HOUSE SYSTEM

The House System is an important extension to the Collegiate’s pastoral programme. In addition to encouraging pride, respect and personal responsibility amongst students, it is intended that the House System instill in students a sense of ownership and “belonging”. The smaller House communities engender healthy rivalry in friendly games and other extra-curricular activities, build team and leadership skills and promote co-operation.

There are three Houses within the British West Indies Collegiate: Blue, Green and Red. The houses were originally named after the ships of Christopher Columbus, but this is now under revisement with a view to choosing more Turks and Caicos centric themes.

Every student will join a House in Year 6 (or in whichever year they enter the school) and belong to the same House until they leave. We strive to ensure that children with older siblings join the same House as their brothers and sisters. Other than that, we try to ensure the best possible spread of academic, sporting, musical and leadership abilities.

Blue, Green, and Red

The House System helps build an individual’s strengths within a group and create a bond with other students of all ages. As students reach their senior years at the Collegiate, it is hoped that they will become increasingly involved in running their Houses and coordinating House activities.

Each House elects its House Captain from the Sixth Form and its House Vice-Captain from Years 10 or 11 at the start of the Michaelmas Term. Once elected, Captains and Vice-Captains will remain in place until the early part of Trinity Term, when a new Captain will be elected from Year 10. Students are encouraged to take into account responsibility, leadership qualities and sporting/academic achievement when considering their votes and nominations. To encourage ‘responsible’ nominations, all House Points received by House Captains and Vice-Captains are doubled – as are points lost.

POINTS SYSTEM

Each member of the teaching and non-teaching staff (other than Principal and Vice Principal) is assigned to a House. One or two members of staff in each House undertake the role of Head of House. It is their responsibility to lead and timetable House Assemblies, and provide encouragement and support to their various teams competing at any one time.

In school, students will earn House Points for particularly good pieces of work; high levels of effort; contribution to school life; helping others; etc. These points will all add up towards a cumulative House total and, at the end of the year, decide the outcome of the Frederick Krieble House Cup. Points allocated to students are recorded each morning by the Vice Principal. Running totals for Students, Years and Houses are automatically generated, and tables showing positions, points breakdown and total points for each House are displayed on noticeboards in school corridors as well as in respective House base rooms. Tables showing the current positions within each year group are displayed in respective homerooms. Full tables are printed and published at regular intervals.

The Houses also form the focus of various competitions, sporting and otherwise, including National competitions. Students earn points for their House by taking part in these events, earning more depending on how well they do. House members are encouraged to write reports and produce photographs of these events, which can later be published on the school website. Parents are encouraged to come along to support their child, and to cheer for their House.

As the House system has evolved – and as bonds have developed – it has become the heart of the school pastoral programme. It links with other pastoral initiatives, such as the reading programme, where mentors are paired with younger mentees from the same House. This may be extended in future years to include peer and cross-age tutor groups.

Pastoral care at BWIC secondary school on Providenciales

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral Care Form Tutor is responsible for each Year Group, which they oversee daily at registration.
We run a popular reading mentor programme where older students guide and befriend younger ones. Members of staff are also mentors to Advanced Level students, whom they guide through university applications and help develop their study skills through effective time management.

After school there are a variety of activities for students , such as basketball, softball, track and field, soccer, table-tennis, music and the Student Council, which comprises representatives from the various Year groups.

Year 12 students are encouraged to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. The school is also an enthusiastic participant in the academic, cultural and social life of the Islands, with the majority of students taking part in regular community and sporting events.

With the recent departure of Mr David Scales, the D of E program may be curtailed to September 2024.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme about?

Students commit to learn four new skills over a period of months:

  • Volunteering (helping people),
  • Physical Skills (getting fitter) , and
  • Expedition, ( sailing, kayaking, etc.).

Each section is designed primarily by the students themselves.

Dignified Goals

  • Acquiring skills, confidence needed to succeed with employers, colleges and universities.
  • Making a difference to other people’s lives and your community
  • Getting fitter and healthier
  • Making new friends and gaining recognition

Related Links

DofE – BWIC Student Learning new skills

House System

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website