Arts Tie Recipients 2025
On Tuesday, 26 August we were thrilled to present Arts Ties to a dedicated music teacher and 28 Year 12 & 13 students who have made a significant contribution to the Arts. Congratulations to:
Mr Andrew Uren
Andrew has been a dedicated member of the Sacred Heart College Music Department for over 20 years. Throughout his time he has made a significant impact on our music programme particularly through his leadership of the Premier Concert Band. Under his direction the band has achieved outstanding results including a number of gold, silver and bronze awards at KBB and silver awards at the National Concert Band Festival in 2019 and 2023 to name a few. Andrew has also played a key role in the establishment of the Sacred Heart Music Institute. As well as all of this, he is a passionate clarinet and saxophone teacher who has taught a great number of our students over the years.
Rod Allen
Rod has made a major contribution to Drama at SHC and is also a member of the Senior Choir. He has performed in a lead role in over 28 productions (within school and outside). Rod has won awards in debating, speech and choir and has also directed and performed in Shakespeare productions.
Theo Arcus
Theo has been an active contributor to Music & Drama at SHC. He has been lead Clarinetist and vocalist winning multiple awards. Theo has also been lead actor and director in School and Theatre Productions.
Noah Fa’afiu
Noah is a member of the Samoan Cultural Group who took out first place at Polyfest. He is an outstanding public speaker and a participant in the Pompallier Shield Speech competition (Senior English). Noah also won the ANZAC speech competition and later presented it during the ANZAC service in St Heliers.
Cooper Fox
Cooper is in the Kapa Haka Senior Group and promising leader for the future. He has been an active speaker for both school wide functions and Auckland wide cultural events. Cooper helps lead weekly Hostel liturgies and offers his service to SHC Community Mass.
Brayden Greaves
Brayden is a member of the Senior Choir and a cast member for the Baradene Musical Production of Shrek. Brayden acted in this year’s production – Murder on the Nile and has been the winner of many accolades within School and outside.
Etikeni Helu
Etikeni has been a committed member of the Tongan group and this year’s Leader. He has represented SHC for ASB Speech Competitions and has been a member of both the Samoan and Cook Island cultural groups. As our Head Boy, Etikeni speaks in many public settings, the time placed into these presentations require hours of practise.
Tauilagi Hilbron
Tauilagi is a proud member of the Samoan and Kapa Haka cultural groups. Each cultural group demands total commitment, and Tau has continued to not only perform with passion but support the many events that both groups provide.
Ohea Huni-Fifita
Ohea has made a major contribution to the Arts through cultural performances, public speaking, debating and leadership. He has represented the College at both regional and national levels. Ohea is a member of the Tongan Cultural Group, was awarded 1st place at the 2025 Pompallier Shield and mentors and supports younger students.
Sematagiolo Keil
Tagi is a current member of the Samoan and Kapa Haka Cultural groups. He has participated in past Speech competitions, Pompallier Shield and is a Young Vinnies member. Tagi continues to pursue excellence in the performing Arts and has taken part in the newly established Cook Island group.
Maire Kingi
Maire has been a member of the School Kapa Haka group since first arriving at Sacred Heart. This year Maire led the senior Kapa Haka group for the Polyfest competitions and was placed third for Male leader, rarely achieved by a Year 12 student. Maire has competed in our school Legends competition and participated in the Pompallier Shield.
Ross Lopez
Ross has contributed seven years playing the violin & guitar. He is the lead guitarist and founder of the band ‘Last Minute’. Ross is a member of both the Chamber Orchestra and the Big Band.
Sam Madarasz-Holm
Sam has been a valued member of the Premier Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra and Big Band playing and leading in both Cello and Bass. Sam is the founder & performer of the Jaaz Trio ‘Tryhardsica’ and has contributed backstage to many major productions.
Vin Marsden
Vin has been a multi-instrumentalist and section leader across the School and in the community. He has been a member of the Premier Concert Band and Section Leader for four years. Vin has consistently been recognised at a national and regional level, been a stage manager for a number of music events, and is the founder and mentor of music groups.
Sean Martin
Sean has been a dedicated musician for six years. He has been the lead trumpeter with the Premier Concert Band and Big Band. Sean also helps backstage at musical events and productions, as well as a guitarist for some of the Rock Bands.
Jeremiah Mataia
Jeremiah has contributed significantly to the Sacred Heart music community through leadership in the Senior Choir and participation in high-level national competitions, school events, and public performances. Jeremiah has been a committed Kapa Haka group member and had a lead role in this year’s production of Murder on the Nile.
Harry Meng
Harry joined the Premier Concert Band and was later selected for the Sacred Heart College Big Band and the Auckland Wind Orchestra (AWO). Through his involvement with AWO, he has taken part in a wide range of public performances. Harry plays lead Euphonium and has won awards at both Walter Kirby and KBB.
Iker Olea
Iker has committed four years of playing the Euphonium. He is a member of the Premier Concert Band & Bid Band. Iker has won gold awards at KBB & Jaaz competitions. He has also placed 2nd & 3rd in Chinese speaking and writing competitions.
Daniel Ouano
Daniel has committed six years of playing the clarinet and tenor saxophone. He is a valued member of the Premier Concert Band and Big Band. Daniel is the recipient of multiple awards including Gold at KBB and Auckland Jazz Competition.
Gian Pollaruste
During his time at Sacred Heart College, Gian has been a proactive, consistent, and dedicated musician who has been highly involved in the school’s music scene. Gian plays trumpet for the Premier Concert Band and the Big Band and was the founding member of the SHC Brass Band. Gian has also worked behind the scenes for numerous musical events, including Showcase and Legends.
Jason Pritchard
Over his four years at SHC, Jason has consistently contributed to the Arts through cultural performance and public speaking in English & Samoan. Jason has been a member of the Samoan Group since 2022, and the Samoan Group Leader in 2025. Jason has mentored younger members of the Samoan group and supported hostel students with their public speaking skills.
Niko Purdie
Niko has been a member of choirs and bands at SHC since joining in Year 7. He has been a member of the Senior Choir for four years and has participated in multiple events, including The Big Sing, Stand Up Stand Out, Cadenza, and Walter Kirby. Niko is also on the AV & Tech team and has been involved in many productions at the College.
Stavro Purdie
Stavro is a member of the Premier Concert Band and the lead AV technician for SHC. He has extensive sound and audio system integration skills, has completed audio installations, and restored the SHC recording studio. Stavro has supported a wide number of School events and performances.
Kaleb Rawiri
Kaleb has contributed to multiple Arts within the College, including Oratory and Cultural Groups. Kaleb is a member and leader of the Kapa Haka and has performed at Matariki, Old Boys reunions, Polyfest and ANZAC services. Kaleb was the Whai Korero oratory on the Europe trip and made the opening Powhiri speech for Sacred Heart in 2025.
Hamish Redmore
Hamish is the 1st and 2nd Clarinetist in a number of School Bands and a competitor in the Walter Kirby competition. Hamish has also won numerous awards in music and public speaking and is a rostered Eucharistic Minister & Reader at St Ignatius Parish.
Conall Scott
Conall has played the saxophone for six years. He has performed as a soloist and is a member of many bands and jazz groups. Conall has earned several awards and lead the KBB Honours Saxophone group.
Tadhg Tuapola
Tadhg has contributed to the Arts in areas of cultural performance and public speaking. He has been a member of the Kapa Haka for five years, the last few years at Senior level. Tadhg has taught Kapa haka to younger students and was awarded the Br Stephen Cup for Public Speaking in 2024. Performances include Polyfest, Fiafia, ANZAC day and many more.
Christian Twemlow
Christian is lead Clarinetist and section leader for the Premier Concert Band and a valued member of the group ‘Klarnettriopo’. Christian has been a Stage Manager and a live camera operator for numerous events. Christian also gets involved in Graphic Design for School Concerts.
Joseph Zitzenbacher
Joseph had a lead role in Murder on the Nile and has been a Director in Junior Shakespeare productions. Joseph has also performed in three shows for the National Youth Theatre. In previous years Joseph has been involved in Grease and We Will Rock you productions.
