Our house system

The House System at Penrith Selective High School is a longstanding tradition that fosters student wellbeing, engagement, social growth, and school connectedness. It provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, teamwork, and school spirit through positive competition and collaboration.

At the entrance to the school’s main car park, four house flags line the driveway: Blaxland, Lawson, Mitchell, and Wentworth. The flags ascend to a high point, with the flag flying highest representing the house currently in the lead. These positions are updated every five weeks, celebrating the ongoing achievements and friendly rivalry between houses.

Our houses are named after four significant figures and landmarks in Australian history:

• Blaxland, Lawson, and Wentworth honour the explorers Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth, who began their 1813 expedition from Blaxland’s farm at Emu Plains to cross the Blue Mountains. Their journey opened up new grazing lands and helped shape the development of western New South Wales.
• Mitchell refers to Mitchell’s Pass at Glenbrook, constructed in 1833 near the historic Lennox Bridge—an engineering masterpiece and one of the oldest single-span arch bridges in Australia.

Each House is led by a male and female Captain (Year 11) and Vice-Captain (Year 10). These student leaders coordinate House meetings, organise sporting and co-curricular events, and promote participation in the Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals.

The House System sits alongside other formal student leadership structures, including the Prefects, SRC, and JRC, creating opportunities for students to develop confidence and pride in their school. Students may hold one formal leadership position per cycle.

Throughout the year, houses compete in sporting, academic, cultural and co-curricular events for points. The overall winning house is recognised at the end of each year, with its Captains and Vice-Captains proudly sharing in the success as the House Trophy is awarded.

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