The House System at JAGS

There are four houses at JAGS: Bettany, Clarke, Desenfans and Holst, inspired by significant people. (Can you guess why? Click on the names to find out.)

When you come to JAGS, you are allocated to a House for your whole lifetime here, giving a real sense of continuity and creating strong house spirit.

Points mean prizes! Winning the House Shield is hotly-contested and points fly in from all directions: credits for academic work as well as involvement in House events and competitions. Everyone contributes energy and ideas to the huge, annual House charity event, and it’s great to see Year 7 working alongside Year 13s to make it all happen. You can play to your strengths entering House competitions in sports, music, art, drama and dance. All the points count towards getting your hands on that shield!

The sixth form step up to lead the Houses, with the help of their House Tutors. This often involves the House Captains producing mad, yet motivational, house assemblies and Year 12 House Representatives encouraging their form groups to organise their charity event or assembly. As early as Year 7, girls aspire to become House Captains eventually; they are proud of the role. “I wanted to be House Captain because I feel it’s the part of the school that really joins all the years together,” says Nikki Asemota. “Louisa and I are ready to make Holst proud!” says Eve Marlow.

Sixth Formers and the Houses:

The sixth form are a major part of each house. They are the people who, with the help of their House Tutors, lead and organise the rest of the house. This often involves the House Captains producing mad, yet motivational, house assemblies and Year 12 House Representatives encouraging their form group to work hard to organise their charity event or assembly. Any member of Year 13 who wishes to participate in leading the House may become a director for each house and take on a role such as Charity Co-ordinator, Treasurer, Publicity Officer or Sports or Music Director.

Other House events:

The house system is a great way for individual girls to be creative, working together across all the year groups. They have the imagination, energy and enthusiasm to pursue new ideas, having fun and raising money for their charities. Apart from tempting cake sales and raffles, own clothes days, quizzes and fairs, this term (Autumn 2010) several  teaching staff displayed talents on the catwalk we didn't know they had for Bettany's charity, and needed  little persuasion to take part in a Band Aid live performance of 'Do they Know It's Christmas?', part of Holst House's 80s day fund-raiser!

New this year - Junior House Drama