Main image above, Deputy Head Prefect Anahera Petera with her mum, Deb Cootes.

Guests at this year’s Mother-Daughter Breakfast were welcomed with the joyful sounds of the Westlake Jazz Band, who set the tone beautifully.

They played three pieces:

• Georgia On My Mind – Hoagy Carmichael, Arr. Mike Tomaro (Soloists: Limin Khaw: Alto Sax, Hannah Wilmot: Trombone)

• Fever – John Davenport and Eddie Cooley, Arr. Roger Holmes (Vocalist: Martha Madayag)

• Tio Macaco – Snarky Puppy, Arr. Jono Howan (Soloists: Winnie Meng: Flute, Antonija Georgieva: Alto Sax, Megan Leslie: Trumpet, Hannah Wilmot: Trombone, Percussion: Charlotte Smith, Alyssa Song)

Jane Stanley then opened the morning with a thoughtful address, drawing on recent research that shows a strong link between supportive relationships with mothers and other significant female figures – and young women’s academic success, confidence, and wellbeing.

Our guest speaker, Toni Street, was inspirational. She spoke with humour and warmth, while also sharing her extraordinary personal story of resilience. Toni described growing up with the unimaginable loss of three siblings – including her brother, who died in a farm accident when she was just 18. Against this backdrop, she emphasised the importance of taking risks, doing things even when they feel frightening or overwhelming, listening to your instincts, and yes, listening to your mum!

Toni’s message resonated strongly with our students: when she was 13, she dreamed of becoming a sports reporter, but by the time she finished school, she had lost faith in her ability to follow that path. She began a commerce degree instead – until her mother asked if she still wanted to be a journalist. With that encouragement, she applied for journalism school, and today she is living her dream career. Toni urged the girls to seize opportunities, to put their hands up, to join clubs, to lead groups, and above all, to “do what makes you happy.”

There was then a gracious thank you to Toni from Head Prefect Julia Wilkins, followed by our raffle, where several spectacular prizes were won thanks to our kind sponsors.

A huge thank you goes to the Westlake Rowing Society and Dean Flyger for organising this much-loved event. Thank you very much too, to our sponsors: Ashia Ismail-Singer Real Estate, Shakespeare Orthodontics, Westlake Girls Rowing, North Shore Flooring Xtra and Forsyth Barr. Your generosity made the morning possible. 

To see more photos from this lovely event on our website’s Video and Photo Galleries page, click here.

To listen to the radio episode Toni broadcast from our Event Centre foyer  listerally moments before stepping on stage, click here.