Principal 

The end of Term Three is the traditional period when Year 11 students will be making their case for a position as prefect or house captain on the student leadership group for the next year. It is always an enjoyable and reaffirming process to be a part of, as I have the opportunity to meet with young people of serious capacity and intelligence, and to discuss with them how they might contribute to the betterment of our College. 

In Senior School assembly yesterday morning the College heard addresses from the 11 students who have been shortlisted for the positions of College Captain and Vice-Captain. It was a real joy to hear these students speak of their love for the school, and about their vision for its leadership and continued improvement. They variously spoke about:

• their view that leadership is not a badge but an act of service; 
• the centrality of listening to good school leadership;
• the importance of involvement and taking advantage of the opportunities a College education presents; and
• the place of cross-year level connection in a school such as ours. 

My brief introduction to the assembly was well overshadowed by the strength of the student speakers, but my key points were to commend the courage that it takes to put your hand up and offer to lead, especially when you know there is a chance you will miss out; and to highlight our roles as stewards of a great and historic school, meaning that our shared leadership is an inheritance which we hold for a time and then pass on. If the quality and serious impressiveness of the speeches we heard yesterday are a fair guide, the College’s student leadership is in excellent shape as we begin that transition from the wonderful and successful incumbents to whomever the incoming 2026 prefects will be.