Hadley Farquharson
Hadley Farquharson has turned obstacles into opportunities during his time at Cromwell College.
The 18-year-old’s promising rugby career was cut short after a back injury during the 2024 preseason, but he decided to channel his purpose in other ways.
During the year’s first XV season, he became the team’s media head, creating graphics for the team, taking photos and videos, and making highlight reels.
When he wasn’t helping out with that, he turned to refereeing and coaching touch rugby and volleyball.
"I’ve found it quite rewarding actually. It’s nice to be able to help others and share my skills and all that, and it’s good to make others happy."
Hadley, of Ngāti Rangitihi descent, has also immersed himself in te reo. Along with being a kapa haka senior leader, composing the first XV’s new haka and assisting with the tohu of the school’s new uniform design, Hadley is often called upon to lead openings and blessings at the school.
His connection to te ao Māori has grown stronger over the past couple of years, he says.
"Our principal, Mason Stretch, has been a bit of a leader for me in that field. Seeing what he’s achieved in te reo has inspired me."
Hadley feels the best way to serve the community is to "honour the opportunities people have given you" — he participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards for three consecutive years, amassing over 50 hours’ community service and eventually achieving a gold award.
"I would say that if you try hard enough and care enough about something, you’ll make it work. But also, there will always be people in your life."
He is excited about next year and hopes to do a double bachelor’s degree in surveying and Māori studies at the University of Otago.
Achievements
Duke of Edinburgh gold (2025); kapa haka; Ngā Ara Wai kapa haka; pounamu carving; whaikōrero to open many school events; services to kapa haka award; New Zealand U18 Māori rugby trial (2024); South Island touch 2nd (2025); Otago touch (2023-25); volleyball referee and coach (2024, 2025); NZ nationals — touch (2023, 2024); NCEA level 2 excellence endorsed (2024); most improved player volleyball (2024); Otago athletics (2021-24); Goldfields kapa haka tutoring (2024).
Hopes for the future
My goal as pou is to display myself as confident in my culture and identity so that this path may be made easier for the tamariki of the future.
Becky Thomson
It can be hard to find the time to fit it all in, but that is not stopping Becky Thomson from keeping busy.
One of the head students at Cromwell College, the 18-year-old plays multiple sports while being a school leader and top academic.
A middle child, with an older brother and younger sister, she says she has had to make some sacrifices to fit everything in, but it is worth it.
"I do like being busy and you do get good at time management. You just have to re-prioritise things. I might miss out on some school parties in the weekend to do some schoolwork at home and hang out," she says
"Sometimes I reckon you can get a good balance from it."
Competing in netball, basketball, football, athletics and rowing keeps Becky busy. Throw in Duke of Edinburgh work, being a head student and schoolwork, it is quite a workload. But she has always wanted to do well in everything she does.
Her favourite sport is basketball as it mixes aggression and technique. In the classroom she enjoys maths and physics.
She enjoys being at a co-educational school, saying it is a way to set up for the future.
Next year she is heading to the University of Canterbury to study engineering.
First she will work another summer at the Webb’s fruit store, selling fruit.
So what advice will she give a new year 7 student at the college next year?
"Give everything a go and make the most of every opportunity."
Achievements
Student volunteer army ambassador (2025); Duke of Edinburgh Gold (2025); senior A netball captain (2025); head student (2025); academic prefect (2025); Cromwell Football Club: girls’ football coach (2020-25); senior A basketball captain (2024-25); football award for enthusiasm and commitment (2024); NCEA level 2 excellence endorsed (2024); Kawarau house captain (2024); 1st XI girls football captain (2024); Duke of Edinburgh silver award (2024); Outward Bound scholarship (2024); top volunteer award (2024); Saunders Cup for most improved basketball player (2023, 2024).
Hopes for the future
To study engineering at the University of Canterbury, specialising in my second year in either electrical or chemical processing and to complete a humanitarian engineering diploma, aiming to work in the renewable energy or clean water industry.
