Otago Girls' High School

Jessie McGrouther

Jessie McGrouther has spent years growing into a role model she would have looked up to when she was young.

And now that she is head girl, she is loving every minute of it.

"It’s definitely something that I had worked towards for a long time."

Becoming head girl has been a goal since she was in year 8, when a teacher told her she would make a good one.

"I just tried to work towards it ever since, and I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

"Actually reaching that goal has been incredible."

The best part about the role for her was being a voice for her peers, and a role model for younger students.

"I really like being that person for people to come to for advice, feedback, or just to talk to.

"I want to be someone who I would have looked up to."

She says it feels amazing when a year 9 or 10 girl says they are inspired by her.

Jessie looks up to the likes of Olympian Lauren Bruce, who represented New Zealand in the hammer throw at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Coming third in shot put at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Championships this year was a proud moment for her, and it has motivated her to push her limits further in athletics.

As well as sport, Jessie has a passion for animals. She grew up on a farm and has been around animals her whole life, including a horse she has been riding since she was 2 years old.

That passion was boosted when her grandfather Howard McGrouther started Penguin Place, now The Opera.

Next year, she plans to study at Massey University, in the hope of getting into veterinary science.

Achievements

Head prefect (2025), 1st U19 Southland Secondary Schools Triathlon (2025), Broke the Otago 17-year-old girls hammer throw record (2025), 2nd Otago Secondary School Volleyball Championships (2024, 2025), Otago Volleyball U19 girls rep (2025), Athletics Otago outstanding performances award (2025), 1st Otago Secondary Schools Athletics senior girls hammer (2024), South Island Secondary Schools Athletics 2nd shot put and 3rd girls hammer (2024), 2nd South Island one-day equestrian event 95cm class (2024), dean’s commendation year 12 ( 2024), NCEA level 2 endorsed with excellence (2024).

Role model

Her grandfather Howard McGrouther.

Hopes for the future

To become a vet, have a sporting career, have a family and live a good adventurous life.

Jade Moana Wilson

Jade Moana Wilson is a driven person.

So much so, she has sacrificed her social life to focus on her sporting and academic goals.

"I feel like for success, you have to sacrifice a few things.

"There’s a lot of early mornings and late nights that go on behind the scenes that people don’t really see."

Winning a track race makes missing out on a few social opportunities worth it, she says.

Jade has always had a competitive spirit, and began running and training with a professional coach when she was 11 years old. Since then, she has amassed a a long list of achievements at Otago, South Island and New Zealand athletics championships.

"I’m quite lazy, I don’t actually like running but I enjoy competing and the environment as well."

While cold, wet days make training unpleasant, her competitiveness and discipline motivates her to get off the couch and go for runs during Dunedin winters.

"I hate the cold, but I’ll still go for a run anyway."

Jade is modest verging on shy, so to counteract that, she likes to go outside her comfort zone and participate in musical theatre.

"Most people wouldn’t see musical theatre in my personality."

She says musical productions had taught her many life skills, like how to control her nerves, how to lean on her peers, and teamwork.

Next year, she plans to study law while continuing to compete in athletics.

Achievements

2nd U19 senior girls 100m and 100m hurdles South Island Secondary Schools Athletics Championships (2025); 1st U19 senior girls 100m and 4x100m relay Otago Secondary School Athletics Championships (2025); 2nd New Zealand Track & Field Championships 4x100m relay (2025); 3rd New Zealand Track & Field Championships U20 women’s 100m hurdles (2025); Māori prefect (2025); distinction Te Reo Maori (2025); Fortress choir (2024, 2025); Te Hautonga (2025); Wairua Pāhou (2024, 2025); NCEA level 2 endorsed with excellence (2024); 2nd New Zealand Track & Field Championships 100m hurdles (2024); dean’s commendation year 12 (2024); Nautilus Chorale (2024); Big Sing choral competition (2024); Cadenza choral competition (2024); school sectional choir leader (2024); Ringa Toi national art exhibition & awards at Te Papa (2023-24). [Abridged]