The house system at Holy Cross is designed to encourage girls to mix with pupils in different social and age groups. Our houses also promote determination, teamwork and healthy competition across a range of events, including quizzes, sporting activities and the creative arts. All pupils are assigned to one of our four houses:
- St Dominic (yellow)
- St Elizabeth (red)
- St Francis (blue)
- St Teresa (green)
Each house has its own teddy bear mascot, dressed in house colours and emblazoned with the house motto. All staff members are also assigned to a house, and are encouraged to support their team throughout the year.
Year 6 girls have the opportunity to take on additional responsibility, while practising their leadership skills as Captain or Vice-Captain of their house. Elected by their fellow housemates, candidates prepare and deliver a ‘campaign speech’, demonstrating their reasons for running and their commitment to their team. Following a democratic vote, new captains are announced during our annual Prize Giving event, which takes place at the end of each academic year. Our House display board keeps a record of all the girls’ achievements, alongside the names of current captains and vice-captains.
Our annual Sports Day is a real showcase for the girls’ house spirit. Every summer, the sports field is transformed into a sea of yellow, red, blue and green, as pupils compete in their house colours throughout the day. Points are awarded after each event, which helps towards the overall total for the triumphant house. The highly-sought after ‘House Shield’ is presented to the winning house during Prize Giving.
Each and every pupil is able to contribute to the success of their house via our ongoing credit system. Credits are awarded by staff for demonstrations of good behaviour, sustained effort and excellence in work, which are counted up at the end of each term. A house badge and merit certificate are awarded to each class’s winner, and the triumphant house is announced during assembly; all pupils’ contributions are equally important to the achievements of each house.