Should I encourage my son to be a Prefect?

loracan1

I was quite proud when my son told me he'd been selected as a prefect. And then he let on they allowed anyone who applied to do it. Not sure what his motives were, I think he thought they'd be able to walk to the front at dinner time...

mrcow

Artytarty wrote: »

Not according to the teachers who help with the personal statements.
Positions of responsibility are important as in involvement in extra curricular activities, it might not suit you but it is a fact.

I am a teacher and write references for university statements. Applying to be a prefect is fine, but if he doesn't get it, it is unlikely to make any difference as to whether a particular university will want him or not.

Sooetie

Thanks for all your replies

His main subjects are science and engineering but his fav is PE.

He's very fit and athletic but not brilliant at any sport so is looking at electronics as a career

I just said to him if theres 4 guys going for the job and you've been a prefect thats got to be a bonus

He's said that he's going to ask his house master for more duties to go for the prefect

And btw the Prefects get 1st sitting at lunch - but he takes a packed lunch.

newgirly

I very much doubt whether being a prefect would make any difference to anything in adult life to be honest. My dd is a currently a prefect and was nominated by a teacher and then voted for by fellow pupils, they are there to help younger pupils settle in , show parents and visitors around and stop kids wandering around corridors at lunchtime.

I said good luck to my dd when she said she wanted to apply, but that's it, you can't get involved in every decision they make or they won't have the confidence to make their own choices when older. Best of luck

[Deleted User]

Sooetie wrote: »

I just said to him if theres 4 guys going for the job and you've been a prefect thats got to be a bonus

If he's applying for a job and after his degree and A Levels he needs to put that he 'was a school prefect' then he needs to get some more work experience!

I doubt employers are going to give a fig about it to be honest - i've reviewed CVs and I think i'd laugh if I saw 'was a school prefect' on one

Wootball

This is just bizarre. Nobody in the real world gives a toss if you were a prefect at school.

troubleinparadise

Well, if he wants to apply he should, but be prepared to not be elected - works for most things in life!

An upside (from your point of view as a parent!) might be that he'd have to be prepared to be on good behaviour at all times, and keep out of mischief himself....

that doesn't always sit well in friendship groups, but might well encourage him to make some good decisions for himself on the maturity and personal choices areas of life; ie, can't be rowdy, nipping off behind the bike sheds, whatever.....