a speech for school prefect

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Persuasive Speech: I Should Be the Next School Prefect

I should be your next school prefect because I have all the best things to offer the position and the establishment. To start with, I have an engaging and positive attitude that makes it easy to relate to students and staff. Not only that, but I am cheerful and love to take on new challenges. I have plenty of experience working with others in a leadership role so I am prepared to take on this duty with all the necessary achievements and requirements under my belt.

One of my main jobs will be working with the students and staff at the school to help them deal with both positive and negative issues that arise on campus. I will help each one of them give voice to their needs and wants so that we can work together to create the perfect school environment for everyone. I will meet with the headmaster on a regular basis to problem solve and come up with solutions to issues that students might be having at school. Each and every student should know that I am on their side and promise to make school as great as it can be for them.

When it comes to my qualifications, I believe I have what it takes to make a great leader. I have a confidence that makes it simple for me to speak before a crowd in a proficient and knowledgeable way. I enjoy answering questions about myself and am always willing to discuss issues and assist in finding a solution. I am easy to talk to and promise to take each issue seriously so that students feel heard and understood, no matter what they might be facing. I am good at communicating what needs to be done as well as my appreciation for the help that others give me. I’m not afraid to ask for help when I need it and would rather admit it than try to solve a problem alone, only to find out that I’m not equipped to do so without assistance. I am also able to plan large events, such as holiday parties and enjoy working as part of a team. I am able to share ideas and tasks with my group and am able to give up some control for the good of everyone involved. You will always find me open and willing to talk, both about the good and the bad.

As a prefect, I want to help the school be the best it can be by partnering with students, staff and parents to ensure that each problem is solved and make the school a fun and educational environment for each and every student that attends. I want to take on the role of prefect so that I can continue in this tradition and use my talents and time to create the perfect school for anyone. Each student will feel happy and at home at school and parents will be assured that their child will be safe on campus and will get a superior education while they are here.

In summary, I love what being a prefect means for me and my fellow students. I want this experience to further enhance my life and my experience, but I also want to share what I have to offer with other students. This school has provided me with so many opportunities and chances to learn and I feel like it’s my duty to give back by becoming a prefect and giving something back to the school and the students and staff that are here on a daily basis. Thank you!

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School Speeches

School speeches generator.

Ever had any experience of delivering a school speech that made everyone stood up on their toes as their applause filled the auditorium as your speech example  comes close to an ending? If you haven’t experienced such a feat before and are just days away from delivering your first ever school speech, you need to know that there are a lot of ways to deliver your speech which leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Don’t fill your mind with thoughts that inspire the growth of anxiety for we offer you tips for effectively imparting the message of your speech to your audience.

• Speech Templates and Examples
• Graduation Speech Examples

But before anything else, not being oblivious to what school speeches are is essential for you to come up with brilliant ideas as you start composing your speech. Examples of downloadable school speeches are also offered in this article which you may use as your reference anytime.

School Student Graduation Speech

Size: 75 kB

Sample School Speech

Size: 56 kB

Law School Speeches

Size: 85.0 kB

Just like any other speeches, the main purpose of the speech should be to deliver your message to a crowd in which the points are moot to those who live by different philosophies or ideas. School speeches have a wide scope of discussion. They can tackle economic, societal, health (in general), cultural, and even individual issues, and aim to raise awareness about these issues. Speeches are filled with ideas that break the norm yet persuade the audience to consider them by making them think. Your points can be easily fortified if you do an in-depth research about your topic and by citing factual instances as your examples. You may also see the  Motivational Speech

The content of the inspirational speech consists of perfectly organized ideas that lead your audience to the core on how you understand things and how the ideas came to be. The ideas are products of critical analysis rather than just relying on the opinions of random sources that are displayed on digital platforms. When the ideas are presented in a disorganized manner, your points or arguments can be easily countered because jumping from one idea to another without a good transition can suggest something beyond what you have failed to research. Now, that is one thing you wish to avoid. Delivering a speech that causes only confusion to the audience does not even equate to not delivering any scholastic speech at all.

School speeches are deemed as vital scholastic projects or activities for this prepares the students in facing possible future impediments that could detriment the growth of humanity. There is power in words that can even bend cultural follies that are continually venerated and preached in the current. Taking into consideration that a school speech is a collaboration of critically analyzed ideas which will be proposed to the public, speeches are meant to inspire other ideas other than what is already in it. Your ideas that stir the ideas of others refers is a response from your audience. That is why it is important for you to choose the right words and terms and doing an extensive research on a certain topic in the process of composing your school speech so that your ideas will suggest other brilliant ideas coming from the audience. You may also see  the Welcome Speech .

Although this scholastic practice is rated biasedly by persons who share different opinions, this is a very good way to prepare young students in combatting future idealists who do not think about the social welfare than merely their own. There are lots of learnings in a well-crafted school speech that enables the minds of the young ones to think beyond the borders of school textbooks. And for you to make a good educator, state something that will leave your audience with a lasting impact on their lives.

Clarke School Speech

Size: 21.0 kB

Writing a School Speech

Writing a school speech can be a challenge if your teacher assigns you a topic you despise or are completely oblivious to. But, not being able to compose an effective one is not a very good enough reason given the access to the internet and school libraries, or other sources you can refer to. To help you out with difficulties in composing one, refer to our tips below. You may also see the  award speech examples .

• Instead of thinking or complaining about how difficult your topic is, motivate yourself to learn about it . A topic which is foreign to you may sound extremely difficult already. The technique for instances such as this is to encourage yourself to learn about certain topics which you know nothing about. Your unwillingness to perform school duties because your teachers have not discussed anything about your topic be the reason why you fail to compose an effective school speech. It comes with the absolute necessity that you do extensive research for your assignments; thereby, increasing the degrees of your understanding of the concept of certain matters to suffice individual curiosity and get rid of ignorance. You may also see the  speech examples for students
• Make certain that your sources are reliable . It has become rampant in today’s age where the spread of fallacious news is forcibly imposed on people who buy any ideas. When doing your research, you have to make sure that the ideas you have gathered are factual. This is why there is a need for you to do an extensive research than just rely on one source. If ever you spot some points in your reference that is questionable to you, don’t hesitate to research more about that point. In the age of digital revolution, the main source of acquiring information is via the internet. There are blogs or articles that may present opinions and ideas rather smartly, even though the ideas being referred to are not accurate. You don’t want your speech to be an embodiment of misleading information. The purpose of your informative speech is to educate, so always take some time to think about the sources of your information before preaching your ideas to your audience.
• Organize your ideas well and deliver a good argument. The organization of thoughts and ideas is important for you not to create ambiguities. A well-organized idea paired with the perfect choice of words is what makes a speech effective. Also, you have to make sure that your ideas from factual sources are arranged perfectly to guide your audience to your main point. If you fail to arrange your ideas, there are instances where one of your ideas breeds to audience assumptions that contradict your other ideas.
• Start with something that stirs the audience’s interests, and end your school speech with a statement that leaves a lasting impact on the audience . Starting with a quote not common to all or a statement that speaks of the very core of your ideas is a good way to entice your listeners. In case your speech fails to do so, your audience will be stricken with boredom and would not bother giving your ideas and opinions the chance to be heard. Furthermore, once you are through with presenting your ideas, write a conclusion that persuades your audience to consider your perspective. This can be attained by writing a conclusion that declares an idea that makes them think rather than declare how your ideas are right and must be implemented. Ending your school speech with a question is a good way to make your audience think, and come up with ideas that even you know nothing about. You may also see the  presentation speech .

School Speech by Superintendent

Size: 187 kB

Sample Speech for Secondary Schools

Size: 232 KB

Head Boys Speech to the School

Size: 120 KB

Middle School Speech

Size: 324 KB

High School Beginning Speech

Size: 653 KB

Summit School Speech Program

Size: 220 KB

With everything that is mentioned above, crafting a commendable school speech would be a whole lot easier. Of course, there remains still the challenges in crafting one but knowing the purpose alone of a speech already unloads the cumbersome thought of making a school speech for purposes of completing your school requirement. State your ideas well, and influence your audience with your brilliant ideas. You may also see the  college graduation speech examples .

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a school speech for an anti-bullying campaign

Help me write a school speech for a new library opening

Head Prefect Speech Essay

Delivering a head prefect speech is not merely a formality; it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impression on your peers and contribute to the school community. As you step onto that stage, you hold the attention and hopes of your fellow students in your hands. This essay delves into the art of crafting a head prefect speech that goes beyond words – a speech that resonates, motivates, and reflects your dedication to leading your school with integrity and purpose. Let’s explore the essential components that will help you create an impactful speech that leaves a mark.

Table of Contents

How To Write An Essay On Topic Head Prefect Speech

Step 1: collect ideas about topic.

Before we start, let’s gather some exciting ideas for our head prefect speech:

• Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and sharing why you want to be head prefect.
• Qualities: Highlight the qualities that make a good leader – like responsibility, kindness, and being a good listener.
• Plans and Ideas: Talk about your ideas to improve the school – like organizing fun events, supporting classmates, and keeping the school clean.
• Teamwork: Emphasize the importance of teamwork and how you’ll work together with other prefects and teachers.
• Role Model: Share how you’ll be a role model for your classmates and inspire them to be their best.

Step 2: Making Essay Outline:

1. Introduction

Introduce the concept of preparing a head prefect speech and its importance in showcasing leadership skills.

2. Expressing Interest

Explain why you want to be head prefect and what inspired you to take on this role.

3. Qualities of a Leader

Discuss the important qualities that a leader should have, such as responsibility, kindness, and the ability to listen.

4. Plans and Ideas

Share your creative ideas for making the school a better place, including organizing events, supporting classmates, and maintaining cleanliness.

5. Commitment to Teamwork

Highlight how teamwork is essential and how you’ll collaborate with other prefects and teachers.

6. Being a Role Model

Explain how you’ll set an example for your peers, motivating them to excel and contribute positively to the school.

7. Gratitude and Confidence

Express gratitude for the opportunity to stand for the head prefect and convey your confidence in fulfilling the responsibilities.

8. Final Thoughts

Summarize the main points and reiterate your dedication to serving as a responsible and inspiring head prefect.

Writing the Essay On Head Prefect Speech

Introduction:.

Imagine being the hero of your own story, standing in front of everyone to share your ideas and dreams. That’s what creating a head prefect speech feels like. So, put on your thinking cap, and let’s set off on this exciting journey of crafting a speech that reflects our leadership aspirations.

Expressing Interest:

For example – you’re the main character in a grand adventure, and being the head prefect is your mission. Why do you want this role? It’s like finding that special treasure in a game – something that motivates you to step up and make a difference. For me, the idea of being head prefect fills me with a sense of responsibility and excitement. I want to help make our school an even better place for all of us.

Qualities of a Leader:

Now, let’s talk about what makes a great leader. Imagine a hero who’s kind, responsible, and a great listener. Leaders are a bit like heroes – they guide, support, and inspire others. I believe that a leader should be responsible, like a superhero protecting the city. They should also be kind, showing empathy and understanding. And just like a hero listens to everyone’s ideas, a leader should listen to the voices of their classmates. Plans and Ideas: Think of this – you’re the strategist in a game, coming up with cool ideas to make the game world even more fun. Being head prefect means having the chance to come up with exciting plans for our school. How about organizing fun events that bring us all together? We can have sports days, talent shows, and even charity drives. And let’s not forget about keeping our school clean and beautiful – it’s like taking care of our game world, making it a better place for everyone.

Commitment to Teamwork

Being part of a good team, they all work together for a planned goal. As head prefect, I want to be a team player, just like a hero who teams up with other characters to save the day. I’ll work closely with my fellow prefects and teachers to make our ideas come to life. Teamwork is like the secret power that makes everything better.

Being a Role Model:

Think a while for yourself as a character people look up to, like a mentor or a guide. That’s what being a role model is all about. As head prefect, I want to be a positive role model for all of you. I’ll lead by example, showing kindness, respect, and enthusiasm. Just like a character who inspires others to be their best, I want to motivate my classmates to excel in studies, sports, and all aspects of school life.

Gratitude and Confidence:

Standing here, preparing to deliver this speech, I feel a mix of gratitude and confidence. I’m grateful for the chance to stand for head prefect, and I’m confident in my ability to carry out the responsibilities. It’s like that moment in a game when you’re ready to face the final challenge with determination and a positive attitude.

Final Thoughts:

As we wrap up this journey of crafting a head prefect speech, remember that leadership is like being the main character of your own story. Expressing interest, embodying qualities, sharing ideas, working as a team, and being a role model are all parts of this exciting adventure. So, let’s embrace this opportunity to make a positive impact on our school, inspire our friends, and lead by example. Together, we’ll create a story filled with growth, friendship, and a shared desire to make our school the best it can be.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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A Speech Outlining the Achievements and Problems of Your School

Your school is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of its founding. As head prefect, you are asked to give a public speech during the celebration. Write  your speech outlining the achievements of your school, the problems and your hopes for the future.

Mr. Chairman, Honourable Member of Parliament, Chiefs, Assembly Members, The Headmaster, Members of Staff, Parents, Invited Guests, Old Students, Fellow Students, Ladies and Gentlemen. I salute you all!

Today is a great day. Today our great school is thirty years old. As you join us to mark this historic milestone in the life of NAVCO, it is only fair that we showcase to you the great strides we have made over the years. This is my purpose for standing before you this beautiful morning. Mr. Chairman, besides our achievements, I intend to touch on the major problems we face as an educational institution.

Mr. Chairman, a direct result of the high level of discipline attained in our school is the yearly improvement in our academic performance. I am exceedingly proud to announce to you that one Student Representative Council (S.R.C.) after another has for the past twenty years set itself a target of a hundred per cent pass in each year’s external WASSC examination. We are grateful to our past and present heads and tutors ,not forgetting our parents, for giving us the needed support to achieve this target over the years.

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Allow me to seize this opportunity to give thanks, on behalf of my fellow students, to all who have contributed in diverse ways to the infrastructural development of NAVCO.

We have also done quite well in the sporting arena. The school continues to chalk one success after another in almost every sporting discipline. Our most recent remarkable achievement is our lifting of the trophy for the overall winner in this year’s inter – school athletics competition held right here. Indeed, the walls of our headmaster’s office are decorated with a splendid array of silverware which the school has collected within this period.

One area which demands urgent attention is the need to acquire a new school bus. It will replace the ageing one you can see resting over there. Fellow students, I am sure you will agree with me that our illustrious old NAVCONIANS need no reminding of the pledge they made to us in this regard about a year ago. Please, our brothers and sisters, we are still waiting for you to redeem your pledge .  

Mr. Chairman, NAVCO has not done badly. Our successes in the fields of discipline, sports and infrastructure attest to this fact. We resolve to overcome the challenges in due course. May I, at this juncture, invite you all to come to the exhibition centre this afternoon to witness, in pictures, the thirty-year odyssey of Navrongo Senior High School.

Final Thoughts

Besides the English Language sample essays at Cegast Academy, there are sample essays on Literature, Government and other high school General Arts subjects. Are you looking for practice tests and answers? Look no further. This page contains tests and fun quizzes you will find really useful. What other essay topics would you love to have answers to? Leave a comment below.

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Head Boy & Head Girl Speeches: A Student’s Top 10 Tips

In GCSE by Think Student Editor June 21, 2021 5 Comments

For many students, creating and delivering a speech is a daunting task. Creating a successful speech can be difficult in terms of structuring and what to include. In order to be successful, you first need to understand what a speech is. A speech is a dialogue delivered to an audience either formally or informally. There are many aspects of a speech you need to consider in order to captivate your audience and give your speech a professional edge. Hopefully, these 10 tips I have put together will give you some guidance.

If you find yourself struggling to write your speech or with the prospect of delivering it, I urge you to continue reading the rest of this article for 10 top tips for writing and presenting your head boy or head girl speech.

1. Planning is key

To create a successful speech, it is important that first you plan. Many students will just dive straight into writing their speech. Creating a plan will allow you to structure your speech and allocate specific information into specific sections. This will enable you to remain organised which will make writing your speech a much easier task.

When planning your speech, you should include an introduction, a main section and a conclusion. In your introduction, you should introduce yourself and the main reasons why you would like the role of head boy or head girl.

Following this, you should have a main section in your speech. This will be the bulk of your speech. Within this, you may wish to use subheadings to further divide your speech.

You should discuss reasons why you would like the role of head boy or head girl and what qualities you have that would make you a suitable candidate. For example, you may discuss what you would introduce to your school or sixth form to make it better for students or what you think needs to be improved and why this change would be necessary.

Furthermore, you will need to end your speech with a conclusion. This should summarise why your peers should choose you as their head boy or head girl and how you will make a difference. Finally, thank your audience for their time and for listening.

For more information about planning a speech check out  this article by wittcom .

2. Consider your audience

It is important when writing a speech that you consider your audience. To define your audience, you could consider age, gender and school year group for example. Your audience is important as it will influence the tone of your speech and the type of language you choose to use in it.

If your audience are students in your year group at school or sixth form, you may choose to use humour and more simplistic language in your speech. This will ensure your audience understands your speech and find it enjoyable to listen to.

If your audience was a mix of sixth form students and teachers for example, you may choose to use more complex and sophisticated language within a more formal structure to make your speech sound more professional.

It is especially important to consider your audience if they will determine whether or not you achieve the role of head boy or head girl.

3. Consider the tone

When both creating and presenting your speech, it is important to consider the tone you use. You may decide to give your speech a humorous, passionate or serious tone to name a few. However, the tone you choose to use will indicate certain feelings including joy, humour, sadness or optimism. Your audience can also influence your use of tone.

For a speech to become a head boy or head girl, many students will aim to use a humorous tone to engage their audience, combined with a passionate tone to underpin their desire to achieve the role.

Your choice of tone can also present your speech as well-mannered and respectful so is an important aspect to consider.

Your tone is not just evident in your written piece, but also when you deliver your speech. When you speak, the pace at which you talk and the tone of your voice can impact the meaning of the words you say.

Furthermore, if you use the same tone throughout your speech, it can become boring to your audience. Therefore, the use of a humorous tone for example, will enable you to adapt the tone of your voice making you sound more passionate about what you are discussing.

4. Use persuasive language

Using persuasive language is important, especially when creating a head boy or head girl speech. You want to persuade your audience to choose you for the role and therefore, make yourself stand out.

Using techniques such as rhetorical questions can help to persuade your audience. Additionally, the use of personal anecdotes can help to persuade, for example you could talk about something that happened to make you want to apply for the role of a head boy or head girl.

Furthermore, you could find out what your peers want to change within your school or sixth form and then discuss how you will change this in your speech. Students will recognise this issue as something they are not happy with and this may persuade them to choose you as the head boy or head girl, because you are representing their opinions.

5. Memorise parts of your speech

Some students may decide to remember their speech in full and recite it to their audience. Although this would demonstrate the students dedication, many students would probably find this a difficult task. Instead, it is best to try and remember key points from within your speech.

Remembering several key points will allow you to show a level of dedication to your speech. It also means you will not just be reading your entire speech off a piece of paper meaning you can make eye contact with your audience. Although many pupils may feel anxious at the prospect of making eye contact, this will demonstrate your engagement with the audience. Furthermore, it means your audience are more likely to listen to you and feel persuaded by your message.

For more information on how to remember your speech, check out  this page by scotthyoung .

6. Prepare to answer some questions

After you deliver your speech, your audience may wish to ask you some questions. Therefore, it is useful to prepare some answers to potential questions to make you feel more confident.

Questions may involve you reiterating on something you commented on or an issue you raised. Likewise, it may be concerning why you wish to be head boy or head girl, or what makes you different from all the other candidates.

Your ability to answer questions will demonstrate your passion for the role of head boy or head girl whilst showing your audience you will be reliable within the role. It will further demonstrate your passion for the role and help to keep your audience engaged.

For more information on how to prepare answers for questions you may be asked, check out this useful website.

7. Rehearse

You may have heard the phrase ‘practice makes perfect’. Well this is most definitely true with speeches. The more you practice and rehearse your speech, the more confident and successful your speech will be when you deliver it to your audience.

One way you could do this is by rehearsing your speech in front of an audience, such as family or friends. They may even be able to give you some feedback including ways in which you could improve your speech. This will help you to feel more confident on the day whilst allowing you to become more familiarised with your speech.

Furthermore, you could practice your speech to yourself in front of a mirror. Its also useful to practice your pronunciation of words and if there is a particular word you struggle to pronounce, it may be worth removing this from your speech.

Practicing your pronunciation will enable you to sound more fluent when delivering your speech. The more you rehearse your speech, the more confident you will become, meaning the more professional your speech will sound.

8. Adopt some simple healthy habits

Before delivering your speech, adopting healthy habits can have positive impacts on your performance.

On the day before and the day of your speech, aim to eat wholegrains, fruit such as berries or eggs. These foods can improve brain function and memory. However, just before delivering your speech, eat lightly or not at all as a full stomach can lower your energy levels.

Furthermore, apples can help to promote a clearer voice so is a better option just before your speech.

You should also avoid drinks containing dairy, caffeine and soft drinks straight before your speech as these can negatively affect your speech and pronunciation.

You should also take a bottle of water with you when delivering your speech to help keep you hydrated and to prevent your throat from going dry.

Light exercise before your speech such as gentle jogging or a brisk walk can have positive impacts on your mood and brain function, whilst the fresh air can help to relieve anxiety. If you are someone who often feels anxious before delivering a speech to an audience, you may benefit from practicing some breathing exercises. This will help you to keep yourself calm and confident when talking.

Finally, an early night sleep the night before you deliver your speech will help you to feel energised the next morning and give you a positive mindset.

For more information on how to adopt healthier habits ahead of your speech, take a look at  this article by nosweatpublicspeaking .

9. Consider your personal appearance

When delivering your speech to your audience, your appearance can speak many words. If you look presentable and smart during your speech, your audience will be more likely to listen and feel engaged.

First impressions are important, especially when you are attempting to achieve a role like head boy or head girl. Therefore, if you dress smartly and look presentable you will look like you are taking your speech more seriously. This will demonstrate to your audience your passion for the role of head boy or head girl and both your capability as well as determination.

It is also important to carry yourself in a positive way. If your audience feels that you are taking the role seriously and are a responsible student, they may be more likely to choose you as their head boy or head girl.

10. Go for it

Finally, my last tip is to just go for it. Try your best to speak clearly and slowly whilst making eye contact with your audience throughout your speech. This will show you are engaged with your audience and wish to meet their interests if you get the role of head boy or head girl.

Also, be polite towards your audience and most importantly smile. After all, your personal appearance includes your body language too, and the way in which you present yourself to your audience. You want to show others your best qualities and that you will represent them within the role of head boy or head girl.

Most importantly, enjoy delivering your speech to your audience. It is a chance for you to gain experience of delivering a speech and your skills when creating a speech. Make sure that you take the experience in a positive way and enjoy it.

One final word…

Although students often worry about delivering a speech to an audience, there is really no need to. It is a chance for you to demonstrate your passion for becoming a head boy or head girl whilst showcasing your very best qualities.

It is also an experience in which you can practice and learn how to structure a speech, prepare and then deliver your speech to an audience. It is important that you remember to enjoy the experience and take away the positives from it, especially if you achieve the role of head boy or head girl.

Hopefully, these top 10 tips that I have provided you with will help you to get the most out of your speech and to be successful and more confident in your future speeches. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice and encouragement 

I am very interested in this discussion

Lets give it a go!

Nice article!!

Thursday, 29 th August 2024

‘I was not just accepted but appreciated’: Head prefect makes the most of primary school against the odds

18 Apr 2023

Rohin Anandath, who suffers from a skeletal muscle disorder and moves about in a wheelchair, credits his teachers and schoolmates for ensuring he had opportunities like everyone else to play, learn, and lead at school.

By Owen Tan

Ask Rohin Anandth what the biggest highlight of primary school was and he would tell you that it was being elected head prefect.

It is a huge honour for any student, but even more significant for Rohin, who started school expecting to be treated differently because he was wheelchair-bound.

Living with distal arthrogryposis, a skeletal muscle disorder, means that Rohin does not have full range of movement in his hands and feet. However, being differently abled did not deter him from making the best of his years at Edgefield Primary School.

Now 13 and a Secondary 1 student, he looks back on his primary school years with fondness. “I felt not only accepted by my teachers and schoolmates but also appreciated for my contributions to the school.” 

’My classmates found a way for me to play catch with them’ 

“When I first stepped into school in Primary 1, I was afraid that I would not be accepted for who I am, pitied or treated differently just because I was in a wheelchair,” says Rohin. These feelings quickly dissipated when his peers picked up the courage to approach him.

“They were very polite and not in any way offensive, which made it easier for me to overcome my shyness and share with them why I was in a wheelchair,” he says.  

During recess, they would try their best to include him in their activities – for instance, playing catch.

“At first, we didn’t know what to do, but with a little trial and error, we figured out the perfect version of how we could play catch,” Rohin recounts. What was this perfect version? One of his friends would push him on his wheelchair and together as one, they would catch the others or be chased after.

It was these same classmates who would offer to fetch things from his schoolbag or to wheel him around, using the school’s lift to access the different facilities around school.

When it came to learning, Rohin’s teachers took into account his physical challenges. For instance, as he could not write for extended periods of time, his English language teacher allowed him to use a laptop to type out his compositions.

For Physical Education, when his classmates were tossing balls to improve their hand-eye coordination, his teacher would make modifications so Rohin could also take part, by say, using a racquet to hit a ball attached by rope to a pole.

Though he was often away from school for medical appointments, his teachers and classmates would help him catch up by updating him outside of class; “I would follow up with my own revision at home to bring myself up to speed”, he says.

Rohin back in 2017 toting his Edusave Merit Bursary Award for good academic results.

Safe environment for him to express himself

Rohin’s attributes his sense of curiosity and confidence to ask questions to the safe environment to speak up in school. “In class, we were all given opportunities to ask questions or to make suggestions,” he says. “I particularly enjoyed working in groups with different people in class. It allowed me to meet more people, work as a team and learn from their ideas as well.”

Rohin’s positive personality plays a part too.

He doesn’t feel shy to approach classmates if they looked a little down or needed a word of encouragement. In time, his teachers saw him playing the role of mediator with ease: He would listen to the group’s different perspectives and help them come to a consensus.

In Primary 3, they wanted to nurture his potential as a student leader and selected him to be a Friend of Singa (FOS) Ambassador. Rohin befriended his peers and encouraged them to have positive habits. In one project, he worked with his fellow ambassadors on keeping the canteen tables clean, not wasting food, and recycling. 

Rohin speaking to his schoolmates about good habits during their recess.

The following year, he was made a prefect. His student leadership teachers mentored him, providing monthly training and check-ins so that he could grow in communication and leadership skills. “Rohin took on his role with responsibility, he never missed a single duty or mentoring session,” says Ms Parameswari, his student leadership teacher-mentor.

“My teachers were my role models. I observed how they assessed different situations and adjusted the way they responded to best manage them.” he explains. “They were engaging, funny, sometimes casual, and then serious when the situation called for it.  

Rohin with his head prefect badge which he wore to school with pride every day. 

A moment of reckoning came for Rohin in Primary 5, when elections for head prefect took place. It was a big step for the boy but he was ready.

He went through interviews with the student leadership teachers, was shortlisted as a candidate, then made a speech using an acronym of his name: Responsible, Optimistic, Hardworking, Innovative, Nice (ROHIN) to explain why he should be elected. He emerged the winner after a round of voting among his peers and the teaching staff.

“I felt really happy and appreciated when I found out that I would be head prefect,” he says. “My teachers and friends were able to see past my physical differences to how I have been contributing to the school.”

Rohin was fully committed to his role. He worked with his prefects during the COVID-19 pandemic to implement any changes required to keep the school safe, plan duties and initiatives to serve the school community, and guide the junior prefects too. 

Rohin dreams of being a scientist in the future, figuring why things work the way they do.

A scientist solving the world’s problems one at a time 

Now a student at St Joseph’s Institution, Rohin looks back at how his primary school experiences laid the foundation and trajectory for his career goals – he grew from the widespread support and leadership opportunities, and would like to see where his confidence and problem-solving skills will take him.

“I wanted to be a lawyer, because as you can see, I love to talk,” he says, laughing, “but now, I aspire to be a research scientist. I’m very keen to figure out how things work. Life intrigues me; I want to discover new solutions which will eventually help others.”

Reflecting further, he concludes that “being differently abled does not deprive me of my aspirations. I can’t change how I was born, but I am in control of my future”.

More stories on Special Educational Needs:

Two parents share their care-giving journey for their child with special needs .

A Teacher Aide shares: Step by step, we can make a difference

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How to write a good speech in 7 steps

By:  Susan Dugdale  

- an easily followed format for writing a great speech

Did you know writing a speech doesn't have be an anxious, nail biting experience?

Unsure? Don't be.

You may have lived with the idea you were never good with words for a long time. Or perhaps giving speeches at school brought you out in cold sweats.

However learning how to write a speech is relatively straight forward when you learn to write out loud.

And that's the journey I am offering to take you on: step by step.

To learn quickly, go slow

Take all the time you need. This speech format has 7 steps, each building on the next.

Walk, rather than run, your way through all of them. Don't be tempted to rush. Familiarize yourself with the ideas. Try them out.

I know there are well-advertised short cuts and promises of 'write a speech in 5 minutes'. However in reality they only truly work for somebody who already has the basic foundations of speech writing in place.

The foundation of good speech writing 

These steps are the backbone of sound speech preparation. Learn and follow them well at the outset and yes, given more experience and practice you could probably flick something together quickly. Like any skill, the more it's used, the easier it gets.

In the meantime...

Step 1: Begin with a speech overview or outline

Are you in a hurry? Without time to read a whole page? Grab ... The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist And come back to get the details later.

• WHO you are writing your speech for (your target audience)
• WHY you are preparing this speech. What's the main purpose of your speech? Is it to inform or tell your audience about something? To teach them a new skill or demonstrate something? To persuade or to entertain? (See 4 types of speeches: informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion or entertaining for more.) What do you want them to think, feel or do as a result of listening the speech?
• WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic) - You'll want to have thought through your main points and have ranked them in order of importance. And have sorted the supporting research you need to make those points effectively.
• HOW much time you have for your speech eg. 3 minutes, 5 minutes... The amount of time you've been allocated dictates how much content you need. If you're unsure check this page: how many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide . You'll find estimates of the number of words required for 1 - 10 minute speeches by slow, medium and fast talkers.

Use an outline

The best way to make sure you deliver a perfect speech is to start by carefully completing a speech outline covering the essentials: WHO, WHY, WHAT and HOW.

Beginning to write without thinking your speech through is a bit like heading off on a journey not knowing why you're traveling or where you're going to end up. You can find yourself lost in a deep, dark, murky muddle of ideas very quickly!

Pulling together a speech overview or outline is a much safer option. It's the map you'll follow to get where you want to go.

Get a blank speech outline template to complete

Click the link to find out a whole lot more about preparing a speech outline . ☺ You'll also find a free printable blank speech outline template.  I recommend using it!

Understanding speech construction

Before you begin to write, using your completed outline as a guide, let's briefly look at what you're aiming to prepare.

• an opening or introduction
• the body where the bulk of the information is given
• and an ending (or summary).

Imagine your speech as a sandwich

If you think of a speech as a sandwich you'll get the idea.

The opening and ending are the slices of bread holding the filling (the major points or the body of your speech) together.

You can build yourself a simple sandwich with one filling (one big idea) or you could go gourmet and add up to three or, even five. The choice is yours.

But whatever you choose to serve, as a good cook, you need to consider who is going to eat it! And that's your audience.

So let's find out who they are before we do anything else. 

Step 2: Know who you are talking to

Understanding your audience.

Did you know a  good speech is never written from the speaker's point of view?  ( If you need to know more about why check out this page on  building rapport .)

Begin with the most important idea/point on your outline.

Consider HOW you can explain (show, tell) that to your audience in the most effective way for them to easily understand it.   

Writing from the audience's point of view

To help you write from an audience point of view, it's a good idea to identify either a real person or the type of person who is most likely to be listening to you.

Make sure you select someone who represents the "majority" of the people who will be in your audience. That is they are neither struggling to comprehend you at the bottom of your scale or light-years ahead at the top.

Now imagine they are sitting next to you eagerly waiting to hear what you're going to say. Give them a name, for example, Joe, to help make them real.

Ask yourself

• How do I need to tailor my information to meet Joe's needs? For example, do you tell personal stories to illustrate your main points? Absolutely! Yes. This is a very powerful technique. (Click storytelling in speeches to find out more.)
• What type or level of language is right for Joe as well as my topic? For example if I use jargon (activity, industry or profession specific vocabulary) will it be understood?

Step 3: Writing as you speak

Writing oral language.

Write down what you want to say about your first main point as if you were talking directly to Joe.

If it helps, say it all out loud before you write it down and/or record it.

Use the information below as a guide

(Click to download The Characteristics of Spoken Language  as a pdf.) 

You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going to say down * but you do need to write down, or outline, the sequence of ideas to ensure they are logical and easily followed.

Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with examples from your research. 

( * Tip: If this is your first speech the safety net of having everything written down could be just what you need. It's easier to recover from a patch of jitters when you have a word by word manuscript than if you have either none, or a bare outline. Your call!)

Step 4: Checking tone and language

The focus of this step is re-working what you've done in Step 2 and 3.

You identified who you were talking to (Step 2) and in Step 3, wrote up your first main point.  Is it right? Have you made yourself clear?  Check it.

How well you complete this step depends on how well you understand the needs of the people who are going to listen to your speech.

Please do not assume because you know what you're talking about the person (Joe) you've chosen to represent your audience will too. Joe is not a mind-reader!

How to check what you've prepared

• Check the "tone" of your language . Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?
• Check the length of your sentences. You need short sentences. If they're too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.

Check for jargon too. These are industry, activity or group exclusive words.

For instance take the phrase: authentic learning . This comes from teaching and refers to connecting lessons to the daily life of students. Authentic learning is learning that is relevant and meaningful for students. If you're not a teacher you may not understand the phrase.

The use of any vocabulary requiring insider knowledge needs to be thought through from the audience perspective. Jargon can close people out.

• Read what you've written out loud. If it flows naturally, in a logical manner, continue the process with your next main idea. If it doesn't, rework.

We use whole sentences and part ones, and we mix them up with asides or appeals e.g. "Did you get that? Of course you did. Right...Let's move it along. I was saying ..."

Click for more about the differences between spoken and written language .

And now repeat the process

Repeat this process for the remainder of your main ideas.

Because you've done the first one carefully, the rest should follow fairly easily.

Step 5: Use transitions

Providing links or transitions between main ideas.

Between each of your main ideas you need to provide a bridge or pathway for your audience. The clearer the pathway or bridge, the easier it is for them to make the transition from one idea to the next.

If your speech contains more than three main ideas and each is building on the last, then consider using a "catch-up" or summary as part of your transitions.

Is your speech being evaluated? Find out exactly what aspects you're being assessed on using this standard speech evaluation form

Link/transition examples

A link can be as simple as:

"We've explored one scenario for the ending of Block Buster 111, but let's consider another. This time..."

What follows this transition is the introduction of Main Idea Two.

Here's a summarizing link/transition example:

"We've ended Blockbuster 111 four ways so far. In the first, everybody died. In the second, everybody died BUT their ghosts remained to haunt the area. In the third, one villain died. His partner reformed and after a fight-out with the hero, they both strode off into the sunset, friends forever. In the fourth, the hero dies in a major battle but is reborn sometime in the future.

And now what about one more? What if nobody died? The fifth possibility..."

Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Remember Joe as you go. Try each transition or link out loud and really listen to yourself. Is it obvious? Easily followed?

Keep them if they are clear and concise.

For more about transitions (with examples) see Andrew Dlugan's excellent article, Speech Transitions: Magical words and Phrases .

Step 6: The end of your speech

The ideal ending is highly memorable . You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.

Example speech endings

Example 1: The desired outcome of a speech persuading people to vote for you in an upcoming election is that they get out there on voting day and do so. You can help that outcome along by calling them to register their support by signing a prepared pledge statement as they leave.

"We're agreed we want change. You can help us give it to you by signing this pledge statement as you leave. Be part of the change you want to see!

Example 2: The desired outcome is increased sales figures. The call to action is made urgent with the introduction of time specific incentives.

"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours. Can you do it? Will you do it? The kids will love it. Your wife will love it. Do it now!"

How to figure out the right call to action

A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to action might be, is to go back to your original purpose for giving the speech.

• Was it to motivate or inspire?
• Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?
• Was it to share specialist information?
• Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?

Ask yourself what you want people to do as a result of having listened to your speech.

For more about ending speeches

Visit this page for more about how to end a speech effectively . You'll find two additional types of speech endings with examples.

Write and test

Write your ending and test it out loud. Try it out on a friend, or two. Is it good? Does it work?

Step 7: The introduction

Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.

The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or slumped and waiting for you to end. It's the tone setter!

What makes a great speech opening?

Ideally you want an opening that makes listening to you the only thing the 'Joes' in the audience want to do.

You want them to forget they're hungry or that their chair is hard or that their bills need paying.

The way to do that is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a "hook".

Hooks to catch your audience's attention

Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what specific hook is needed to catch your audience.

Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech?

Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do, and, or take away, as a result of listening to you?

Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.

Choosing the best hook

• Is it humor?
• Would shock tactics work?
• Is it a rhetorical question?
• Is it formality or informality?
• Is it an outline or overview of what you're going to cover, including the call to action?
• Or is it a mix of all these elements?

A hook example

Here's an example from a fictional political speech. The speaker is lobbying for votes. His audience are predominately workers whose future's are not secure.

"How's your imagination this morning? Good? (Pause for response from audience) Great, I'm glad. Because we're going to put it to work starting right now.

I want you to see your future. What does it look like? Are you happy? Is everything as you want it to be? No? Let's change that. We could do it. And we could do it today.

At the end of this speech you're going to be given the opportunity to change your world, for a better one ...

No, I'm not a magician. Or a simpleton with big ideas and precious little commonsense. I'm an ordinary man, just like you. And I have a plan to share!"

And then our speaker is off into his main points supported by examples. The end, which he has already foreshadowed in his opening, is the call to vote for him.

Prepare several hooks

Experiment with several openings until you've found the one that serves your audience, your subject matter and your purpose best.

For many more examples of speech openings go to: how to write a speech introduction . You'll find 12 of the very best ways to start a speech.

That completes the initial seven steps towards writing your speech. If you've followed them all the way through, congratulations, you now have the text of your speech!

Although you might have the words, you're still a couple of steps away from being ready to deliver them. Both of them are essential if you want the very best outcome possible. They are below. Please take them.

Step 8: Checking content and timing

This step pulls everything together.

Check once, check twice, check three times & then once more!

Go through your speech really carefully.

On the first read through check you've got your main points in their correct order with supporting material, plus an effective introduction and ending.

On the second read through check the linking passages or transitions making sure they are clear and easily followed.

On the third reading check your sentence structure, language use and tone.

Double, triple check the timing

Now go though once more.

This time read it aloud slowly and time yourself.

If it's too long for the time allowance you've been given make the necessary cuts.

Start by looking at your examples rather than the main ideas themselves. If you've used several examples to illustrate one principal idea, cut the least important out.

Also look to see if you've repeated yourself unnecessarily or, gone off track. If it's not relevant, cut it.

Repeat the process, condensing until your speech fits the required length, preferably coming in just under your time limit.

You can also find out how approximately long it will take you to say the words you have by using this very handy words to minutes converter . It's an excellent tool, one I frequently use. While it can't give you a precise time, it does provide a reasonable estimate.

Step 9: Rehearsing your speech

And NOW you are finished with writing the speech, and are ready for REHEARSAL .

Please don't be tempted to skip this step. It is not an extra thrown in for good measure. It's essential.

The "not-so-secret" secret of successful speeches combines good writing with practice, practice and then, practicing some more.

Go to how to practice public speaking and you'll find rehearsal techniques and suggestions to boost your speech delivery from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist

Before you begin writing you need:.

• Your speech OUTLINE with your main ideas ranked in the order you're going to present them. (If you haven't done one complete this 4 step sample speech outline . It will make the writing process much easier.)
• Your RESEARCH
• You also need to know WHO you're speaking to, the PURPOSE of the speech and HOW long you're speaking for

The basic format

• the body where you present your main ideas

Split your time allowance so that you spend approximately 70% on the body and 15% each on the introduction and ending.

How to write the speech

• Write your main ideas out incorporating your examples and research
• Link them together making sure each flows in a smooth, logical progression
• Write your ending, summarizing your main ideas briefly and end with a call for action
• Write your introduction considering the 'hook' you're going to use to get your audience listening
• An often quoted saying to explain the process is: Tell them what you're going to tell them (Introduction) Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending)

TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing.

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How to Be a Good Prefect

Last Updated: March 12, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alicia Oglesby and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall . Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 780,640 times.

If you've applied to be a prefect at your school, or you're already serving as one, you might be wondering how to be the best prefect. To be a good prefect, it's important to remember that your role is to help both the faculty and the students at your school. By setting a good example for students, following your school's rules, and being there when people need you, you can ensure that you're successfully fulfilling all your duties as a prefect.

Setting a Good Example

• For example, if your fellow students are complaining because the upcoming dance got cancelled, instead of complaining with them, you could say something positive like, "I know it's upsetting that the dance is cancelled, but we should all get together and think of something else we could do for fun that night."

Following the Rules

Being There for Students

Alicia Oglesby

Compassion is a sign of a thoughtful role model. Show you can be a thoughtful role model for others by demonstrating compassion, curiosity about the world, awareness of different viewpoints, and responsibility in following through on duties. Be solution-oriented and lead by mature example.

Expert Q&A

Tips from our Readers

• Should problems arise requiring administrative attention, advocate for the student perspective to faculty respectfully but steadfastly. As liaison between the two groups, tactfully serve as that crucial bridge for understanding.
• Near the end of your tenure, privately encourage impressive leadership qualities you’ve observed in potential prefect candidates that could continue traditions of excellence after your term concludes. Help guide the future.
• If younger students approach asking for guidance, offer a listening ear and thoughtful bits of wisdom, not just recitations of school policy. Mentor gently when sought out, rather than preaching rules harshly unprompted.
• Keep a subtle eye on fellow prefects too, as your duty requires holding one another equally accountable. Politely but firmly remind any you witness violating codes of conduct, even minor slip-ups. Integrity matters.
• Make an effort to remain visible and unambiguously available for student questions or issues during free periods by wandering halls greeting peers. Your consistent presence cultivates approachability.
• Consider organizing occasional casual social events like movie nights or game tournaments to nurture bonding opportunities for students outside rigid classroom walls. Such activities build community.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Alicia Oglesby. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://clt.byuh.edu/clt/honest-teacher
• ↑ https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/importance-of-school-attendance
• ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/communication/resource/how-to-be-an-effective-communicator-in-7-easy-steps
• ↑ https://newtoncollege.es/en/prefect-student-election/

About This Article

To be a good prefect, try to set a good example for other students by having a positive attitude and being respectful. Also, do your best in school since other students will notice how much effort you put in. You should also make sure you follow all of your school's rules, like abiding by the dress code, having a good attendance record, and going to class on time. In addition to setting a good example, try to be there for your fellow students by talking to them about their concerns and supporting students who are having a hard time. To learn how to be fair as a prefect, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Introduction: Being a school prefect is an important role that requires responsibility, leadership, and dedication. As a pupil aged seventeen, I am excited to present my manifesto and explain why I am the ideal candidate for the position of school prefect. In this manifesto, I will outline my qualities, skills, and plans to contribute positively to our school community.

Paragraph 1: First and foremost, I believe that communication is key in any leadership role. I am an excellent communicator and have the ability to listen to my peers’ concerns and ideas. By being approachable and open-minded, I will ensure that every student’s voice is heard and valued.

Paragraph 2: Furthermore, I am highly organized and efficient in managing my time. As a school prefect, I will prioritize my responsibilities and ensure that tasks are completed promptly. This will enable me to be a reliable and dependable prefect who can be counted on to fulfill their duties effectively.

Paragraph 3: In addition to my organizational skills, I am a natural leader. I have had the opportunity to lead various group projects and extracurricular activities, which have honed my leadership abilities. I believe in leading by example and inspiring others to achieve their best potential.

Paragraph 4: One of my main goals as a school prefect is to foster a positive and inclusive school environment. I will actively promote respect, kindness, and acceptance among students. By organizing events and initiatives that celebrate diversity and encourage unity, I aim to create a harmonious atmosphere where everyone feels valued and included.

Paragraph 5: Another aspect I am passionate about is academic excellence. I understand the importance of education and will strive to motivate my fellow students to excel academically. I will collaborate with teachers to organize study groups, tutoring sessions, and workshops to support students in their learning journey.

Paragraph 6: Moreover, I recognize the significance of extracurricular activities in a well-rounded education. I will work closely with the school administration to expand the range of clubs and societies available to students. By providing diverse opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents, we can create a vibrant and engaging school community.

Paragraph 7: Lastly, I am committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment for all students. I will actively participate in initiatives that address issues such as bullying, mental health, and physical well-being. By raising awareness and providing resources, I aim to ensure that every student feels secure and supported throughout their time at our school.

Conclusion: In conclusion, I believe that my qualities, skills, and plans make me an ideal candidate for the position of school prefect. I am a dedicated and responsible individual who is passionate about making a positive impact on our school community. If elected, I will work tirelessly to represent the student body, address their concerns, and contribute to the overall growth and development of our school. Together, let us strive for excellence and create a school environment that we can all be proud of.

Make this more complex

Introduction: Assuming the esteemed role of a school prefect demands a profound sense of responsibility, exemplary leadership skills, and unwavering dedication. As a seventeen-year-old pupil, I am thrilled to present my comprehensive manifesto, elucidating why I am the epitome of an ideal candidate for the position of school prefect. Within this manifesto, I shall expound upon my multifaceted qualities, honed skills, and meticulously devised plans to contribute positively to our esteemed school community.

Paragraph 1: Foremost, I firmly believe that effective communication serves as the cornerstone of any successful leadership role. My exceptional prowess in communication, coupled with my innate ability to attentively listen to my peers’ concerns and ideas, will ensure that every student’s voice is not only heard but also genuinely valued.

Paragraph 2: Furthermore, my innate organizational acumen and unparalleled efficiency in time management shall prove instrumental in discharging my duties as a school prefect. By meticulously prioritizing my responsibilities, I shall emerge as a reliable and dependable prefect, consistently delivering prompt completion of tasks with utmost efficacy.

Paragraph 3: In addition to my organizational prowess, my innate leadership qualities have been honed through various instances of leading group projects and extracurricular activities. My leadership style revolves around leading by example, inspiring others to unlock their fullest potential, and fostering an environment conducive to growth and achievement.

Paragraph 4: One of my paramount objectives as a school prefect is to cultivate a positive and inclusive school environment. By actively promoting respect, kindness, and acceptance among students, I shall orchestrate events and initiatives that celebrate diversity and foster unity, thereby creating a harmonious atmosphere where every individual feels genuinely valued and inclusively embraced.

Paragraph 5: Moreover, I am fervently committed to nurturing academic excellence within our school community. Recognizing the pivotal role education plays in shaping our future, I shall endeavor to motivate my fellow students to strive for academic brilliance. Collaborating closely with our esteemed faculty, I shall organize study groups, tutoring sessions, and workshops, providing unwavering support to students on their arduous yet rewarding educational journey.

Paragraph 6: Furthermore, I ardently acknowledge the significance of extracurricular activities in fostering a well-rounded education. Collaborating closely with the school administration, I shall endeavor to expand the repertoire of clubs and societies available to students. By providing a diverse array of opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents, we shall create a vibrant and engaging school community, fostering holistic growth and development.

Paragraph 7: Lastly, I am resolutely committed to promoting a safe and nurturing environment for all students. I shall actively participate in initiatives aimed at addressing pertinent issues such as bullying, mental health, and physical well-being. By raising awareness and providing comprehensive resources, I aspire to ensure that every student feels secure and supported throughout their tenure at our esteemed institution.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the amalgamation of my multifaceted qualities, honed skills, and meticulously devised plans renders me the quintessential candidate for the esteemed position of school prefect. My unwavering dedication and sense of responsibility shall be the driving force behind my tireless efforts to represent the student body, address their concerns, and contribute to the overall growth and development of our esteemed institution. Together, let us embark upon a journey of excellence, forging a school environment that we can all ardently take pride in.

Inspire My Teaching

• Mar 13, 2022

Classroom Leadership: how to effectively choose school prefects for your subject area

How to ensure you get the right subject prefects...

School Prefects: every school seems to have them, but very few seem to have mastered the art of using them effectively. So why is this the case? And, more importantly, how can you select the ones who will save you time and improve standards? Read on to find out more...

The Historic Problem

Time after time we've all seen the "prefect thing" become a "lip service" exercise... where students often gain the title without having to "buy in" to the expectations, or the workload.

Everyone starts out enthusiastically and with high hopes of great change, but in reality this rarely seems to happen. Prefects turn up to the expected Open Evening and dawdle about (frequently checking their watches!), and the only types of questions they ask are: 'When do you think I can go home?' or 'Are there any biscuits left?'

You might be lucky and get one or two decent prefects and you may even get a bit of a classroom display put up for you ... wonkily, but still, it counts as something. Occasionally, you may win the 'holy grail' of prefects and think 'this year we'll finally get things done'... to then have them stolen away by the allure of a better school position when everyone finally realises how good they are. (And this always seems to happen partway through the year when you thought 'all your ducks were in a row'!)

It seems that (excluding the rare exception) we never seem to get 'our money's worth' when it comes to "hiring" prefects, especially not in the long term.

So why do we even bother?

Well, aside from being directed to do this, what is in it for you? FREE TIME! That’s what’s in it for you... if you get this right. (* And obviously the satisfaction that you are nurturing the hidden leadership talents of the next generation.) But mainly free time. And you'll probably think ' Yeah, right’ , but my department are now in the fortunate position where our prefects not only save us time, but actually help us raise standards too.

It sounds so obvious, but the simple truth is that it’s all about motivation. BUT, it's not simply enough to create it… the trick is sustaining it.

What's in it for them?

Let’s face it, students need motivating factors to do pretty much anything. Some you can buy off with ‘ This will look great on your UCAS application ‘ ( Yes, that ol’ chestnut!) and others you will probably have to literally buy off… with time and biscuits… and Amazon vouchers.

This being said, everyone is motivated by something, and that something is usually success. Benjamin Ball's 'Summary of Motivational Theories’ claims that individuals want to work for an establishment where they feel they are able to make a positive difference. If this moral reason fails, then helping people to feel (and look) important can be a very effective motivational tool, too. My department sustain this sense of importance by creating a student hierarchy for our subject prefects.

The Prefect Hierarchy

The Prefect Hierarchy follows a similar pattern to our own teacher hierarchy. Humans adhere to hierarchical constructs, hence the influence Religion, Monarchs and Politicians have always had over us... and why we try to curry favour with our line managers. Students follow a hierarchy in your own classroom with you as the leader they instinctively know they should follow.

Age and status are the two main ways of creating a strong hierarchy. As prefects are close in age, the only structure left is to create status roles within the subject prefect team. schools have been doing this with their 'Head Girl' and 'Head Boy' roles for decades, but I've rarely seen this idea filter into the subject prefect sphere.

My department aim to employ 5-6 subject prefects with the following roles:

Head Subject Prefect

Deputy Head Subject Prefect

Subject Prefect (specific role)

Subject Prefect

This year we've created a 'Head of Literacy Prefect' as this fits well with our department and school aim, but you could create subject prefects with different roles to suit your own department needs. However, be careful not to give every subject prefect a specific role otherwise you tend to get all leaders and no followers... and too many cooks tend to spoil the broth!

You also need to ensure that your 'Head Subject Prefect' is strong enough to 'rally the troops' and keep them in check, but is also kind enough to not become a power hungry dictator in your absence. Young adults are still in the process of learning to be adults, after all.

So, to choose wisely, you need a suitable application process…

The Application Process

With more and more demand to prepare students for their future careers, treating your school prefect application process like a “real” job interview has multiple benefits:

It weeds out the unmotivated

It provides a sense of gravitas that shows students this is important to you (and so should be to them!)

It’s an opportunity for students to gain some worthwhile interview experience (which works nicely with the Gatsby benchmarks)

It means you can better sense leadership potential for creating your prefect hierarchy

We ”advertise” the posts like a proper job interview. Students are told in lessons and emailed the job posting. The post-COVID world has made this even easier with platforms, like Microsoft Teams, allowing you to set such a thing as a voluntary 'assignment'.

We give them a job description and a deadline, and expect a letter of application that details their suitability for the role(s). It's also a good idea to get them to specify the role(s) they are interested in... this really helps to 'whittle' them down for interview. Finally, we make the benefits of the roles very apparent. It's vital to make it clear what's in it for them as we want to keep motivation levels high.

The Selection Process

Since implementing this system, we are inundated with subject prefect applications. One year we had a record 60% of our course students apply for a post... previous to this we were lucky if we got 2 applicants. However, this comes with its own problems... how do you select the right candidates for interview?

Firstly, you need to know your students. Applying for a role naturally opens you up for the possibility of rejection and that makes you very vulnerable... so managing student feedback and expectations is paramount. An innocent but flippant remark from you could really injure an applicant.

We have THREE golden rules for this:

Applicants MUST meet the deadlines and apply as requested (this instantly whittles out those who are not truly interested and applicants tend to take 'your application was too late' much better than 'we didn't feel you were suitable for interview'.

All applicants are kept confidential and are contacted separately (never as a group). This means a student has full control over whether they tell their peers or not.

Feedback must be provided following the "compliment sandwich" approach : compliment, constructive feedback, bigger compliment e.g. " We absolutely loved your energy, but we felt other candidates had more experience with running extra-curricular clubs and that’s something we really needed, however, we thought your interview answers were strong and we know that Geography are really interested in having you as a prefect".

Don't fall into the trap of interviewing everyone who applies just because you feel bad. It sends the wrong message to the stronger applicants, it wastes a lot of your time, and once people complete the interview stage they have naturally convinced themselves that they are the best person for the job. Therefore, telling them they haven't 'got the job' is much harder on them than if they aren't selected for interview in the first place. If you know it's definitely not going to work out, then don't go there.

Once we've selected students we'd like to interview, all applicants are contacted with either a 'please come to interview' or a 'thank you for applying, however...' email. The former can be very generic, however the latter I like to make more personalised and again adopt the 'compliment sandwich' approach. We tend to follow this up with a face to face conversation too.

The Interview

Again, the interview is just like those for a professional paying job... but a little bit softer. I prefer to have two people on the interview panel - it makes sense to ask one of your main A Level teachers to get involved... to give the interview more gravitas, but also to get relevant team members invested in their prefects. For extra status, you could ask a senior leader or Head of Year to help you interview.

To help with nerves and get the interviews off to a good start, we tell students in their 'please come to interview' email what the first question will be. For us, it's always 'why did you apply for this position?' We pre-decide our questions (choose 4-6 which students can elaborate on... you don't want to be there all day!) and print out answer grids for the panel to fill in and score the answers. This is a bit of extra effort, but really helps with the selection process at the end... especially when trying to decide who to appoint for each role.

Last year 15 applied, we interviewed 10, and gave out 6 positions, and the interview answer grids made the task so much easier. It also means you can give detailed feedback if requested... and helpful constructive criticism is always greatly appreciated.

The interviews are around 10-15 minutes each and for confidentiality, I like to choose a suitable meeting room away from our subject teaching area.

Make sure you tell students when and how they will hear the outcome from you and stick to this agreement. It sounds painfully obvious, but leaving people in limbo is a really good way to pee them off… yet it happens repeatedly. Just think back to your last job interview!

So there you have it, a strong methodology for getting the right prefects for your subject area. Check out the sister blog ' Classroom Leadership: how to effectively use your subject prefects in your subject area' for tips on how to save you time whilst raising standards.

For more useful ideas, check out our blogs on leadership and engagement.

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Classroom Leadership: how to get the most out of school prefects in your subject area