And so the baton passes from one team to another. February always marks the new inauguration of our Prefect teams. The first is the Prefect team for the school who are voted for by Year 12, Year 13 Prefects and staff. Once the 12 are elected they are secluded in a room and then elect the Head Girl, Deputies and Chairs of GDST and School Council themselves.
It’s a unique process; in previous schools that I have been in the Head has elected the lead prefects. Knowing the school as I do there is no way that your daughters would stand for that – I can only imagine the level of debate that I would be engaging in if that was the case. There is then a unique Oxford High School assembly where the outgoing team come in, dressed to a unique theme followed by the incoming team who then sign the book and are given their badges of office by the outgoing team. I would just like to express my heartfelt thanks to the team as they have been terrific. Every year their leadership, can do attitude and representation of the school is whole hearted and exemplary – I am so very grateful.
Together with the Prefect team a whole team of House prefects are also elected this time by their houses. Since the introduction of the house system three years ago the competitions and the leadership of our students has gone from strength to strength and it’s a measure of the popularity of the positions that so many apply. Whether it’s directing the regular house meetings or gathering and directing teams for the next competition the prefects are exemplary at getting the best out of everyone. It is always good too at our Open events to hear the younger years in the school talk about their own house with passion and a hint of competition (!) as well as the excitement associated with events like House Lip Sync and Hungry Hippos.
And fun is vital. Whether it’s scrabbling on a skate board with a washing basket trying to pick up balls for your team or grappling with the latest research on your chosen topic fun can look very different, but the point of Oxford High School is to make sure that the opportunities for our pupils are various and manifold so that each of them can find their own version of ‘fun’. In the last few weeks, we have had the Politics conference in the Sixth Form, wellness week with activities ranging from painting nails to relaxation and of course yesterday our Celebration Assembly where we hail the awards for those who have stretched themselves – ultimately – having fun.
So whether it’s draping yourself over the pages of a book or being with friends I wish you all a restful and recuperative half term. To Year 11, please take the time you need to restore the batteries after your mock exams and to Year 13 the very best of luck with your strategies for revision. I hope your half term is all that you wish it to be and look forward to seeing you in school afterwards for another enjoyable and stretching half term.
Ad Lucem,
Mrs Gardiner Legge