Newly elected School Prefects and Chapel Wardens began training for their new roles on Monday 11th June. Team building specialists Wise Up spent the day putting the thirty Year 12 pupils through their paces with a serious of leadership challenges. Four teams took on a round robin of over fifteen challenges in an effort to encourage pupils to plan, communicate and work together. A giant labyrinth, moving a can using ropes, crossing shark infested waters on blocks and logic puzzles were just some of the many challenges they faced. Throughout the day the pupils were required to analyse their teamwork and efficiency and to reflect on what they had learnt about themselves and those around them.
School Prefects are required to carry out a number of duties around school. They support teaching staff in supervising assemblies and meal times as well as taking on the role of hosting school Open Mornings. Prefects are encouraged to get to know pupils and to offer another layer of pastoral care. Their first challenge in September will be to introduce themselves in Junior assemblies and tell the assembled company a little about themselves.
Chapel Wardens support the school Chaplain with the spiritual side of Shiplake life. They also play key roles in the various services that take place throughout the week and also at special services.
This is the first time that Prefects and Chapel Wardens have shared training and it worked well. The competitive edge throughout the day was healthy and gave each group something to work for. The instructors have an ingenious (if somewhat vague) scoring system and at the end of the day the Prefects were delighted to have just edged the Chapel Wardens into second place. The Rev challenged the decision but the Deputy Headmaster’s decision was final and so the Prefects go one up in what will, inevitably, a keenly fought series of competitions that will run for the 2018-19 academic year. The overall winner will have the accolade of raising the Allard Shield.
Comments from some of the participants:
… a great team doesn't need an outright leader, if all the team-members are willing to take responsibility and are devoted to the success of the team.
my most valuable lesson from yesterday was about perspective on a situation. In many of the challenges my team and I leant to look at the task differently in order to discover the solution.
One thing that I learnt about myself yesterday is that I was able to "think outside the box" a lot more then I thought I could.
I learnt I was more motivated to get the task done when everyone listens to each other as it gives me confidence in the team as a whole that we all want the task done.
I learnt that I could run 70 metres whilst screaming which did hurt my throat but still being impressive to waste that much energy on one breath.
Report Provided by Nick Brown, Deputy Head Pastoral
