House & Vertical Form System
House system
A school House System aims to build a sense of belonging and loyalty within the school community which is especially important as a school grows in numbers. At Geraldine High School our Houses (Acland, Cox, MacDonald and Tripp) enjoy healthy competition through major events such as athletics and swimming sports, and students also gain points for everything from academic achievement to service to lunchtime activities.
The House System is also a place for student leadership, with House Captains and their councils taking a major role in supporting younger students from when they begin at school. Each vertical form class is part of a House.
Vertical Form System
Students from Year 7 to Year 13 are in a combined vertical form class which meets daily for 20 minutes. The aims of this system are for:
- building long-term relationships, as students are with their form teacher and each other for their entire time at Geraldine High School
- promoting peer support and peer mentoring
- providing opportunities for student leadership
- allowing guidance for careers and future subject planning
- form teacher involvement in student pastoral care through active mentoring
- small numbers in each form class
- building identity as a House
- counselling in careers and subject selection
- students to self-assess on the ‘key competencies’
- Deans’ access to students
- monitored and active reading through DEAR and Buddy Reading.
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