Do you remember when you watched Harry Potter for the first time? It has been 21 years since the first Harry Potter movie was released in 2001, and the fascinating wizard world has become an unforgettable childhood memory for many people. What impressed you most in the wizard world? Was it the bustling, dazzling Diagon Alley? Or the exciting Quidditch? Or the mysterious Hogwarts Castle?
When it comes to Hogwarts, the first thing that comes to our mind is the four houses. The Sorting Hat will assign the children to their houses on the first day of school. At Hogwarts, the house is the children's second home. Little Harry also gained precious friendships in his house called Gryffindor.
In fact, the "four houses" have a genuine prototype in real life, that is the house system, which is the mode often adopted by British private schools and universities since the medieval period. Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, York and Lancaster Universities still have their collegiate house system.
Houses are not mere educational entities, nor places to simply provide accommodation – they provide students with a centre for sports, socialization, and residence. The house system is an integral part of life at Wellington College in the UK and all schools in Wellington College China.
As part of our holistic education, the house system at Hiba Academy Nantong is highly distinctive. We have four houses: Hui House, Xian House, Li House, and De House. Each House has its own unique logo and badge. All pupils are assigned to houses when they join Hiba Academy Nantong. Each house consists of pupils from all grade levels, and they communicate and interact with each other on a regular basis. The house ‘family’ is a warm home where members help each other and grow together.
The names of the houses reflect the high expectations on our pupils. Members of each house gather to compete in a variety of competitions. These are held throughout the academic year, including sports such as basketball, badminton, soccer and swimming, as well as non-sporting activities such as debating, public speaking and singing etc.
The house system also provides a stage for pupils to showcase their individual talents, practise their leadership, organizational and social skills and earn house points. These are won by demonstrating active and effective learning approaches, respect and kindness to others, as well as doing well in the aforementioned competitions. The pupils are not only proud of the house they belong to, but are also applauded for their own outstanding performances as well as helping others.
At today's assembly, Ms Mulholland, Head of Pastoral Care and Boarding, gave a detailed introduction to the four houses, elaborated on the spirit of each house, and shared the various house activities which will take place afterwards. She would like to see, in the future, that houses serve as a stage for the pupils, bringing them a sense of collective honour and belonging. The pupils will earn points and rewards for their houses and grow up together. In this positive, safe but competitive environment, the pupils will gradually develop a spirit of camaraderie.
Furthermore, all teachers and non-academic staff have also been allocated to one of the four houses. Each member of the Hiba community will actively participate in the activities of their own house to create an atmosphere in which house members help each other to make progress together.
Next week, pupils will have their first house event, which they will look forward to embracing and creating some great house spirit – may the best house win!
