The International School of Schaffhausen House system aims to foster a sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion, praising student efforts and recognising ownership and responsibility. The House system engages all students and staff, empowering them to feel safe and positive, being an intricate part of our school community. Each event is designed around a topic, and students decide how to reach a target while building new friendships through participation in fair-play competitions and activities. It enables students to develop their leadership skills and creates a culture of positive role models within the school.
The four House teams at ISSH are named after Swiss mountains to acknowledge our host nation and honour Swiss culture (Eiger, Jungfrau, Matterhorn, Säntis). The analogy of challenging oneself and having the determination to ‘climb mountains’ to attain our goals serves as a reminder of what being an active participant in House events is all about; it also reflects being an authentic Swiss at heart.
Our aims and objectives:
- To build vertical and horizontal community within the school
- To align with the High School goals and focus on leadership development through student-led activities and initiatives, taking on significant roles and responsibilities
- To learn how to organise events, respect deadlines and collaborate with peers
- To present opportunities for (physical, mental and social) well-being, one of the Middle School Goals
- To regenerate the competitive and collaborative House System and design events linked to our school wide themes
- To create senior and Junior House Captains and Service, Active and Creative House Captains Committees.
- To recognise teamwork and individual effort and to award it accordingly through House points
The 4th of December marked the grand deput of the first House event at ISSH. Students of each house eagerly aligned themselves with one of the three teams, each with a unique mission.
The vibrant world of the “imaginative team” crafted a visually stunning poster that echoed the essence of the environment.
The “service team” dished out delicious treats and beverages to fuel not only appetisers but also a collective mission to raise funds and the “active team” orchestrated a football tournament, transforming the gym into a lively arena of athleticism and friendly competition.
As the dust settled on the event, the results mirrored the collaborative aspect: a thrilling tie for the first place between teams Säntis, Matterhorn and Junfrau.
Here’s to many more adventures in the world of student-led excellence!
