Welcome To The Prefect Team of 23/24!

Rachel, Year 12 Crawfurd

Becoming a Prefect was always a role that interested me. To me, becoming a Prefect is about so much more than a tie and badge. As cliche as it may sound – I applied for Prefectship to help bridge a better connection between teachers and students – both through academic initiatives and by helping to enable students to feel comfortable to talk to their teachers freely. As an Academic Prefect, I hope to make subjects in school something that students enjoy discussing everyday – reducing the stress that some students put on themselves academically. I believe I make a good Prefect – Academic Prefect specifically – as I have much experience of academic struggles. I understand therefore how to improve the lives of students. Personally, I admire Hannah Yeoh – a politician in Malaysia fighting for women’s rights and gender equality. She has mentioned numerous times how she worked everyday as if it was her last day in office which greatly inspires me. As Academic Prefect I hope to bring about a new perspective as to how students in Epsom view school subjects in order to maintain and improve their academic standard. 

Laekeisya, Year 12 Crawfurd:

Prefectship is a position that comes with responsibilities to make the Epsom community the best it can be. As a new student who wasn’t previously familiar with the environment in Epsom, the past Prefects made my transition to the school Sixth Form extremely smooth. Being role models, I looked up to them and hoped to continue their legacy. To me, as a Service Prefect, I intend to hold several fundraising events with my partner, Lana, to contribute back to society. In a past assembly, Mr Brown highlighted the importance of power and the approach an individual takes towards achieving their goals using the power given to them. With this I believe that time management and communication with the other Prefect members are a few of the crucial attributes that a Prefect should acquire. One of the people that I very much admire is my dad as he achieved his goals in life building a successful career despite experiencing several bumps along the road. This vividly illustrates his passion towards his job and outlines the attributes needed in life such as resilience, patience and determination. With this, I believe that my dad is my role model and has definitely impacted who I am today and the values I’ve imbibed. 

Adriana, Year 12 Crawfurd:

I admit that this academic year has presented the majority of us with various challenges, both physically and mentally, that some of us were not fully prepared to face. However, as the newly appointed Head of Crawfurd (2023-2024), I am committed to leading by example and maintaining a positive outlook. I have trained myself to keep my head up and not let setbacks affect my academic performance nor my responsibilities as a Prefect. I understand the importance of prioritising my duties and managing my time effectively. Despite the obstacles with which I will undoubtedly be presented, I am confident in my ability to fulfil my responsibilities and to lead the Prefect Team in organising engaging events and initiatives for the House. I believe that this role isn’t about being the ‘boss’ nor having the authority status over others but the willingness to do more and lead others so that we all can bring success together in the House. Through my Prefect experience to date, I have developed a greater sense of resilience and self-awareness, which I believe will prove to be invaluable assets in my role as Head of Crawfurd and in my future endeavours. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from these challenges and am determined to continue striving towards excellence in all areas of my life.

Ke Ee,  Year 12 Crawfurd: 

Throughout my high school life, I was not keen to commit to leadership roles and take up more responsibilities. However, I decided to apply to be an Admissions Prefect as I found genuine enthusiasm whilst promoting our school through parent tours, explaining the opportunities that are provided to our students and reassuring parents that they are making the right decisions as I understand the struggles of coming into a new school, or even a new environment, for both parents and students. One of the main reasons that I chose to enrol into Epsom as well as apply for a leadership role is because of my sister, who was a previous student and Head of Crawfurd of Epsom (2016/17). She showed me the importance of being a Prefect; being proactive in projects within the school and supporting the student body. Alluding to this, my goals as an Admissions Prefect is not only to make the transition of coming into our school as smooth and comfortable as possible but also to take on responsibilities that will support the student body. 

Shang Jing, year 12 Granville:

I applied for the Academic Prefect role because I have a strong passion for elevating students’ learning experiences in Epsom. I hope to organise a series of academic events to make the journey of learning more enjoyable and diverse for the students. I believed that applying for Academic Prefect would encourage me to develop more skills and attributes while at the same time, cultivating curiosity among the student body through intellectual engagements and discussions. In my humble opinion, a good Prefect should be a role model to the  junior students. We should always behave ourselves and act in a mature way. A role model that I admire is John Maynard Keynes. He is a famous and influential economist from the UK. I came across this book called “Keynes: A Very Short Introduction” when I was searching for a book to borrow from the library. From this book, I learned a lot about Keynes’ personality and theories. His attitude toward theoretical research is intriguing because, unlike many other conventional economists, he loved to play with ideas in a reckless way. This does not mean that he was not serious about the things he was working on. In fact, I think this kind of “playful” attitude is quite important in leading an academic team because a true leader needs to be open-minded and willing to explore a variety of possible outcomes. As a result, the intellectual discussion will not be limited to merely one aspect, and this allows us to evaluate something thoroughly to create a win-win situation.

Molly,  Year 12 Rosebery:

Before being admitted to Epsom, I was interviewed by Mrs Brown. She asked the question, “What legacy would you like to leave in Epsom?” I knew my answer instantly: to create a safe space for everyone to talk about their ideas and approach. At Epsom, I feel safe. I know my voice is heard and my efforts are seen. This community brings out the best in me as I continue to give back to Epsom to make sure everyone feels the same way here: to create a comforting environment to speak up regardless of their backgrounds and situation. I have noticed some students with great ideas hesitating to reach out to the Prefect Team or the seniors. To improve this communication barrier, my first projects will focus on being the bridge between students and the Prefect Team. I would like to implement a system where students from all years can write anonymously to the Prefect Team about their ideas on improvement or what change they would like to see in school. I believe in the “learn, reflect and improve” method and this continuous improvement can not only ameliorate our school, but also improve the sense of inclusivity within the students and their overall wellbeing. My role model would be Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Having faced many difficulties in her life which challenge her forbearance, she remains as calm as always. What I admire most about her is her resilience. She was a giver. A giver of self, a giver of love and a speaker of rights. From her, I have learnt many things. No one is born a leader. You hone your skills to be who you are today. You choose to be who you are today. By becoming a Wellbeing Prefect, I choose to be a giver. The Epsomians make Epsom what it is today and I am honoured to be a part of it to build on the sanctuary that it is in the upcoming years.

Xin Ling, Year 12 Rosebery:

Social Prefects assist with the creation and maintenance of the Epsom community and environment, from large scale events to celebrate culture and promote joy to smaller events to commemorate triumphs and build spirit. It is because of the desire to continue cultivating such in Epsom, as well as the ambition and delight of looking up to and working with the Social Prefects before me, Khai Yue and Elizabeth, that I am grateful for the opportunity to be a Social Prefect. Moreover, having worked on the Epsom Monthly Magazine, I have always received positive feedback and reviews showcasing the value of such events through laughter, recall of fond memories, and the overall connection and social growth that is fostered. I wish to achieve and collaborate closely alongside my wonderful team, Vash and Karishaa, to bring forth creative concepts and deliver projects with the candour and system that they require, thereby contributing to the development of Epsom’s community, wellbeing, and overall Epsom Life and Experience. By supporting and aiding my fellow Prefects and cooperating as a team, I too intend to make a positive impact on the school in a variety of other aspects as well. Despite the fact that it may not have been that long, I am already grateful to have my two other Social Prefects with me as we have already worked together diligently to overcome obstacles and achieve some great results, corroborating my belief that a Prefect should have characteristics of selflessness, perseverance, teamwork, and adaptability.

Karishaa, Year 12 Crawfurd:

My first week at Epsom was a busy one as many people had already started applying for the Prefectship while I was catching up on whatever I had missed and while I was busy adapting to a new school, being a new student in Term 2. It took me a few days to decide on whether I wanted to take on the many responsibilities of becoming a Prefect but I eventually decided that I wanted to challenge myself as a new student in this school, bringing fresh ideas, hence my application for the role of Social Prefect as I had enjoyed hosting and experiencing events that brought the school community closer at my previous school. I believe a good Prefect would have the characteristics of communicating well while having good organisational skills and being able to be a role model to the rest of the students in the school community. As a Social Prefect, I would like to create a Youth Parliament-like event where students who are passionate about debating and participating in activities like the MUN will be able to understand more about real time debates regarding current issues in the world, being a debater myself. I truly admire Syed Saddiq, who is a politician in Malaysia who is filled with optimism and portrays drive in everything he does, motivating me to not give up or back out mid-way through anything I do. As a Social Prefect, I hope to bring a closer bond amongst students and staff in our community with thrilling events, leaving lifelong memories.

Ann Yi, Year 12 Rosebery:

I wanted to apply to become an Academic Prefect in order to achieve my objective of encouraging academic ambition among students, especially those in the younger years. Since I have personally benefited from doing further reading and research in the Sixth Form, I strongly believe that Key Stage 4 or even Key Stage 3 students would benefit from partaking in independent exploration of knowledge early on as it not only eases their transition into A-levels, but also provides them with the opportunity to identify their unique areas of interest, which is beneficial in making choices regarding higher education. Ultimately, my goal is to help as many students as possible maximise their learning potential at Epsom. I think a good Prefect is flexible and accountable, working with not only the rest of the Prefect Team but also students across the school in a manner that shows empathy, understanding and perspective – it is my wish to show this example of leadership throughout my time as Academic Prefect. Somebody who has influenced my idea of a good leader is the High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia, who I had the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with alongside some of my peers. His humility and knowledge are just a few traits that I aspire to be able to adopt.  

Lana, Year 12 Crawfurd:

I’ve always admired and looked up to anyone who takes the initiative to help the people around them, whether it was through major fundraising events or simply taking care of relatives at home. I was fortunate enough to be born into a family full of such people, and so, from a very young age, I began to do the same. Applying for the role of Service Prefect seemed like an obvious choice to me so that I can continue to provide support to my community in any way I can. Through my experience with both previous leadership positions and service work, there are many instances when the work in question becomes overwhelming, and the easy way out becomes increasingly more tempting. I think my one strength, when all else fails, is my ability to make sure I don’t lose track of the reason I took on a challenge — in this case, because I want to be someone that anyone in the Epsom community can rely on for anything. Along with my partner, Laekeisya, I will do my best to use that determination for future events and fundraisers to make sure our school is known and remembered for our service to the wider community around us.

Aidan, Year 12 Propert:

The first assembly that I joined as a year 6, I saw people with yellow ties and wondered who they were? My friend told me they were Prefects, representing the school as a team. When I was young, I didn’t really understand why these students would choose to undertake extra work, but as I grew, I realised their importance, and I saw a lot of them working hard to make the school a better place for thier peers. When I joined Propert, I saw younger year groups and seniors, working together, and in the middle, holding them all together was the House Prefect with other members of the Prefect Team and I really wanted to be one of these Prefects as I wanted to help give back to the House that I grew up in. As I’m now the Deputy Head Of Propert, I want to continue what our old House Prefects did with the then Head of Propert, Ben. I want to continue to make the House a better place to live in and where students can bond with peers in the House and most importantly build a healthy House community where everyone feels like they are a part of a family. I have always admired Mr Boon Han,who always influenced me into becoming a better person by teaching me his attributes and mentality, and the importance of thinking as a team, but also balancing the ability to look out for yourself while working and thinking independently . I have enjoyed my time as a student but now it is time for me to work as a Prefect in the school, making sure that new students or old students enjoy their time in Epsom as well. 

Diana, Year 12 Rosebery: 

Throughout the five years that I’ve been at Epsom, I have been grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to exhibit my talents. As someone who adores Epsom’s community, I am glad to partake in shaping Epsom’s future with my own hands. I will make sure that the students’ voices are heard, and ensure that the brilliant experiences I’ve had while in Epsom can be shared with them.
I would like to carry out two main projects. Firstly, I would like to bring back the DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) system when EAL (English as an Additional Language) junior students spend one tutor time per week with senior students, either iGCSE or A-level students to practise reading. It was an amazing opportunity to improve my English during my junior life when I couldn’t speak English properly. The seniors adjusted any incorrect pronunciation and taught me some words that I did not understand. Additionally, the seniors had understood that the juniors may not be as fluent in English, and as such provided an environment for me where I could be comfortable with making mistakes and where I felt safe to be able to learn from them. Secondly, to enhance the look of the school and feeling of being included for international students, I am planning to decorate the empty school walls with inspirational quotations from various regions in the students’ own languages.

I am very excited to work as an International Prefect along with my partners. We hope to make Epsom a better place for the next generation. 

Hengchu, Year 12 Propert:

When I first arrived at Epsom, I was not fluent in English. It was practically impossible for me to communicate with others. There was hardly a day that went by without the thought of buying a plane ticket to go back home to China. What made it worse was that I would refrain from actively socialising and talking to people in English. I was afraid of people mocking me and making fun of my poor English skills, fearful of them misunderstanding what I was trying to communicate through my poor English. With my hopeless circumstance, I had always imagined having someone who could share in my situation to guide me out my position. In other words, a lighthouse to my wandering ship, but I never even dared to ask. All this changed when I met Youngmok. He befriended me despite my poor English skills which allowed me to steadily gain confidence and integrate into the Epsom Community. I immediately became more sociable as I gained more confidence in talking to people in English, made some new and long lasting friendships, and saw my grades do a complete 180 degrees from getting F’s to A’s. I wish to be the guiding light to those who are lost and show them how anything is possible once you put your mind to it. 

Ben, year 12 Propert: 

I admire those who achieve their goals through dedication and hard work. A figure such as Michael Phelps continues to inspire me to find challenges and constantly push myself, which I have found through enrolling at Epsom. After being chosen as the Head of Propert for the upcoming year, I have come to realise what it means to be in such a position, to lead from the back and serve only in the best interest of the House. I am especially excited to work with the Deputy Head of Propert (Aidan), as we both aim to improve and eventually turn Propert into a standout House with our implementations. By the end of my stint, I hope to leave Propert not only as a successful leader but to also leave as the one that showed the significance of the role, who inspired many others to take it up later on. Without a doubt, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to etch my name in Propert history.

Vash, Year 12 Granville:

I applied for the position of Social Prefect because of my love for people. The community here at Epsom has always been extremely kind and I’ve been wanting to give back to the school for welcoming me all those years ago. My journey at Epsom has had its ups and downs but it was an amazing experience nonetheless and I wish to leave this place better than it was before I came along. One of the most important characteristics for a Prefect, especially a Social Prefect, is communication. To be able to connect with people even if you don’t speak the same language or don’t have the same ideals and being the glue that brings people together is what I believe to be key. From my first trip to Broadway, I idolised Alexander Hamilton; I have read and reread his biography and have adopted a few of his ideals in my day to day life due to his resilience and work ethic. He did more than he needed to and got barely any recognition for it. This is why I admire him, because he did good not for the sake of himself but for the sake of the whole country.

Koutatsu, Year 12 Granville: 

I applied for the position of International Prefect as I saw this is a great opportunity to contribute back to our school. We are aware of the increasing numbers of international students in the lower years and we must be assertive as I feel that we must support them with their English and to raise their overall level as it will be fundamental to them succeeding in all aspects of school life. Epsom College in Malaysia has a student body that consists of students from various different countries. We have great opportunities to learn different cultures through interactions with other students. I want to urge students to learn about the backgrounds of their friends, providing opportunities through entertainment. Not only can I support the students academically but I believe that I can help them out mentally especially as I was once in their shoes. Without a doubt, I will always be there for anyone who seeks assistance. I am prepared to devote my time to this job.

Darshinie, Year 12 Rosebery:

I always found the seniors who wore those special ties and badges somewhat cool. They looked professional and smart, they were kind, but also strict. I found out that they were Prefects when I was in year 8. I never really thought about applying for Prefectship up until the start of Year 12, because that was when I realised that I hadn’t taken up any leadership roles yet, and maybe it was time to do so. So that’s exactly what I did. I applied to be a Prefect. But of course, that wasn’t a good enough reason for me to take such a big step out of my comfort zone. I thought about what I could do as a Prefect: I could help improve the student life in Epsom, organise events, influence positive change within the school, possibly be some junior’s role model, and more. But most importantly, the idea of working as a team stood out to me. Working in a team where people were working on different aspects but all for the same cause: to make Epsom a better place for students. I applied to be a Prefect so that I could contribute to that team to make sure all my juniors could have good memories of Epsom, where they’re learning, but also having fun at the same time. I wanted to use this as an opportunity to give back to the school. Now that I am appointed Head of Rosebery, I will work towards fulfilling my role and goals, and try not to make any mistakes along the way. 

Alis, Year 12 Crawfurd:

To be honest, I started my Prefect application on the day of submission. It was not due to a lack of passion but more towards my uncertainty in myself. I contemplated for days before the deadline, thinking if I could succeed as a Prefect. Nevertheless, I do not regret applying as it was an opportunity to gain more confidence in my own abilities whilst learning leadership skills. Hence, I am grateful to everyone who supported me in my application process; it truly showed that the Epsom community is encouraging as well as nurturing. My ambition as a Wellbeing Prefect is to improve and maintain a safe, positive and ultimately a comfortable environment within Epsom. I want to be there for our students as others have been there for me. I think the ideal Prefect would hold these values, in addition to qualities such as self discipline and kindness. To close, I promise to do my best with the responsibility entrusted to me. 

Yi Shan, Year 12 Rosebery:

Everyone has been a new student once and we all know how nerve-racking and overwhelming it can be when first settling into a new environment. But, ever since I was given the opportunity to lead several parent tours, I quickly realised the great benefits of it. These tours act as a tool of reassurance as I often see the sense of relief on both parents’ and students’ faces. Over time, I gradually developed a great passion for interacting with and welcoming new parents and students, which is why I have applied for the role of Admissions Prefect. I hope that through this role, I can be an individual whom new students could reach out to if they are ever concerned, worried, and need someone to talk to. Moreover, I would also like to develop as an individual, by stepping out of my comfort zone and taking up challenges. Jack Ma, a Chinese billionaire entrepreneur who is well-known as the co-founder of Alibaba Group, is my role model. He is a resilient individual who doesn’t back down despite the countless failures he has encountered in life. One of my all-time favourite quotes said by Jack Ma is the following: “If you don’t give up, you still have a chance. Giving up is the greatest failure.” This quote plays an important role in my life as it reminds me to not only be resilient but to always strive for the best when failure hits. Therefore, being one of the Admission Prefects, I hope to be able to do my very best in helping new students settle in Epsom and have the best school life.

Kyle, Year 12 Propert:

I applied to the Prefect position because I wanted to develop myself further, putting myself in a position where I would have to shoulder responsibility and demonstrate leadership skills. During my 3 previous years in school I did not hold any leadership positions, but I would like to finish my life in Epsom having held a leadership position within school. I want to contribute to being a positive influence on other students and be a person that people need. I realise that being a Prefect gives me a lot of opportunities to help other students to stay well with a positive mind. The reason that I applied to the Admissions Prefect role is that I can give a true and fair view of school to someone who hasn’t tried Epsom school in their life, so I sincerely want them to know how Epsom is able to change a person besides the study. Personally, a role model who I look up to is Mr. Chris, my Economics teacher. This is because he helps those who seek assistance without hesitation and seeks to connect with students on a personal level. He gave me the motivation to apply for the Prefect position. I hope in one day I can become a person like Mr. Chris.

Leo, Year 12 Granville:

Prefects are vital to the Epsom community, as the projects they undertake directly impact the student life experience in our esteemed college. As such, the main reason I applied to be a Prefect is because I believe that it is the best way I can give back to the school. As the Deputy Head of House, my main goal is to foster a supportive and harmonious atmosphere in the Boarding House. I hope to achieve this by being a role model, listening to my fellow housemates’ concerns, and working closely with my Housemaster to address any issues that may arise. By promoting communication, I aim to create an environment where everyone in my Boarding House feels heard, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential in the classroom, as well as in all aspects of life at Epsom. As a Prefect, I intend to further hone my skills. The ideal Prefect is someone who is approachable, empathetic, and amiable. A Prefect should also be very open-minded, as considering different perspectives is very important when making important decisions. Someone I admire is Elon Musk. Elon Musk is someone who made his dreams become a reality through hard work and determination. Even after facing failure after failure, he persevered through and is now one of the richest people in the world. I aspire to be like him, to never give up when the going gets tough. 

Max, Year 12 Granville : 

Frangas Non Flectes, this Latin quote might seem familiar to some of you, meaning ‘break but not bend’ – The Virtue of Honesty. This shall not be seen as just a quote on our symbol as it empowers us to have the unbowed, unbroken spirit of resilience. We have a crown for a reason, as your new Head of Granville in Epsom College, I will ensure that all Granvillians are embraced into our home like brotherhood, all will play a role to and none shall be left behind, setting an example for the rest of the Houses while contributing our best to our school. Yves was the Head of Graville from 2021-2022,  a big man with a big heart. I always look up to Yves, not only as a leadership figure but also as a caring friend, he treats everyone with kindness, putting the wellbeing of the group above himself, showing manners and selflessness. Greater figures like Yves and Epsom build me to who I am now, I will make the best use of my responsibilities and abilities to provide to our community. 

Best wishes for your weekend!

Epsom Prefect Team 23/24