Etiquette lesson for students’ big night
There will be no excuses for poor table manners or a mobile phone going off during the speeches at the All Saints’ College Year 12 ball this weekend.
College principal Belinda Provis has introduced etiquette lessons for the Bull Creek's Year 12 students, teaching them what to wear, how to look after their ball date and how to maintain their composure throughout the evening.
Etiquette coach Rebecca Frost, from Chadwick Models, has spent time with the students discussing the importance of punctuality, posture, introductions, how to contribute to conversations without dominating them and the basic rules of buffet-style dining.
In an effort to keep the lessons relevant to the students, they are also being schooled in the appropriate use of mobile phones and social media at a formal event, including keeping mobile phones off the table and not taking selfies in the bathroom when they are supposed to be at dinner.
The boys and girls will be expected to put their new skills into practice at their big night at the Fremantle Sailing Club on Saturday.
Ms Provis said although people these days tended to regard good manners as old-fashioned and unimportant, she believed the explicit teaching of manners and interpersonal skills was just as essential as all the other learning.
She said the etiquette sessions would give the students the ability to not only be confident at their Year 12 ball, but also set them up
She said that as well as for their ball, the etiquette sessions would help the students in future situations such as job interviews.
Head boy Daniel Lambert said the lesson with Ms Frost was useful for learning the little things that he often did not think about but would make a big impression on people.
“I think it has set a really good foundation for all of us — not only for our ball but for future events,” Daniel said.
Ms Frost said many students had never come across etiquette before and would feel more comfortable at a formal event such as a ball after doing the workshop.
“They embraced it and they had a really nice time so I am sure the ball will go off without a hitch,” Ms Frost said.
