Rewards and the House System

As a school community, we feel passionately that a well-established House and rewards system has innumerable benefits including, but not limited to, instilling our school values: courage, commitment, and compassion.

House System

All students are placed into a House. Each House has an affiliated colour and is named after an inspirational woman:

Austen (pink) Bronte (green) Curie (yellow) Darling (purple) Earhart (orange) Frank (blue)

Each House also raises money throughout the year for their chosen charity:

• Austen: Alexander Divine
• Bronte: Brave Mind
• Curie: Marie Curie
• Darling: Food Share
• Earhart: Thames Valley Air Ambulance
• Frank: Thames Valley Hospice

How can students get involved?

Earn House Points which will contribute towards the overall winning House. These House Points will be logged on Arbor by your teachers so you can see how many you have. In House Assemblies, the students with the most House Points in their House will be given a prize. Students can be awarded for any of the following:

 

Get involved with House competitions

We aim to ensure that all students are enthused to take part in House competitions, and therefore have planned competitions which appeal to a wide range of skills.

Our annual House competitions that are open to all include, but are not limited to:

• House Cake Off
• House Quiz
• House Band
• House Spelling Bee
• House Dance
• Sports' Day!

In addition to these annual competitions, there are an ever-increasing number of competitions run for each year group within different department areas

 

Get involved in House leadership opportunities

Each year, a new Year 12 student is appointed a Deputy House Captain who will become House Captain when they reach Year 13. These students are responsible for helping to encourage their House to take part in competitions and lead on House competitions and assemblies.

 

Meet our six Heads of House

Head of Austen: Katie Campbell

Hello! I am Katie Campbell and, having been Team Pink since the launch of the House System, I am excited to lead Austen to many victories! I have been at Newlands since 2007 and in that time, I have been Head of Year, Head of KS3 PE, an EPQ supervisor and taught in many departments, currently PE, Science and PRE! I have always been passionate about getting students to work vertically; they learn so many life lessons being a leader, and it is always lovely witness younger members of the school being spurred on by the older ones. Newlands Girls, particularly those in Austen, have many talents and ideas that can be “shown off” via House events, and I’m super enthusiastic about giving them a platform for that to happen. It’s so wonderful to see girls thrive outside the classroom and observe the camaraderie that comes with working as team. I want everyone to feel included and a sense of belonging, even if they don’t really like pink! I am sure we can make memories to last a lifetime.  Go Austen!

Head of Bronte: Tamara Matzik-Jones

I’m Mrs Matzik, a German and Spanish teacher and I am excited to be Head of Bronte. I joined Newlands in September 2023 and I have enjoyed working here ever since. I have been Head of Bronte since September 2024 and it has been a fantastic journey so far. I love seeing everyone get really excited for House events and competitions, and I hope our students feel proud to put on the green t-shirt and represent Bronte every time. I think the House system is a fantastic way for students to participate in building this school and feeling the community spirit. I feel very enthusiastic about the opportunities students have through being part of a house, be it developing their leadership skills through leading a competition or using their social skills to work together with students from all years to bring success to Team Bronte. After a few years of not seeing the top half of the table for a long time, I hope this year will finally be the year where Bronte will shine!

Head of Curie: Kate Atkinson

My name is Kate Atkinson and I am delighted to be Head of House Curie. Since beginning my role as a Wellbeing Practitioner in the Student Focus Centre, I have been fortunate to work closely with students across different year groups, supporting them with their personal development and wellbeing. This experience has deepened my passion for pastoral care and strengthened my commitment to supporting an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and encouraged to achieve their best. I am a strong advocate for inclusivity and student engagement, and I am committed to motivating students to get involved, explore new opportunities, and take pride in their achievements. House activities, competitions, and the points system provide fantastic ways for students to build confidence, develop skills, and feel a real sense of belonging. I am proud to play a part in growing that culture within House Curie, ensuring that every student feels empowered to contribute their unique strengths. With a natural cheerleader’s spirit and genuine enthusiasm, I am excited to champion House Curie, inspire participation, and build momentum across the year. My goal is to secure a strong place on the leader board while nurturing positivity, pride, and unity throughout our house.

Head of Darling: Kelly White

My name is Kelly White and I am delighted to be Head of House for Darling. I am a member of the PE department and have been teaching at Newlands for 32 years. I have been a member of Darling since the House System was first developed in 2011 and am really excited by the opportunities that will be available to students and staff as a result of our revitalised House System, particularly increased community spirit and an opportunity for pupils to interact across year groups. I have always been interested in developing student leadership and firmly believe it offers students the opportunity to develop a wide range of employable skills and am eager to build a strong team of leaders for Darling, as well as helping to develop a wider variety of competitive opportunities in addition to the House sporting events currently on offer. I am looking forward to finding out what a wide range of talents we have hiding away in Darling, and encouraging mass participation in House events.

Head of Earhart: Chloe Hazell

Hello, I am Chloe Hazell, and I am thrilled to be leading Earhart as their Head of House. I am a newly qualified teacher and new member of staff in the fantastic PE department here at Newlands. I believe the house system is imperative to school life as it provides opportunities for pupils in a variety of different subjects making it inclusive for all students, as well as staff, creating healthy competition. I am passionate about inclusivity and providing students with a positive experience regardless of any barriers to participation, which can be provided through the house system and inter-house competitions. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities this role will provide for me but more importantly students, giving them the chance to work with other students across all year groups and to create a solid team of leaders for Earhart. We are working together to develop a variety of new and exciting inter-house competitions and further promote those we already offer, as well as rewarding positive behaviour and celebrating student success. After winning the House Cup in Summer 2023,  I am looking forward to giving students a platform to showcase their skills once again.

Head of Frank: Michell Morrison

Hello everyone, my name is Michell Morrison, and it is an honour to be the Head of House for Frank. I have been a teacher for over 25 years and for 16 of those years I have been a member of the Newlands Design & Technology department. I am enthused to encourage the involvement of students across year groups to foster a nurturing, yet competitive environment where every student’s gifts, motivation and participation can be credited. I am passionate about everything creative and this includes the challenge to find new and interesting ways to help students contribute in the wider school life. I believe the House points system should be inclusive; somewhere all students feel included, the place where students no matter how loud or quiet their voice is, will be heard, recognised, and feel valued. It is my duty as Head of House to Head of House to be an ambassador who unites and helps the vertical year groups to champion their form, year, and House in a supportive and collegiate way.

Meet our House Captains and their Deputies