As you are know lots of schools have prefects. Patcham High School has 32 lead students and about 60 students applied for the opportunity. The lead students for next year were chosen on 9th June and will be starting their roles properly on the 28th June.

What is a lead student? Lead students at Patcham High are chosen from year ten. They represent the school. Their responsibilities include supporting younger students, present assemblies, meeting with the staff and suggesting ideas for the school community.

I have been chosen for lead student and am glad of the opportunity and challenge, especially as I have only been at the school for a few months. To be considered students had to fill in an application form and have an interview with Ms Taylor, head of year 10, and Mr Mckee, assistant head.

The day after we found out who had been selected we had a training day, which I believe some of us found quite useful. This is because we got to know each other better and learnt about what roles we can play in the next year of being lead students. I found it challenging when I stood up and spoke to everybody, although I do like to challenge myself and I think doing these kind of things will improve my confidence in communicating with people my own age.

Lead students will have to vote for a head boy and head girl, there will also be two deputy head boys and girls. I think after the training day most of us feel this isn’t about popularity but who we think will be able to represent us as a group. Head boy and girl will have meetings with the head teacher and guests visiting the school.

We are having a trip to Brook Farm, which will include team building activities and are going for a meal afterwards which will help us make our decision of who we vote for. What qualities are needed by a head boy and girl of 2010/2011?