Prefects Leadership Camp, January 2012
Assegaai Trails
“As a prefect it is important to lead and manage others, especially the younger boys, to whom we will encourage him to be an elder brother. There is no reward for a prefect other than the opportunity to leave the school a happier place than he found it”
Objectives
- To deepen personal and collective understandings and applications of being a prefect and a leader
- To explore and define the roles and responsibilities of prefects with the aim of developing high-quality leaders.
- To build an effective, caring and serving leadership team.
- To initiate a plan of action for the prefects of 2012, both at an individual level and for the group as a whole.
Staff present: Mr Edey, Mr Smith, Mr Paterson, Mr Marx, Father Gary & Housemasters
Programme
Saturday 14 January
12h45 Lunch in New dining hall
13h45 SAC bus departs from College arriving around 14h45
15h00-17h00
·Settling in and House Volleyball Competition (Heads of Houses to organise).
·Staff to meet
17h00 Welcome and Housekeeping (Mr Edey / Mr Marx)
It was clearly emphasised that 2012 would be based on four pillars of strength namely:
- Back to basics with regards to discipline
- Rhythm and routine
- Accountability
- Building Relationships
17h15-18h45 Prefects to meet their respective Housemasters and work through Andrean Handbook and issues of daily routine
19h00-20h00 Supper
20h15 – 21h15 Dealing with complex scenarios (Mr Marx)
Scenario One – Groups 1-4
One of your Grade 12 group in 2011 was known to take drugs, bunk regularly and generally buck the system at all times. In addition you have heard that he is getting newboys to run around for him constantly.
The prefects in 2011 did nothing to stop this; they looked the other way. You want to start the year on a good footing and you know that this individual does wield considerable power and has influence pupils negatively in the past.
You decide to call this chap into your study on the first evening of term. Prepare yourself for the interview. Decide what you want to achieve, how you will reason with him, what you will say.
10 minute preparation time
4 minute interview
5-10 minute discussion
Scenario Two – Houses
It is the first House meeting of the year, an important event. You want to use the opportunity as the house prefects to set the tone in your House. Prepare to make a 2-minute speech, deciding on three points or themes you will emphasize. One of you will present the speech.
10 minute preparation time
6 x 2 minute speeches
5-10 minute discussion
Scenario Four – Groups 1-4
A rumour is spreading about a cell of Grade 10’s using and selling anabolic steroids. You have noticed a change in behaviour with these boys and it concerns you greatly. You decide to call the group in for a talk.
Prepare yourself for the talk. Decide what you want to achieve, how you will reason with them, what you will say.
10 minute preparation time
2 x 2 minute speeches
5-10 minute discussion
Scenario Five – Role Play –random grouping
Actor One: Head of House
The House is going well. However, a few Grade 9 boys have told you that their dorm prefect is being too hard on them, with punishments being dispensed daily, beds being tossed and bad language being used. You think the prefect is a good chap, but one of these Grade 9 boys has threatened to complain to his parents claiming he has been bullied.
Actor Two: House prefect
You are a House prefect and in charge of the Grade 9 Dorm. There are lots of sloppy, untidy boys and you decide to be tough in order to get things right. You can see that the ‘good guys’ are responding positively, but there is a group of boys who refuse to come right. In fact one of them has threatened to report you to their parents.
You feel strongly that in this instance you are doing nothing wrong.
5 minute preparation
3 x 2 minute role-play
5-10 minute discussion
Sunday 16 January
06h30 Circular Walk
07h30 Eucharist
Father Gary led a moving service in the small stone Chapel emphasising the need for the prefects to “make and not break” individuals. Communion was taken and the prefects were asked to re-dedicate themselves to the task of leading effectively in 2012.
08h00 Breakfast
08h45-09h45 Leadership, Expectations & Discipline (Mr Edey)
The Headmaster outlined the difference between leadership and management. He then focussed on central issues in the school that needed attention. These included respect for staff, assembly and chapel attendance and behaviour, uniform, downtown issues, crossing of roads etc. Finally he ended off with working through the Andrean Handbook with particular attention on Headmaster’s offences.
10h00-11h30 Prefects of 2012 (Ntsikelelo Mlamleli & Greg Slack)
Possible topics to address:
·Vision for 2012
·What are the most effective and appropriate ways of exercising my power, influence and responsibility as a prefect?
·How do I relate, as a prefect, to the Headmaster, Deputy Heads,Housemasters and House Staff, G11s, G10s, G9s, G8s?
·How do I relate, as a prefect, to my peers in Matric?
· What are the most effective forms of communication in my role as a prefect?
· How do I handle difficult situations?
The prefects focused on four pillars namely:
1. Pride
2. Discipline
3. School Environment
4. Relationship with Matric peers
Their vision statement for the year is:
“To promote school pride through leading by example and upholding the St Andrew’s College brotherhood and faith based values through actions and interactions with all people”
Housemasters meet (Mr Ireland)
Various topics discussed with particular emphasis on new dining hall logistics, discipline, accountability, tutor system and a streamlining of the rules and regulations.
11h30-12h00 Break
12h00-12h30 Report back to staff
12h45-13h45 Lunch
13h45-14h15 Wrap up & pack up
14h15 Depart for Grahamstown
Missing Helen8th May 2012
"Missing Helen" will be St Andrew's College and DSG's Dance 2012 Production. Updates on the preparation and production will be posted here.
Ireland Debating Tour4th May 2012
13 College Debaters participated in the St Andrew's Ireland Model United Nations competition in Dublin.
