Never giving up and having faith in his abilities is a lesson Theodore Thurston, 11, learnt during his tenure as head boy of Temple Christian Primary School. Thurston always endeavored to do his best and never had high expectations for himself, but when he was given an opportunity to lead his peers, he was glad to step up to the challenge.
 
Q. Did you expect to be selected as head boy at your school?
A. No, I didn't, because although I worked hard, I always thought I would be a prefect or something. I didn't expect to get the high position. But when my teachers told me I would be head boy I was excited and proud of myself. I knew I would work hard to do my best and I did.
 
Q. What made you stand out to be selected as head boy?
A. I think my studious nature and leadership skills had a lot to do with it. I also aim to be fair to those I meet whether friend or foe. I also try to listen and make good decisions.
 
Q. What is the greatest lesson you learned as head boy of your school?
A. I think it would have to be how to be an effective leader. I learned how to be a leader among my friends and my fellow students. I learned how to respect teachers and authority even more, and talk to them in order to get things done. I learned how to be helpful with other students and get them to do what they needed to do without being mean. I learned being a leader is not always easy but I have to take the responsibility no matter how things go. I learned how to carry myself in the right way and represent those I am responsible for in the right way.
 
Q. Did you find it hard to balance your role as head boy and keep up with your everyday responsibilities?
A. No, not really. There were times when I wanted to do things for myself but I knew I had to do other things as head boy. It wasn't a hard job, but it's about knowing when to do things from when not to. Everything is important, so no matter what I had to make time for it. But it wasn't hard. I just always had to be ready and prepared so I could do things I would need to do as head boy without a problem.
 
Q. Do you think students should aim to be active in other areas besides their academics?
A. Yes, I do but only as long as they keep their grades up and can handle doing more than one thing. You can't always want to play or have fun when you have work to do. But you can't always work if you don't get time to enjoy stuff. You have to have something fun to do so you can relax. And having an extracurricular activity is fun because you can get good at something and it can help you later in life.

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