When pupils first enter the Senior School they join one of nine Houses. Woodard, Chevron, Crescent, Fleur de Lys and Pelican are Day Houses (although there is some boarding in Fleur), whilst the other five (Eagle, Martlet, Red Cross, Shield and Star) are Flexi, Weekly or Full Boarding. Pupils stay in these Houses until the end of the Lower Sixth year when they move to the Upper Sixth Form House (St John’s).
Each House is run by a Housemaster/Housemistress, who is responsible for the academic and pastoral welfare of pupils in their house; in this role they are ably assisted by House Tutors. In addition there is a Matron, who takes care of the domestic side of boarding. Accommodation varies slightly from House to House, but broadly speaking pupils share accommodation from the Shell to the Fifth Form, and in the Lower Sixth have a single study bedroom.
Each House has a Sixth Form Common Room from which its day-to-day running is conducted by Lower Sixth Form Prefects, who collect mail from Reception, check Duties (the aim of which is to keep different areas of the House neat and tidy), supervise Prep and Lights Out. There are also cooking facilities such as kettles and toasters, bread and butter being supplied by the School Kitchen on a daily basis; but school meals must still be attended.
Inter-House Competitions are organised for rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, netball, cross-country, swimming, water polo, tennis, squash, shooting, golf, fencing, music, Top House, a variety of indoor sports and, most recently, for effort in academic work. Points accumulated in these various competitions count towards an overall House Cup which is awarded annually. All Houses hold a number of social events which parents are very welcome to attend.
St John’s House is our Upper Sixth Form Co-educational House, and is designed to provide an environment that is best suited to students’ academic, personal and social development in their final school year. Each pupil has a study bedroom with hand basin, and girls and boys are housed in separate wings, each of which has its own laundry and social room. The centre of the House contains the communal TV room, computer room, onference/workroom and social centre with a bar and kitchen. Its superb facilities are outstanding in every respect and allow students the opportunity of working together in an atmosphere similar to that found at University.
Inherent in the St John’s concept is the principle that the students will manage their own community. There will be opportunities for them to arrange School functions both for themselves and the rest of the School, to foster links with the Local Community, organise Charity events and establish a close working relationship with the Prep School and the rest of the School at large. It provides an exciting challenge at the crucial point in the Upper Sixth formers’ school career whilst continuing to provide firm foundations for any aspect of their future life.
12 March 2010