Prefects

Prefects Report

College Life As everyone has experienced, lockdown was hard. However, the College Life Prefects tried their hardest to get the school together and to lift the levels of community and school spirit.

At Mazenod, we pride ourselves on having a strong community and love to involve everyone in different aspects of the College, from old boys, families and current students.

With the numerous lockdowns it was challenging for the boys to organise full school activities, so during lockdown 6 the leaders made a video in relation to R U OK Day with the importance of balancing homelife, academics and relationships with different people in their lives. We wish everyone luck for the year ahead and congratulate the Year 11 students who will be taking over the leadership roles for the College in 2022. Ryan Dean (Head Prefect)

Sport and Nodder Spirit This year, the Sport and Nodder Spirit Prefects worked to build House spirit and encourage all students to enjoy healthy competitiveness and stay active.

Dodgeball became a recurring theme for exciting lunchtime experiences. Term 1 saw a teacher versus Year 12 students Dodgeball match in the lead up to Mission Action Day. Term 2 was the chance for Year 7, 8 and 9 students to get onto the court, with Oblate Week lunchtime activities that saw students engaging in good-spirited competition for their Houses. This was a great initiative that helped boost House spirit in the Junior School.

Lockdowns caused the cancellation of many plans, but it did not stop the enthusiastic Sport Prefects from sharing fun ways to stay active and healthy whilst in remote learning. A huge thanks goes out to the Prefect team, who worked hard to provide the student body with unique and rewarding opportunities. James Russell (College Vice Captain)

Student Wellbeing and Peer Support Despite a year filled with despairing lockdowns and dismal online classes, the Peer Support Prefects were still able to implement some initiatives.

The Year 11 Peer Support program was still able to provide Year 7 students with some comfort and fun in their first year at the school.

Senior Prefect Report Prefects Report continued

With frequent Homeroom visits, along with activities like meme competitions, Isolation Creations and Kahoots, the Peer Support team aimed to ensure that Year 7 students had a pleasant first year amidst the chaos of online learning.

Even with plans to raise further awareness on mental health on RUOK Day, somewhat halted by lockdowns, it did not keep us from spreading our message. Although not being done directly in classrooms or at assembly, videos with Year 12 leaders delivering the importance of mental health were sent to ensure that the student body was reminded of the need to look after themselves and their mates. Joshua Hicks (College Vice Captain)

VCAL and Academics This year, the main focus of the Academics portfolio was a tutoring program to encourage interaction between Senior and Junior students. Despite numerous complications everyone approached the initiative enthusiastically and with a clear desire to help. I would like to express my gratitude and praise for the character and work of the staff and students involved. Even though we would have liked to have helped many more students than we did, it is undoubtedly the case that our work was worth it because of those that we were able to help.

Meanwhile, the Year 12 VCAL students have reached the final stages of their landscaping project at the College. This project has given the students an opportunity to work as a team in a practical manner, providing both an inspiration to other students and a great service to the College. Their continued input, despite being at home, is also a great testament to their dedication. Anthony Vassiliadis (College Vice Captain)

Faith and Mission This year, the Faith and Mission Prefect team has supported the expression of our Catholic identity and Oblate charism through two initiatives.

Every day, a Prefect would lead the College in a time of prayer, during which we joined the Oblates in their daily prayer intentions and concluded with the iconic College prayer.

Additionally, we organised a lunchtime program called ‘Faith and Food’, which gave Senior students the opportunity to engage and openly discuss unfamiliar or misunderstood Catholic teachings with staff over a meal. Unfortunately, due to the extended lockdown during Term 3, we were only able to hold one session, but it was beneficial to all who attended.

Nevertheless, we would like to thank the Oblates and the staff for their continuous support in our endeavours and for providing us so many opportunities to not only nurture our faith but grow as young men. Anthony Yong (College Captain)

Music and Performing Arts In 2021, the Music and Performing Arts Prefects found themselves facing multiple lockdowns, which severely crippled the “performing” aspect of the portfolio. However, despite the cancellations of the musical and music gala, the portfolio still organised a fabulous virtual Performing Arts Festival.

A more unconventional undertaking than usual, the Festival still allows the creativity of the College to be put on full display, but this time from an electronic medium. Ultimately, we were privileged to still have the opportunity to perform for the school, despite all the complications that we faced this year. Mateo Acosta Fernandez (Head Prefect)