Finn Bulman: Student leader in community services and Youth Councillor

October 7th, 2010
By David Armstrong

The September holidays are nearly over and Finn Bulman is relaxing in her family's Motueka Valley home overlooking productive fields and her nearby beloved river. Soon things will be getting serious as she prepares for her final term and exams at Motueka High School.

Finn (a shortened version of an Irish name) has over the past two years become a quiet but effective leader in the local student community. Softly spoken, and with a hint of a remnant English accent, she says she has combined her enjoyment of learning with a willingness to take on challenges to help other students also enjoy their school experience.

Now 17 years old, Finn lived her first 12 years in the large English city of Bristol. With her family (dad Daniel, mum Celia and younger brother Sam) she had visited and holidayed extensively in the Motueka Valley a decade ago and the family loved it so much they determined to migrate and settle here.

They moved just in time for Finn to begin at High School. She says she has always enjoyed school: she finds it's not too hard, and she's quite good at it and enjoys reading and learning. English has always been a favourite subject, but in recent years she's also developed a strong interest in chemistry and biology.

"But it's getting tougher now, a bit more of a challenge, because I'm trying to juggle my study and sport with the other new commitments I've taken on at school," she says.

As she approached her final school years she decided to take the opportunity, while she still could, to take part in humanitarian and environmental groups. Having been a representative on the school council in her Year 10, last year she applied to be Head Girl, but missed out. However, she was appointed Community Services Girl Captain, one of eight leadership positions among the student body.

Her job (with a fellow captain) is to work with several community-focused groups in the school including Amnesty International, Students Against Drink Driving (SADD), an environmental group and a human rights group and several others. "We make sure they've got what they need, enough members, promotion and so on. If they want to do an assembly or event, we organise that."

They also run the Student Council, for which Finn is secretary. It aims to be the students' voice to the teachers and to the Board of Trustees. "We tell them if we agree with what's happening or if we want changes in the operation of the school. Topics which crop up from time to time are related to uniforms, where fundraising from mufti days are directed, and any changes to the discipline and reward systems.

"It's just making sure that the students don't feel like they're just being told what to do, that they have got a say in what's going on," she says.

Finn is quick to praise the school. "I've really enjoyed my time there. Most of the teachers are pretty good at what they do. The senior ones are always willing to listen. The opportunities available in a smaller school are much greater than in larger ones. If there's something you want to do, there's a good chance of being able to do it."

Another role she plays now is as a member and, due to her senior years, a de facto leader of the Motueka Youth Council. They meet fortnightly to consider youth activities in the region and are involved in contributions to the Tasman District's "Jam" youth magazine.

She enjoys many sports including the school football team (bringing her childhood experience from Bristol), swimming, rock climbing, and social touch. Rounding that out, she's taken lessons on clarinet, piano and saxophone over the years and plays in the school wind and jazz bands. ("They were good examples of being able to try anything in a smaller school," she says.)

At school Finn has learned the benefits that flow to everyone when leaders get involved in community activities - in her case within the school - and allow themselves to be seen as role models and encouraging to younger people. "You can't really tell people to join things if you're not prepared to join yourself as well."

After the exams are over, Finn will take a "break year" to earn some money and travel for a bit before taking on university study. She will work in the Valley - probably in a cafe - over summer, and then in autumn travel to the UK to catch up with some old friends and family connections there. She also has quite a few friends in Europe who she met when they were exchange students staying in Motueka. She may even do a bit of voluntary work, perhaps in Africa or India.

If nothing else dramatic happens in the meantime, she will return to the valley and the river she loves, then to set off to (probably) Otago or Victoria University to do a degree in Biomedical Science. Beyond that, she has no particular career path in mind.

But we shouldn't lose her for good. "I will always miss Motueka. There will be a strong pull to come back."

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