Families, friends and loved ones of 14 Nukutere College students gathered together yesterday to celebrate their induction as newly-selected prefects for this academic year.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Bishop Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado blessed 14 students and presented them with their new badges during a special gathering.

In his words of encouragement and prayers, Bishop Getalado prayed for their roles to be carried out with love and great leadership, as the new academic year begins.

Following a selection process involving votes from teachers and the school principal, Joseph Wulf Rua was voted as the head boy while Leata Leu Moemai was voted as the school’s head girl for 2025.

Head boy, Joseph Wulf Rua with her grandmother. 25012419

They will be assisted by deputy head girl Tihani Dean and deputy head boy Tyler Emile, together with 10 other prefects: Feliza Nicholas, Arlandar Ngaroi, Mamia Piri-Savage, Katrina Brider, Faith Jione, Joseph Georgem Ioteba Teibi, Charles-Trevor Woonton, Joseph Tangaroa and Moana Adams.

Joseph, the son of Alan Rua and Marlen Wulf, wants to leave Nukutere College with a memory of good leadership and harmony.

“The main thing is I feel honoured that I get to lead the school this year and I wanted to leave something behind so I figured that not only by being a student but by being a normal student and help out in any way I can, to help benefit the school,” he told Cook Islands News.

“So for me as a leader, it’s all about service and if I can’t act up to that then I shouldn’t be wearing the badge so I feel honoured. I’m not going to be walking through this alone, I’ve got my class with me so I think if we join hands, anything is possible.”

When asked how he plans to approach his role and ensure he leaves a good legacy, the 15-year-old said: “If I lead by example then maybe they’ll follow and like I said, it’s better if we all join together and everything can be done.”

Joseph’s father, Alan Rua, a former police officer and now a private detective, said he was shocked by his son's achievement.

Rua said he was also emotional, reminiscing on the days when he was a lead prefect at Tereora College.

“It’s a proud moment for myself, I was once the head prefect for Tereora College and it’s good to see my son taking on dad’s footsteps,” he said.

“I’m really proud of him and he’s worked hard over the years at Nukutere so I’m really extremely happy with his performance.

“I was shocked but all I can say is I’m overwhelmed. It’s a new journey for Joseph and I will support him in any direction in his journey that he would want to pursue and in his career in the future. He’s got the backing of his families including myself.”

The induction ceremony was attended by the entire school, who later gathered on the school campus for further celebrations, including a kaikai.