Whittall House Rules!

Whittall House is undoubtedly an incredible home and, further, an incredible family. It’s filled with academic weapons, chronically online Grade 9s, gym addicts, and half the Senior Rugby Team. As each person brings something different to the house, these boys have all found their niches and excelled this year. Working hard to try and go back-to-back in Interhouse victories has come with some challenges, but regardless of the results, everyone had a good time. From boys dressed (and painted) head to toe in red, to losing our voices during the incredible start of Eco-Challenge, the house showed up and showed out consistently.

This year had its fair share of shenanigans. Between pogo sticks downstairs and fire alarms set off at midnight by smoking steaks, there were plenty of fails - and laughs. In spite of the teasing and wrestling in the halls, the culture of this house is captured in the remark of our Head of School: “This house claps a lot”. At the end of the day, the Whittall boys have grown to be a tight-knit group who support each other through everything. The kindness of others is often taken for granted here because this is just the reality of our house. 

Sadly, almost all of the adult cultivators of this incredible culture are leaving Whittall this year: our beloved Ms Cole and Braxton Smith who made sure the house chilled out on Tuesday and Wednesday nights each week; the witty Mr TCH who will go on to bigger and (not-so) better things in Ellis; and the man, the myth, the legend, Mr Gage. Through his cheeky sarcasm, talent for catching people doing something stupid, and emphasis on honesty, Mr Gage has somehow survived the chaos that is Whittall House, and we are forever indebted for the care he has shown each and every day.

There is nothing but gratitude in my heart for all the boys I’ve been lucky enough to live with and call housemates. I have the utmost confidence that all of you will go on to do great things and be even greater people. Know that you are in great hands with Ms Ramsay and Mr Barrett, and never forget: you mess with the bull, YOU GET THE HORNS!

Bern Mebane, Whittall House Captain ‘24