Infant & Junior School
Infant & Junior School House Structure
Enjoying Sports Day
Girls in the Infant and Junior School are allocated to a House on their entry to the School; these are Emeralds (green), Sapphires (blue), Rubies (red) and Amethysts (purple). The House they are allocated to depends on whether they have any family members who are or who have been at Sheffield High School. If there is a family connection, then a new girl is allocated to the same House.
Each House has a House Mistress (a member of staff), two House Captains (Year 6 girls) and other staff members. The House Captains and House Mistresses attend regular meetings of the “Jewels Council” where House events and other initiatives are discussed. Each year every House organises a House event in order to raise money for the chosen charities. Events in the past have included a Valentine’s Day card competition, discos and obstacle courses. Other House events include sporting competitions and the annual “Sports Day”. The House Captains also lead twice termly House assemblies and collect the “Merit Marks” each week.
Merit Marks are awarded by staff for particularly good work (bearing in mind the age and abilities of the girls). Other examples where Merit Marks can be awarded are for those upholding the Code of Behaviour; initiative; effort and perseverance; work done voluntarily or as an incentive. Infant girls receive a ‘jewel’, which is added to a chart and stamp their personal Merit Record Card. Girls in Key Stage 2 have a Merit Book where they record their Merits which leads to the awarding of Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates once 25, 50 and 75 Merits respectively have been gained. The Toubi Cup is eagerly fought over and is awarded to the House with the most Merits at the end of each half term.
The House system continues as the girls move into the Senior School where the houses take their names from the four founder members of the School – Maria Grey, Mary Gurney, Emily Shirreff and Lady Stanley of Alderley. Emeralds move into Gurney House, Sapphires become members of Shirreff House, Rubies move up into Stanley House and Amethysts become members of Grey House.