House Dinners

‘Social identity theory’ explains that humans like to gather together to experience unity, and nurture common values and aims. Last week in Concord can be described as such celebration of community, as we all participated in our House Dinners.

In Concord, there are 4 houses to which students are assigned: Gandhi, Mandela, Pankhurst and Teresa. Between Monday and Thursday, members of each House spent one fine evening in the company of the Head of House, House Captains (student girl and boy who represents the community), teachers, and last but not least, great food.

Every evening started with appreciation of the dining hall which for one night was sunk in the colour of each House (Gandhi-yellow, Mandela-green, Pankhurst-red, Teresa-blue) which was caused both by accessories and emblems, as well as by students’ clothes. Then we all listened to the speech of the Head of House about our House values, what it means to be responsible for others and the upcoming House events (such as House Arts). We also had a good time enjoying our meals and getting to know peers sitting around us. To make it easier for new students, Prefects prepared games such as finding the person who speaks the most languages or the students who have birthdays on the same day. Finally, we listened to House Captains, who introduced us to the house plans for the upcoming terms from the students’ perspective.

Yet most importantly, directing their words to younger students, they stressed that they really have been in the same situation before-when nothing seems to be certain-and they ensured them that this time passes away as we settle in Concord and strengthen our friendships. Overall House Dinner week was a warm time – reassuring us that we are not alone and that we have even more power as a community.

Kate Rudzka 6.2

House Spirit

In Concord, we have four houses, namely Gandhi, Mandela, Pankhurst and Teresa. Each of the houses is named after one great individual, who are of the same minds as Concord – valuing harmony and equality.

All students are part of a house. We regularly hold inter-house contests, and houses competes against each other, in both academic fields and non-academic fields, for example average Saturday test scores, the Road Race and the forthcoming House Arts. Competition brings motivation, yet the essence of it – is the sportsmanship we all treasure. It is not all just about competition; in each house, the bonds of brotherhood are strong, like a family. Within Houses, meals are held from breakfast to dinner, alongside with assemblies and many other events.

One of the more question-intriguing matters of the house issues may probably be the naming of Pankhurst, which is named after Emmeline Pankhurst. Yet in my view and my limited GCSE history knowlege, I reckon it is well-named ad perhaps the best. Emmeline Pankhurst, a leading suffragette who could be seen as a synonym with violence, obtensibly has nothing in common with concord and harmony, or rather quite the opposite.

Although her acts may be slightly more radical than the other three figures, she herself is an advocate to the modern world on gender equality. Amongst suffragettes, they lost their dignity in the force feeding actions and later the Cat and Mouse act; and one of them even died and became a matyr. Their grim determination and readiness to sacrifice themselves for greater democracy should receive applause. Her movement is not all just about radical, she had brought her ideas to every day aspects of life, as small as to a baugette wrapper. Her patriotism is worth to be highlighted, as she suspended all her movements as soon as WWII commenced, asking her fellow suffragettes to instead shift their focus in war efforts and wooing men to take part in the war.

Her courage and her passion are all things we should look up on, and these are the very reasons why I love the name of my house, Pankhurst.

Yanshing Cheung 6.1