The House System: Belonging and Personal Development
Ever wonder what’s the first big event for new students and staff at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi?
It’s the House Sorting!
The House System, which you might recognise from the Harry Potter series, has been an important tradition in a Dulwich education for hundreds of years. It fosters a deep sense of community and provides students with opportunities for personal growth.
At the start of this new academic year, we continued this cherished tradition with both our Primary and Senior Schools hosting their respective House Sorting Ceremony and House Banquet. The announcement of new House Captains marked the beginning of another exciting year filled with new opportunities and adventures.
The fun experience of House Sorting in Primary School: New members of the Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi community were called to the stage, where they sat under the iconic sorting hat and were assigned to their Houses.
The Senior School House Banquet, bringing the community together and fostering a sense of belonging.
Why Is The House System So Important?
The House System is more than just a tradition—it delivers tangible benefits for students’ well-being and personal development, equipping them with skills essential for success in the 21st century.
01 Creating a strong sense of belonging and pride
At Dulwich Puxi, we are committed to fostering a caring community, and the House System helps students feel a deep sense of belonging and pride.
Upon joining the school, each student is sorted into one of four Houses—Song, Moussa, Yung, and Shackleton. Throughout the academic year, they will collaborate with their House peers in various activities and competitions, all working together to win the House Cup. This collaborative environment helps students build strong bonds with their peers, fostering a sense of pride and identity within their House.
02 Developing key transferrable skills required by leading global universities
Each year, students will work collaboratively to collect House points. From sports competitions to quizzes and talent shows, the House System offers students a variety of opportunities to develop key skills like teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and emotional intelligence. These are skills they’ll need for university and beyond. House events also foster healthy, friendly competition to help students learn the spirit of playing to win and learning to lose in a healthy mindset.
03 Building leadership through the role of House Captain
Leadership is one of the most important skills our students will need as they prepare for life beyond school. The House System offers numerous opportunities for students to develop and practice leadership, whether they’re serving as House Captains or leading their peers in various House activities.
We’re excited to see how this year’s House events unfold and look forward to celebrating our students’ achievements. Who will take home this year’s House Cup? Stay tuned to find out.