Student Leaders meet with Nico Porteous

By Nick Leith | Posted: Wednesday July 25, 2018

Nico Porteous, at 16 years of age became New Zealand's youngest Olympic medal-winning athlete. Nico took time to catch up with our student leadership team as part of Sir Peter Blake Leadership week in the last week of term two.

For someone so young, Nico had loads of experiences to share with our team.  He talked impressively about the social sacrifices he has had to make to pursue something he was really good at. 

A humble person, Nico told the students he never considers himself the best at anything but instead focuses on trying his best and if that ʻmeans a win that that's awesome'. 

Nico spoke of the number of injuries he has endured in a high-risk sport and that planning is a crucial part of his success to avoid them as much as possible, but also to prepare for events and to manage the fear that comes with his extreme sport. 

Perhaps the most impressive of all Nico's efforts is managing a study load of three NCEA science subjects, maths and accounting whilst touring the world on the ski circuit.

Our students felt extremely privileged to hold Nico's Olympic bronze medal and will remember the visit for many years.

A highly impressive young man, Nico was a great role model for Casebrook REPs!

Nick Leith