Onslow College’s Whaea Liv Copeman Named YES Wellington City Teacher of the Year!

We are happy to announce that Whaea Liv Copeman, a dedicated leader and Commerce Teacher at Onslow College, has been named the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Wellington City Teacher of the Year.

This honour speaks volumes about the positive and inspiring relationships Whaea Liv builds with her students, as the award followed nominations from three separate student teams.

Liv said, “…Winning this award is a pretty special achievement. As kaiako we always strive to provide the best for our tauira and receiving this award is a recognition of the experiences and skills I am passing onto the entrepreneurs of the future.”

The nominations are an endorsement of her teaching style. Three teams from Year 13 Young Enterprise Businesses, representing 11 out of the 25 students in the class—chose to nominate her. Young Enterprise is a national competition and is a lot of mahi (work) for tauira (students).

Whaea Liv’s commitment extends across the school, where she serves as:

• Kaihautū Tuarua Te Ao Tangata – Co-leader of the Social Sciences Learning Area
• Commerce Teacher
• Co-Dean for Year 10
• A leader for Rangitahi Māori (Māori students)

The student nominations highlight how Whaea Liv goes above and beyond, fostering confidence, critical thinking, and resilience:

Team Aho:

She has helped us through our entire year along all of our issues we came across, and she deserves everything for what she does for Onslow College.

Team Aloe & Grow:

Whaea Liv has been the driving force behind our YES journey this year, inspiring us not only to run a business but to believe in ourselves as young entrepreneurs. She consistently encourages us to take ownership of our learning, giving us the space to make decisions, try new ideas, and learn from our mistakes. Rather than providing all the answers, she challenges us to think critically and independently, which has helped us grow in confidence and resilience.

What makes Whaea Liv so inspiring is the way she creates a positive and inclusive environment. No matter what background we come from, she treats every idea with respect and makes sure every student has a voice. When we faced setbacks with our business — whether it was struggling with production, working through finances, or building our confidence to pitch — she supported us with patience and creativity. She encouraged us to see challenges as learning opportunities and motivated us to keep going when things got tough.

Beyond the classroom, Whaea Liv connects our learning to the real world. She shares her passion for business in ways that are practical and relevant, helping us understand how the skills we build through YES — teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and resilience — will serve us beyond school.

Through her dedication, positivity, and genuine belief in her students, Whaea Liv has made a lasting impact on our YES experience. She has not only guided us through the challenges of running a business but has inspired us to aim higher and believe in what we can achieve.

Team Pocket Plants:

Best teacher, so helpful and wants the best for us!!!

A special awards ceremony was held in October to present the regional awards to these deserving leaders.

Congratulations, Whaea Liv! Your dedication, passion, and belief in our students make a lasting impact on our entire school community.

___________________