GARNSEY HOUSE REPORT

With the end of Term four nearing, Garnsey is soon to complete one of our most successful years as a house. This feat is made even more impressive coming from a very disrupted two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and year group separation that made all Houses in the School more disconnected and with a drained sense of community.

Some of the most valuable events in re-establishing our sense of culture have been the various captain’s cup and House shield events. Although at the beginning, events such as netball, esports and swimming had to be held with reduced numbers and involvement from the year groups, slowly, all year groups were able to participate, with carnivals finally returning to normality for house soccer and the athletics carnival. Garnsey’s performance in these events has been consistently excellent. One of the most notable events of the year was House Music, an event that historically draws from our results in the House Shield. However, our individual sections were the best they’ve ever been due to the hard work and planning we put in. When results did not yield on the scoreboard for these smaller sections, the house came together for House Shout and earned a first place performance, securing a second place overall in the event. While Garnsey has achieved higher positions overall, such as the cross country, athletics and soccer events, it certainly felt the most special, and inspired a strong house spirit that Garnsey ultimately carried throughout the rest of the year, which finished with Garnsey winning both the House Shield and Captain’s cup in dominant fashion.

Our mentor group system has been even more important coming back at a time like this as well, and it has been great to see people back in the locker rooms in the morning and looking ready for the day. A real highlight this year was the activities afternoon, an event in which mentor groups participate as a team in a variety of activities to try and achieve the highest score. Thanks to the organisation and involvement of our mentor captains and Year 12’s, the event was enjoyable and engaging for all, going a long way to help re-establish connection within the various mentor groups of the house. Events such as the Red Shield Appeal door knock, done annually with Middleton further allowed members of the house to bond again, which was especially important for the younger years, the Year 8s and 9s who were yet to experience Garnsey as it usually is.

I am seeing a new side to our theme of gratitude now that my exams are over, and I will not return as a member of Garnsey house next year. I will always be grateful for my time in Garnsey, and wish the very best to the new captains, Isabelle, Domi and Peta, and of course wish the house the best for the year ahead.