Walthamstow Hall - Traditions

Traditions

• There are 12 prefects with silver badges dating back to the start of the school. They are picked by the students and teachers. Within the 12 prefects a head girl is chosen and 2 deputy heads. The current headgirl is Rosie Barker.
• The prefects and house captains sit on stage behind the headmistress during prayers.
• Every year the upper sixth throw a 3rd form party to the new girls (3rd's, year 7) arriving in the first term.
• In the main dining hall there is a 'top table' on a raised platform where the headmistress sits and eats school lunch with the girls. The year that sat on the table would rotate daily (however this tradition died out)
• The 6 houses, Chartwell, Penshurst, Quebec, Montreal, Down and Knole all compete in house drama, music, lacrosse and netball.
• Housepoints are given to girls who excel in subjects, do well in homework, good behaviour, when a teacher feels it necessary. These points are added up and awards are given to the girl with most points.
• The housepoints and the points won in house music, drama, lacrosse and netball are counted and the house at the end of the year that has the most points wins the house cup.
• The upper sixth at the end of the autumn term perform a pantomime that is usually a surprise to the 3rd form. The teachers are not supposed to attend.
• There is a head girl note book that is handed down from head girl to head girl with useful advise the other head girls write down to future head girls.
• Speech day/prize giving is at the end of the summer term upper five, lower sixth and upper sixth are all expected to attend with their parents. Notable speakers make speeches as well as the headmistress and the current head girl who is about to leave. It is this day when prizes are handed out to girls who over the years have excelled in certain subjects.