House Captains

We launched our new House Teams in January 2018 which coincided with the ‘VOTE 100’ anniversary when women first won the equal right to vote known as the 1918 Representation of the People Act.

There are 8 house teams in total which are represented by the names of inspirational role models ranging from an assortment of backgrounds in fields such as sporting achievements, equal rights campaigners or for contribution in Science. These were chosen because they have also demonstrated at least one of our school values (Pride, Resilience and Kindness).

From Year 1 to Year 6 every child at Chesterton is part of a school house team. Children earn House Points throughout their school day which are added up weekly by the House Captains who also announce the top 3 Houses in our weekly awards assembly. The weekly points are then tallied up at the end of each term (Autumn, Spring and Summer) and the winning house receives a reward known as a ‘House Party’. Houses are used to provide a sense of belonging and are often used to group children when they participate in House Events such as Poems, sports competitions or arts events.

 These are the 8 house shields which were designed from the ideas of children from each house who took part in a ‘House Shield Design’ event in the 2019-20 academic year.

Role and Expectations of House and Vice House Captains

The role of House and Vice House Captains are ones of privilege, pride and responsibility. They are more than just a title and badge and require dedication and commitment for an entire year. The children take part in active citizenship, whereby they lead a series of charitable events throughout the school. This may include major national events e.g. Children in Need to more local events e.g. food collection for the local foodbanks or even arranging sporting challenges. At the beginning of each year the House Captains put their proposals forward to Mr Bennett and Miss Smith who authorise them.

House Captains are elected by the children in their House after giving a speech about what they can offer their House. All children in years 1-6 vote for their House Captains. Prior to accepting the house captain role, the new house captains will sign a contract of agreement detailing the expectations of a house captain explained below.

Each Captain will be different and will contribute a variety of skills and ideas to the job.

Characteristics of House and Vice House Captains

• Polite and well-mannered
• Organised and committed
• A confident speaker
• Well-presented in uniform and appearance
• Able to liaise and converse with staff, students and the wider community
• Desire to act responsibly and to be a role model for other students
• Be caring, mature and honest.

We expect you:

• To be a positive role model and ambassador for the school, demonstrating our school values (pride, resilience and kindness)
• To be enthusiastic and committed to the House System at Chesterton Primary School
• To be friendly and positive with all students, particularly within your House
• To be part of the team of House Captains who work together to achieve success for all.

Role Description

Duties:

• Lead and support the children of your House in a variety of House Competitions
• Work closely with the Mr Bennett, providing ideas and support for competitions and House related activities
• Help organise and lead regular House Meetings
• Collect, monitor and announce House Points
• Attend regular meetings with Mr Bennett
• Inspire the children of your House
• Be an excellent role model in behaviour, attitude and dress at all times
• Be available for ‘out of school’ events such as fetes, after school clubs etc.

UNCRC Article 12

I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously

One of the things the UNCRC does is to make it clear that human rights apply to children and young people as much they do to adults.

Children and young people don’t have as much power as adults: they can’t vote, and they don’t have as much money but Article 12 says they still have the human right to have opinions and for these opinions to be heard and taken seriously.

It says that the opinions of children and young people should be considered when people make decisions about things that involve them. Their opinions shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand on the grounds of age, but taken seriously with their evolving capacities taken into account. Article 12 also says children and young people should be given the information they need to make good decisions.