From The Archives

As we look forward to our upcoming Whole School House Athletics Carnival, it feels timely to reflect on the rich history of our House system at Northcote High School, a tradition that stretches back to the very beginnings of our school. 

When Northcote High School was established in the 1920s, four Houses were formed: Darebin, Diamond, Merri and Plenty. These original Houses were proudly woven into the fabric of school life and even featured in our very first School Song, which is a reminder of how central they were to student identity and community spirit from the very start. 

A wonderful glimpse into this history can be found in the 1945 edition of Ripples Magazine. In a wrap-up of House activities, students were called upon to uphold the honour of their House with these stirring words: 

“You, however, are of the present, and in your hands are the honour, reputation and fame of your house, which you may make or mar. You are the stones with which the house is built; without you it cannot be perfect in all its parts and do honour to the builder: with your help your house can become worthy of those old boys who have died fighting for the ideals of justice, freedom and truth.” — A.J.H., Ripples, 1945 

The House system continued to evolve. In the 1950s, two additional Houses: Sumner and Batman; were introduced, expanding the competition and strengthening House spirit across the school. 

Like many schools during the 1970s, Northcote High School phased out its House system as educational trends shifted. However, recognising the powerful role Houses play in building belonging, connection and healthy competition, the system was re-established in the 1990s with four Houses reinstated. 

In more recent years, further reflection on our history led to the renaming of Batman House to Cooper, following research that highlighted John Batman’s role in colonial violence in Tasmania. This change reflects our commitment to ensuring our traditions align with our values and our understanding of history. 

Today, our four Houses: Plenty, Merri, Sumner and Cooper continue to foster teamwork, pride and friendly rivalry among students. As we gather for the Athletics Carnival this Friday, we do so as part of a tradition that is now more than a century old. 

Good luck to all Houses, may the spirit of competition and House pride shine brightly on the day!