This May, the 6th through 11th graders gathered together to hear an exciting announcement: the introduction of a Redeemer House System. Upper School Principal, Mr. Cosner gave a brief history of the house tradition and the reasons for its implementation at Redeemer. In addition, the inaugural House Heads introduced the namesakes, mottos, and insignias for their specific Houses. Here’s what they all shared.
History and benefits
Being organized in school houses harkens back to an aspect of student life within the first universities of the medieval period, but one can trace its roots as far back as the Greek and Roman times (long before any modern fiction brought it into the American lexicon). When students went off to university, they would reside together in halls or houses. Over the course of an academic term, these houses would take on their own personalities as the students worked and played together. The result was a network of tight-knit mini-communities within the larger student body. While Redeemer’s House System will look different from its classical forebearers — since we’re not a boarding school — it will still offer numerous benefits to our students, such as
Providing a structure for healthy competition and team building year-round. Activities will include both familiar (field days, cooking competitions, and outdoor games) and untried experiences (team trivia, building challenges, baking competitions, and more).
Facilitating camaraderie and belonging. Houses create a supportive atmosphere where students have the opportunity to build positive relationships across grade levels.
Creating leadership opportunities. House Heads and upperclassmen will be responsible for organizing and leading events, allowing students to practice those skills. In addition, older students will work and play alongside their younger peers with plenty of chances to share their experience and wisdom.
House Names
Redeemer’s House System will organize students into FOUR houses, each one bearing the name of an early saint or martyr of the Church that students study during Rhetoric School. These namesakes were selected by the four founding House Heads, all rising seniors, and all members of Redeemer’s first graduating class. Henceforth, the Redeemer Houses shall be known as:
POLYCARP
An early martyr of the church who refused to renounce his faith before his executioners. He was killed by a Roman gladius when the flames would not consume him.
AUGUSTINE
A major figure in the early church who wrote foundational works of theology. His Confessions contain the story of his journey to Christ and continue to inspire Christian devotion today.
BASIL
An early church father who supported orthodox teaching and opposed heresy. He was said to give “sweet honey” to those within the church and “sting” those promoting false teaching.
ATHANASIUS
A 4th-century bishop who was instrumental in forming major Christian doctrines. His work On the Incarnation presents a sophisticated and beautiful account of why Jesus Christ became a man.
House Visuals
Each house will be represented by a house color along with a simple insignia that will symbolize the legacy of its namesake. In addition, the houses will bear a Latin phrase evoking a major theological concept discussed by their particular saint/martyr.
House Selection
At the start of the 2023-24 school year, each student from 7th through 12th grade will be placed into a house during an induction ceremony. After that, students will be initiated into their houses at the start of their 7th-grade year. Students will stay in that same House until they graduate. In addition, siblings will be members of the same House while at Redeemer. Based on their questions and reactions during the unveiling in May, students highly anticipate instituting the Redeemer House system in the fall.