The Elephant 2021 25
OUS E
H
A House for 13 Years
It has been fantastic to see the fun, energy and colour of House events return to campus in 2021. Already we have seen a miniature garden competition and sandcastle building in Prep - Year 2, House Swimming in Years 3 - 6, and House swimming, diving and athletics in the Senior School, with the vibrancy and energy of House event days felt around the entire school. But House is bigger than just events. With every student belonging to a House over their 13 years at school, we know House inspires camaraderie and pride. It fosters leadership, teamwork, determination and grit, and it helps our students strengthen bonds and develop new friendships. Our focus for House in 2021 has been to strengthen House spirit across the whole school and build a stronger connection between the Junior School and Senior School House programs. In Term 1, our Senior School House Captains spoke to our Junior School students, sharing their experiences of House at Toorak, providing insight on what makes House so special and their hope to leave a lasting legacy for their House. Our Junior School leaders were inspired to leave their own legacy and have made a great start to their year with a very successful (and loud!) House swimming event and the introduction of some fun House events for our youngest students to participate in. In the Senior School, House leaders have worked tirelessly to facilitate two of their major events for the year; swimming and athletics, with both days a huge success and participation at an all-time high. We look forward to seeing every students’ House spirit shine and the introduction of new House initiatives across the school throughout the rest of the year. Mr Drew Gardener Head of Houses
