Introduction to Kingswood Community College’s House System

“Earn points, build a sense of community, and may the Best House win”

The House System is a way to build friendships, relationships and community with people in our school who you do not meet everyday.

In activities throughout the year you work together to develop community, make friends and compete to win the House Prize at the end of the year.

The House System focuses on wellbeing, belonging, anti-bullying, building school identity and community, and providing an extended family within the school community.

All Vsware points add up as House points as well as other points through the year

Our houses take inspiration from the Kingswood Community history, Coill an Rí. Each House is named after a native Irish tree.They are Hawthorn, Yew, Alder, Rowan, Ash and Birch. Our students designed the crest for each of the Houses and chose an animal, colour and an inspiring word for each House.

The House System focuses on wellbeing, belonging, anti-bullying, building school identity and community, and providing an extended family within the school community.

All Vsware points add up as House points as well as other points through the year. The House System is a motivating structure for students to take initiative, develop leadership skills, exhibit school pride, feel at home and work together toward common goals. It also encourages participation and engagement in extracurricular activities, fundraising initiatives and collaboration among students. It ensures an inclusive atmosphere, as every single student and staff member in the school are a part of these smaller communities within our larger community.

How it works

All students (in their tutor groups) and staff are assigned randomly into one of our six Houses.

Each House is named after a Native Irish Tree and is represented by a colour and student designed crest and is guided by a Head of House (staff member) and two House Captains (1st-6th Year).

The Houses are a mix of students from 1st – 6th year, which gives the students the chance to make friends from all year groups across the school. It also gives the older students opportunities to mentor younger students and helps them to feel at home in Kingswood Community College

Throughout the year, students can earn points for their House based on their attendance, performance in class, involvement in sport, music, art, clubs, fundraisers and general school spirit!

The House with the most points at the end of the school year will win the House Cup, and will attend the winning House Trip!

Our Houses:

A sample of some of our House Activities

• Game Show Mash Up (Chase, Catch Phrase, Family Fortunes)
• A Taste of Christmas Cookery Challenge
• House Football League
• House Basketball League
• A Taste of Easter Cookery Challenge
• House Assemblies
• House Spelling Bee
• House Chess Championship
• House Lady’s GAA League
• I’m a Celebrity
• Representing your House on Sport’s Day
• House Food Drive for Homeless Charity (Light House) at Christmas
• Malin to Mizen Cycle for Jigsaw

Aims

• Facilitating our school values evident in our crest of confidence, kindness, respect, flourish, pride, support, confidence, family, friends, school and community
• Enhancing motivation to succeed.
• Fostering collaboration and teamwork through learning and experience.
• Improving attendance in school and at extracurricular activities.
• Promoting a positive school spirit and positive behaviour in school.
• Further supporting incoming first year students’ transition into secondary school.
• Developing the leadership capacities of our senior students as they take on mentoring roles.
• Providing an enjoyable programme of varied competitive events throughout the school year, reigniting the joy and socialisation of education.