Prefects

[havasack]

Re: Prefects

I was a prefect in middle school. 6 boys, 6 girls from the top year. Jobs included being in charge of the doors when school opened/home time/ and playtimes, Patrolling the stairs when everyone was coming to assembly, supervising 18 classrooms during wet playtimes, (aye do the maths, 12 of us and 18 classrooms).

[George 1978]

Re: Prefects

So sorry you were bullied mate - have a nice mid-afternoon man hug. I still exchange cards with my form master in the upper sixth who is of course very old now.

I once knew a security guard who was quite a deep thinker and read long philosophical works when he was on night duty. He loved the job.

Cheers. I am certain it happens to the best of us.

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

I was a monitor in a science lab at break times - it saved me from the playground and bullies. I liked it - it was a bit like being a security guard or indeed a prefect or a similar job like that.

I am still in touch with the teacher who had that lab as we send Christmas cards each year.

So sorry you were bullied mate - have a nice mid-afternoon man hug. I still exchange cards with my form master in the upper sixth who is of course very old now.

I once knew a security guard who was quite a deep thinker and read long philosophical works when he was on night duty. He loved the job.

[George 1978]

Re: Prefects

Not at all unlike being a School Prefect for me. Being a House Prefect involved multiple duties which I have outlined above. Break time was quite short when I was at school because there was sport or other activities every afternoon. It was a good time for being lazy, talking to friends, reading the paper, etc.

I was a monitor in a science lab at break times - it saved me from the playground and bullies. I liked it - it was a bit like being a security guard or indeed a prefect or a similar job like that.

I am still in touch with the teacher who had that lab as we send Christmas cards each year.

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

Would being a monitor be the same thing as a prefect? I was a break time monitor for three years in the early 1990s.

Not at all unlike being a School Prefect for me. Being a House Prefect involved multiple duties which I have outlined above. Break time was quite short when I was at school because there was sport or other activities every afternoon. It was a good time for being lazy, talking to friends, reading the paper, etc.

[George 1978]

Re: Prefects

Would being a monitor be the same thing as a prefect? I was a break time monitor for three years in the early 1990s.

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

I suspect/have a feeling that too, you would have given me consessions yer/turned an eye to things, yer mate!!?

If you behave yourself, young man!

[80sChav]

Re: Prefects

That’s a shame as I’m sure you’d have liked it.

I suspect/have a feeling that too, you would have given me consessions yer/turned an eye to things, yer mate!!?

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

Another important task of being in charge of a corridor was making sure the chaps were awake first thing in the morning and that they’d washed, brushed their teeth and dressed in time for the House roll call before breakfast. I’ve never been an early morning person but I had to get up, washed and dressed earlier than all of them, smile and crack jokes, etc. and generally look as if I was enjoying myself!

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

It sounds cool Silver - though i was never a Boarder ... regardless iot sounds cool

I considered applying/putting in to be one or may-be did but to no avail though

80sChav

That’s a shame as I’m sure you’d have liked it.

[80sChav]

Re: Prefects

I have to confess I rather enjoyed being a prefect, but this was because it was a strict all-boys private school and there were no serious discipline problems. Quite a lot of it was theatre: I developed a booming voice to induce obedience. There was despite the strictness an element of tongue-in-cheek and even fun.

We had House Prefects dream from lower and upper sixth and School Prefects (upper sixth only). For my sins I was both. Because we were boarders, being a House prefect meant being in charge of a corridor, where younger boys either shared rooms (aged 13-15) or had single rooms from O Level year onwards. This involved making sure they put their lights out at the right time (which varied according to age), didn’t skive games or other afternoon activities, etc. I also had to go round checking them during prep - that they were in their rooms at their desks working.

I’m afraid I used my farts as a weapon against these unfortunate boys. I made a point of eating green vegetables and baked beans at supper (options readily available at boarding school) and release the associated sounds and smells when carrying out the prep check!

There was a Common Room in the House for Prefects where we could read newspapers, drink coffee or cocoa, listen to the radio or watch television.

It sounds cool Silver - though i was never a Boarder ... regardless iot sounds cool

I considered applying/putting in to be one or may-be did but to no avail though

80sChav

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

A few more thoughts about being a Prefect in charge of a corridor at boarding school. First there was the discipline side: making sure that the boys did their work and sport, went to bed on time and generally kept out of scrapes. Then there was the fun side: stinking up their rooms with my farts! Third there was a more important and serious side. I learned to be a ‘shoulder to cry on’ for boys whose parents were getting divorced (for instance) or were homesick or struggling to make friends. Being able to help them was a deeply rewarding and valuable part of being a Prefect.

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

In the Prefects’ Common Room I also remember eating Pot Noodles: my favourite was Spicy Curry.

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

I meant of course 'House Prefects drawn [not 'dream'] from lower and upper Sixth.

[Silver Bear]

Re: Prefects

I have to confess I rather enjoyed being a prefect, but this was because it was a strict all-boys private school and there were no serious discipline problems. Quite a lot of it was theatre: I developed a booming voice to induce obedience. There was despite the strictness an element of tongue-in-cheek and even fun.

We had House Prefects dream from lower and upper sixth and School Prefects (upper sixth only). For my sins I was both. Because we were boarders, being a House prefect meant being in charge of a corridor, where younger boys either shared rooms (aged 13-15) or had single rooms from O Level year onwards. This involved making sure they put their lights out at the right time (which varied according to age), didn’t skive games or other afternoon activities, etc. I also had to go round checking them during prep - that they were in their rooms at their desks working.

I’m afraid I used my farts as a weapon against these unfortunate boys. I made a point of eating green vegetables and baked beans at supper (options readily available at boarding school) and release the associated sounds and smells when carrying out the prep check!

There was a Common Room in the House for Prefects where we could read newspapers, drink coffee or cocoa, listen to the radio or watch television.