The Prefect Question & Headship

[ffimiles]

No: HPFGUIDX 70447

 
> > I think Prefects are like assistant teachers;
> ...
> > Head Boy and Head Girl, I like to think of as best boy and best 
girl.
> ...
> > Perfect are chosen for their level of ability to help the 
> > adminstration maintain order.
> 
Hi,
I didn't go to boarding school, but having prefects/head boy/girl in 
the UK is pretty normal in schools.  We had them in the sixth form 
(that's erm...the last two grades!) 17/18 year olds, and thena  head 
boy/girl - and yes, it usually is because of academic ability and 
general responsibleness.  It wasn't such a big deal as I think it is 
in  boarding schools, because from what I've heard, they take their 
abilityt o give lines/punishment and that sort of thing more 
seriously than they did in our school - it was more 'to preresent the 
school when strangers are around' kind of thing.  But I thinkt hey're 
used more at boarding schools because there aren't parents around, 
esp.at night - so I guess children need to be kept in line by more 
senior figures more so there than when they leave school at 3.30.  

Hope that helps the U.S people!  

P.S.  How come your OotP book is so much longer than the UK version?  
It must be the print size orsomething - unless you ahve several extra 
and enlightening chapters we don't!