Book Corner

This term our Head Students, and literary connoisseurs, share their inspirations from a few of their favourite books and reflections on what they love about our campus Library.

Who are you? 

Kia ora, my name is Josh Peng, and I’m one of Rangitoto’s Head Students for 2023. My heritage is half Kiwi and half Taiwanese, with my mum being from Wairarapa, New Zealand, and my dad from Taiwan. Before college, I attended Glamorgan Primary school and Northcross Intermediate. I’m someone who appreciates learning, works hard, but tries not to take myself too seriously. I also aim to give back to the school community that has provided me with so much.

When you’re not reading, what do you love doing?

When not reading, you’d probably find me playing the guitar or working on a random project. I’ve always enjoyed creating things, whether it be scale models or mini film projects. I love thinking of new concepts for stories, imagining them as a film, and sometimes bringing them to life as small, homemade, film projects. I find there’s something magical about breathing life into ideas, and it’s especially rewarding when you can share these ideas with others who also enjoy them.

What’s a book you remember reading/having read to you when you were little? Tell us all about that memory.

One of the most distinct memories from my childhood was reading Betty Gilderdale’s The Little Yellow Digger. As a toddler, my mum would sit down with me each afternoon for reading time—which I’m sure helped instil the enjoyment of reading that I still have today. At the time, I was crazy about diggers, so I loved flicking through the brightly illustrated pages time and time again.

What do you love about our Library?

I love Rangitoto’s Library because it contains such a large range of subjects and genres to explore. It’s quite exciting to think that within a library there are countless things to learn, stories to live, and worlds to discover! Additionally, I appreciate that it’s a calm place to retreat to when needing some space or time to study. The Librarians are always great to talk to and really good at helping you find your next read!

What’s a book you always recommend and why?

I often recommend Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s book, The Little Prince. Written as a “children’s book for adults,” the charming story explores themes of friendship, childhood, and what it means to grow into an adult. As we transition into adulthood with the often daunting prospect of more work, schedules, and responsibilities, the book is a refreshing reminder of how we can stay true to ourselves and why we don’t have to lose our childlike wonder for the world.

What’s your favourite book?

My favourite book has got to be JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. In primary school, my uncle introduced me to Peter Jackson’s film adaptation which introduced me to the rich and magical world of Middle-Earth. I remember feeling both daunted and excited when issuing The Fellowship of the Ring from my school library, marvelling at the number of pages and tiny font size. Tolkien’s story is my favourite, not only because of its beautiful story and heartfelt characters, but because of the impact it’s had on my appreciation for film and literature.

Who would you love to have lunch with (dead or alive)?

If I could choose anyone to have lunch with, it’d probably be my grandad. Having passed away before I was born, I never got the chance to meet my grandad but I feel as if I owe parts of myself to him. I’m told he was someone who liked many of the things I do, such as drawing, reading, and history, and I imagine I could sit down for hours and just talk with him.

Where do you seek inspiration?

I am constantly inspired by the people around me—my friends’ various talents and quirks, the kindness of my peers, and the dedication of my teachers. My older sister has always been a role model to me for her compassion and hard work, and my grandma for her loving personality. Growing up, I’ve also sought inspiration from people like Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor whose work in film inspires me to continue to dream and to have fun in the process.

Who are you? 

I’m Kaia Buckley. I am in Year 13 at Rangitoto and one of your Head Students. I have been lucky enough to experience Rangitoto College since Year 9 and it has had such a positive impact on my life. I have a passion for sports. I play both indoor and beach volleyball along with netball for the school. 

When you’re not reading, what do you love doing?

I love sports and fitness. So when I’m not reading I keep busy with physical activity—team training, the gym, and being outdoors. Sports commitments take up a lot of my time and can get very intense so it is always nice to come back and read a book when I get back from training and games. I also love spending time with my family and friends.

What’s a book that’s changed your mind about something?

The book I’m Glad My Mum Died, by Jennette McCurdy. Terrible title, but I found this to be an incredibly inspiring book. It has changed my perspective on many things. It’s a book about a successful actress who comes through many battles. Her autobiography talks about some of the lowest points in her life, which puts life into perspective for me. It made me realise how people who may appear to be loving their life can also be suffering and in pain, so we all need to look out for one another. 

Where do you seek inspiration?

I seek my inspiration through positive quotes, autobiographies, and role models. I like being able to see, read, and hear what is in front of me to gain motivation and inspiration to continue pushing on. I’m always drawn to reading autobiographies.

What’s your favourite book?

From a young age, I loved the book Soul Surfer, by Bethany Hamilton, which is about how she chose to overcome adversity and reach goals beyond her dreams.  

What are some of your hopes and dreams for the future?

I would love to succeed in my sport but I also have a dream of travelling the world through volunteer work to help developing countries. This actually developed after reading Bethany Hamilton’s book as I was inspired when she worked as a volunteer in Thailand after the tsunami. 

What do you love about our Library?

Our school is lucky enough to have a library with such a wide range of books to enjoy reading. However, it also provides a quiet place. Personally, I love how our Library has always been a place for me that I know I can come to when I need to spend my time focusing on school work.

Who are you?

Hi, I’m Hayun Seo. My parents are Korean but I was born and raised here on the Shore. I am the middle child of six kids which has naturally made me a very family-orientated person. I’ve always loved playing sports, I’ve played quite a range of sports including cricket, rippa rugby, and hockey, but stuck with football.

When you’re not reading, what do you love doing?

I enjoy exploring new underground artists as it expands my musical taste and introduces me to unique sounds that sometimes can give me inspiration for my own playing, whether that is for cello, piano or guitar. Even though I am a beginner, I find playing the guitar a great creative outlet that also challenges me musically. Additionally, taking walks is a simple but effective way to clear my mind and get some exercise while enjoying nature. Lastly, playing board games with my brothers is another way we bond and have fun together, providing a break from schoolwork and a chance to de-stress.

What’s a book you remember reading/having read to you when you were little? Tell us all about that memory.

I have a distinct memory of being obsessed with the children’s novel Boy Overboard, by Morris Gleitzman, in Year 4. This story follows the experiences of Jamal and his family, who live in war-torn Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. It gave me insight into human rights, migration, and cultural diversity. I loved this book because it’s about football, family, and also sheds light on important social and political issues, all of which I was interested in at a young age and still am to this day. After discovering this book (that felt like it was just written personally for me) and reading it in a few sittings, I remember enthusiastically recommending it to my classmates at show and tell. Looking back, I miss this feeling of excitement I felt towards finding a book that resonates with me as much as this book did when I was eight years old.

What do you love about our Library?

To me, what sets our Library apart is the wonderful Librarians and the peaceful atmosphere of the silent study room. The Librarians are consistently friendly and welcoming, whether it’s early in the morning or late in the day. They are always happy to chat about books and offer helpful suggestions. Additionally, the silent study room is a haven for me when I need to focus on homework or gather my thoughts before the start of the day. The serene environment allows me to be productive and accomplish my tasks in a calm setting.

What are you currently reading?

Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention by Johann Hari. This is a book that was gifted to me by a good friend for Christmas. This book explores the reasons why people are finding it increasingly difficult to focus in the modern world, and the implications this has for our mental health and well-being. He also points to research showing that our attention spans are becoming shorter and more fragmented and that this is leading to increased anxiety, stress, and even depression. This book is making me more mindful of my time spent on social media. I am also finding this book very valuable for my report I am currently writing in Sports Science.

Where do you seek inspiration?

I seek inspiration from the people that I interact with, and also from nature. For my different interests and passions, I find that I have a different person I usually tend to get inspiration from. Being around my oldest brother Jimin inspires me to have an open mindset that is constantly ready to take on feedback and new challenges. Being around my older sister, Jaya, inspires me with the creative way she dresses and the innovative ways she cooks. Spending time in nature is also a great way to clear my mind and spark my creativity. I love watching sunsets from my balcony and taking pictures of the sky. Clouds can be very dynamic and visually interesting, with ever-changing shapes, colours, and patterns. I can sometimes find myself losing track of time just standing outside and looking up at the sky.

What are some mottos you live by?

“If you’re the smartest in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” This is a quote that I remember Mr Gale talking about in an assembly when I was in Year 10. This quote reminds me that for me to grow and improve, it’s important to surround myself with people who are more knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled than I am. This means that I may feel uncomfortable and sometimes even looked down on, but I’ve found that this teaches me humility and also pushes me to strive for excellence in my pursuits, whether this was taking Physics Extension in Year 12, playing in the Chamber Orchestra, or playing in the Girls Premier Football team at the college in Year 11. I knew full well that I was not the best in each of these groups and in fact had a lot of fear and doubts knowing that there were a lot of challenges ahead of me, but I still decided to put myself in those places so I could grow.

What advice are you grateful you’ve received?

“Even as you mature and develop, you will still always have flaws.” I find myself continuously coming back to these words. As an overthinker, sometimes I get caught up on the little things that I should improve on. This advice is a reminder to myself that although I will always work towards self-improvement, I have to learn to embrace my imperfections and practise self-compassion. I am learning to acknowledge my weaknesses and use them to grow rather than put myself down.

Who are you? 

My name is Nicolas Ouwehand, I am a Year 13 student and am one of Rangitoto College’s four Head Students for 2023. I have grown up in the local community—my schooling consisted of me moving up the hill, beginning at Murrays Bay Primary School, moving up to Murrays Bay Intermediate, before finally arriving at Rangitoto. My main sport is tennis, but I love playing some football in the winter and getting outdoors whether it be running, biking, or swimming. At the same time, I have always been an avid reader as I believe there is so much to be learned through literature, both in regard to certain topics and life in general. I always try to make time at the end of my day for reading. I do so to wind down, as for me, reading serves as a wonderful outlet to just escape and get immersed in a story. 

When you’re not reading, what do you love doing?

As mentioned above, I love playing sports and activities, as it can take my mind off any stress the same way reading can. It allows me to just think things over and enjoy what I’m doing in the present. I love hanging out with my friends and I also really value spending time with my family, who share the same interests as me.

What’s a book you remember reading/having read to you when you were little? Tell us all about that memory.

The Alex Rider series was one that I began reading in Year 3 of primary school, and proceeded to work my way through until around Year 5/Year 6. This was likely where my love for action-based books started. I remember reading these books in my school library regularly for two years whenever we had reading time during the week. 

What are some books you’ve encountered at school? 

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee was a book I studied during Year 11. This turned out to be such an amazing read that I really enjoyed learning about it and analysing. Its message of learning to be honest and show respect to everyone, no matter our differences, is a special one that I have remembered, ever since I read the book. Animal Farm is another book which I loved studying as its main theme of abuse of power and language seems like a really relatable concept in our own world. I really enjoy books that delve into human nature and relationships as they can help to teach us all about life and our own world. 

What do you love about our library?

I love the size of the library, as it offers such a wide range of books covering so many different topics, allowing me to browse for anything I like. The staff are always friendly and go above and beyond to make sure I find what I’m looking for or to help me find something new to enjoy. The Library is a place I can go for most of my needs, it offers study spaces (which I am finding more and more useful this year), and books for personal reading/enjoyment. 

What’s a book that’s changed your mind about something?

Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a book that made me see financial stability differently. Previously I had the idea that you need to learn a large amount of money at a given time and that would be the best way to gain money, however, this taught me that little gains can build up and if you put your eggs into many baskets, then it will mean you are better off. This is a great book that I read when I was around 14 and that’s when I became quite interested in earning and began working the couple jobs I could at that age.

What are you currently reading?

I’ve recently started reading Roger Federer’s latest autobiography, The Master. This book is great as it offers a deep insight into a sporting legend who is often regarded as not just a great athlete, but a great person and ambassador for the sport. It not only teaches me about the sport I love and a figure I admire but also about being a good person, as sports can teach us many things about life. I am also loving seeing how such an inspirational figure developed and seeing what shaped him into the person he is today. I love autobiographies—I have read Andre Aggasi’s autobiography, Open, in the past and it shows every person’s story is different but we can all reach the same success. I also recently finished the book Apollo 8, written by Jeffrey Kruger. I have always had a passion for aviation and space and this book took these ideas and fantasised them for me. Reading this book allowed me to feel what the space race would have felt like if I had been around during that time period. It made the events feel magical, and I realised what the people were trying to achieve at the time: to slingshot humans into a new age of science, flight, and exploration. I would recommend this book to everyone as to me, it made what can seem like a very specific topic into an adventure for anyone to enjoy and ponder. 

What’s your favourite book?

My all-time favourite book is I Am Pilgrim, written by Terry Hayes. This book left me in suspense every single page I read. I was the most disappointed I had ever felt after finishing a book after reading I Am Pilgrim, as I did not want it to end. My favourite type of genre to read tends to be crime thrillers and action thrillers. This book delves into both genres and at the same time maintains an incredible sense of realism, as it tells a believable and thrilling story. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a book they don’t want to put down.