Student Profile Munashe Webeck

Kia ora koutou, ko Munashe Imani Webeck tōku ingoa, and I am the Deputy Head Prefect/Head of Aroha at Te Kura o Hine Waiora/Christchurch Girls High School for 2025.

Describe yourself in 3 words

I would describe myself as resilient, dedicated, and compassionate.

Can you describe some positive or memorable experiences you’ve had at CGHS

My most memorable experience at CGHS was last year, when I participated in the Spoken Word poetry slam as part of the CGHS team. This experience was so incredibly rewarding, increasing my writing ability, my confidence, and performing ability. Spoken Word taught me very valuable skills, while also being fun, engaging, and challenging. During the process I was required to be vulnerable, needing to face myself to write a poem true to my character. I learned so much about myself that I never realised were core to who I was, and this experience made me feel secure in expressing myself to a greater number of people in my community. It also introduced me into a world that is filled with aroha, warmth, and creativity. Being able to meet these new incredible people was a highlight of this experience. I’ve made relationships with individuals that have positively impacted the way I live, and I am honoured to be able to say I was part of the CGHS Spoken Word team for 2024. 

What extracurricular activities or clubs do you participate in at school, and what do you find most enjoyable about them?

I am happy to admit, sport is not my forte. I have dabbled in different sports while being at CGHS, – dance, fencing, and rock climbing to name a few – but I have gravitated towards committees and academic competitions in my time at CGHS. 

I participated in Cantamath, and also had the amazing opportunity to travel down to the University of Otago for Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition, in the past years. Both competitions required me to be committed, hardworking, and confident, spending time pouring over material. I cannot remember how I did in Cantamath, meaning I likely  did not do well, but I am incredibly proud to say that the CGHS team placed 6th down in Dunedin. Last year I also participated in Epro8, an engineering and problem solving challenge, which was incredibly thrilling, challenging, and captivating. My team made it to finals, and I loved every second of the competition. 

Alongside these competitions, I am an active member of many committees. For example, I am part of SADD (Students Against Dangerous Driving), and the library committee. SADD has been a committee close to my heart. Being at an age where I am learning to drive and inhabit the roads properly for the first time, SADD has impacted my life greatly. With the information SADD provides, I feel safer on the roads and confident in my ability to drive. The awareness of the dangers of driving has also taught me to be more cautious, a necessary skill for driving. This awareness is something that I really value, and I love being part of a committee that inspires change. The library is a place where I spend much of my school time. It is a place full of warmth and I am proud to be one of the student librarians. As part of the library committee I have made great friendships, and am able to talk to so many of my peers. The library has aided my quest to meet and connect with my peers, and has been a great way to get me out of my shell.

What are your favourite subjects at school and why do you enjoy them?

My favourite subject in school is physics. This is because physics explains everything happening around us, and I enjoy being able to recognise physics principles in my day to day life. The world is run on science. I unfortunately don’t have the knack for biology or chemistry, but physics has made sense to me since a young age. Through science, and physics specifically, I have been able to explore many different experiences at school. Each opportunity accessed through science has been enthralling, and I have left every class, competition, and field trip knowing more than when I arrived. Physics has gotten gradually harder as I have gotten older, but it is a challenge I have accepted readily. There will always be more physics to learn, as physicists find new things everyday, and I will forever love to be a student of physics. I plan to incorporate physics into my future career, and I have the amazing teachers at CGHS for continuing my love for physics.