House Spirit in 2025
Celebrating a Year of House Spirit and Shared Achievement
This year, our four Houses (Lawson, Greenfield, Brawn and Baird) have come together to create a school culture defined by our core values of Pride, Respect and Responsibility. Across every event and initiative, students showed what it means to belong to a community that lifts one another up.
Recognising Positive Behaviour and Community Values
A highlight of our wellbeing calendar was the green Compass entry celebration, where we recognised students who consistently demonstrated positive behaviour aligned with our school values. This event not only celebrated individual commitment to Pride, Respect and Responsibility, but also strengthened a culture where positive choices are noticed and encouraged.
As part of this new celebration initiative, students who accumulated the most green Compass entries, were rewarded with a Hot Chip Lunch. This was a fun and welcoming way to acknowledge their efforts and reinforce the importance of positive behaviour. Together, these two events helped show that living our values has a meaningful impact on our school community.
Strengthening Connections Through Service and Support
The spirit of Pride and Responsibility was powerfully demonstrated through the Soup Bus Fundraiser and particularly through Fiona’s Walk, a cause deeply connected to the heart of the Ballarat High School community. Fiona is a past student here and walking in her honour continues to be a fun way for our Houses to come together, celebrate her memory and support one another through a vibrant, colourful community event.
Our School Houses also played an important role in welcoming new members of our school community. Through the Year 7 Lunch Activities, students demonstrated Respect and inclusivity, helping our newest learners feel comfortable and confident as they settled into school life.
Celebrating Pride Through Sport and Team Spirit
This year’s Swimming Day and Athletics Day showcased the vibrant House spirit that defines our school. Students competed with determination, cheered each other on and celebrated personal achievements with genuine Pride. These events brought colour, energy and unity to our community, reinforcing the healthy balance between competition and camaraderie.
Honouring the Best of Our Houses
The House Spirit Awards were a major highlight, recognising excellence across four categories:
Upstander of the Year
Academic of the Year
Sportsperson of the Year
Artist of the Year
What made these awards particularly special was those students themselves nominated their peers, acknowledging those who inspired them, supported others and demonstrated positive actions both inside and outside the classroom. This student-led process captured the true essence of our school values by lifting each other up and celebrating the diverse strengths within every House.
A Community Built on Values
From celebrating positive behaviour to honouring a cause close to our hearts in a fun and colourful way, from welcoming new students to competing with enthusiasm, the combined efforts of Lawson, Greenfield, Brawn and Baird have shaped a truly memorable year. Together, our Houses continue to bring our values of Pride, Respect and Responsibility to life in meaningful and inspiring ways. A very special acknowledgment of course to the winning House, Greenfield, who won the House Cup for 2025!
Congratulations to all Houses for a wonderful year of shared achievement and community spirit.
Emily Marshall
Lawson House Leader