Forming a House Identity

Opening a new boarding house is an exciting venture that goes beyond just providing housing for our boarding students—it’s about building a welcoming and inclusive community for all. Establishing a strong house identity fosters a sense of belonging among students, promotes positive interactions, and sets the tone for house culture. As Wilson House has opened mid-academic year, we have been challenged to form our own identity, including values, traditions, and house rules, in a short period of time.

We tasked the students with exploring the mottos and philosophies of other boarding houses for inspiration. The Wilson House logo bears the phrase “Expecta Cuncta Superna” meaning “expect all things from above.” While the girls appreciated its sentiment, they were eager to craft a motto that truly reflected their own values and identity, shaping a philosophy that resonated with what mattered most to them.

Building on this, we reflected on key words that resonated with our values, with suggestions such as ‘honour’, ‘family’, and ‘compassion’. Using these, we conducted a Google Forms survey to determine the three that best represented our collective identity. These chosen words would become the cornerstone of the Wilson House motto for years to come.

Wilson House has proudly chosen ‘Respect, Integrity, and Resilience’ as its motto. Moving forward, we are confident that our students will embody these values—treating others with respect, upholding integrity in all they do, and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. As they navigate upcoming mock assessments and exams, these principles will serve as a guiding force, helping them persevere and thrive.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to forge our own identity, appointing Heads of House and other leadership responsibilities. The creation of Wilson House has been a journey of unity, reflection, and identity-building. In a short time, our students have shaped a philosophy that will define our house for years to come. With ‘Respect, Integrity, and Resilience’ as our guiding values, we look forward to fostering a supportive and empowering community.

Mrs Hannah Redwood-Loud
Housemistress of Wilson