Why Choose Us Virtue System
People often comment about the charm, confidence and character of children they meet when they come for a tour around the school. This is a reflection of the values central to the philosophy of The Cathedral Grammar School, and our virtues programme in particular.
Each week, the Headmaster introduces one virtue as the week’s focus. The virtue is defined, and there is a discussion about what it looks like and feels like, in the playground and at home. Role play is used during the week as a fun way of encouraging children to demonstrate their understanding of the virtue.
Teachers operate a reward system to recognize those who strongly exhibit that virtue during the week.
Our core values, on which our school rules are founded, are:
• respect for ourselves, and others
• honesty and truthfulness in thought, speech and action
• care and concern for others
• obedience
• and responsibility and sense of duty.
The school chaplain complements the whole school approach, reinforcing the weekly virtue through chapel readings and lessons.
Pupils are expected to increasingly assume leadership roles as they progress through the School as part of the overall development of each child. Making children aware of how their actions and behaviours are perceived by others, especially as they become older (and become role models to the children younger than themselves) encourages good behaviour.
There are a wide range of opportunities to exercise leadership afforded to the pupils, from being given minor leadership tasks in the Junior School, to formal appointments into leadership positions in Year 8. All Year 8 pupils are known as "school leaders" and are expected to lead by example at all times.
Pupils also fulfill leadership roles as prefects and sports captains, and as mentor leaders through class buddy systems between younger and older pupils. These roles engender a sense of family throughout the School.
All pupils in Years 4 to 8 are allocated into a "House". The house system fosters collegiality and loyalty across the year groups, with older pupils acting as mentors for younger pupils. It exemplifies how the group achieves far more when unity and cohesiveness prevail, encourages selflessness and shows how positive outcomes result from concern for others.
The girls' houses of Connon, Dell, Hart and Mullen are named after Helen Connon, first woman graduate from Canterbury University; Dame Miriam Dell, champion of womens' rights; past Headmaster Lionel Hart; and Molly Mullen, past Board and staff member, Chapter representative and Head of St Margaret's College.
The boys' houses are Merton, Parr, Gibson (formerly School house) and Hansen - the first three being named after past Headmasters, the latter after Dr Hansen, a Board member for 33 years.