PREFECT SYSTEM

The Newington Prefect System

Prefect Reports - Internal Database: PrefectNet

School Leaders 2008

House Captains and Vice-Captains are listed here.

In the Newington system a Senior Prefect and two Deputy Senior Prefects are appointed for the start of Term 4. All other Year 11 students are automatically elevated to the position of House Prefect, unless for some good reason individual boys choose not to seek the position or are thought to be unsuitable by their Head of House. Given reasonable standards of conduct and efficiency, House Prefectship is maintained throughout the four terms of office.

Eight House Captains and a maximum of two Vice-Captains from each House are chosen to supervise all House Prefect duties. These duties include pedestrian crossings, playground, cafeteria, library and playing fields before school and during breaks, weekend duties, including supervising Clean-ups at the end of Saturday sport and evening duties such as special functions, plays, musical events, parking supervision, etc.

House prefects operate on a team basis under the leadership of their Head of House. Prefect duties are divided into four zones within the school. In Week A Fletcher, Johnstone, Kelynack and Le Couteur Houses cover one zone each. In Week B Manton, Metcalfe, Moulton and Prescott Houses cover a zone each. At the end of each term Houses rotate to a new zone so after four terms (one year) each House has covered all four zones.

Full College Prefectship

Boys do not receive Full College Prefectship if their duties are only average, or if they have not contributed above the norm in other aspects of school life such as sport, music, drama etc. Those boys not awarded Full College Prefectship but who have completed 12 months of duties, have their efforts rewarded by the awarding of House Prefectship.

Why does Newington have this system?

Appointing Prefects in advance, as was done in the past, was rather like publishing exam results before the papers had been marked. We think we know the students who should do well, but no-one can be certain before the event. In the past, many non-Prefects exercised sound leadership without official recognition; others felt disappointed at not gaining office and became cynical or apathetic. Some students chosen as Prefects relaxed their efforts in the knowledge that they had achieved their goal. In the present system, if you wish to be a House Prefect and undertake the duties in good faith, you get the chance to demonstrate your ability. Full College Prefectship is awarded on the basis of achievement, not prediction.

As well as being a leader while on duty, prefects also act as an example to the rest of the students at all other times. This especially includes travel to and from school and on Saturdays at sport. They act as a role model to the rest of the students and lead by example.

Past Leaders