I am very proud of Collingwood House. It is a great place in which to live and work and we have a fantastic team of adults. Matron and the tutors are dedicated and experienced in their roles and have a genuine interest in the boys' welfare. We all have a shared experience and vision, both the staff and boys, and these then generate our house ethos which is summarised below:

"The days that make us happy make us wise" Claire White. It is a happy house, this is achieved by creating an ethos where all the boys can feel secure, have high self esteem and be valued as a team member. There is a structured environment where a pupil can feel empowered to take on the challenges and opportunities presented to them without being frightened of failure. It is great fun living in Collingwood - not in a trite way but the sense of camaraderie through the banter and interactions is very real and inviting.

"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination" Fitzhugh Dodson. It is also a purposeful house for we are seeking to challenge and enable all the boys to reach their potential in mind, body and spirit - mens sana in sano corpore, simply put a healthy mind in a healthy body.

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments" Anon. To this aim a high standard of discipline is the cornerstone of the house ethos. It is formed through the development of basic traits of honour, duty, courage and pride. It is characterised by attitudes of loyalty, trust, courtesy, high morale and esprit de corps. Since group discipline must begin with self-discipline, it is natural that emphasis is placed on personal habits of neatness, promptness, orderliness, and a civilised bearing. It is all our purpose, staff and pupils, to maintain the highest standards of discipline at all times in Collingwood’s community.

"We are what we do, excellence then is not an act but a habit" Aristotle. We are not to be satisfied with mediocrity, rather we seek excellence in all that we do, whether that is our appearance, competing on the sports field, performing in music or arts or working in the classroom. We also seek the very best in our relationships within our community through respect and compassion for one another.

"In union there is strength" Aesop. Collingwood strives to be an inclusive community. We maintain strong connections with its students, parents, alumni, staff and friends so individuals are inextricably connected in a seamless web. The philosophy of promoting the personal development of the pupils is shared by all members of the house team, parents and indeed by the pupils themselves. The consequences of that engagement are that the values embodied in Collingwood are projected into the wider area of those connected to the house.

I look forward to meeting you.

Contact + 44 (0) 1473 326 240

collingwood@royalhospitalschool.org