Family Handbook 2023-24

OUR COMMUNITY

House System

About The House system forms the basis for cross-grade community building within the school. It fosters peer-to-peer mentoring and leadership development, as the program is primarily student-led. There are 10 Houses, each of which are named in honour of women who have contributed to the wellbeing of Havergal in different but meaningful ways. Some have been principals of the school, some have been much-loved staff members and others have influenced the growth of the school. Havergal’s House system is an integral part of the school’s organization with every JK to Grade 12 student, Old Girl/Alum, staff and faculty member belonging to one of the 10 Houses. Siblings and daughters of Old Girls/Alums join the Houses of their relatives. House spirit competitions throughout the year result in awarding the coveted House Banner to the winning House for the year.

Houses

Frances Ridley (FR)

Est. 1929 The founding members of the first Board of Havergal chose to name their new girls’ school after Frances Ridley Havergal, who had received her middle name as the goddaughter of a descendant of Bishop Ridley. Frances was born in 1836 and was known to be graceful, sensitive, vivacious and precocious. She was reading by the age of three, writing Bible verses by the age of four and teaching Sunday school at the age of 10. Frances is remembered for her lifelong thirst for knowledge, her poetry and her skill in music. She loved to write hymns and wrote “Take My Life” in 1874.

Mascot: Penguin Characteristic: Honesty Colours: Black & White Motto: Waves of kindness bring a sea of love. Hymn: Take My Life, and Let it Be

18