Most schools in the commonwealth, and various international schools, have a student council where the Head Students act as the main link between the teachers and the pupils.
Applying for the position of Head Boy or Head Girl comes with great responsibility. It is an achievement which stays with the students for a life time.
They are responsible for representing the school at events, lead fellow prefects in their duties, as well as create that all important link between the teachers and pupils.
The application process sometimes involves giving speeches to the rest of the school, auditions or sometimes even a chain of interviews.
At The British International School, Phuket (BISP), the application process isn’t too different. Students are required to write an application letter explaining why they should be considered, how their qualities fit the role, their weaknesses and their leadership styles. In short, they had to sell themselves.
Seven boys and nine girls applied for the positions at BISP. Each were interviewed, and the whole process took a month. From the applicants, two were chosen for the position of Head Boy and Head Girl, and two more as as deputy heads.
Students Fransiska Greene and Nicolas Varnier were chosen as Head Girl and Head Boy, and the deputy positions were filled by Natchongrat ‘Oy’ Terdkiatkhachorn and Archie Plunkett.
The Phuket News recently sat down with these four lucky students to find out more about their roles and responsibilities.
Nicolas Varnier, Head Boy, said, “Honestly, I was really surprised. I didn’t actually expect to be chosen.
“It’s great though, because we are like a bridge between the higher part of the school and the students. We are the voice of the student school.”
Archie Plunkett, Deputy Head Boy said, “We aim to try and make it [the school] a better place.”
“We want to try and make it enjoyable for everyone,” Oy, Deputy Head Girl, explained.
“Every week, we meet with the student council. We discuss anything from adding more benches outside, to more snacks in the common room, to providing long-term help for Nepal,” Archie added.
“We want to raise enough money to help build a school, so for anyone that had an education before will be able to have one again and suffer no more,” Oy said.
Fransiska Greene, Head Girl said, “The idea is to create an ongoing relationship for the future, so we can keep on helping.”
“We want to encourage a greater relationship and better community,” added Nicolas.
The students have proved their determination and genuine care towards helping others, not just within the school but within the local community as well.
Their positions here at the school will indeed give them great personal experiences, and their futures are already looking bright. From careers in economics, to hospitality, to PR, to volunteering around Asia, no matter which path they choose, the students will no doubt succeed in whatever they do.
For more information about studying at British International School, Phuket, visit http://www.bisphuket.ac.th