MR MARK HOPPE
dixon h ousemaster
I
t has certainly been a phenomenal year to be a Dixon Dragon and an even more humbling experience to, once again, enjoy the role as Housemaster for these incredible young men. The spirit, commitment, solidarity and good humour that have characterised the feelings within the House in 2018 have been as special as I’ve witnessed. Dixon boys have not only risen to the competitive rivalries that the numerous inter-House challenges inevitably foster, but there has genuinely been the sense of kinship and ‘brotherhood’ we so often aspire to within the House system at The Southport School. The Dixon leadership group, some 20 boys strong at weekly meetings, have been a huge factor behind the success of the House in 2018 in building the intangible bond that has connected so many. I give each of these boys my heartfelt thanks for their interest in the workings of the House and the commitment they showed throughout the year. At the helm of this group, the four captains set a remarkable example each and every day about what it means to be servant leaders, selfless and committed. To Dominic Stansbie, Campbell Ross, Alexander Nott and Will Speering, you may not realise it now but future captains and leaders of the House will remember and will have been inspired by your efforts this year. From a very grateful Housemaster, please accept my thanks on a job well done.
To the Dixon House staff – in particular, Mr Mac, Mr Newton, Mrs Zauner, Mrs Hurd – thank you for being so invested in the pastoral support of these young boys. Your
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involvement and support, often managing the over-enthusiasm of a balding, 30-something, Housemaster, has been hugely appreciated.
The greatest myth of the four Housemasters is that we are often driven by the glory of the Howard Smith Cup at the end of the year. There is no doubt that the look of exuberance on young boys’ faces in the final days of the academic year warm our hearts. The greater joy is actually had in the less obvious moments. For me, this year, my highlights have been seeing boys excited about folding 600 ShoeBox, ready to distribute to classes; it’s been celebrating and acknowledging the added effort that our young leaders have given on any number of occasions; it’s been seeing boys blossom in House meetings and activities, engaging and showing that the House is important to them. These moments, amongst so many others, make the job of Housemaster such a rewarding experience. In closing, I want to thank the entire Year 6 cohort of Dixon boys
for their service to the House. I hope that the memories you take with you into the Senior School and beyond will have you smile and reflect with pride on being a Dixon dragon. Fly high gentlemen!
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DRAGON
Dominic Stansbie Dixon House Captain 2018 When I came into Dixon House I thought that it was just another House with a colour on its shirt and we all sat in the same House bay when we had events. When I went into my first House meeting as a small, new Year 4 boy, I remember not knowing what to do or where to go. Then amid all the confusion one boy in a blue Dixon shirt came up to me looked me in the eye and asked if I was new and if I knew where to go. It was at that moment when that Dixon boy told me, it meant so much more to be in Dixon. In Dixon, we look for boys to be caring and supportive to other boys no matter what House they are in. They
