…it’s one of the most life-affirming experiences of the school year, albeit with a distinct edge. The changeover of the Prefect Team at Bishop’s comes towards the end of every Spring Term, when the seasoned veterans in Year 13 can glimpse the prospect of A levels on the horizon and their successors put themselves up for possible selection. It is a complicated and somewhat long-winded procedure beginning with digital voting by staff and students and then letters of application followed by shortlisting for interview for the top six posts. We completed this year’s batch of interviews last week, boys and girls together, and the new postholders will be announced for the Sixth Form on Thursday this week, and their names will then join the annals of history on the Commemorative Boards in the Sixth Form Block.
Who makes up the Praetorian Guard at BWS? The last year was somewhat unusual in that there was a Famous Five (just one Cathedral Prefect for 2022-2023). Head Boy and Girl, their deputies and the Cathedral Prefect should ideally make a close-knit group, and they have the responsibility for building the team of senior prefects so that symbiosis is achieved and also so that staying power is there too. It’s absolutely no good if prefects start keen as mustard but then lose the shine by mid-way through the autumn as the days shorten, the light fades and the rain sets in. Despite the brevity of time in Years 12 and 13 there is still a middle distance race to be run there rather than a sprint. They have to keep pushing through – and generally speaking they do just that.
The interviews give the chance for members of Year 12 to show what they can do. It’s an intimidating prospect, as the panel is made up of the Head of Sixth and a section of Year 13 top brass, with HM sitting as wingman. Each student has to do a 5 minute presentation on a pre-announced topic. Questions start gentle and then build, usually forensic, sometimes inquisitorial and occasionally off-putting. It is a genuine test for 17 year old girls and boys, and yet they generally fly through it. Very few show appreciable nerves, and those that do very quickly adjust to the unfamiliar circumstances and give of their best, usually with a little encouragement from the questioners. Without exception they are brilliant, I am always impressed by their poise and self-possession and I feel really very proud that they are there to represent their peers and the school. Gender is immaterial, whether they have been at Bishop’s for 5 years or 5 months just doesn’t matter as these young people are stars throughout. It’s just a shame that they can’t all get one of the top six posts – no matter, they will all secure senior posts in due course as the team is put together.
So the time has almost come for Reuben, Savannah, Erin, Jack and Toby to hand on the baton and focus on their next tests. The changing of the guard is an inevitability, but I have enjoyed their company very much over the past year. Thank you guys, and I wish you the very best of luck for what is to come. Roll on team 2023-2024.
SDS
