Prefect Profiles

We met with Emilio Ghosh-Novero (Head Arts Prefect) and David Song (Deputy Arts Prefect) to talk about what led them to becoming a prefect and hear their plans for 2024.

What's your arts background?

Emilio: "Music is my main art - I've played drums since year 7, currently learning from Carl Woodward (regular drummer for the Dunedin Jazz Club) and previously Marcel Rodeka (Oxo Cubans). I've been playing with the John McGlashan big band and other small combos like our band Marmalade throughout school, and I really enjoy being a part of the great atmosphere and strengthening the relationships in our school arts community"

David: "I've played Saxophone since year 7 at Tahuna. When I started out, it was because Dad wanted me to play jazz - I gave the Trombone a try but it wasn't for me and then I found my niche on the sax and really started to enjoy the music for myself. My first band was in year 8, called 'Amped Up' and I've been playing with the John McGlashan big band throughout my time at school. I've naturally become a bit of a leader on woodwind!

I've also been sketching and watercolour painting since I was 6 years old, and my sketches have been displayed in the John McGlashan office! This year I'm taking photography and I'm excited to try out a new artistic skill."

Both David and Emilio have also started John McGlashan's small jazz combo, which will be the college's first entry in the Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival later this year!

What are the main things you want to achieve as an arts prefect at John McGlashan?

"Promoting the arts as much as possible and shining a light on all the awesome things happening at the school. We think that there are loads of incredible artists at the school but sometimes we don't know just how talented they are until after they leave - there's a real opportunity here to start supporting our young artists earlier while they're at school and before they move into the 'real world'. 

We came up through jazz band and saw the older students as great role models who inspired us to play music like they did, so we're keen to be those role models for all the new artists coming through school."

What events do you have coming up?

"This week, we've been practicing hard for Rockquest! Its coming up this Saturday May 18th, 1:30pm at Taieri College. We've written an original jazz number for our band Marmalade, and we're really looking forward to performing it. 

To get warmed up, we've organised a music showcase this Friday afternoon for all our fellow students entering from both John McGlashan and our sister school Columba."

Hey, Qwenton McKenzie here. Yes, THAT Qwenton McKenzie. You have no idea what I'm talking about? Right, well I am the Arts prefect for 2023

My main position in the school to do with arts is my involvement with the pipe band. I have been playing bagpipes for around 7 years now and I have been the school piper since my first year at John McGlashan College in 2017. I also had a brief stint playing the piano for 10 years from 2010 to 2020, which I put on hold to pursue my black belt inSeido Karate.

I strongly believe that everyone should partake in some sort of art whether it be playing an instrument, or painting, or photography, because the arts are just as important as being good at a sport. The reason I think the arts are so important is because they are in everything we consume from a day to day basis and I think we should maybe appreciate that a little bit more. I look forward to seeing what this year has in store for the art department. See you round.

Hi, my name is Rylan Urquhart and I am the Deputy Arts Prefect, alongside my main role as the school’s Chapel Prefect for 2023. I am a year 13 student at John McGlashan, and I take both Music and Drama. I started playing guitar and singing at the age of 7 and over the years I have picked up a few other instruments such as bass and drums. I enjoy playing gigs and this is something I try to do as often as I can.

Over my time at John McGlashan I have taken part in RockQuest, Bandquest, and the Dunedin Youth Jazz Competition, and for the first time this year I have taken part in the big sing as a guitarist for the choir. I also teach guitar and bass lessons to some students around the school. One of my highlights of my time in the arts at John McGlashan has been my music classes and guitar lessons with Mr McNulty, and my senior devising drama performances. 

The arts are an important part of the character of John McGlashan, and they are something for everyone. Everybody can take a part in the arts, whether through creating or appreciating them. I would highly encourage everybody around the school to get involved with the arts to some degree, because they are all around us, and they play a very big role in our culture. I look forward to seeing where the arts will take John McGlashan as a school in 2023.