This week, Senior Deputy Head Mr Rounds led a whole-school assembly to mark the much-anticipated relaunch of Trinity’s historic House system, last seen in 1995.
The House system has deep roots. First recorded in 1908, the earliest Houses were simply Red, Green, Blue and Yellow, before evolving into names inspired by Archbishop John Whitgift’s legacy: Trinity (School House), Canterbury, Worcester and Pembroke. Over the decades, the Houses became synonymous with spirited competition and camaraderie across sport, drama, music, intellectual competitions and charity fundraising through the ‘House Mission’.
The tradition also extended into uniform. For much of the 20th century, students proudly displayed their House colours on caps, blazers and scarves – with even the school crest infilled with House colours until the mid-1970s. In the 1940s through to the early 1960s, summer uniform featured distinctive boater hats complete with House-coloured sashes (see picture) – a touch that would not have looked out of place in a Harry Potter novel…
Now, thirty years later, every student and member of staff has been allocated a House, ensuring that all can take part in the creation of new traditions while honouring the past. Our Sixth Form girls are making history as the first girls to ever belong to these Houses.
In this first year, House competitions will begin with sport, but in time, we want to get back to a full programme including roles for House Captains and potentially prefects.
Mr Rounds emphasised that belonging is at the heart of this initiative:
“The relaunch of Houses will give every student a place to belong and to take pride in, creating new cultures that will last for generations. This is a momentous time in Trinity’s story, and you will be able to say ‘that happened when I was here.’”
The return of Houses coincides with the Trinty School Croydon’s 60th year on its current site, marking a moment of continuity and progress. As Trinity looks ahead to a co-educational future, the House system will play a vital role in building community, connection and spirit.
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