OSWALD 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.
OSWALD HOUSE
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
St. Oswald (c.602 – 642)
- Born in around AD 602, Oswald had to flee to Scotland when his father died in battle and (St.) Edwin took over as King of Northumbria.
- He travelled to the famous Christian monastery on Iona, where he likely met St. Aidan for the first time. He was baptised here.
- When St. Edwin was defeated in battle by the Welsh King Cadwalladr, Oswald returned to England, defeated Cadwalladr and became King of Northumbria.
- Oswald based his kingdom in Bamburgh, and Oswald worked hard to spread Christianity across Northumbria and the North East.
- Oswald gave St. Aidan land on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, and Aidan founded the famous monastery there.
- Bede describes Oswald as a very ‘saintly’ and successful king. He was able to push back threats from other parts of Britain, including the Mercians and the Picts.
- Legend has it that, one Easter, Oswald and Aidan were having a banquet with lots of expensive food and highly decorated silver platters. Some poor people came to the feast, and begged the King for alms. Oswald immediately gave money to the poor, shared his food and gave away the silver. This is a sign of his generosity.
- Oswald died at the Battle of Penda, in Shropshire, in 642 whilst fighting Mercia.
- Later Oswald’s head was buried alongside St. Cuthbert’s remains, and the head still lies in Cuthbert’s grave in Durham Cathedral.
EXPLANATION OF THE HOUSE CREST
The chalice is symbolic of Holy Communion, when wine is distributed to worshippers, and holds wine which is symbolic of Christ’s blood. It could also refer to a chalice from the legendary banquet where Oswald gave away lots of silver and help to support the poor who were begging for alms.
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. |