Getting a Head Start
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s senior secondary students enter the final half of their last school year, for some it means the end of their reign as head of school. As the Dominion Post discovered, head prefects often do, as teachers preach, go on to greatness. For one year, head prefects are the stars of their school. Elected by students and adored by teachers, they take on a role that mixes management and politics with a dash of celebrity. But what happens when their year ends? Being able to write ‘head prefect’ on a resume is always going to look good but does the experience help set you up for success later?
In the News
Two of our former head prefects were interviewed for the article: Tanemahuta Gray (198892), Wellington dancer and choreographer was not only Wellington College’s first Maori head prefect, he was also the first to be a dancer. When it came to staging his ambitious show Maui: One Man Against the Gods in 2005, being head prefect helped open the doors which saw three other former head prefects from the College involved in the production. Tane said he thought it may have even helped getting fellow Old Boy, Sir Ron Brierley on board, who helped fund the show. Being head prefect was also a chance to hone public speaking skills. You had to be a bit charismatic and you had to be able to deliver a good speech, says Tane. Students are one of the hardest audiences. If you said anything that was a bit off the line, the whole audience would just go ‘wah, wah’. It could be really harsh.
The role can be character-building. The late Richard Heron, head prefect in 1954, was the son of HA Heron who was Headmaster of Wellington College at the time. It was a live-in position so Richard would have to walk down the driveway every morning, dressed as Head Prefect of Rongotai College, to face his school’s arch rivals coming the other way. He later became a sometimes controversial High Court Judge. His son, Michael Heron (198084), became head prefect of Wellington College in 1984 and is a now an Auckland lawyer. He muses that there might be some link between the disciplinary side of the role and his work later as penal counsel for the Crown, the Serious Fraud Office and the SPCA. But he has cautionary words about being a head boy. It was a really good experience but it did slightly distort your own view of your own importance. You were given a lot of responsibility and power and probably weren’t quite cognisant of the impact that you might have had on others. It fosters self-belief and confidence but there is a flip side to it, he says. It only lasts for a year. You can get brought down to earth with a thump at your fist year of university. This year’s Head Prefect, Marcus Playle has had a dazzling impact on both students and teachers at the College. Marcus is one of those multi-tasking, multi-talented young men, seldom seen but in this case, Marcus’ presence on the stage, in
the debating chamber, on the rugby field and most importantly in the classroom portrays a young man keen to be involved in all aspects of life and has proven to be one of the more recent popular choices of head prefect by staff and students. Marcus’ speaking prowess has seen him recently selected as part of the Wellington Regional Debating Team (he’s been in the College’s Senior A debating team for two years), and is also a strong public speaker; having been both the Senior and Intermediate Speech Champion at College as well as speaking on a number of public and civic occasions including presenting at the SPARC and Hurricanes Regional Sports Directors Conferences, a number of Rotary events (including the annual Goal Setter Awards Evening) and giving a reading at the National ANZAC Service (broadcast live on TV). Next year, Marcus plans to go to Sydney or Auckland University to study Law and Commerce and has hopes of pursuing a career in either Law or Administration Marcus says, my experience of being head prefect this year has been both a privilege and an honour. Wellington College has been a big part of my life for the last five years and to have had the opportunity to be Head Prefect is something that I’m incredibly thankful for. It’s undoubtedly been a pretty full-on 12 months and not always smoothsailing but I can honestly say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all that’s come with the role. It’s a great school and a pleasure to be a part of, especially in such a meaningful capacity.
A 360° Approach to Sport Management
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ike most Term two students at Australia’s International College of Management, Sydney, Wellington College graduate and Darryl Courtney-O’Connor (1962-67) scholarship winner, David dela Cruz (2005-08), was ready to apply his coursework to the real world during nine months of paid Industry Training. But, unlike past industry training candidates, he was ready to take the experience to a new level and, along with two classmates has started up his own sports management company.
guidance in the areas of trademark, market research, finances and servicing international clientele. David adds, It is a great feeling to get up in the morning and be in charge of your own success. It puts in a level of pressure, but it can also be great motivator when deciding how to maximize the day.
David is now three months into his industry training experience and the launch of 360˚ Sports, which offers clients tailor-made competition asset and event management, is well underway.
of the College staff has been really encouraging. The whole team is behind us. It really helps me stay motivated and keep taking steps in the right direction that will establish and grow the business.
David, who already had successfully run his own event company in New Zealand, has taken on the role of Sales Director, focusing on the fiscal side of the business. David adds, I’ve run my own business before, but it was through school and many of the steps were laid out for me. Every day now we are learning by doing. The support
Recently, David and his partners met with ICMS Managing Director Frank Prestipino to discuss their progress. Mr Prestipino emphasised the importance of creating your own value in the marketplace. As a part of their research the group also solicited the services of the Business Enterprise Centre where they were given
50 • THE LAMPSTAND, 2010
Each year ICMS offers one Wellington College student a scholarship to study a programme in Event Management, Hospitality Management, International Tourism, Property Management, Retail Management or Sport Management, through the Darryl Courtney-O’Connor Scholarship. David is the fourth recipient from Wellington College to benefit from Darryl’s generosity. Find out more about 360 degree sports by visiting their website http://www.360sports.com.au/. More information about ICMS is available from the website www.icms.edu.au