North

Houses

North

From the Housemistress

We are nearing the end of yet another extraordinary year. Covid-19 brought with it several challenges for North House but also created unique opportunities for the boys. The bubble system physically separated the year groups but the sense of house spirit and belonging never wavered.

After winning the House Shield two years in a row, the boys in North proceeded to work hard to retain their title. They continued to show consistently high standards across the sport, academic and cultural competitions.

We started the year off with a unique version of Africa, by Toto, with each year group recording their part for the virtual House Singing Competition. The Fourth Form added some dance moves and the Upper Sixth, an attempt at harmony. Alex added the clarinet, Mark and Zach created some excellent 80's music video scenes and Fred edited it into a real work of art. Unfortunately, the judges, while impressed with our creativity, were less dazzled with our musical talent.

We carried on the year with some fine performances in house rugby by individual year groups. We have always been a strong contender in house debating as well. Although there was not a floor this year, our speakers once again shone. A huge congratulations particularly to our Lower Sixth team who won again this year.

House football also brought many successes. The Fourth Form and Lower Fifth ended up in third place despite being the underdogs entering the competition; our Upper Sixth lost in extra time during an exciting final match, but our Upper Fifth won on penalties!

As I write this, our boys are competing in house swimming and a new addition to the House Competitions - house water polo. So far, the Fourth Form have made it to the final! Equally the Lower Sixth and the Lower Fifth came first in swimming; the latter also being in a water polo final. The Upper Fifth put a joint North-Monty team together for water polo and beat West in an exciting final.

We missed out on a few of our normal charitable events this year but the boys still wanted to do something for the community. We took the opportunity to have a Secret Santa during December to also raise money for The Royal Marsden, who we have supported at Christmas for three years now. We also held a family virtual quiz night with Mr Parry as quizmaster in which we raised money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Although we have not been together in the physical North House this year, and spent some of our time apart during lockdown, I could not be prouder of the strength and unity showed by North House. They continued to engage together as a whole house while also making stronger bonds within their year groups. The boys have displayed resilience under difficult circumstances and kindness towards each other when circumstances got tough. I must specifically praise the Upper Fifth and Upper Sixth who worked hard and with such positivity, despite their examinations being cancelled and missing out on many important milestones they would normally have had; I am so proud of what they have accomplished this year.

It would be impossible for me to fit in all of the boys' successes in this space, but our pupils never cease to amaze me across all aspects of school life. There have been celebrations of academic and sporting achievements and we have enjoyed so many performances within the various aspects of the performing arts.

Finally, I would like to thank my Upper Sixth and Prefect team this year. They really do lead the House by example and carry the ethos and values that we hold dear. They will be missed, but I know that our Lower Sixth will make them proud next year. I also must thank our amazing tutor team, who have worked very hard behind the scenes to support the boys and me daily. Jennie has joined us this year as Matron and she has been an incredible addition to the team and has looked after the North boys so well. We owe her a huge thank you for everything she does to keep the boys going each day, even if it’s a cup of tea and a doughnut! Finally, I would like to thank Craig Newby on behalf of all of us in North; he has played a huge role in shaping the House as Assistant Housemaster and on a personal level, he has supported me throughout the last three years. He will be hugely missed, but we all wish him the best of luck in his new role with Ulster Rugby.

Catie Moon, Housemistress

From the House Captain

Iarrived in the Fourth Form and quickly came to grips with the dynamics of North House, this being: having a close relationship with the House next door (Monty) and a love for buttery toast!

The House was very welcoming, and the spirits were always up. We delved right into the deep end with house singing, which overall at St John’s was a real highlight of mine, with North House’s famous dance moves.

I was fortunate to be part of a very successful house when it came to winning the House Shield, winning in three of my senior years. North usually win house football but unfortunately, we came runners up in my final year. When I joined the School, North was an emerging house, which wasn’t very competitive in the House events, but I have seen the House excel in every aspect of school life and it is now strongly competing for (and winning!) the House Shield year on year.

I have a tight knit year group in North House so the years in the dayroom were very enjoyable, with highlights of table tennis in the Fourth Form and rapping in the Lower Sixth! My Upper Sixth year was mostly spent tucked away in the so called ‘boardroom’ hard at work, where we spent most of our time in house.

In my Upper Sixth year I was privileged to be appointed the House Captain of North, although my experience this year was different to other years, without direct access to the other year groups, only via Microsoft Teams. The House Prefect team and I still aimed to integrate the entire house by encouraging participation in Intra House Competitions, which were done within year groups. These events ranged from Fantasy Football to ‘Guess the Teacher’, adding a sense of competition to bring the other year groups together.

North’s key words that we want all pupils to stand by are Passion, Integrity and Perseverance. What’s great about North House is that all pupils uphold these standards and it is the main reason the running of the House, in such strange times was relatively stress free because everyone persevered together. Something else I admire about the boys in North is their willingness to get involved in any house event that comes up, from the House Pancake Race, and sports from football to swimming.

Mrs Moon, Jennie, the tutors and the Prefects are extremely supportive in North House. They are always there for you when you most need it. I unfortunately had tonsillitis for the first week of my A levels, I was worried as to how I was going to complete all the catch up required. However, the support from Mr Parry and Mrs Moon was amazing. They both came up with strategies to make my situation as stress-free as possible for me, and Jennie checked up on me on Microsoft Teams, as did my friends in house. This all shows the immense support the House provides you when life at school isn’t going too well, and I’m sure any pupil in North would have the exact same support and guidance.

There are two occasions that spring to mind when talking about moments of pride in North House. One of these is the yearly donation and visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital at Christmas, which I am very proud of. The second one is the ‘North House Gentleman’ presentations that the Upper Sixth pupils in North give to the younger years - lessons on how to be as respectful as possible and to show the pupils how exactly they should act in different situations, which I take real pride in.

My time at St Johns has been one to remember and one of the most significant parts of my time is being in North House. I would like to thank all the tutors, Jennie and the previous Matrons I have been supported by, for making it such a great experience. Finally, I would like to thank our Housemistress Mrs Moon for being there for everyone and working so hard to keep the House running smoothly alongside myself, the tutors, and the Prefects. Mrs Moon does so much for all of the pupils in North House and she really cares for everyone. I can see North House going on to win many more house shields in the future, with the support of Mrs Moon.

James Merry, House Captain 2020-21

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