House System

Our House System features five distinctive houses, each bearing the name of a renowned Cathedral City in the United Kingdom. These cities are also celebrated for their revered universities, and we draw inspiration from these prestigious institutions to promote academic excellence, teamwork, and personal growth among our students.

• Canterbury: Named after the historic city of Canterbury, known for its magnificent cathedral and the University of Kent.
• Durham: Inspired by the ancient city of Durham, home to Durham Cathedral and Durham University.
• Exeter: Taking its name from the vibrant city of Exeter, famous for its stunning cathedral and the University of Exeter.
• Norwich: Named after the picturesque city of Norwich, renowned for its Cathedral and the University of East Anglia.
• York: Inspired by the historic city of York, home to York Minster and the University of York.

Fostering Healthy Competition and Camaraderie

Our House System isn’t just about spirited rivalry; it’s about empowering students and giving them a voice. Each form within our school has a designated Form Representative who serves as a crucial channel for student voice and ideas, ensuring that every student’s perspective is heard and valued.

Throughout the academic year, our students enthusiastically participate in a wide array of competitions that are designed to promote not only healthy competition but also personal growth and development. These competitions can include, but are not exclusive to, spelling bees, art, poetry, team sports, sports day and many others.

Contributing to House Success

Students have the opportunity to contribute to the success of their respective houses by earning Achievement Points. These points are awarded not only for academic achievements but also for acts of kindness, leadership, and participation in extracurricular activities. This system reinforces the values of personal growth, responsibility, and the importance of giving back to the community.

House Assemblies and Celebrating Success

At the end of every term, our school comes together in House Assemblies to celebrate the achievements of our students. It’s a time to recognize outstanding academic performance, leadership, and contributions to the community. These assemblies foster a sense of pride and belonging within each house and create lasting memories for our students.

Our House System goes beyond just a division of students; it represents our commitment to holistic education. It creates an environment where students can not only excel academically but also develop character, leadership skills, and a strong sense of pride in their respective houses.

Through participation in house activities and competitions, students forge lifelong friendships and cherished memories, all while experiencing the true essence of teamwork and collaboration. Our House System is at the heart of our school’s culture, and it plays a pivotal role in shaping well-rounded individuals who are prepared to face the challenges of the future with confidence and resilience.

House Competitions

House competitions take place throughout the year and all competitions give the students the opportunity to win house points. House points are added together and the house with the most points at the end of the year wins the overall house competition.

Art

Christmas Jumper Drawing Competition

Open to all years from 5th November to 5th December, students need to submit as many different designs as they want to Miss Bailey in Art by 5th December. Designs will then be judged on the 6th December, with the winning designs from each year receiving 5 house points (1st place), 3 HP (2nd place), 2 HP (3rd place)

Anti-Bullying

‘Choose Respect’ Competition

The RAISE ambassadors will be running a ‘Choose Respect’ competition to raise awareness during anti-bullying week.
This competition is a chance for students and schools to win prizes, to help schools have a focus for their anti-bullying work, to promote creativity in dealing with bullying and to showcase the anti-bullying work of young people across the UK. The competition is all about helping people ‘on-the-go’ to deal with bullying.
Students will need to design an anti-bullying bag or pack that people can carry with them. It can contain whatever you think would be useful such as alarms, gadgets, cards etc. Let your imagination run wild.

House points will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each competition running the week of 12th November, with a deadline for entries of 23rd November.

Diversity Day

Diversity Day is a day to celebrate Cultural Diversity to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.

At Townsend School we celebrate this through a form group competition where each group represents a different country and presents their findings in a exhibition throughout the day.

Year 7s will also take part in Capoeira Martial Arts Dancing workshops throughout the day.

7 – Canterbury – Brazil, Durham – Britain, Exeter -Canada, Norwich – Greece, York – India.

8 – Canterbury – France, Durham – USA, Exeter – Trinidad and Tobago, Norwich – Portugal, York – Russia.

9 – Canterbury – Poland, Durham – Algeria, Exeter – South Africa, York – Morocco.

10 – Canterbury – New Zealand, Durham – Jamaica, Exeter – Germany, York -Turkey.

11 – Canterbury – China, Durham – Italy, Exeter – Australia.

As part of Diversity Day on Friday 26th October, 7 Durham have researched Historical events in Britain between 1918 and 2018 with the use of Historic Documents and Newspaper from Historic Newspapers.

https://www.historic-newspapers.co.uk/

English

Roald Dahl Competition

Year 7 and 8 have to enter a representation of their favourite Roald Dahl book character, which can be in the form of art, food based design, a poem, story or any other creative means feasible. Entries to be submitted by 13th September, with winners receiving house points for prizes.

World Book Day Competition

All students are invited to design a book token for World Book Day in March, with winning entries from each year receiving house points, with the best designs being put forward into the National Competition and Macbeth Poster Design

Year 10 and 11 students are invited to create a poster to advertise the live-streaming of Macbeth to inform other students about Macbeth and gain interest in the story. Winners will receive house points

Geography

Geocaching

Wednesday 24th October – students will have the chance to be involved in a geocaching competition with house point prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
Natural World Journalist Competition

February 2019 – Grab the chance to write an article about any interest you have in the natural World to enter into the Natural World Journalist Competiiton. House points awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

History

Black History Month Competition

Throughout October, with a deadline of Monday 5th November, students have to produce a poster on an individual who has influenced society and why more people should know about them. House points will be awarded as prizes for the winner and runners-up.

Medieval Castle Competition

Year 7s have the chance to create their own Medieval Castles as part of their Norman Conquest assessment for the unit of study in History. This will take place in the week beginning 17th December, house points and certificates will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Mathematics

Pi Day

14th March is Pi day – how many numbers of Pi can you recite from memory?

Media

Townsend Oscars

Information on this competition will be given out on Monday 1st April, with a deadline for entries of 29th April. House points will be awarded as prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Religious Education

NATRE Spirited Poetry Competition

In line with National Poetry Day on 4th October, RE are running a poetry competition, writing about a theme from: Pilgrimages and Journeys, Questions, Where is God, Window on the Soul and Mystery of Life. Winning entries will be awarded house points and can be entered into the National Poetry Day Competition.