Head of House: Mr Wellington
House Captains: Chloe Williams and Marion Sturges
House Staff: Mrs Craven, Mrs Goldsmith, Mrs Gosney, Mrs Hayes, Mr Hoar, Mrs Macey, Miss Miller, Mr Richardson, Miss Stevenson, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Williams
House Patrons
St Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel (1557-1595) was an English nobleman, the eldest son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. He was named after his godfather, Philip II of Spain. His father was executed in 1572, but Philip became the Earl of Arundel in 1580. His family remained Catholics during the reign of Elizabeth even though this was dangerous. He was charged with treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1585 where he remained until his death in 1595. He asked to see his wife and his son who had been born after his imprisonment. This request was refused and he died alone. He was at first buried in the chapel in the Tower but in 1604 James I allowed his widow to move his body to the Fitzalan Chapel in Arundel parish church. His body was finally removed to Arundel Catholic Cathedral in 1971 the year after his canonisation by Pope Paul VI. In the lady chapel in the school chapel there is a relic of St Philip donated by Frank Hart, father of Dr Russell, Head of English.
Members of the house voted for a co-patron to go alongside St Philip Howard. We were looking for a contemporary figure who embodied the values we thought that St Philip Howard represented. J.K.Rowling was chosen as it was believed that her perseverance and subsequent success were an inspiration to us all.
House Charity
Howard House supports HCPT (The Pilgrimage Trust) - a charity which takes young children with all kinds of disabilities on pilgrimage to Lourdes at Easter each year. The charity was founded in 1956 when Dr Michael Strode took four children with disabilities on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes in the south of France. Today over 2,000 children are taken as pilgrims with around 3,000 young people and adults who assist the pilgrims. We support the Portsmouth group and each year we send two of our sixth formers as helpers. We pay half of their fare and they are responsible for raising the rest of the money | |
House Events
Autumn Term
- Treasure Hunt (Becket) Inter-house competition for girls in Year 7 and their 'aunties' in Year 10. This fun event helps the new girls to find their way around and introduces them to older girls in their house.
- Inter-House Quiz (last afternoon of the first half-term) (Fisher).
- Christmas Bazaar (organised by Campion but supported by all the houses). On Advent Sunday, just before the Advent Carol Service. Each house takes this opportunity to raise funds for their own charity. One of Howard's fund-rasiers is the Hamper Raffle. Girls bring in items for the Christmas hampers which are then raffled at the Bazaar and at the Christmas Celebration.
- Christmas Celebration. Howard House organises the raffle of more Christmas hampers!
Spring Term
- Music and Dance Competition (BecketHoward). A new combined format for these two competitions. More details to follow.
- Recycling Fashion Challenge (More). Staff are dressed up in recycled goods (and rubbish!) by members of their house and then parade in front of the assembled school to be judged.
Summer Term
- Inter-House Sports Day. One afternoon in the final week of the school year. Girls take part in a range of sporting activities including tennis, rounders and basketball.
House News
Leavers. We bade farewell to Sophie and Katrina who served us so well as house captains last year. We wish them well at university.
New members. We welcome all the new members of Howard House in Year 7.
New Motto: Sophie and Katrina selected a new motto for the house, 'Together we aspire, together we achieve.' This pleased Mrs Williams, as although Sophie and Katrina did not realise it, they had chosen the motto of Trinidad and Tobago!
Other Information
House motto: Together we aspire, together we achieve.
House assemblies: selected Friday mornings in the school chapel at 8.55 a.m.
House colour: Yellow
House song: To be decided.