GALLERY and VIDEO: The King’s School West Rand inaugurates new prefects

As parents and students filled the hall at The King’s School West Rand the excitement was palpable. Although the prefects for the 2015–2016 year had already been announced, the inauguration held at the school in Poortview on 18 August would include the announcement of the head boy and head girl.

Bronwyn Barnard, school marketing manager, explained the rigorous process pupils experience when becoming a prefect. “Applications are open to all Grade 11s. Those who want to apply have to draw up a written portfolio of how they have contributed to school over the years and why they would be a good prefect. Those written motivations are then put up, with a photo so pupils that are new to the school or in the younger grades can read them. The pupils of the school are required to vote for a minimum of two girls and two boys and a maximum of five girls and five boys.” This year the school had 20 applicants, 12 of whom were chosen – seven girls and five boys.

Principal Ken Langley welcomed the audience with a scripture reading. Head Boy Humarno Schoonwinkel then addressed the pupils and parents with a brief talk on leadership before calling the 2014–2015 prefects to the front as he thanked them for all their support throughout his tenure.

Langley then announced the new prefects and they stood and took their pledge. They then went up onto the stage with their parents, signed their pledge, and accepted their blazers and prefect’s badges.

Destiny Agnew, 2014–2015 head girl then said a prayer of blessing for the new group before everyone returned to their seats.

Finally Nathan Brits and Mmaalafa Molefe were announced as the head boy and head girl respectively for the 2015–2016 period.

The inauguration ended with everyone singing the school anthem, followed by the national anthem. Thereafter, teachers, parents and pupils filed out to congratulate each other and take photographs.