Difficulty in enacting prefect duties at school

[hopeforfaith]

I am unsure if I should, as a prefect, report and catch everyone who are breaking the rules even though I am not on duty or during class time.

My moderators did tell us to try our best to catch whoever is breaking the rules even when we aren’t on duty. But is it immoral if we don’t?

Another thing, during classtime, many of my classmates break the rules all the time. Including prefects themselves. But our teacher ignores it yet I think hey know because their desk is positioned so that they could see what everybody is doing. I presume it’s my teachers responsibility to regulate them, but do I need to alert them? I think they know.

But here’s the dilemma, my classmates dont really accept people who “betray” them. They cyber bullied one of my friends a few years earlier and they tried to make the school fire a teacher they didn’t like.

I am planning to reflect their actions to the board. But is it sinful if I don’t catch them, or remind them?

 

[SilverCamellia]

It’s been more than ten years since I held head girl position in my school, but I’ll try to give advice.

It sounds like your prefects are elected rather than almost the entire year group being made prefects as mine were, as far as I remember (100+ people).

This is my take on the matter.

In my opinion, prefects (at least in my old school) were limited by the fact that they were seen no differently by other pupils - they were seen as having very little authority, and having no right to tell them what to do. If this is the case in your school too, then they are going to resent you showing your authority.

As to pulling them up over what they are doing, I think you need to use your judgement in this. Is the matter serious or trivial? Running in the corridors is against the rules in all schools I expect. Swearing - depends on your school (religious or not), and how serious the swearing is. Uniform problems - you could advise them to tuck in their shirt etc but you’ve no way to enforce any command you give and so that is why I say ‘advise’ - saying something like ‘You’d better tuck in your shirt before a teacher sees you’ etc. Bullying - report the incident. Violence including pushing - report, unless the pushing is just a male ego thing with friends and then you could just say ‘Be careful’. And so on.

As for your fellow prefects’ behaviour - i am not sure you can do anything about that. If the teacher ignores it, then you can’t really diminish the teacher’s responsibility by chastising the prefects yourself. If the teacher is a weak teacher, then maybe you could tell your head of pastoral care or someone similar about your concerns. I don’t think you should ‘tell off’ your fellow prefects as it is bound to cause resentment. Maybe you could discuss the issue with some of the prefects who do take their responsibility seriously. In fact, it might be a good idea to talk to your headteacher about the matter. He/ she should be able to give you the best advice about your responsibilities. Just don’t ask the head boy or head girl what to do - I wouldn’t have been able to give much good advice myself, lol (my position seemed to be merely ceremonial …)

I am not sure what you mean by ‘the board’ - the board of governors? It sounds a serious step to take, whatever it is. Are your fellow prefects’ behaviours really so bad that you feel you must bring attention to them in such a way? I’d discuss what you feel with a teacher, and preferably the head teacher, before taking such a step.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[SilverCamellia]

I was thinking about your post last night, and it might be simpler to put all your concerns to a priest. He will know best what your obligations are.

 

[hopeforfaith]

Thanks for your reply! It does help hearing from someone who have been a prefect before. I’ve tried asking an apologist, but no reply yet. For now, I’m going to remind other schoolmates. For my classmates though… my advice won’t be much use anyway.