Marian College

Head Student: Seyara De Silva

ආයුබෝවන්, I am Seyara De Silva, and I am honoured to serve as the head student for 2026.

Marian is so much more to me than just “school”. Our charisms and values shape how we learn. As a 4 Greenstar–rated school, we put Laudato Si’ into action, honouring our responsibility to creation. We celebrate academic excellence, embrace our sport, and understand ourselves in the Marian at Māhutonga narrative gifted by Ngāi Tahu. These parts of our identity are woven into our building, our day-to-day lives, and our smiles.

Throughout my time at our beautiful kura, I have immersed myself in all aspects of school life. Special Character, Vinnies, Debating, Ethics, Kapa Haka, Choir, Netball - each group has allowed me to learn from all my sisters. Our successes are a testament to our school’s supportive environment, rooted in faith, service, and sisterhood, upheld by staff and students.

My role as Head of Special Character in 2025 is engraved in who I am, and my faith is my biggest strength, which I carry with me in all I do. I look forward to transferring my lessons from last year towards my new role.

I promise to remain present, involved, and excited about everything Marian has to offer. Alongside my fellow student executive and year 13 cohort, I will uphold the very culture of Marian that has shaped each of us. I will strive to be a humble role model and a friend to each girl who calls Marian home. I am so excited to spend 2026 alongside my good friends, Jayde, Briar, and Ashley, supporting each girl to be the best woman they can be.

Namaste, Ni Hao and Kia Ora,

My name is Jayde Liang, and I am privileged to be the Deputy Head Student - Academic for 2026.

I’m very grateful for this opportunity to make a difference at Marian and give back to others. Over the past four years, I have had the joy of experiencing firsthand the school’s values of courage, commitment, perseverance and respect, which are instilled in me through the care of its teachers and the many opportunities it offers. I aim to be a leader who exemplifies these important school values, while using my past experience as Deputy Head of Special Character in 2025, to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and use Mother Mary as a strong role model of these values. I seek to lead in a way that continually reflects our school motto, ‘With Mary in Faith’.

During these past 4 years, Marian has become like a home. I’ve grown as a person by partaking in a range of groups and activities such as Special Character, Young Vinnies, Netball, Debating, and Choir. Experiences like pilgrimages, peer-to-peer ministry and Catholic camps, have nurtured my understanding of what it means to be a student leader and helped me find a sense of belonging. I have a great desire to help every student at Marian to find their place, and use my experience to support students in every aspect of school life, especially academically. I want to be a student leader who encourages students to take hold of opportunities and make the most of what Marian has to offer, so that they can reach their potential, enjoy school, and discover who they are as individuals.

As I look forward to the new school year, I can't wait to collaborate with my fellow Head Students, year 13s and staff to uphold the strong culture and faith Marian has always offered me. I’m so excited to help strengthen students' experience of the academic side of life at Marian and hope that I can help students feel they’ve reached their academic potential. Whakawhetai koe, I am beyond honoured to have this role and cannot wait for the school year.

Kia ora, ko Briar Rotherham toku ingoa. My name is Briar and I have the amazing opportunity to be deputy head girl, pastoral for 2026.

I am so excited to put everything into this role, guided by the school's charisms; Mary MacKillop and Catherine McAuley and with the cultural narrative in mind I hope to be a role model for other students and really help Marian thrive and have a great year. I aim to lead with kindness, inclusiveness and with a strong focus on service. I really value the way Marian combines our Catholic faith with our Māori culture.

Throughout my past four years at Marian I have been very involved in coaching rock climbing, providing peer to peer ministry, being part of kapa haka, enviro group and debating. These groups and opportunities have helped develop skills that I hope to use in my role to make a difference to our kura. These groups have also helped me understand what it means to be a Marian girl and I hope to share my love for the school with all those around me. I want to encourage all students to be involved in the kura whether that is joining a sport, cultural, religious, or art group. There is a place for everyone at Marian.

I am really looking forward to working with all students, especially those alongside me on student executive. I can't wait to meet and get to know any new students, especially all our new Year 9s. I hope to form stronger connections with all students and be a role model for all akōnga.

Mabuhay,

My name is Ashley Coroza, and I am honoured to serve as the Head of Special Character for 2026.

Throughout my four years in our kura, I have grown not only as the woman I have become today, but also in my Catholic faith that I would like to personify as a leader, to strengthen and further expand the strong Catholic faith in our kura. Our Special Character is a very significant part of our school that shapes our school identity. I have participated in all aspects of school life - Special Character, Young Vinnies, Rosary Group, Choir, Volleyball, Kapa Haka, Polyfest. Each group has allowed me to create a strong sisterhood in Marian, personifying the school values of Courage, Commitment, Perseverance, and Respect.

I remember the strong and genuine bond of sisterhood and evangelism that I felt in year 9, and continue to feel, when I first joined the Special Character Group. And now as a senior girl, I am blessed to follow in the footsteps of our mana wahine of our kura, Catherine McAuley, Mary MacKillop, Mary, Jesus, and all of the wahine who have inspired and influenced me with servant leadership.

With the support of my teachers, student executive, and my wonderful, Deputy, Frankie Tino, I will strive to be a leader who helps all Marian girls to be proud of their faith, with a deep understanding of the importance and how much impact and enhancement it can have on their lives, and through the guidance in service. I promise to create a faith-filled and loving home for all Marian girls.