HILDA HOUSE
Healthy competition is very much part of the College ethos and, as such, all students are permanent members of one of the three college Houses: Benedict, Hilda and Oswald. Inter-House competitions are always the focus of tremendous pride and passion, and students consider it a great honour to represent their House. These competitions range from sport to craft, baking to talent shows, public speaking to chess, with two notable highlights being Sports’ Day and Christ’s Got Talent. All students are expected to participate in at least one House event every year, as well as participating in at least one event on Sports’ Day. Trophies and House Points are awarded for a variety of these events, culminating in the end-of-year total which decides the winning House. The overall House Cup is traditionally awarded at the Summer Presentation Event.
HILDA HOUSE
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
St. Hilda (c.614 – 680)
- Hilda was born into Northumbrian royalty; she was the daughter of the niece of (St.) Edwin.
- She was baptised along with Edwin in 627.
- She became a nun at the age of 33, and became the first abbess at the monastery in Hartlepool, and founded the Abbey at Whitby.
- Much of what we know about Hilda comes from St. Bede, who describes her as an especially gifted abbess and leader of the Abbey at Whitby.
- The monks and nuns at Whitby were especially good at practising peace, charity and justice.
- Kings and powerful lords from across the British Isles would visit Hilda in Whitby to ask for help and guidance; her wisdom and intelligence was particularly celebrated.
- She attended an important meeting at Whitby, the Synod of 664. It was decided that Britain would follow the Roman Catholic church and celebrate Easter at the same time as Rome (the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox).
- There are two legends associated with St. Hilda! The first is that she got rid of all the snakes from Whitby by flinging them off the nearby cliffs. The second is that seabirds dip their wings when they fly past Whitby Abbey to honour St. Hilda.
EXPLANATION OF THE HOUSE CREST
The snakes are a reference to the legend where Hilda removed the snakes from near the Abbey in Whitby. The whale-bone arch is a reference to Whitby’s past as a hub for whale hunters in the 18th century, and a whale-bone arch can be seen on the seafront.
REWARDS YOU CAN EARN
There are many ways in which the House system seeks to recognise student achievements. Students gain recognition for out-of-college activities through Presentation Events, House Assemblies, on the House pages of the website, Instagram and through the weekly Newsletter to parents. Our digital screen in the reception area of the main building also displays student achievements. In assemblies, certificates and awards are given out in recognition of success and effort and to inspire others. On a day-to-day basis, students gain House Points individually, and prizes are given to reward students gaining the highest number of House Points each term. House Points are awarded to recognise where students are demonstrating the college’s core values, through the quality of their work, through determination to learn a new skills or through notable acts of kindness to others, for example. Rewards include celebratory lunches hot chocolate breaks, and family hampers.
REWARD NAME | DESCRIPTION |
House Point | House points (formerly known as GOLD marks) are our day to day merit rewards. These are awarded for students who display characteristics in line with the College’s core virtues. These contribute to the House competitions, and are also linked to individual rewards. |
Virtue Award | Each week seven students are nominated to receive special recognition for their behaviour and character development in Assembly. |
Post Cards | Post cards or letters of commendation sent home to parents. |
Principal’s Race Night | Tutors and class teachers in Year 1-9 nominate students who have shown consistent effort and have modelled the College core virtues, but have not been rewarded in other ways. |
Wonderful Work | Students who produce outstanding work can bring it to the Principal or Vice Principals to be congratulated and recognised for their effort. |
Virtue Champions | Each term seven students will be nominated to receive a formal recognition for their character conduct throughout the term. One student from each house will then be selected to win the overall virtue award. These students will have consistently contributed to the life of the College and modelled exemplary character development in line with our core virtues and ethos. |