House System
The House System supports the College’s strong Pastoral Care structure. Daramalan has eight House Groups with students becoming a member of a House upon enrolment. The Houses are Cuthbert (Orange), Farrer (Green), Goolagong (Red), Lawson (Yellow), Lyons (Purple), Merrick (Black), O’Brien (White) and Phillip (Blue).
As a general rule, a student belongs to the same House throughout their time at Daramalan with siblings belonging to the same house. Each House consists of about 170 students. The House system is structured to allow staff and families to build and maintain positive and effective relationships.
The students are grouped into eight Houses comprising of students from Years 7-12 under the care of a House Coordinator (Years 9-12) and Pastoral Care Advisor (Years 7-8). Pastoral Leaders are responsible for monitoring the wellbeing and academic progress of the students. Each student is also placed in a Pastoral Tutor (PT) group who meet daily.
The House system encourages a sense of belonging amongst students and staff with loyalty and commitment to a House group being built over time. Parent volunteers assisting at school events can also demonstrate House spirit by working together at College community days such as Sacred Heart Day and the annual Charity Walk.
The House system:
- Provides leadership roles for students with students from Year 12 serving their House in their role as House Captains throughout the year.
- Encourages participation in co-curricular activities provided within the College. Flagship events include the House Swimming Carnival, House Cross-Country Carnival and the House Athletics Carnival. Year-level specific House Competitions provide opportunities for students to share experiences, foster new friendships and strengthen existing relationships.
- Supports positive behaviour in all areas of a student’s life, from wearing the Daramalan uniform correctly and with pride, as well as using resources including the school Diary and intranet portal to help organise themselves.