Houses

The four Stepney Dormitories have transferred their names to Goldings.
“Aberdeen,” “Cairns,” “Kinnaird,” and “Pelham”. Three new names have
Been added “Somerset,” “Mount Stephen,” and “Buxton” - the first after our
President His Grace the Duke of Somerset, the second after the Lord
Mount Stephen a life long benefactor of the homes, - and the third after the
Buxton family who take a keen and personal interest in our work.

Aberdeen

Housemaster: Mr. C. Steele
House Captain: H. Bainton
Colours: Black and White

As I write these notes I can hear lots of noise coming from the Aberdeen bays. The boys are at school and
shops, but the bays have been occupied by an army of painters, carpenters,, plumbers, etc., all doing their
bit in the big reconstruction programme in our house. I have been 'evicted' from my room which will now be
a dormitory for six boys; I am sure those six will be as comfortable in their new quarters as I am in mine.
Our sitting room has been started and we expect to be making use of it in the near future. Although we have
had to put up with a lot of inconvenience and dust, in a few weeks' time when everything is finished and we
see the great change which has come over the place, we will appreciate that it was all really worth waiting
for. We shall have four bays and we have decided to name them after the four Patron Saints of the British
Isles: St. George of England, St. Andrew of Scotland, St. David of Wales, and St. Patrick of Ireland.

Cairns

Housemaster: Mr. D. Walder
House Captain: Roy Morgan
Prefects: Peter Beresford, Kenneth Ambrose
Colours: Red and Black

The Headmaster recently suggested that the boys and myself should choose dormitory names to replace the
informal sound of first, second Cairns, and so on. After a lot of debating we finally settled on Tedder,
Montgomery, Alexander, and Mountbatten. This term we have started a new competition for the 'Best
House of the Term' with an award of the Queens' Cup at the end of each term. At the moment of writing we
are second with 109 points, i point behind Pelham, who are at the top. Marks are awarded for dormitory
inspection to the first and second houses, for good work, and behaviour in shops and school, but points are
deducted for certain offences. I think this system gives a chance for a boy who is good in his trade or learning
to do his own bit for his house. I hope that all the boys in Cairns will do their best for the House.

Somerset

Housemaster: Mr. Culver
House Captain: Allan Evans
Prefects: Sidney Bracken, Ivan Smith, Ronald Smith
Colours: Yellow and Black

As another term closes it is good to look back and take stock, also to be able to see our weak points in the life
of the House and in the sporting field. We have had one or two in the House who have not yet come up to the
traditional standard of Somerset and it is hoped that they will see the error of their ways and help to keep
up the honour of the House. We are naming our dormitories after famous explorers and will have Scott
Room, Shackleton Room, and Hillary Room.

Quoted from Goldonian Spring 1961

The Best House

Almost invariably when old boys write to me they mention the School House to which they belonged and
usually end up by saying I expect Pairns or Somerdeen, as the case may be, is still the best house in the
School. Now-a-days we have a competition to determine the best House each term. Points are awarded for
cleanliness and orderliness of each house territory and also points may be won for good work in the School
and workrooms, for sporting achievements and indeed for any efforts which add lustre to the School and
help to make its life interesting and purposeful. The winning House holds the 'Queens Cup' for the ensuing
term. Friendly and good humoured rivalry is productive of good results. We all know that the general
standard of cleanliness in dormitories, sitting-rooms, bathrooms and toilets within -each House is so high that
the members of staff who volunteer to act as judges find it very difficult to find fault anywhere. The net
result is that everyone benefits, for we all enjoy comfortable, wholesome and hygienic living quarters. The
House which wins the Cup is naturally confirmed in its opinion that it is the best House, but I doubt whether
the also-rans in this competition are equally convinced and reconciled to admitting themselves inferior. It's
quite justifiable to be loyal to your own house and maintain that it is the best, so long as you genuinely try to
make it so. After all there are qualities which cannot be assessed as worth so many points in a competition.
If there is harmony and good will between the senior boys and the Houseparents you have a good House. If
new recruits to the School placed in your House are welcomed into an atmosphere which is wholesome, you
have a good House. If they receive fair treatment and their conduct is improved by following the example of
their elders, you have a good House. Do you consider that when you are an old boy you will be able to think
back with satisfaction to the time when you were a member of the best House in the School and that you by
your words and example helped to make it and keep it so?
R. F. W.

Quoted from Goldonian Winter 1961