Privett House Captain’s Farewell

24 August 2023Ariel Chiam

Oh, Privett House. The house many great leaders have grown up in, rich in its culture of bad mullets, buzz cuts, and not-so-subtle pranks involving painting and signs. It will forever be a second home to me. It’s a house full of the yells of Prefects for juniors to get to prep or to hush up during a house meeting, quiet movie nights after Neuf’s gone to bed, and Santi’s loving embraces that also happen to be MMA locks. Privett’s halls have always been lined with boys that exemplify our values, but this year, more than anything, we’ve exemplified Brotherhood, togetherness, despite not always sharing much in common. For almost all of us, it’s an atmosphere that we can’t get enough of.

More than other houses, we’re united. Not always in interests, or goals, or senses of humour, or really, anything other than a single agreed fact, a boisterous statement that is heard, even when unsaid: We are Privett, and we are proud. Proud of our manners around adults, proud of our triumphs over Ellis in Interhouse events, but mostly, proud of our bonds with each other.

Privett’s a home, a place of beginnings and endings, as most homes are: first dates, first shower parties, room inspection fails, SNP’s, you name it, the boys are the first to know or live it with you. The first to be there for you. It’s also, sadly, a place full of endings – the ending of some of the tightest-knit 12s I’ve ever seen, a hodgepodge, rich and deep group of 11s, a rowdy and loud band of 10s, and the squeaky cute but lovable 9s.

Each year is different, and each of my four years here has been a rollercoaster I am forever grateful for. Every single one of these boys has left their mark on Privett, not only in its physical nature but also in its spirit. Each year, some of us leave, forever changed by bonds that will follow for life, and a confused new generation enters our Blue Halls. But each year, the feeling of Brotherhood and a proud home persists. Thank you, Privett, for being home for all of us.

Forever Bleed Blue, Ariel Chiam, Privett House Captain ‘23

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