October 14th 2016
For this academic year we have parted with tradition in making our senior appointments (Head Boy, Deputy Head Boy and Prefects). Historically these positions were announced either at the end of the previous Summer term or at the very beginning of the Autumn term. However for 2016/17, we decided to introduce a new system.
All Year 8 boys were invited to apply for the posts by writing a letter of application. Virtually all boys put themselves forward and we then drew up a shortlist of 15 boys who each gave a two minute presentation to a group of staff and all of Years 7 and 8. Drawing up this shortlist was very difficult in itself, as the quality of the application letters was extremely high. This level of quality was then mirrored by an outstanding series of short presentations given by the 15 boys. The consistent message that came through from the candidates in both their letters and presentations was that of service to the School, and leading by example. While we canvassed the views of the Year 8 boys as a whole, the decisions on appointments were taken by the staff.
The whole exercise has been an extremely uplifting one in which to be involved, and the staff have seen a level of maturity and generosity of spirit beyond these boys’ years. We are extremely grateful to all the boys who put themselves forward, and who, by doing so, stuck their necks out in the knowledge that not everyone could succeed.
Inevitably, we are not able to make every boy a Prefect and accordingly there were many strong candidates who have not gained a senior position. However, we very much hope that the opportunity of going through this experience will have been both beneficial and useful for all those boys who took part. We recognise that some boys will be disappointed by the outcomes, but hope that this will not stop them applying for future positions as they arise during the year.
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