John Paul College Rotorua - JPC

24/09/2026

Young Achievers 2026

JUSTIN MURPHY
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
COMMUNITY, LEADERSHIP

Justin Murphy is a passionate and community-minded student of John Paul College committed to personal growth, creative expression, and making a positive contribution.
Through leadership, performing arts, and community involvement, he has developed confidence, resilience, communication skills, and an appreciation for teamwork.

Justin has been involved with the Rotorua Youth Council for three years. During his first year, he helped bring the Youth Council back to Rotorua Lakes Council before continuing as a youth councillor. He has also served on the Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme. One of his greatest achievements has been being selected for Rito o te Paremata 2026, strengthening his leadership, confidence, and understanding of civic participation.

At John Paul College, Justin served as Student Representative on the Board of Trustees for three years. He currently serves as Head of Community Prefects, reflecting his commitment to service and supporting others.

Justin is passionate about theatre and has been involved with Rotorua Musical Theatre for almost three years. Through theatre, he has explored storytelling, performance, and connection, while gaining experience in the kitchen, bar, backstage, props, set, lighting, sound, front of house, and on stage. These opportunities have strengthened his teamwork, communication, adaptability, and appreciation of the performing arts.

Justin believes practical education and experiences outside the classroom are as valuable as traditional learning. He approaches opportunities with curiosity and determination and is passionate about celebrating local identity and culture in Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty.

Justin is grateful to his mother, Kirsty; gran, Ngaire; aunt Steph and uncle Mike; mentor Matua Wharekahika Clarke; his friends and family; and the staff of John Paul College. He also thanks Deirdre Miller, Robin Foley, G*e Wheeler, and the theatre oldies for their guidance, friendship, opportunities and many coffees shared. He considers them his second family and theatre his home away from home. Their support has shaped his confidence, creativity, and passion for the performing arts.

Justin plans to study a Bachelor of Business at the University of Waikato, minoring in political science and Maori language, leading to a career in public service.

20/09/2026

Celebrating Maori Language Week
Year 8 student Jana Laserna with the other kids sang the song Tōku Reo Tōku Ohooho in 8 languages in celebration of the Maori Language Week.

We’re back with a new cover in honour of Te Wiki o te reo Māori. Th...

17/09/2026

Young Achievers 2026

LUKE WILMOTH
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Leadership, Sport, Community Service

Luke Wilmoth, Deputy Head Boy at John Paul College, is respected for his positive attitude, reliability, and service to school life. He represents his school with pride and maturity, setting a strong example for younger students and helping foster a culture where others feel encouraged and valued.
Luke leads through consistency, respect, and a strong work ethic. In cadets, he holds the rank of Sergeant, reflecting his discipline, commitment, and ability to guide others. He has completed Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Spirit of Adventure, experiences that strengthened his teamwork, independence, resilience, and willingness to challenge himself. His leadership has been recognised through numerous awards and the trust he has earned from those around him.
Sport has been central to Luke’s development, building discipline, teamwork, resilience, and drive. He has represented his school, club, and the Bay of Plenty region, showing commitment across different levels of competition. He also gives back by coaching younger teams, sharing knowledge, building confidence, and modelling preparation, effort, and good sportsmanship.
Luke is equally committed to community service. As a Rotorua Youth Councillor, he helps ensure young people have a voice in local decisions and conversations. Through fundraising and service activities, he contributes practically to initiatives that support others and strengthen the wider community, showing generosity, initiative, and a willingness to make a positive difference.
Across leadership, sport, and service, Luke demonstrates initiative, perseverance, humility, and purpose. His achievements reflect not only what he has accomplished, but the character he brings to every opportunity.
Next year, Luke plans to pursue an Officer role through the Australian Defence Force Gap Year programme, or study a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance majoring in High Performance Sport and Coaching. Both pathways reflect his strengths in leadership, discipline, sport, and service, and his desire to keep developing skills that allow him to contribute positively.

17/09/2026

Young Achievers 2026

ARWEN BARKER
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Leadership, Academic Excellence, Sporting Achievements, and Community Service

Arwen is proud to be Deputy Head Girl at John Paul College for 2026. She has been an active member of the academic, sporting, and leadership aspects of John Paul College and the wider community. Arwen strives to be an all-round excellent student and a kind, respectful, and helpful leader.

Throughout Arwen’s time at JPC she has competed at National levels in numerous sports including; Adventure Racing, Mountain Biking, Waterpolo, Cross Country, and Football. She has captained many of her sporting teams including; the Rotorua Water Polo Girls team 2023, Get 2 Go team 2023, and the Hillary Challenge Qualifier team 2026.

Outside of her personal achievements, Arwen has a true dedication to giving back to her community. She has been part of the Ball Committee twice, JPC Day Committee, and helped to organise and run a very successful school Blood Drive. Arwen also has a strong passion for coaching and supporting younger athletes. For the last two years she has coached a range of ages mountain biking and has previously coached a Grade 1 Lakes Football team.

Arwen has shown a consistent commitment to academic excellence through earning NCEA Level 1 and Level 2 Excellence Endorsements, and is currently on track to earn a Level 3 Excellence Endorsement. Arwen has also been the top Sport Science and Geography student for the last two years.

Arwen is very grateful for the support, guidance, and help her family, coaches, and teachers provide for her. Arwen is excited to study a Bachelor of Forestry Science at the University of Canterbury next year.

16/09/2026

Ride the Runway Event - Sunday 11th October.

Ride the Runway is back 👏!

📍Rotorua Regional Airport, in the paddock by Volcanic Air (look out for event signage).

💥 October 11th, parking from 1:00pm. Gates to runway open at 1:45pm - 3:15pm. Feel free to bike to the airport!

💥 Human-powered vehicles like bicycles, scooters, skateboards, wheelchairs, rollerskates are all welcome. Helmets are a must!

💥 Prizes for best dressed (no streamers or loose items, please) and best wheelie!

💥 This event is a gold coin donation event per person. This money will go towards Pahikara | Bike Rotorua Trust and groups that have helped make this happen, to support work/events in the community.

16/09/2026

Congratulations to Niksha Pardal for taking out the Year 11-13 Great Talk National Champion and Ian Yoo, 3rd place National finalist for Year 7-8.

15/09/2026

Thank you BDO!

A big thanks to BDO Rotorua for sponsoring the player shirts for the 1st XI Boys hockey team!

15/09/2026

Young Achievers 2026

TYLER PAUL
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Leadership, Academic Excellence, Arts and Culture, Community Service

Tyler Paul is honoured to serve as Head Boy of John Paul College for 2026. He believes leadership is about creating opportunities for others to contribute and grow in confidence. Throughout high school, he has represented his school in debating, public speaking, drama and Model United Nations, including representing New Zealand at Yale Model United Nations.

Tyler has endorsed NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 with Excellence. After accelerating his studies in Year 12, he was awarded an NZQA Scholarship in English. He also enrolled in Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s VicStart Programme, taking two university papers whilst still at school. Tyler was awarded John Paul College’s Top Senior Debater Prize and was also recognised as New Zealand's Top Student in Grade 6 Speech and Drama.

Outside school, Tyler is passionate about youth leadership and community service. He feels privileged to advocate for young people. Through the Rotorua Youth Council, Pūtake Nui – Rotorua Centre for Youth, the Children's Commissioner’s Youth Panel, and the Regional Council Youth SSRF, he has represented the perspectives of rangitahi in local and regional decision-making through contributing to decisions on distributing more than $160,000 in funding for youth-led initiatives across the Bay of Plenty and completed over 250 hours of volunteer service through Young Vinnies, the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, and other community initiatives.

Tyler is grateful to his parents, teachers and mentors for their constant encouragement and for challenging him to make the most of every opportunity.

Next year, Tyler intends to study Law and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, with the long-term goal of pursuing a career in diplomacy.

15/09/2026

Young Achievers 2026

SARA SMITH
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Academic, Cultural, Community

Sara Smith is a high-achieving John Paul College student, with a passion for the performing arts.

Sara’s academic dedication is demonstrated through her NCEA achievements. In 2025, she endorsed Level 3 Music with Excellence in year 12, and she endorsed both Level 1 and 2 NCEA with Excellence in one year in year 11, and has 9 Level 2 NCEA subject endorsements.

Sara’s greatest passion is music. She has gained multiple musical achievements, including being selected as a 2026 John Paul College music captain, receiving NCEA New Zealand Scholarship Music 2025 in year 12, and passing the Trinity College London ATCL Diploma Performance Piano examination in 2025. Additionally, she has been successful in many music competitions, winning the Adjudicator’s Award of the NZCT Bay of Plenty Regional Chamber Music Competitions with her chamber ensemble twice, and winning the 2025 Rotorua Branch IRMTNZ Senior Music Scholarship Competition. Sara has also received many musical scholarships, including the Dr Barry Smith Scholarship, and Rotorua Civic Arts Heaton Arts Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts for highest Rotorua Trinity College Senior Music exam marks twice.

Sara also has a passion for speech and drama, shown through her success in the 2026 Rotorua Speech and Drama Competitions, where she won the Rotorua Performer of the Year Competition. She additionally excels in speech competitions, winning the 2026 Race Unity Speech Awards Central North Island Regional Competition.

Sara’s dedication to her community is demonstrated through being selected as a member of the Rotorua Youth Council 2026, where she speaks for Rotorua youth. Her commitment to her community extends to many other aspects of her life, for example, by late 2025 Sara had completed the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards. She is also a Taekwondo Junior Instructor, and regular piano performer at local events, including St Luke’s Lunchtime Concerts, and the Hospice Memorial Service, among others.

Next year, Sara intends to study Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland. She aims to work towards a career in medicine, hoping to one day become a dermatologist.