The House Crystal

Greasley did it!! 2009 was their year – For the first time, The House Crystal is theirs since its inauguration in 2002! The question now is, can they hang on to it in 2010…

For those who are fairly new to the College, the ‘House Crystal’ was created in 2002 and has since become part of Saint Stephen’s College tradition over the years. This challenge sees the four houses - Bell, Greasley, Haley and Hughes - compete for the prestigious award. This award recognises the variety of activities in which students participate and acknowledges that Saint Stephen’s College students possess a vast array of talent. Hence, the House Crystal is divided into three main categories, each with equal weighting and held across the different year levels (Prep to Year 3, Years 4 to 7 and Years 8 to 12). The house with the most points at the end of the year wins the ‘Crystal’ generously donated by Old Scholar, Michael Baruch, in 2002.

Sporting Achievement

Aggregate points in our three major carnivals: Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country as well as Spirit Awards for each.

Academic Achievement

Points are awarded to the various Houses for those students who achieve academic and high academic honours.

Cultural Achievement

This focuses on results of Interhouse challenges such as performance, chess and debating.

Below are the winning Houses to date:

2002 - Haley 2006 - Bell
2003 - Hughes 2007 - Bell
2004 - Haley 2008 - Bell
2005 - Haley 2009 - Greasley

2009 was an extremely successful year for Greasley House. Their goal at the start of the year was to ‘splash a bit of red’ onto the prestigious ‘House Crystal” award which is housed in a prominent position in the Goda Firkins Auditorium. This was their ultimate challenge and they knew that in order to do this, 2009 House Captains, Jenna Howard, Natalie Jones and Mitchell Brereton had to inspire, encourage and draw enthusiasm and house spirit from all its members. Participation was the magic ingredient, as well as great energy and House spirit which saw Greasley win the Interhouse Swimming Carnival at the beginning of the year, and in addition, take out the Spirit Trophy in all three Sporting events throughout the year, the 8-12 Swimming Carnival, the Interhouse Athletics Carnival and the Cross Country Carnival. With the taste of success in their mouths, they went on to win the Battle of the Bands. This could not have been achieved without countless after-school hours poured into practicing and perfecting what turned out to be an outstanding performance.

In 2008 the ‘House Crystal’ award was changed to encompass a whole school affair in line with our College’s philosophy. So let us not forget our younger Greasley members, the Prep to Year 3s and the Years 4 to 7 students, whose effort in their respective carnivals, academic and cultural activities very much contributed points towards Greasley’s ultimate win.

Who will win it this year? Let the challenge continue…

Belinda Brown
Head of House
Greasley