Lincoln has a long history of boarding life at Harrogate Ladies’ College recording its first Head Prefect in 1915. The House originally formed part of a ‘row’ of fine Edwardian town houses and then later became Lincoln East and Lincoln West and is now, finally Lincoln House. Our former Heads of House boards remain proudly hanging in the hall and the House is proud of its history.
The Housemistress for Lincoln is Mrs Anna Thompson who came to Harrogate Ladies’ College a little over year ago from Malvern College in Worcestershire; a mixed international boarding school where she was Assistant Housemistress. A true Yorkshire girl, she has enjoyed the move north and has been pleased to bring her family with her. Anna is married to Neville and they have two teenage children, all part of the Lincoln family. Both of their children are experienced boarders too and, in fact, Anna’s Grandmother was an old girl of Harrogate Ladies’ College, boarding herself here in around 1916! A picture of her holding her lacrosse stick hangs in the school corridor.
Lincoln House is located just along the drive from the school – it takes one minute to walk between the two! Home to over 50 girls, they are encouraged to think for themselves and through doing so, come to support one another and understand what it means to be part of a community. All girls are expected to play their part; put in what they can and understand that the more each gives, the more they receive. Girls are fully supported in learning how to work things out for themselves, developing mutual understanding and friendships along the way. As a true multicultural community, Lincoln represents an interesting spread of nationalities from across the world. The girls are encouraged to really get to know one another and to come to a greater understanding of what it is to live and work alongside each other in our mixed and vibrant world. We are a global community.
As a lively house, we enjoy many in House fun nights and activities. We are competitive and get involved in the inter-sport competitions as competitors or as noisy supporters! The variety of activities on offer through the week and at the weekend provides something for everyone, and if it doesn’t, then we will try to put it on. We have poker nights (strictly chocolate prizes!), swimming nights, hot chocolate and DVD nights, baking weekends, meals out, meals in, front of House badminton and even rustled up a cocktail bar for our last Christmas dinner replete with waiter!
Fulfilling individual potential depends on girls being happy and being offered, and encouraged to partake in, as many opportunities as possible. The girls’ happiness is paramount and can only be achieved by each playing their part in the life of the House. Mrs Thompson “wants the girls to leave Lincoln brimming with confidence and emotional intelligence, having developed as many facets of their character as they are able in the relatively short time they are here.”
To support this ethos and the care in the House, are the Assistants, Miss Pamela Jones and Miss Carly Grimm. Both are keen members of Lincoln and have their own special talents to bring to the fabric of the House. Pamela Jones not only brings her great enthusiasm for all activities (she is a qualified swimming instructor too), but has a special interest in rare birds of prey and uses her connections in this specialist field to organise some fantastic displays based here at College. Carly has just joined us fresh from New York and is here to help the school PE department coach lacrosse. Carly is also really artistic and intends to set up arty activities here in House. We have a great team that also include Maria, the Spanish language assistant also attached to the House and Mrs Susan Rouse, our House tutor. Both are here once a week to enliven the team and offer activities or just a new face for the girls to chat to.
Our own boarders all play a part too and to lead the House we have:
Head of House — Polly
Deputy Head of House — Charlotte
Year Reps – Millie, Kerry, Traz and Lucy
Sport Reps – Amal, Lydia and Emma
Food Rep – Daisy
To maintain our identity we have:
House Colour — Blue
House Emblem — The Bluebird
House Identity – Blue House Hoodie
We look forward to posting more for you to get to know the House a little better.