Introduction
The House System exists to encourage girls to take a full part in a wide range of school activities, to provide a smaller focus of loyalty within the school and to give the opportunity to a larger number of girls to exercise responsibility and leadership. There are four Houses – Clarke (named after a former senior mistress and benefactor), Curran, Spencer and Walker (named after former Headmistresses). It is another support mechanism for the pastoral system, as different age groups work together and help each other.
Each House is led by four House Captains who at the end of Year 13 apply for the posts and are then interviewed. These posts include Arts, Communication, Music and Sport. This gives pupils an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and be a mentor and role model to younger pupils.
Each House has a House Mistress to oversee activities and a Senior House Mistress who coordinates the programme. The House year runs from April to April.
Autumn Term
House Drama
Swimming Gala
House Points awarded for A Grades at GCSE, AS and A Level
House Assemblies
Winter / Spring
House Music
Sporting Events
Teachers’ Obstacle Race
House Assemblies
Presentation of House Awards
Summer Term
Sports Day
House Assemblies
Talent Show and Charity Event
House Points are awarded throughout the year as an integral part of school life e.g. for attending Open Days, representing the school in events, competitions, answering questions at Junior Assembly.
Clarke
Miss J.M. Clarke, a graduate of the Royal University of Ireland, taught French and German in Bloomfield until she retired in 1934. A much loved and respected teacher, she was always elegantly dress as we can see in one of the oldest school photographs taken in the summer of 1911.
Walker
Miss Nannie Walker BA was appointed headmistress in 1912. Two younger sisters, Barbara and Elizabeth, were also members of staff and shared some of the responsibilities of running the school. In 1920, Miss Walker married Captain Robert Spencer and was succeed as headmistress by Miss Elizabeth Walker.
Spencer
In 1932, Mrs Robert Spencer returned to Belfast and her daughter Miss Barbara Spencer became a pupil at Bloomfield. Mrs Spencer acted as school housekeeper from that date. Miss Barbara Spencer subsequently lived in Brighton and had a successful career as a journalist.
Curran
Miss A.M. Curran was appointed headmistress on New Year’s Day 1948. Thus was the cumulation of a most successful academic and teaching record. Miss Curran led the school in great innovation and striking development in activities before retiring in 1962.
