Petre (Boys, Years 3-11)
In Petre House, our aim is to prepare and nurture boys to develop new life skills and become well-rounded young gentlemen. With foundations rooted in care, trust and respect, we aim to help boarders develop in personal and social maturity whilst maintaining a healthy sense of fun, adventure and inquisitiveness. The House motto is Sans Dieu Rien (Without God, nothing). Boarders come from different cultures and faiths but are united in their support of the School’s ethos.
Earle Wing is a dedicated area for Years 3-9, where boys enjoy an environment tailored to the needs of younger students but still benefit from the support and mentorship of older students. Some Earle rooms for the youngest boarders are shared between three or four, to develop a sense of peer support and camaraderie and to avoid isolation as the boys grow in independence and social integration.
Boarding in Petre House supports individuals in their pursuit of academic excellence and in working to achieve their potential in their GCSEs. Resident teachers are on hand to guide students through these important years of their development, with set times in which to study, and with all boarders in Years 9, 10 and 11 being allocated single study rooms.
Whilst academic success is important to us, we recognise the significance of ensuring that the boys are able to manage an effective use of their time, with regard to academic study, co-curricular activities and leisure. Academic rigour is complemented by numerous activities for the boys in the evenings and at weekends. We understand the value of leisure time, and so have developed a full and varied programme for the boys which includes: sports tournaments, outdoor pursuits, swimming, cultural activities, hobbies and craft. Inter-house competitions are popular and competitive. The Petre House football team maintains an on-going rivalry against Campion House. Events such as these inspire the boys to succeed. We encourage our young men to organise their own social events, through which leadership and organisational skills are developed.
We understand that being away from home for the first time can be daunting and we work closely with parents before the boys arrive to make sure the transition to becoming a boarder is as smooth as possible. Life skills are taught from the outset and our boys are encouraged to make meaningful contributions to our community.
We know that the early years of a boy’s life will have a lasting impact, so we provide the care and resources for our boys to flourish. The imaginations of the boys in Earle Wing provide more fun than any computer alone ever could. The friendships created will last a lifetime.
“Our boarding team is dedicated to ensuring that every student feels part of the New Hall community. It is the strong sense of family in Petre House that makes the boarders feel so welcome and at home”.