Worth School

File:Worth Crest Stained Glass.jpg

Established	1949
School type	Catholic Independent boarding and day school
Ethos	Benedictine
Headmaster	Mr Peter Armstrong
Deputy Head	Dr Dominic Luckett
Director of Studies	Mr Nick Connolly
Chaplain	Fr Martin McGee, OSB
Abbot	Fr Christopher Jamison, OSB
1stXV Coach	Mr Brian Sullivan
Head of School	Teddy Sacerello
Location	Turners Hill
Enrolment	450 Yrs 7-13
School Colours	Blue and Gold
Website	www.worthschool.co.uk

Worth School, in the village of Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, England is a boarding and day school for boys aged between 11-18 years. The school is located alongside Worth Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with which it has a close relationship. As of 2005 the school has some 305 boarders and 150 day students.

Worth aims to provide a broad education and a balanced lifestyle that is rooted in the Benedictine tradition. When Headmaster, in 2000, Fr Christopher Jamison stated that "the pursuit of qualifications as the principal purpose of education is in danger of swamping all other objectives".

History of Worth

Lord Cowdray

Before Worth became a Day School in 1963, it was the country estate of Lord Cowdray.

The Make-up of the School

There are currently seven houses: Austin, Butler, Chapman, Farwell, Gervase, Rutherford and St. Bedes, which all compete to win house cups.

Bigger and better things

In the late 1990s a development plan was published. The outline of the plan was to referbish, renew and building better facilities in areas of the school. These main areas were: The Science blocks (completed in 2004), the playing fields (completed with less effect than hoped in 2004), the building of an Upper 6th House and new 6th Form Centre (completed in June 2002), The complete referbishment of the main school boarding houses (completed in Sept. 2004), and a new swimming pool to attach to the current sports hall - sadly never completed and run out of money. ... Oh, and the building of a Housemasters residence.

Benedictine Monks

There are approx. 22 Benedictine Monks living at Worth Abbey. These monks strictly adhere to the Rule of St Benedict, and through prayers and readings, teach the boys in the school about their way of life.

Houses

There are currently seven houses: Austin, Butler, Chapman, Farwell, Gervase, Rutherford and St. Bedes. Chapman and Farwell are the Day houses, Austin is a junior house (for all boys in years 7 and 8, regarless of boarding/day), similarly Gervase is for Upper 6th Students only.

Austin House

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Established	1949
Previous Name	Junior House
Previous Housemasters	Peter Hearn, Fr Christopher
House Master	Mrs Claire Chalcraft
Deputy Housemaster	Mr Daniel Roberts
House Chaplain	Fr Martin McGee, OSB
House Colours	Blue and Gold

Joining Year 7 or 8 at Worth means a warm welcome to Austin House. We are a small, friendly community of boarders and day students, living and meeting together each day in our own self-contained house. There is a secluded garden in which boys can play if they wish. Austin Boys are able to experience the thrill of being in a senior school without the anxiety of being 'left alone' at breaks and lunch times. Staff are always on hand to help, to listen and to advise where necessary.

The Benedictine ethos is part of our everyday lives and we are delighted to see Austin House boys thriving as individuals within a Christian community. Mutual respect and positive relationships are at the heart of what we do. In this supportive environment, clear standards of behaviour are set out and boys are expected to be well-mannered, to behave responsibly and be aware of the needs of others at all times.

There is an emphasis on individual development and, through careful teaching and structured extra-curricular programmes, learning becomes a multi-sensory experience which is at the same time academically rigorous. Boys are encouraged to be independent thinkers and to take their education seriously while at the same time enjoying themselves and having fun! Developing boys’ self-confidence in preparation for life in Year 9 and beyond, is an important feature of life in Austin House. At the end of Year 8 there is an exciting ‘moving on’ programme which helps boys through the transition from “junior” to “senior” school.

Hot chocolate before bedtime Hot chocolate before bedtime Austin House has a strong, experienced and caring pastoral team. The housemistress, Mrs Claire Chalcraft, is supported by a deputy housemaster and a boarding tutor who both live on the school campus. In addition, there are a further two tutors and two chaplains attached to the house. Austin House is fortunate to have a full-time matron and her family also resident within the house.

We feel that boys who are happy, safe and secure are more likely to enjoy school and reach their academic potential.

Butler House

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Established	1949
Previous Housemasters	Ben Dunhill
House Master	Mr Brian Sullivan
Head of House	Sam Swadling
House Chaplain	Fr Martin McGee, OSB
House Colours	Blue and White

Butler House is one of the four senior boarding houses at Worth School. It is named in honour of Dom Christopher Butler, Abbot of Downside Abbey from 1946-1966 and auxiliary Bishop of Westminster from 1966 until his death in 1989. It was during his time as Abbot of Downside that Worth was granted independence from Downside Abbey in 1957.

We have a vertical house structure with around 70 boys from Year 9 to Year 12. Boys in Year 12 take on house duties and assist the Housemaster in settling the house in the evenings. These students also play an important role in the induction of boys new to the house as they enter Year 9.

The Housemaster is Brian Sullivan, a teacher of Physical Education and Games and a rugby coach. Brian is married to Fiona and they have three young daughters. The Sullivan family arrived from Australia in September 2004 are enjoying being part of the Worth community. No doubt Butler will go from strength to strength with Brian at the helm!

In September 2004 Butler moved back into the newly refurbished north wing of the main building. Part of the School Development Plan, the upgrading took a year to complete and offers boys first class boarding accommodation set against any standard.

Butler has a very successful sporting history and has recently produced England caps for Nick Walshe and Oliver Breach. The house had been unbeaten in the senior rugby competition for 10 years, until last season, and are determined to win the trophy back this year!

While Butler is a house with a relaxed atmosphere, we pride ourselves in 'getting it right' when it counts.

Chapman House

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Established	1949
Previous Housemasters	Glenn Robertson, Chris Chalcraft
House Master	Mr Alan Mitchell
Head of House
House Chaplain	Fr Martin McGee, OSB
House Colours	Maroon & Blue

Chapman was reborn as a day house in 1996. We are still proud of our history having been named after Abbot John Chapman who founded Worth Priory in 1933. Chapman was one of the first boarding houses and now has more than 50 day boys.

The boys pride themselves on playing a full part in the activities of the school. Year 9 were third in the 2005 superstars competition and our musicians have always been to the fore in the orchestra, choir and jazz band. We had a major part to play in the success of Battle of the Bands last year and promising actors have given stunning performances in school productions.

Sport is also high on the boys' list of achievements, with success in House Soccer, Golf and Fencing in 2004/2005. We can boast a large number of representatives in the top sides in the school, including the Captain of Fencing and no less than 7 members of the 1st XI Football side. We had outstanding athletes in the house, who broke school records in the sprints and jumps this year and we are justly proud of the achievements of the elite in our midst.

It is true to say that although we bask in the reflected glory of these high level performances, it is the fact that every boy in the house is willing to contribute to the life of the school that is of greatest importance. Almost every boy has represented the school or house in some sporting capacity. Those who don’t make the team come and support. We had 100% involvement in the House Music Competition and hope this will continue to be a Chapman trait.

Boys playing pool

Situated at the top of Tower Hill we occupy a prime position in the school. Years 9 and 10 have a large day room for leisure activities, including table tennis and pool tables. There is a reading room for quiet activities or study and a kitchen where they learn to wash up! All Year 11 and 12 students have their own study areas and in 2005, top GCSE results were achieved by Chapman boys. For relaxation, the sixth form also has its own common room with a kitchen area.

Regular meetings with tutors and the Housemaster in tutorials help to look after the pastoral and academic needs of each individual student. Less formal but equally important gatherings take place each week. These are known as "tea parties" and are relaxed affairs with tutors or the Head of House. They encourage boys to develop their social skills and help build good relationships between boys and staff.

Farwell House

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Established	2001
House Master	Dr Duncan Pring
Head of House	Tom Mitchell
House Chaplain	Fr Martin McGee, OSB
House Colours	Black & Grey

Farwell is both the newest and smallest house in the school. As such it has had to work hard to establish its identity. One means is through the famous house tie, much loved by the boys (!) and based on the crest of the late Abbot Farwell, after whom the house is named.

Farwell is one of two houses for the day boys at Worth. Despite that, the boys have a very full day beginning with registration at 08:40 and finishing officially at 18:10. At that time many of the boys go home either by car or on one of the six buses whose routes are designed to give greater flexibility for busy parents who are unable to get to the school in person. Of course, many choose to stay on, participating in the wide range of activities that the school provides, ranging from jazz through karate to golf. These activities are fully encouraged, adding to the richness of their lives.

The house is a home for boys between the ages of 13 and 17. In their first two years they share a common room, but in their third year they have their own desk space with provision for computer access. In their last year in Farwell, the boys take on more responsibility, providing the leadership within the house.

One of the features of Farwell is the tea parties. Most days of the week a small group of boys will sit down in the house common room to enjoy a delicious (and maybe nutritious?) tea of toast and a soft drink with their tutor. This is a good chance for them to relax in a friendly environment and talk about issues that affect them.

Gervase House (As an Upper 6th House)

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Established	September 2002
House Master	Mr Andy Taylor
Head of House	Alonso Caro
House Chaplain	Fr Kevin Taggart, OSB
House Colours	A mix of other houses

Bliss to be alive but to be young was heaven. Wordsworth, another northerner, would have had no problems in putting together a few words about the new Gervase House.

The new house was built with the future in mind - a preparation for university and an improvement in accommodation that would place Worth in the top echelon of boarding schools in the country - yet, at the same time, preserving the spiritual qualities that distinguish Worth boys from any others. Whilst retaining a social calendar to allow them to develop into young gentlemen, Father Christopher and, most recently, Peter Armstrong have asked me to steer this flagship building into a new age for Worth and I was delighted to be given such an opportunity.

Day 1 was interesting, especially the looks of surprise on parents' and boys' faces. I have seen the same look on the faces of visiting staff and other pupils who look with envy at this facility.

Gervase House Let me explain. The house is split into three. Nearest to the golf course is my purpose-built, four-bedroomed house that has an internal door from my study straight into the boys' boarding house. The boys' residential area has eighty bedrooms, four of which are specifically designed for any disabled students, or visitors, during the holidays. There is even a lift! Each bedroom has an en-suite with shower, sink and toilet. Each room is networked for the use of computers and the rooms can convert into day or boarding rooms on the ground floor. On each floor there is a galley kitchen equipped with microwave, toaster, hot water geyser, table and chairs - very useful when you work so much in your room.

In the final third of the house there is the Patrick Lamb Centre. This is the area closest to the main building. The lower sixth may visit this area at certain times during the week, but the residential area remains the preserve of the upper sixth. In the centre, on the first floor, there is a large open area that has a bar, a television, a large projector and screen for the showing of films, and a network attachment allowing PowerPoint presentations. Downstairs there is a pool table, a telephone, the laundry area where matron can be found, a bootroom (some things don't change) and a quiet area for reading newspapers.

My job is to monitor the academic, spiritual and social development of the boys, not always the easiest of tasks when you have more than 80 eighteen-year-olds in your house - but certainly one of the most rewarding.

Bliss to be alive, but to be young was heaven.

Gervase House (Old Gervase)

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Established	Was the first ever house
Final House Master	Fr Mark Barrett, OSB
Final Head of House	Max McAlistair
House Colours	Black and Yellow

Rutherford House

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Established	1949
Previous Housemasters	Fr Bernard, Fr James, Bobby Acworth, Glenn Robertson
House Master	Mr Jonathan Cuff
Head of House	Warwick Symcox
House Chaplain	Fr Peter Williams, OSB
House Colours	Red (Maroon), Black

In September 2003, Rutherford moved into the main building, which was built in 1880 and which has been completely refurbished to provide excellent boarding accommodation. There are stunning views of the school estate, the Sussex weald and the South Downs. The students are very lucky to have such an environment to live and develop in.

The house has 15-18 students in each year group, from year 9 to year 12. Year 12 is the first year of the sixth form and the head of house and house prefects are in this year group. In their second year of sixth form, students move on to the upper sixth house (Gervase), for their final year in the school. This continuum provides leadership opportunities at different stages in the student's development in addition to preparing them for the university environment and the outside world.

Rutherford boy The aim of Rutherford House is to prepare the students with a strategy which is firmly based in the Benedictine ideals of community and service. The academic profile of the students is of great importance, but the wider curriculum is given considerable emphasis. Students are actively encouraged to develop their talents in the areas of sport, drama, music, voluntary service and the Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme.

To support these objectives, the house has a well developed infrastructure, which enables the students to communicate and consult within a formal or informal setting. The head of house and the house prefects are peers who can provide help and advice, as can the house matron, the house chaplain, the house tutors and deputies. Living in the house and constantly available to the students are the husband and wife housemaster team.

This infrastructure allows a family atmosphere to develop where students can flourish and grow in confidence. Visitors can also be welcomed and accommodated, allowing the Benedictine ethos to be seen to be functioning effectively in the twenty first century.

St Bedes House

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Established	1949
Previous Housemasters	Peter Armstrong, Glenn Robertson, Andy Taylor
House Master	Mr Jonathon Dolman
Head of House	Craig Jones
House Chaplain	Fr Charles, OSB
House Colours	Green & Yellow

St. Bede (673-735 AD) was a Benedictine monk, a great scholar and a holy man. St. Bede's House was established in 1965 as the fourth boarding house and accommodates around 76 boys in Years 9 -12. Our house motto is 'Pax et Veritas' which stands for 'Peace and Truth'.

St. Bede's is a friendly, family-orientated community that: takes a pride in nurturing the talents of all its pupils, prides itself on the quality of its pastoral care, works hard to develop the interests of each of its students, believes in creating an atmosphere of honesty and friendship in which all its members live and work in harmony, believes that the strong should have something to strive for and the weak nothing to run from (The Rule of St Benedict, Ch.64:19), is committed to providing an environment which supports and promotes Benedictine values through its consideration of, and collaboration with, others.

House Achievements

The Year 2004/2005 was yet again another strong year for St Bede's.

St. Bede's topped the other houses in Junior Rugby, Athletics, Cross Country and Basketball. The Seniors also won the Basketball and Tennis house competitions.

In the largest competition of the year, the House Music Competition, St. Bede's won three of the possible five prizes, including Best Solo and the most prestigious prize for the 'Choral Section'.

House Activities

Staff give their time willingly to organise many activities which include: outings in Crawley (bowling, restaurants, cinema), regular evening parties (toast and drinks) for students in the house, social events (cheese and wine, family days, jazz parties) organised by the Friends of Worth (parents) and the Housemaster, regular house masses, reconciliation and confirmation organised by our House Chaplain, Housemaster BBQs in the summer term.

External links

• Worth School official site