Semester 1 2024

House Group: a meaningful and unique experience Most mornings, students gather with their House Group peers and teacher, spending one hour together each week, with the addition of a House Assembly. This time is far more than daily routine; it’s a carefully crafted environment where cultural forces come into play (Ritchhart, 2015). Each House Group teacher uses a deliberate approach to create a meaningful and unique experience, navigating the busy and complex dynamics similar to those in subject classrooms. Amidst the non-negotiables like roll call and daily notices, the magic of House Group emerges. Balancing the routines with the extraordinary requires careful consideration of the House Group environment and the interactions between students. Fostering wellbeing and connection Each year, BGGS students participate in the Wellbeing Resilient Youth Survey. In 2023, one student insightfully noted that BGGS supports student wellbeing by ensuring ‘one person knows you…so that they understand you’. This highlights the dual role of House Group teacher: they are both the glue that holds the group together; and the person who takes the time to get to know and support each student in a less formal classroom setting. How delighted the girls are when their birthday is recognised, or a fuss is made over their personal achievements. Those moments are the simple joys that shape a girl’s experience at school. The House Program is the cornerstone of BGGS’ Student Care Program. House Group offers an opportunity for students to build strong bonds with peers they’ll come to know so well across Years 7-12. Regular and positive interactions in House Group foster trust and set a positive tone for the day ahead. Starting the day with a warm welcome from caring peers and teachers can truly be infectious. Student leadership and celebrating diversity House Group is a place where diversity is celebrated, and individuality is embraced. It offers a platform for expressing ideas and initiating student-led activities. The agenda can evolve based on the needs of the group, giving the students an opportunity to lead and contribute to something of value together.

It’s not just about the specific routines that are planned in House Group but it’s about how these experiences create the environment that provides joy, understanding of self and others, and community building. The culture of BGGS comes to life through various experiences throughout the school day, with House Group being an ideal opportunity to learn about what is good and right, providing a solid foundation for an enriching school experience. Reflections from students As girls reflect on their school experience, they often share their thoughts with us: • My House experience was very positive and there were many wonderful moments I had connecting with my House Group. • I have adored our House experience at school. Having House Group is an absolute highlight and I think it really sets Girls Grammar as a school that’s a cut above. • I love the fact that your House Group is with you since Day 1 and you can always rely on them. • House Group allowed for personal and collective growth. • My House Group is my family. We’ve all had a positive experience, growing together at school. • It was great learning and growing together with our House Group. • House Group was a safe space, and I was able to continue to see the friends I’d made in Year 7. • I think our House Group has grown closer over the years due to shared experiences. It provides us with a sense of community. • I had a lot of ups and downs with my House Group. At times I felt distant and excluded. But especially in my final year, I’ve come to be a lot closer with my House Group. I think a big part of that is due to our House Captains. A celebration of community We must celebrate the great work of House Group teachers in creating a warm and welcoming community. House Group is a gift of time that is worth savouring, enriching the BGGS experience.

REFERENCES: Ritchhart, R. (2015). Creating Cultures of Thinking: the 8 forces we must master to truly transform our schools . Jossey-Bass.

SCHOOL-WIDE PEDAGOGY NEWSLETTER SEMESTER 1 2024

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