A home within a home: Belonging, care, and competition at Christ’s College
As I draw my first year at College to a close, one aspect stands out clearly: our House system, and the pastoral care it enables. I believe that this truly sets us apart, not only from other schools in our region, but across the country. Whether a boy is a boarder or a day student, we are deeply committed to ensuring his wellbeing and growth, both inside and outside the classroom.
There is no question that one of the greatest challenges facing communities in New Zealand today is the mental health and overall wellbeing of our young people. Much of this, I believe, stems from a sense of disconnection from community life. Teenagers, and boys in particular, thrive when they feel a genuine sense of belonging, when they have the opportunity to form strong connections, and when they are part of something greater than themselves.
At Christ’s College, our 10 Houses embody this principle. They are, in many ways, the lifeblood of College. Ask our boys, especially the seniors, what they value most here, and many will speak of their House before even mentioning College itself. I sometimes wonder whether their loyalty to their House rivals their loyalty to the school as a whole.
Our House structure is not only unique within New Zealand; it is distinctive even by international standards. Each House is a ‘home within a home’, built on the foundation of connection and belonging, elements that are essential to the development of any teenage boy. The Houses are also the primary framework through which we deliver pastoral care. Indeed, our teacher-to-student pastoral care ratio is unmatched anywhere in the country. This is no accident, but the direct result of our deep-seated belief in personalising each boy’s educational journey and ensuring that no student feels unseen or unsupported.
Beyond pastoral care, our Houses also nurture what we proudly call ‘positive competition’. Anyone who has attended House events, whether House Music, Athletics Day, or House Plays, will have witnessed the energy and good-natured rivalry these occasions inspire. The competition is fierce, but it is infused with mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence. These events are not simply contests; they are celebrations of talent, teamwork, and the vibrant spirit that defines our College community.
In essence, our House system is far more than a structural feature of school life, it is the heartbeat of College. It fosters belonging, drives engagement, and ensures that every boy knows he has a place, a team, and a community to call his own.
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