The House system lies at the heart of our school with the balance between competition and participation meaning that there is always something to be involved with. House events and activities occur throughout the year and there is a huge amount going on this term with the obvious focal point of Sports Day and the revealing of the final standings at the whole school assembly on the last day of the academic year being a highlight of the year.

We are always looking to develop the House system and it has been great this week to see the winners confirmed from the House logo competition and then the final logos released following some very hard work by Mr Hinchliffe. They look superb and really add another layer to the vibrant sense of House identities which run throughout the school. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and again to Mr Hinchliffe for his work in further developing them into the final product.

We are also challenging our Houses in a new way this year to raise funds for charities in varied and creative ways. As families are aware, we stage our whole school Sponsored Walk every other year – last year’s was a great success with over £15,000 raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust – and this year we are asking students in groups, tutor groups and Houses to develop a range of activities to raise donations and funds for nominated charities. This has been shared in assemblies with students over the past week and we are already seeing some really exciting and innovative ideas coming through which we look forward to seeing in action – with some starting today!

We will keep all of the school updated as this all progresses and it is definitely worth following @wallingfordschool.houses on Instagram for all the latest House news and photos. It is a great depiction of the life of our school and of the inimitable spirit which runs through and across the Houses.