The House system at Swanbourne House is an important and traditional part of school life. All pupils from the Foundation to Year 8 are allocated to one of four Houses: Cottesloe, Evans, Jameson and Stanley-Price. Siblings go into the same House as each other, as do children/grandchildren of Old Swanbournians.
Children attend House meetings every week and compete in a wide variety of Inter-House competitions throughout each term, as individuals and in teams, winning house points, prizes and trophies along the way. The ultimate aim of each House is to secure their place at the coveted ‘League Feast’, a celebratory evening of fine dining, speeches and musical and literary performance held at the end of each term and hosted by the winning House.
Within their Houses, pupils form strong bonds and friendships with other children across a number of year groups. They experience an enormous sense of belonging, camaraderie, loyalty and pride. The House is led by a Housemaster/Housemistress, who is a member of the teaching staff, and one or two pupils are appointed House Captain in their final year, which is a huge honour and a great leadership opportunity.
Events
Sports Day in the Summer Term is a particular highlight and a major opportunity for all of the children to earn house points on the athletics track and field. The Houses also compete against each other in all core sports throughout the year: Rugby, Hockey, Football, Netball, Cricket, Tennis, Swimming and Cross-Country.
The House competitions do not solely revolve around sport, however. During October, ‘House Arts Week’ comprises solo and group competitions in Singing, Art, Music, Dance and Drama, and showcases the many varied and creative talents of our pupils. Some of the children choose to do their own song-writing and choreography, working collaboratively across year groups within their House.
There really is a House competition for everyone including: debating, chess, poetry recitation, Lego, baking, plant-growing, bananagrams, conkers, apple bobbing, juggling and a range of quizzes and other challenges.