Every Summer Half (term), the new cohort of Pop (Eton’s prefects) are elected by boys and Beaks (teachers). Successful Poppers are often boys who throw themselves into boarding life and who are active across many different areas. Before they leave for their exciting lives beyond the School, our current Pop share why co-curriculars are so key to the Eton experience.
“The best thing about being in Pop is being in Pop,” Will said. “It’s a really fun group and it’s great that it’s such a diverse set.
“We’ve got representation of all areas of the School and I think that’s something that the Lower Master works really hard to achieve.”
While music is Will’s area of expertise – he’s the Keeper of Eton’s boy-led acapella group The Incognitos and plays both the saxophone and violin – he also does rugby and performed in the Michaelmas School Play, West Side Story as Riff.
“I think a passion and care for co-curricular activities is something that’s hugely important for Poppers and it’s also what makes Eton, Eton.
“Pop show the whole range of what the School has to offer boys and raises awareness of how awesome those sectors are.”
For Julian, his focus has been heading the boy-led Investment Society. He has three boys in executive positions who help him manage the club, a board of 12, and 36 research analysts.
“When you’re in School, you’re quite busy. We love it, we really like it,” he said. “You’re able to fully engage in the things you like doing.”
As Keeper of the Farrer Theatre, Ed manages the backstage crew of nearly 100 boys, guiding them through over 20 productions per year.
For Ed, a great Popper is someone who “genuinely cares about the School”. He said: “For me, it’s getting younger boys involved in the theatre and creating a lovely community.
“When I joined, there was a Popper in my House who was really kind and friendly to me. I was quite shy and he got me involved in the theatre which is where I’ve found my home. It’s been lovely to know that I’ve been able to fill his shoes.”
Will had a similar experience: “I was in a singing group with a Popper and I thought the world of him,” he said. “I thought, ‘that’s what I want to be’.”
Both boys have made supporting younger Etonians a big part of their role. On their first day at the School, Ed led a taster session for the F Blockers (Year 9s) to encourage them to try out drama, whether that was on or off stage.
As Keeper of the LGBTQ Society, Ed also discussed the importance of representation with the Provost and Fellows. “I enjoyed it and it was important to me,” he said. “To sit there with some of the most important people concerned with the School was amazing.”
While being a Popper comes with more responsibilities, there are also privileges. Boys in Pop get to wear waistcoats that they design themselves. Ed said: “I have around 20… wearing them has been really fun.”
“The waistcoats are a nice way to express yourself,” Julian said, referencing one of his favourites that his sister designed for him. “A lot of people put their football team on them.”
Judah’s favourite is his pink waistcoat. As an Orwell Scholar, Judah joined Eton in Year 12 and had only been at the School for less than three Halves before he was elected. He said: “Being a role model to younger boys is really important to me so I suppose that’s why I got into Pop.”
Before he leaves Eton and heads to Harvard for university, Judah advises the upcoming cohort: “The independence you get here is something that will really help you in the future. Just keep being yourself. You were elected into Pop because of how you are, so don’t feel the need to change too much.”
