One year ago, we launched the House Championship with great excitement and some trepidation on how the House system and accompanying House Championship would unfold. It is with great delight that I reflect back on the events of the year, and share how each House has started to form its own identity, and carved out success in its own way through the year. In addition, I would like to share with you (if you haven’t heard already) the details of the incredibly close battle to claim the title of first
winners of the Amery Hill House Championship.
 
Our student leaders of House Captains, Vice House Captains and House Representatives, have been instrumental in fostering the pastoral side of our House system, in the creation of content for the virtual common rooms on Google Classrooms, as well as helping lead their House in competitions and big events like Sports Day. We are always proud of our students at Amery Hill School, and these young leaders have been exceptional pioneers in the House system.
 
Last year, with our four great Houses set out in front of us, we pondered what would be inside - and I am delighted to report each House is bursting to the rafters with talent and success.
 
Hartfield and Pemberley hold the record for the most ICARE points, with Hartfield just taking the lead at the end of the year by just seven House points. The friendly rivalry between Hartfield and Pemberley continued on Sports Day with Hartfield taking the top position.
 
Pemberley holds the inter house sports record for autumn and spring, only to be beaten by Northanger in the summer rounders series, and Pemberley were second in Sports Day - an all round great sporting achievement from this House.
 
Mansfield has the greatest musician representation with many members contributing to the amazing music concerts and performances throughout the year. They won the House noticeboard competition, and the Year 7 bake off technical challenge - an innovative house certainly! This creativity was put to good use, as Mansfield won the second gold event for the parade on Sports Day. Northanger have proved to be quiz whizzes, winning every inter house Blooket battle, raising the most for charity - be it
cash for Hello Yellow or donations for the Alton Food Bank, and performed particularly well in the science challenges set in class through the year.
 
The final standings were incredibly close. Northanger entered the final few weeks of term with an imposing lead, but the other Houses were not deterred, and the difference between first and second place was just 193 points, and between second and third, 304 points. Ultimately Northanger prevailed, despite Hartfield giving them a run for their money!
 
A huge congratulations to Northanger House with a very well-deserved victory - they certainly found the key to success, just like their House motto. After a special assembly where Northanger were able to raise the House Cup, hear congratulatory messages from their Head of House, Mr J Eacott, and the House Captains, all the Northanger students enjoyed Period 6 off timetable with some treats and time to relax and enjoy each other’s company as a House team.
 
The whole student body has been a great sport this year, and whilst there inevitably is some disappointment when success is not as forthcoming as hoped, September brings us a reset of the points, we welcome new Year 7 students into the fold and the adventure begins all over again.

Dr Rigg, House Championship Co-ordinator