Developing future female leaders has never been more important. One of the Manor House School values is #FutureLeaders.
The House Arts competition enables Year 10 pupils to mobilise their peers to a common goal, to win!
For House Arts, each House is given a theme from which they devise a programme of creative performances including singing, dancing, music, and drama. They also direct and plan the staging and costumes too.
There are three Houses at Manor House School in Bookham – Discover, Victory and Endeavour. On joining the School, each pupil is allocated a House. All pupils embrace the community spirit fostered by the House structure. This event unites the Houses and truly develops a sense of School spirit with 100% participation. It is fully pupil led and culminates in a full day of performances enjoyed by the Whole School.
The atmosphere is electric and competition between Houses is fierce. House Arts enables pupils to work creatively and collaboratively; another of the School values #creativeandcollaborative.
House Arts is run by our Year 10, so they must take the credit. The Year 10 Leadership Team from each House devise a creative, engaging, and fun showcase. The planning begins in earnest weeks before the show with pupils willingly and happily pulling together to rehearse at every available break time and lunch time.
They produce a House Programme which takes the form of a 3D model graphically designed. This year we had a solar system, complete with lights a Ginger bread house and Castle! The pupil compares for each House must link each segment to create a complete and seamless show.
What does House Arts mean to the pupils;
“For each and every one of us, it is an individual challenge, but we get through that challenge and that gives us perseverance and confidence.”
“Seniors become future leaders and learn how to be a big team with younger pupils.”
“It is my belief that House Arts links to unforgettable experiences and it is a unique tradition of Manor House. Everyone really enjoys House Arts and it has been going on for 20 years! We are all very grateful to have an amazing opportunity like this to perform in front of a huge crowd. Without doubt, House Arts makes us resilient and cooperative.”
“It taught me to be myself.”
“House Arts makes us a really big happy community.”
“It gives a warm feeling in ourselves and it creates friendship between Year groups and confidence in the Prep School.”
“The Year 10’s especially helped my courage because they said we were going to smash it! This is not about winning; it is about having fun.”
“House Arts also lets the older girls and younger girls collaborate with each other.”
“We gave up all our break times just for House Arts and it was so worth it. I made lots of new friends.”
“We were an amazing team.”
“Going from being a part House Arts, to actually running it with my year has given me two very different perspectives on it. How to be part of a team, and how to lead one. House Arts has shown me how to be a leader, an encourager, a team player, and a helper. I am really thankful for the opportunities and skills that it has given me.”
“I think that House Arts is very important, because it gives us in the Senior school an opportunity to collaborate with younger years including the Preps. I certainly feel it has helped me make friendships in other year groups with people I would never have talked to before. It also gave me the opportunity to build my leadership skills by directing the Prep Drama.”
“For me, House Arts is a highlight of the year, as I love all the creative and collaborative aspects it involves. It is a great opportunity to get to know other year groups, and practice leadership skills in each group. I find all the dancing, singing, and acting really fun, as well as working with others on the scenery and programme with everyone sharing ideas. House Arts brings the whole school together in a way that no other event does.”
“When I first joined Manor House, I did a few experience days to get used to school life. One of the things that I saw when on one of these days, was a Senior Dance rehearsal. It was being practised out on the courts, I remember watching this rehearsal and asking my buddy at the time what they were doing, she told me they were preparing for House Arts. I remember being amazed that a group of schoolgirls could choreograph such a professional looking routine and was even more excited by the prospect of the girls performing a drama piece as well. When I eventually joined, House Arts soon rolled around, and I fell in love right from the start. I had done senior drama every year because I have always had a passion for it. All the year 10s I had been led by each year, were always so attentive and always tried their best (against any odds) to juggle the performance, scenery, and programme. I always felt daunted by how on earth they managed while still maintaining a smile. However, when my time did come around it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I got to know people much better out of the senior drama, scenery and programme side of House Arts and feel, although we did not win, we created something that we were all proud of. So, however hard it may to sum up House Arts in just a few words; I feel that House Arts means, teamwork, inspiration, and spirit. It has been a wonderful constant seem through all my time here at Manor House and I will miss it very much next year.”
The objectives of House Arts is to create a strong sense of School community spirit and to develop individual confidence, creativity, resilience, and flexibility. Year 10 develop leadership and coaching skills as they need to build rapport with their cast who then become role models for younger pupils who take part under their guidance. Everyone must work as a Team within their Houses towards a final object within the parameters of a theme. They get a sense of what it is to own and develop a concept whilst at the same time develop their communication skills.
House Arts is judged by the Headteacher, the Head of Creative and Expressive Arts, Mrs Williams with the Head of Music. The Houses score points along the way. Before announcing the House winners, the judges deliver feedback and recommendations. When the winner is announced, pupils must accept success and disappointment in equal measure. An important lesson in itself!
Manor House School, is an Independent School in Surrey. It comprises a co-educational Nursery and Lower Prep, and single sex education from Year 3 to Year 11.
