“United by Pride & Passion; In pursuit of Excellence”

As you may have guessed, Austen gets its name from Jane Austen, the much loved novelist who we associate with Chawton, the house where she lived for 8 years.

Congratulations to all of the students and staff in Austen for currently holding the House Cup!

I have had the pleasure to lead Austen House and witness the drive and determination pupils have displayed throughout the school to do their very best, from winning sports days to raising money for our chosen charities.  The very ethos of the House system is to create a community that works collaboratively as a team, whether you are a year 7, year 11, or a member of staff.

The whole school community has embraced this ethos and it was once again magnificently represented in an overwhelming House assembly at the end of the year. I know that competition will continue to be fierce this year but I am confident that we will all do our very best to hold on to the trophy for another year!

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer

Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein was nicknamed "Monty" and the "Spartan General”. After an illustrious Army career, he died at his home in Isington, near Alton at the age of 88. He was interred in Holy Cross churchyard, Binsted

To be leading Montgomery House this year is such a privilege. This is my first year of being a House Leader and working with an awesome group of talented, enthusiastic and brilliant students. We have won the house cup before and we will endeavour to do it again. My newly appointed House Captains and Charity Representatives will help organise and guide the Monty students to success this year. It’s not all about winning it’s also about taking part and involving each student in the House System ethos, understanding what makes us a great House within a wonderful school, working with the community on new projects and ensuring we do our very best to earn house points to win the cup.

Good luck Monty House!

Edmund Spenser was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is often considered one of the greatest poets in the English language.

He is supposed to have lodged at 1, Amery Street in Alton for a time. A plaque sits above the door that reads: ‘Here lived Edmund Spenser Poet – 1590’.

As the newly anointed Head of Spenser House, it is my pleasure to be part of the House System. I should also like to thank Mr Varndell for all his work and enthusiasm in  past years and for bringing a whole new meaning to the sartorial elegance of yellow!

I am looking forward to a host of new challenges and am counting on my fellow yellow Spenserians to get involved, to earn House Points with frightening frequency and to help in regaining the House Cup in July, an event that is long overdue! I am sure that with our united endeavours we can achieve this noble aim.

I am respectful of my red and blue colleagues and I wish them success in all their endeavours…except ones involving the House System.