Background

Originated in England, the house system will be newly introduced to St. Joan of Secondary School (SJA) from the 2022/23 school year.  

The House represents a family within the whole school community. Through a house competition throughout the year where students compete against each other in a number of different tasks and challenges, bonds between students across all forms can be created and strengthened with a view to promoting autonomy and cooperative spirit, facilitating all-round development and enhancing a sense of belonging to the school.

Objectives

• Unite students across different forms cultivating tolerant and caring school ambience, fostering students' positive values and attitudes, and actualizing 'inclusive education'.
• Motivate students to participate in and to strive for excellence in the numerous activities and competitions between the Houses, that finds expression in a health competitive spirit, strengthening a sense of belonging to their houses and school
• Train up students' leadership skills and abilities by taking up the position of house captains or committee members who are committed to envisioning, executing and reflecting on regular House events

Descriptions

Students at SJA will be placed in one of three Houses: St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, representing the fundamental principles of Catholicism, also known as the theological virtues.

Colours of each house: Red, Green and Blue are RGB colour model representing students working together offering unlimited possibilities.

The logos that the students proudly wear will be designed by our very first group of students. However, each year students come up with new banners, chants and traditions for each house.  

Students with family members, who have previously attended the school, automatically enter the same house to keep up family traditions. 

Prizes

There are two main prizes up for grabs each year: The House Shield and The Sports Day Cup.

The House Shield is for the best overall House throughout the years competitions and the Sports Day Cup is simply for the winner of our Sports Day Event. 

Students compete throughout the year, gaining points for various activities, events and challenges with the winner of the House Shield being revealed at Graduation / Closing ceremony. 

Calculation scores for The House Shield

1. Whole-school event  – 2 per year: Sports Day, Singing Contest
2. Team Event – 3-5 per year e.g. jumping rope, cycling, basketball competitions
3. small group / individual event – 1-3 per year e.g. writing competition, arts & design competition

Organisations

• Two House Teacher Advisors:
• Two House Captains (S.4- S.5 Students)
• 3 committee members (Students of any forms)