The BMH house system has now been operational for over two months and we have already witnessed a lot of excitement, friendly competition, and community spirit. The BMH house system was set up to accomplish goals such as these, so we are thrilled that this is already being achieved.
Students are busy earning House Points in their lessons by participating in classroom activities, demonstrating correct behaviour, being appropriately dressed in their uniforms, and completing their work. Every point they earn brings them one step closer to their House becoming the House Champions, who shall be revealed and crowned at the end of the school year.
Launch of the House System
In September, the BMH House System was officially launched in a rousing assembly attended by all grades within the school. Students were full of intrigue and wonder as they entered the assembly hall to be welcomed by thunderous music and alluring imagery. As the House system was explained, the level of excitement began to grow and students started to become eager to learn of their adopted House and represent their House colours.
The Red Dragons, Blue Sharks, Yellow Lions, and Purple Dinosaurs House members were revealed and the games could officially begin!
First, Houses had the task of nominating their House Captains who would lead and represent their House in future events. The House Captain position carried with it a lot of responsibility and leadership duties that appealed to certain students within the school, who put their names forward for consideration.
After the results of the House Captain vote, we were delighted to offer the House Captain position to the following students and we hope they are successful within the House Captain role:
We also held a House competition that caters towards our wonderfully creative and artistic students to design a House Logo that would be used to represent their House for the whole school year. We had so many fantastic submissions, and it was very difficult to choose only four.
Thank you to all students who submitted their beautiful creations and congratulations to the House Logo winners: Yvonne Yamei Leung (Red Dragon); Lily Li (Yellow Lion); Milly Huang (Blue Shark); Artus Koh (Purple Dinosaur).
Scary/Silly Photos and Crazy Hair/Hat Day
In the spooky month of October, we held another House assembly to introduce the October House Event. This month, students were asked to dress up at home in either a silly or scary costume; the scarier/sillier the better! We had some truly wacky and absolutely frightening submissions and we thank all students for their contribution. Every student who submitted a scary/silly photo was awarded House Points; however, the silliest/scariest photos earned the most points!
As this is a House Event, we also wanted to do something festive at school. Therefore, on Friday 29th of October, all students came to school with some seriously crazy hairstyles and hats! We were amazed by the level of dedication from our students (and even some of our teachers). This day was full of amusement, enjoyment, and of course silliness as students shared their unique styles with their friends and teachers. We hope all students had fun on this Crazy Hair/Hat Day!
Now we are in November, and the next House Event has already come into transition: The BMH Uniform Olympics. Throughout the month of November, teachers will be carefully monitoring the condition of students’ school uniforms; checking to see they are wearing school approved clothing, girls are wearing red stockings, boys have their shirts tucked in and are wearing their ties with an appropriate knot. By simply coming to school with the correct uniform, students can earn House Points daily, and improve their House’s current position on the House Champion Leaderboard.
However, correct school uniform is an expectation we have at BMH for the whole school year, not just for this House Event. Some parents may query the necessity for school uniform and its importance within a school. We also posed some questions regarding uniform to our students and they made some interesting points. This is what we learned.
Why do we wear school uniforms?
At BMH, we take pride in our school colours and what they represent. Our school uniforms identify us as a member of the BMH community and we should take pride in these clothes. However, school uniforms are not only to represent our school, they also serve other factors.
Dora in P1C noted that the school uniforms are in place for student safety. If a student was ever to become lost or in danger, they could easily be identified by the uniform they are wearing. Derek in P2B also highlighted that school uniform prevents the bullying of others due to the clothes they are wearing. When we all wear the same uniform, we are equals. Finally, Dr Wall shared the importance of uniform for future life preparation. Many work places require their employees to dress appropriately in formal atire.
By wearing school uniforms now, students are preparing themselves for their future lives at work, because when we look appropriate, we act appropriate. We thank all those who shared their thought in our assembly and we hope parents also share the same ideals and they encourage their children to come to school every day looking the part.
In addition the daily correct uniform, at the end of the month, student athletes (chosen by their House Captains) will compete in the BMH Uniform Olympics. This is an oppurtunity to showcase their formal atire dressing skills to the whole school. Student athletes will compete in 3 events:
Tie Race – students race to put on their tie and tie an appropriate knot the quickest.
Good Posture Cat Walk – student to demonstrate good posture by walking straight whilst balancing three books on their heads.
Tie Those Shoes – which House can tie their shoes the quickest?
Each event will earn the student athletes House Points, so we encourage students to participate to help their Houses. Student have until 19th of November to write their names on the sign up sheets around the school. After this date, House Captains will review the candidates and choose 4 from each House with help from their House Teacher Representatives.
The level of engagement from the students and teachers is what makes this system successful, so we hope to continue to inspire and captivate our members of the BMH community with stimulating and purposeful House Events for the remainder of the school year in order to achieve our purpose.
