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What is the CCS House System?

STRUCTURE:

The House System provides the framework for caring for students, encourages participation in sporting and cultural extra-curricular activities, encourages participation in academic activities, and promotes leadership development.

The House System promotes a keen but good-natured rivalry between House teams to see who will win the House Trophy each year. Points towards this prize accumulate from the various sporting and cultural/academic competitions that are held throughout the year.

By setting up a House System, we suspect that strong house loyalty and a sense of fun and friendly competition will capture the school atmosphere.

During the year, the Houses compete against each other in a number of activities which may change from year to year. Some of these activities are listed below:

  • Physical activity competitions
  • Organization of Sports Events (Athletics, Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball etc.)
  • Participation in before and after-school physical activities
  • Community outreach - Volunteerism
  • Contribution to School Culture
  • Building projects at the school (e.g. Science fair competition)

Competitions

Academic - Examples

  • Quizzes
  • EssaysPoetry
  • Creative writing
  • Posters

Social - Examples

  • Organize events
  • Initiatives to support other students
  • Games tournaments (Foosball etc.)

House groups can also be used to:

  • To welcome visitors to the school
  • Represent the school at functions
  • Co-ordinate activities around the school or sporting events
  • Develop a sense of ownership at CCS
  • Develop a sense of responsibility for their part of the school (Cleanliness, presentation and projects)
     
HOUSE SYSTEM ETHOS:

The purpose of each house is to guide and support the academic, social, and personal development of each student during their time at school.

House leaders will build strong partnerships with students and families, through small “Family units” to help them relate in a more positive way to life in school. The concept of the 'Family Unit' is further reinforced by the fact that all families are placed into the same House group. The sense of “family” in each of the 4 houses will promote a feeling of identity and belonging.

House Meetings will be held at random times during the school year to introduce new activities.

BENEFITS OF THE HOUSE SYSTEM:

We believe that the House System will support our students by achieving the following:

  • Student-Centered Focus: Each student will be treated as an individual.
  • A caring, supportive environment: Each student will be a valued member of a small 'family unit' within a larger 'family' within the whole school.
  • Respect, consideration, and courtesy.
  • A well-ordered, stimulating, and enjoyable atmosphere in which deep learning and effective teaching can flourish.
  • Support for the vast majority of our students who already want to learn and behave.
  • Positive self-esteem amongst students and value of the ethos of the school community.
  • The opportunity to obtain the essential qualifications and entry skills for chosen careers and the life skills necessary for a rapidly changing society.
  • Equal opportunity and encouragement to achieve a student’s full potential.
  • Building interpersonal skills within groups of students of all ages.
  • Peer support to combat bullying.
  • Promotion of Student Responsibility, Team skills, Leadership skills, and Cooperation.
  • Co-curricular activities which will enhance the individual’s school experience.
  • Development of personal and social skills and well-being.
  • A school in which Students, Parents, Staff, Administrators, and the wider School community are justly proud.
     
THE HOUSES:
  1. Each student has been placed into one of four Houses – Eagles; Cougars; Grizzlies; and Wolves. The House names were voted on by the staff and students at CCS and a final decision was made based upon these votes.
  2. Houses are broken up into mixed genders ranging from K-12. The average size of each House is 45 students.
  3. At the beginning of the academic year the new first years are assigned to one of the houses and meetings are held to elect House Captains.
  4. The House Captains are responsible for organizing house teams for the wide variety of house activities that take place throughout the year. Each appointment will be for 1 year depending on the outcome of a re-election at the start of the next year. 
  5. Class teachers will help in the election process.
     
THE HOUSE TEAM:

The House team will consist of:

  1. Head of House (teacher), who will ensure that all House activities are organized properly.
  2. All teachers, aides, and secretaries are assigned to a House!
  3. Each House will also consist of a boy and girl House Captain and Vice-Captain and, in some cases, special Sports Captains.
     
HOW TO OBTAIN HOUSE POINTS?

Merit-Based - Personal House Points:

Merits will be awarded to students who do extra things in and outside of the school. For example, students who help organize activities in school, also for students who make a significant contribution to their community, as well as students whose work gets sent out of school for assessment by Local, Provincial, or Federal agencies.

Physical Activity (Games, Competitions) House Points:

  • Points will also be awarded for physical activity games and competitions within the school.
  • Any student who participates in extra-curricular activities will also receive points for participation to go towards their house.

Academic Competition House Points:

  • Points will also be awarded for Academic competitions within the school. For example, the Science Fair points will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group category, etc.
  • A student who participates in an optional academic activity will also receive points for his or her house.

Student Council Competitions:

Each student who participates in school-wide activities organized by the Student Council receives points for participation in their House. In some cases, students are also awarded with points for winning these competitions, such as Wacky-Hair Day and Occupation Day.

House of the Month:

The House with the most points accumulated within a month will be allocated bonus points as the House of the Month.

END OF SCHOOL YEAR:
  • All points contribute to the overall House competition, and an update of the Championship table.
  • At the end of the year the House with the most points will be declared the winner in a school assembly and receive the House Trophy for the year.
  • The House with the least amount of points is awarded with the wooden spoon.
Enquires:
 

For enquiries about the School House System please contact:

Mr Ash Diek
House Coordinator