At The Armidale School, the House system is the heartbeat of our community; a vertical structure that unites students from Pre-K to Year 12 in shared identity, belonging, and purpose. Guided by our strategic vision of Excellence Inspired by Character, Built Through Challenge, our Houses are where students experience what it means to be Connected, Committed, and Courageous.
Our Houses
Each House has its own proud history, colours, and traditions. Students and their House Captains; alongside dedicated staff; develop House pride and culture as they embark on healthy competitive fun and meaningful connection.
A History of Belonging
Houses were introduced to TAS in 1923 to 'create a better basis for competitive sport'. Today, they remain central to who we are; but their purpose has grown far beyond competition. Our Houses foster the trust, shared identity, and connection that enable students to take risks, embrace challenge, and grow with confidence.
Every TAS student; whether boy or girl, boarder or day student; is assigned to a House when they enrol. This is the House they will identify with, compete for, and represent throughout their TAS journey.
- Day students are allocated to one of three Day Houses: Broughton, Green, or Ross
- Boarders are allocated to one of three Boarding Houses: Abbott, Croft, or Tyrrell
The House as a Wellbeing Community
At TAS, Houses are more than sporting teams; they are pastoral communities where every student is known, noticed, and valued.
Heads of House are wellbeing leaders, responsible for knowing every student in their House and fostering identity, spirit, and belonging. In Senior School (Years 9–12), Heads of Day House and Heads of Boarding House are the primary pastoral leaders throughout the entire school day; across academic, co-curricular, and boarding settings. They coordinate House activities, celebrations, and pastoral support, working closely with Advisors and families.
House Activities & Competitions
Throughout the year, a wide range of House activities and competitions allow students to find their niche and represent their House; from sporting fixtures and Creative Arts events to Debating and Public Speaking. These opportunities encourage students to develop and foster character through healthy competition, teamwork, and mutual respect.
House activities are intentionally designed to nurture the Character Foundation, Intellectual Development, Social Capabilities, Global Perspective, and Practical Life Readiness that define our graduates. With so many ways to contribute, students feel purposeful and engaged in something larger than themselves, shaping their character through consistent participation.
Our Commitment
At TAS, being part of a House means belonging to something larger than yourself. Through the House system, every student:
- Is known personally by their Head of House, Advisor, and peers
- Is supported to develop resilience, agency, and purpose
- Is challenged to become a young person of character
This is the TAS way; preparing graduates who are truly Connected, Committed, and Courageous; young people of character ready to make meaningful contributions to society.
The House system at TAS plays a vital role in our whole-school wellbeing approach, ensuring that every student experiences a sense of belonging within our community while developing the attributes that will serve them throughout life. Through the diverse activities and relationships formed within Houses, students build the foundation for becoming graduates who embody our values and are prepared for life beyond school.