes in Chinese and geography and also took home the Van Marrewijk Family Trophy for All-Round Excellence in Year 12.

Joshua said former deputy head girl Amisha Sadani had inspired him to pursue a leadership role.

“I saw her quiet leadership and thought that it was so inspiring to be in such a position but also down to earth at the same time,” he said.

He believed being willing to learn from others had been the biggest contributor to his success.

“I’ve changed a lot ever since I came to St Peter’s in year 9, and learning how to be ambitious from the people around me definitely transformed my mindset,” he said.

“I’ve learnt to try new things and not be so scared of stepping outside of my comfort zone.”

Joshua’s past leadership experience includes house leader at Hamilton Christian School, youth group leader at Hamilton Chinese Methodist Church, concertmaster of school orchestra Petra Musica and concertmaster of school string orchestra Viva Stringendo.

“Jesus was a quiet leader, but held so much authority,” said Joshua.

“He definitely inspired me to be humble in life, and lead by example.

“I like to go back to the verse in Matthew 7, ‘do unto others as you would have them do to you’. It’s a constant reminder to treat everyone equally, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.

“My parents are also one of my greatest inspirations, since they’ve sacrificed so much just for me. It is through their parenting that I’m the person I am today.”

Joshua hopes to follow in his mother’s footsteps and study medicine after finishing high school.

Never amused with average

George Edwards-Heeney will be St Peter’s School’s head of boys’ boarding in 2026.

Born and bred in Te Puke, George began boarding at St Peter’s as a year 9 student, in 2022.

His parents, Fiona Edwards and Thomas Heeney, work in the kiwifruit industry as chief executive officers of EHC Orchard Management.

George has an older sister, Harriot (19) and a younger sister, Matilda (9).

A keen sportsman, he is in the St Peter’s 1st XV rugby team and volunteers with junior players at his local rugby club. He also loves spending time outdoors.

George said he had been striving for a senior leadership position at St Peter’s since he first set foot there.

“I am pretty excited about having a seat at the table and being able to build a deeper connection with some awesome people,” he said.

“I wanted to give back to the younger generation, as the leaders before me did the same thing. As well as being able to voice not just my ideas but fellow students who don’t get the opportunity.”

His biggest challenge, he thinks, will be making sure he keeps on top of emails.

“I have been told that there are many of them and we need to reply quick,” he said.

George said setting himself high standards had contributed to his successful leadership journey.

“I am always striving for higher, never amused with average,” he said. “Having the mindset that someone will always be better than you, but always striving to get to that top.

“My parents are both great leaders, seeing the way they handle different situations with different tools they have learnt over their lifetime, but always doing it with a cool head and not rushing into assumptions. But also identifying other people’s strengths and making sure that individual is able to express that and help others.

“My dad says respect is earnt, not given.”

George took English, mathematics, agribusiness, physical education, biology and business studies this year, and aims to study business at university.

Long-term, his ambition is to “become a successful person outside of school, and for people to say yeah, that George guy, he’s pretty cool”.