The House System is a core way of establishing a sense of belonging across the different year groups. Each house is named after a local river from within different corners of our catchment area, signifying our connection and commitment to the region and communities in which we are based. All Emmanuel students are part of a house, and we encourage as many as possible to engage in friendly inter-house competition across a wide range of activities and events, including cross-country, cooking competitions, performing arts, tug of war and an array of sporting competitions. Each house has a committee attended by a representative from each tutor group. The committee is then led by the student Heads of House and their deputies, who also then meet with the Senior Students Council which is chaired by the Head Boy or Girl. The system helps to integrate the student body and offers abundant opportunities for fun, developing and displaying talents, and developing character and leadership.
- The Derwent River flows 35 miles from near Blanchland into the Tyne near the Metro Centre and for most of its course it forms the boundary between the historic counties of Durham and Northumberland. The Derwent roughly follows the north western edge of our catchment area.
- The River Don rises in Springwell and travels for a few miles down to the Tyne at Jarrow. For much of its journey it forms the boundary between Gateshead and Sunderland and encompasses much of the eastern side of our catchment area.
- The River Team, which has a number of tributaries across North Durham flows from near Beamish to Lamesley and then along Team Valley to the Tyne at Dunston. It therefore flows across the south then through the centre of our catchment area.
- The Pandon Burn was once one of the rivers that flowed through Newcastle and into the Tyne on the North side of the river. Once famed for its beauty, but also significant in terms of the development of industry in central Newcastle, the Pandon ran almost exactly along the route of the north and eastern side of our catchment area.
Current House Leaderboard
