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Another institution of boarding school life used at public schools and replicted in the prep schools is the system of monitors or prefects. This was a major institution at public schools in the 19th century. The schools gave the prefects great authority and it was largely the prefects who kept the younger students in good order. The public schools still have prefects, but they have far less authority than they once had. And the prep schools as they are preparing the boys for public schools also have adopted the prefect system. The prefects are appointed by the head master who normally discusses the choices with the senior staff. The prefects tend to be much more important at boarding schools thn at day schools. This is because the children are at school all day long and spend a great deal of time outside the classroom and thus are not always in the immedidate vicinity of a teacher. The prefects even with their limited authority provide a very valuable service, especially looking after the younger children. Of course, prep scgool prefects as they are younger childrem, have even less authority than the prefects at public schools. The appointment is a very prestigious one and the children are rightly proud of their selection. The experience is also very valuable for the children chosen to be prefects. An effective headmaster not only uses the prefects to help supervide the younger children, but makes use of the prefects to learn what the children are thinking, but may be hesitant to confide in him personally. The children wear a variety of medal and embroidered badges to identify them.
Another institution of boarding school life used at public schools and replicted in the prep schools is the system of monitors or prefects. This was a major institution at public schools in the 19th century. The schools gave the prefects great authority and it was largely the prefects who kept the younger students in good order. The public schools still have prefects, but they have far less authority than they once had.
And the prep schools as they are preparing the boys for public schools also have adopted the prefect system. This follows the general practice of recreating the public schools on a smaller scale along lines approprisate for younger children.
The prefects are appointed by the head master who normally discusses the choices with the senior staff. The specifics vary from sdchool to school. Headmasters vary as to what attributes they look for in the prefects. The individuals selected are the senior students. There are changes made each term because as some of the prefects who do not take their responsibilities seriously are replaced with other individuals who are seen as more cresponsible. And prefect badge might be was confiscated for serious infrations.
The prefects are responsible for maintaining the health and harmony of the school community by providing support and guidance to other students. They also work with the faculty to plan activities and help ensdure that thevother students abide by the school rules. Here schools vary quite bit. At some schools the prefects project a friedly helpful image. The younger children often hsave difficulties meeting the challenges of daily life in a boarding community. Here the prefects with the right tough can make a wonderful contribution to a school. They are more available and accessable to answer questions and to assist with personal or school-related problems. Children often feel more comfortable talking with a fellow student than a teacher. At other sdchools they are primarily used to eforce the school rules and are seen as irritating buig brothers. Prefects are extensions of the faculty. And the schools expect that the students cooperate with the requests of prefects and to treat them with a degree of respect.
The prefects tend to be much more important at boarding schools thn at day schools. This is because the children are at school all day long and spend a great deal of time outside the classroom and thus are not always in the immedidate vicinity of a teacher. The prefects even with their limited authority provide a very valuable service, especially looking after the younger children. Of course, prep school prefects as they are younger childrem, have even less authority than the prefects at public schools.
The appointment is a very prestigious one and the children are rightly proud of their selection.
The experience is also very valuable for the children chosen to be prefects. They not only perform a valua\ble service to the school, but also are important in chasracter building which is an important part of the prep school program.
An effective headmaster not only uses the prefects to help supervide the younger children, but makes use of the prefects to learn what the children are thinking, but may be hesitant to confide in him personally.
The children wear a variety of medal and embroidered badges to identify them as prefects . Prefects used to wear badges on their blazers. But as blazers are not generally worn during the day at many schools, it is now common to wear the badgs on their jumpers (sweaters). There are different shapes and colors. They were fashioned in gleaming enamel with a sturdy pin on the back. Many medal badges were sone as shields, but there were other shapes as well. Many but not all read "Prefect". Other badges are symbols that the children undrstand means prefect. The prefect badges are one of several tyoes of badges, but are the most prestigious appoitments.
