House System
Connection, Spirit & Belonging
Our House System is at the heart of school life at Huntingtower. It builds connection, encourages participation and celebrates the many ways our students grow together.
The Houses provide a framework for intra-school sports, cultural and music competitions throughout the year. They also serve as a key provider of pastoral care for our students.
Junior School Houses
Ruthven House was named after the original family who owned Huntingtower Castle in Scotland. Huntingtower Castle was built in the 16th century.
The house colours of Ruthven are red and white and their motto is Watch. Their house symbol is a castle.
Thomson House is named after a benefactor and one of the original committee members, Mr J. O. Thomson. He is recognised as having donated the first scholarship.
The House colours are blue and yellow and the motto is Unitas est Victoria (Unity is Victory). Their symbol is the lion.
As students progress from Junior School to Senior School, they are assigned into new Houses.
Senior School Houses
Bruce House was named after the Bruce family who are long-standing benefactors of the school.
Colour: Red
Motto: Strongly Seize the Day
Symbol: Lion
Head of House: Ms Benavides
Mather House was named after Principal, Mr Mather, who set our strong educational foundation.
Colour: Blue
Motto: To the Stars
Symbol: Winged Unicorn
Head of House: Ms Douglas
Rayner House was named after Joan and Betty Rayner who are recognised for their philanthropy.
Colour: Green
Motto: Unity is Strength
Symbol: Wolf
Head of House: Mr Sakellaridis
Warrell House was named after long-standing teacher and Principal, Mr Warrell.
Colour: Yellow
Motto: By Deeds Not Words
Symbol: Bear
Head of House: Mr Jones
House Activities
Swimming Carnival: Years 3 - 12
The Junior and Senior House Swimming Carnivals bring students together for a day of participation, House spirit and friendly competition in the pool. In the lead-up to the carnival, students can attend voluntary before-school swimming sessions at the Huntingtower Sports and Aquatic Center (HSAC), where our professional swimming teachers help them refine their technique and build confidence for the big day. At the carnival, students have opportunities to earn valuable points for their House across freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly events, as well as team relays.
Athletics Carnival: Years 3 - 12
The Junior and Senior House Athletics Carnivals are a vibrant celebration of participation, personal achievement and House spirit, with students coming together to compete, support one another and earn valuable points for their House. At the carnival, students can participate in a wide variety of track and field events, including sprints and distance races, hurdles, relays, shot put, high jump, long jump and more.
Cross Country Carnival: Years 2 - 12
The Junior and Senior House Cross Country events challenge students to test their endurance, strive for a personal best and contribute valuable points towards their House. In the lead-up to the event, students can take part in voluntary before-school training sessions, helping them build fitness, endurance and confidence in preparation for the course. On the day, students run several kilometres alongside their peers, with plenty of encouragement from the Head of Houses and teammates along the way.
Performing Arts
The House Performing Arts Festival is one of the highlights of the Huntingtower calendar, bringing students from Years 7–12 together to create, rehearse and stage their own production while competing for the coveted HPA Cup. Each House selects a performance and spends Semester 1 bringing it to life. With opportunities extending well beyond the stage, students can perform as part of the cast, play in the pit orchestra, design and create costumes, or contribute through technical and backstage roles. It is a true whole-House production, drawing on a diverse range of talents and encouraging collaboration. The experience culminates in performances on stage at the Huntingtower Performing Arts Centre, presented to a live audience of families and the wider School community. Each production is assessed by a professional external adjudicator, with one House ultimately crowned the annual House Performing Arts champion.
Ball Games: Prep - Year 6
The annual Junior School Ball Games Carnival brings students together for a fun and energetic celebration of teamwork, participation and House spirit. Held in the Junior School Gymnasium, students compete in a series of ball-based games and activities, working together to earn valuable points for their House. Families are warmly invited to come along and cheer from the sidelines as students demonstrate their skills, encourage their teammates and enjoy the excitement of friendly competition.
Debating: Years 7 - 12
House Debating challenges students to think critically, communicate confidently and work together as a team as they represent their House in friendly competition. Through the competition, students develop valuable skills in critical thinking, collaboration, persuasive communication and respectful disagreement, while building the confidence to express and defend their ideas. With House points at stake, the competition brings an added sense of energy, camaraderie and House pride.
Huntingtower would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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