I still remember how heavy the badge was the morning it was pinned to my chest by my successor. It created a glint on my uniform, but to me, it felt heavier than expected. Becoming a School Prefect was not just an honour; it was the start of a journey that forced me to face my own challenges, examine my morals, and grow into a student who could lead with both commitment and compassion. 
At first, I believed the role was not too far from the ordinary student: enforce the laws of the school, maintain discipline, and being a role model to other students. I discovered that leadership was not about feeling superior to other students. It was about standing with them and creating a conducive environment for growth, self-discovery and appropriation of the Jesuit ideals of excellence and service. This wasn’t a lesson that could be learnt from our everyday classes in school. It came from experiences where my decisions impacted someone else.
Being a prefect also changed the way I saw myself. Before, it was often a moot point whether my voice mattered. I was hesitant to speak in assemblies and uncomfortable making decisions that might be unpopular. But each challenge pushed me outside my comfort zone.
Another quality I learned was how to lead within a team. When working with the management my fellow prefects, problems and conflicts often arose about how to handle certain issues. I had a lot of problems especially because I was the social and events prefect. Picking movies and many other activities often led to Mr. James and I falling out, but I didn’t stop there. Learning to respect the views of others and finding a common ground to achieve important goals taught me that leadership is not all about having the loudest voice, but it was about coordinating different powerful voices.
Most importantly, the role added to my knowledge and understanding of serving people. I realized that leadership was not all about being superior to others, but it was a call to service. Supervising classes and organizing events were little acts that define or create a conducive environment for all the students.
As I look back on my experience, it strikes me that my experience of prefectship significantly shaped my personality making me more attentive, foresighted, discerning. What is more, my prefectship experience has deepened my understanding that leadership is for service not for domination and superiority.
I would like to thank the principal, the Prefectship Appointment Committee (PAC) and the students for giving me the opportunity to serve them.
Arinze Kennedy ANAELE
Social and Events Prefect Male (2024/2025 Session)
Class of 2027