Mullion School is proud of its well established House system that fosters a sense of community and pride in the school. There are four Houses; Budoc, Gerent, Ricat and Yestin. Each student is assigned to a different House, lead by a House Leader. Their role is to ensure that students are encouraged to participate in the many House activities and contribute to the healthy system of competition for House points through the many extra-curricular clubs,and activities on offer.
Our Houses
Our school house teams are named after prominent medievel figures in Cornish history.
Around 100 BCE a tribe called the Cornovii migrated from Brittany and settled in Cornwall, building fortified cliff top villages. By the time of the Roman withdrawal from Britain around 400 CE, the Cornovii had become the dominant tribe in the area and it is to them that we owe the name of Cornwall, in Cornish – Kernow. The earliest date that we have for a named Cornish King was 388 CE and it is believed that the last Cornish King, called Howel, died in 936 CE.
Budoc
Budoc House is named after Saint Budoc. Legend says that he was the son of Princess Azenor of Brittany, who was exiled in a cask and Budoc was born at sea. St budoc was raised in a monestary in Ireland before he settled near Falmouth and founded a settlement now known as Budoc Water. He returned to Brittany and became first the Abbot and then the Bishop of Dol, Brittany.
Gerent
Gerent House is named after King Gerent, a king of Cornwall in the 8th Century. He was praised for his bravery at the battle of Catterick. At his death Gerent was rowed across Roseland Bay in a golden boat with silver oars. The St. Gerrens Church is situated in the village of Gerrans on the Roseland peninsula. Both are named after King Gerent.
Ricat
Ricat House is named after King Ricatus also known as Riocat and Ricat who was one of the last kings of Cornwall. It is thought that he died around 900 AD. His name appears on the medieval Penzance Market Cross which now stands in the grounds of Penlee House in Penzance.
Yestin
Yestin House is named after Saint Yestin, the Prince of Dumnonia, who was the son of King Gerent. St Yestin entered the church and was revered as a holy man. He was usually known as ST. Just and founded churches at St. Just-in-Penwith and St. Just-in-Roseland. The church at Laneast, originally called Lan Yust, near Launceston, is also dedicated to him.
The Tern
The school’s logo is the Artic Tern, the bird with the longest known migratory pattern of all creatures, symbolising the fact that Mullion pupils will travel all around the world. the logo is the reason why each year group is given a ‘flight number’ when they start school.
The House System
Mullion School operates a thriving house system. There are four houses called Budoc, Gerent, Ricat and Yestin. The House names are taken from the Kings and Princes of the Cornish Royal family.
The House System brings together pupils of all ages to provide a sense of belonging and identity with a supportive group that is bigger than a Tutor Group or Year Group. In the age-mix of a House, the youngest and most senior make different contributions to the co-operative endeavour, and all have additional opportunities for gain in personal and social development. The Inter-House rivalry, which is an inherent feature of the system, gives a keener edge to Inter-Group competitions on the sportsfield, in music, drama and within every academic subject in some form. Even the Merit system contributes towards the overall outcome at the end of the year. There is great scope for individual pupils to make a positive contribution to the success of the whole House by drawing on their own talents in a wide variety of exciting opportunities.
Each of the four Tutor Groups in a Year-group belongs to one of four houses* which link together pupils of all ages within the School. Each Tutor Group is identified by its Year group (7-11) followed by the initial letter of its House/colour:
BUDOC GERENT RICAT YESTIN
BLUE GREEN RED YELLOW
House Meetings
House Assemblies are held on at least one occasion each term. Their purpose is to inform pupils of the activities coming up, to inform pupils of the results of house competitions and the current standing against the other houses.
Announcement of House activities will be made in the weekly Programme or on House noticeboards.
In the Summer term, house elections will be organised and pupils will be asked to vote for a male and female House Captain and Sports Captain to represent the House for the next 12 months.
House Competitions
THE HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION runs throughout the academic year. Events in the contest are announced at the beginning of each Term. THE HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP BOARD will be inscribed during the summer vacation following the presentation of the Governors’ Cup.
