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Welcome to the first edition of our House Spotlight series for 2025! Across the year we will take you behind the scenes, ask the hard (and hilarious) questions, and uncover what makes each of our eight Houses truly unique.

31 March 2025

At ϲʿ students are allocated a House in Year 7 and this House remains their 'home base' until they graduate. There are eight House groups at ϲʿ: Hill, Medlin, Mellor, Oats, Reeves, Smith, Wright and Yates. The Houses provide a welcoming, nurturing and reliable space for pastoral care, service, inter-House sporting and cultural pursuits, and outdoor education activities.

Our first cab off the ranks is REEVES HOUSE, who never get lost in a crowd with their punchy ORANGE tops! Founded in 1981 and named after former Headmistress of Girton Girls' School and old scholar (1924-1925), Miss Edith Reeves, we sat down with the staff and students of Reeves to find out what makes this tangerine-coloured House tick

Known for its immense House spirit and led by a dynamic team committed to personal growth and building lasting community, Reeves is a place where students thrive. From dance parties to giving back, Reeves House is all about connection, growth, and making memories. We asked Hayley Patton, Head of Reeves House, and Alice Duddy, Assistant Head of Reeves House, to share their thoughts on the essence of Reeves.

Core Values
At Reeves, the focus is on developing well-rounded individuals who embody values like

  • Resilience
  • Confidence
  • Self-awareness
  • Kindness
  • Integrity
  • and Respect

A Culture of Leadership and Growth
Hayley Patton, Head of Reeves House, encourages students to develop these characteristics through a variety of means. "We create leadership opportunities, whether it’s as House Captains or event coordinators, and empower students to take charge of initiatives like our Bake Sale," she says. “It’s all about helping students grow personally and as leaders.” This approach builds a culture of agency and responsibility, making Reeves a House where students feel empowered and valued.

Fostering Belonging and Connection
Hayley feels that shining a spotlight not only on achievements but also effort, kindness and perseverance allow everyone to be championed, “making sure quieter and less confident students find a way to shine”.

Alice Duddy, Assistant Head of Reeves, explains how the House creates a strong sense of belonging. "We make sure every student feels seen and valued by focusing on connection," she says. "By mixing personalities and skill sets, we ensure everyone has something to offer." Reeves also pairs older students with younger ones as "House Buddies" to mentor and connect across year levels, ensuring everyone feels part of the community.

Reeves House Leadership 2025

Reeves Head of House, Hayley Patton, and Assistant Head of House, Alice Duddy

Dance, Give Back, Repeat
Anyone who’s stepped foot into Mr Wetherell’s Year 7 Homegroup knows that in Reeves House, dance parties reign supreme. A weekly occurrence, the sound of a Just Dance track is enough to draw students from all year levels into the fun. “It’s been going strong for three years now, and I’ve no doubt future Reeves students will continue throwing their best shapes in the Milne Building.” says Alice.

But Reeves isn’t just about fun—students also give back. During their Cause Week, they raised funds for the Hutt Street Centre, showing that social action is at the core of the House’s spirit. "It’s inspiring to see our students take action on social issues," Alice reflects. "That spirit of care and action contributes powerfully to the broader identity of our school.”

A Legacy of Support
Reeves House isn’t just about the here and now—it's grounded in a rich history. Hayley shares, "Old scholar and former Headmistress of Girton Girls’ School, Miss Edith Reeves, after whom our House is named, was known for her gentleness, fun, and approachability. Those qualities still shape our House culture today."


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Year 10 Reeves students Aleiyah, Alexis S, Alexis C & Zoe at the Reeves House Bake Sale

What Makes Reeves, Reeves?
So, how do students describe their House? Hugo and Seb (Year 10) sum it up as "spirited, supportive, and strong." "Reeves shows up with energy and enthusiasm, and we’ve got a supportive, welcoming vibe”.

If Reeves were a pizza…
Seb feels it would have an orange base (think House colours), topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, and chilli for a little kick—just like their vibrant community. Hugo, however, thinks Reeves would be a margherita: "Simple toppings, that, while not as flashy as ham or meats, and not an abomination like pineapple, still retain much flavour and diversity.” He describes this slice of perfection as “not being incredibly complex but made of ingredients that work well together.” “On a margherita, there are no superfluous toppings, as each part of the pizza contributes to how delicious the final product is. In terms of toppings and personality, well, I don't know the personality of each Reeves student individually, but I know they are all incredible.”

The Soundtrack of Reeves House
If Reeves House had a theme song that perfectly reflected its vibe: "I’ll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts would be it. According to Hugo and Seb, it sums up the House’s focus on being a supportive and welcoming community.

A House of Colour and Creativity
And if they could choose a historical figure to fit into Reeves House? According to the boys, Spanish artist Pablo Picasso would feel right at home. "His style of colourful, abstract art is spirited, and we think he would be able to fit into Reeves quite well.”

Reeves: A House Like No Other
At Reeves House, students aren’t just part of a group, they’re part of a community that supports, celebrates, and grows together. From leadership opportunities to dance parties, giving back to the community, and everything in between, Reeves is a House that’s got spirit, heart, and plenty of flavour.