The excellence award is just another feather on Te Kāpehu Whetū year-12 student Arwyn Henare's hat of accomplishments and principal Anne Henare says she has been consistently coming to kura, putting in the work, and taking leadership roles.

"As a principal, I had to write a recommendation letter highlighting why the student deserved the grant.

"Arwyn reflects our school's values and ideologies.

"Towards the second half of the year, she was leading karakia and waiata and encouraging other students to take part as well.

"She was consistently handing in all her work, along with working part-time over the weekends. She is also very committed to her whānau events and community work."

Arwyn was surprised to learn of the award and said she did not believe it at first.

"I wasn't even paying attention to the speech and then all of sudden I heard my name being announced."

Arwyn's business enterprise recently won the Rangatahi Māori Company of the Year from The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

The 15-year-old is part of a four-member team that sells rongoā Māori gummy lollies.

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