BSHS Prefects 1999

The very word evokes shivers, fear and visions of canteen self-service. That gold badge, the cool glare, the command for respect, the TRADITION. We were very excited.

(It was only later that we realised year 8’s were not scared of us whatsoever and the ‘going into the canteen’ became a thing of the past). Nonetheless we set out with noble aims.

Philippa got Head Girl, a huge surprise for everyone (not) and Bailey’s level headed farmboy charm (later revealed as a lie) won him the title of Head Boy. The parting instructions from our predecessors were “change together for assemblies and beat our record of 5 prefect couples”. Bails turned out to be useful in achieving this aim!

Over the year we have had our successes and our less thans. We have achieved similar feats to many generations of prefects before us, although at times teamwork was not our strong point. Being Head Girl has been both an honour and a burden, and when I hand my badge over tomorrow I will feel a little sad yet relived too. Working with Matt has been excellent — despite our friendly bickering I have a great deal of respect for the bloke. Perhaps being a prefect will seem more important to us in years to come, when we look back in pride and say to our kids ‘those were the days’. At the moment though, I think we will all be a little relived to hand in our badges and put up our feet. This has been a good year, an exciting year and one we will remember.

'Prefect Notes' from the 1999 edition of the Kingia magazine.