THE Armidale School’s incoming student leaders acknowledged the past yet looked to the future at their induction ceremony at the school on Thursday, reciting a pledge that dates back more than eight decades, in the first year of full co-education.
For the first time in the school’s history, the highest student leadership role in the school will be shared between a boy and a girl, placing front and centre positive role models for the almost 80 girls who are now students at TAS.
Senior prefects for the next 12 months are Jim Orr from Moree and Treenie Osborne of Tamworth, with Tom Wright of Armidale and Michael Baldock of Clubycca as deputies.
They will be supported by twelve other prefects, who hail from Sydney, Moree, Scone, Inverell, Tamworth, Glen Innes and Armidale.
In acknowledging the historic occasion, Headmaster Murray Guest said prefectship was not a prize for what has already been done already, but a call is to assist the direction of the school in maintaining its standards in all areas, supporting students and inspiring pride in the school through good example.
“Above all, they have been called to join in our most important task – ensuring that every student in this school is able to feel supported and is confident that his or her best efforts will be applauded and never derided.”
Jim and Treenie said they were proud to have been elected and looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
“One of my goals is to make sure that all students get heavily involved in all areas of the school, so that they might discover new things about themselves and develop as versatile young people,” Treenie said.
For Jim, instilling the school with pride and passion will be a focus.
“We have a great prefect body who I am looking forward to working with but I believe Year 12 as a whole plays a major role in the leadership of the school,” he said.
Also inducted were house leaders who will carry the responsibility for participation in inter-house competitions in a range of co-curricular activities.
