Written By: Lola Illies
The Upper School recently celebrated House Day, with an assortment of activities that helped build the community and start the school year on the right path.
As the beginning of the year settles in, so does the House community. Houses bring together students from all different grade levels into various cohorts, based on gender. These make up two larger communities, the blue and gold communities, which often compete to gain House points and win special rewards.
House Day took place on Wednesday, September 3, and lasted all day. The day’s schedule focused on faith and relationship-building, through prayer, reflection and friendly competition.
Upperschoolers gather for a picnic lunch in the courtyard. Photo Credit: Addie Brandt
The day began with Mass, followed by virtue talks in the Performing Arts Center. Four faculty members gave speeches: Dr Keiser, Sister Amelia, Mrs. Simmons, and Dr. Flanders, and while the specific topics varied, each teacher covered the importance of virtue in our daily lives.
“I think that the talks gave the students some good information about virtue, prayer, and mental health. Dr. Keiser gave a powerful witness of how virtue works, and Sister Amelia likewise gave a great witness of prayer and prayer life,” stated Mr. Hester, the Upper School House Coordinator.
Once the virtue talks concluded, the students all headed to lunch in the courtyard. The Upper School is usually divided into the Upperclassmen and Lowerclassmen for lunch, so this was a perfect opportunity for students to socialize with people they may not know, and it was a chance to create new bonds with freshmen who are new to the concept of House.
Lambda House is ready to work together for the Conveyor Belt game. Photo Credit: PAW
“We made them feel welcome, because I know what it’s like to be a freshman, and we want everyone to have someone they can go to and be friends with,” Maya Sauer, ‘26, stated.
After lunch concluded, the entire Upper School met on the football field for a series of field games which consisted of competitions between the Houses in 10-minute intervals. These games were an opportunity for students to bond and connect as a community through friendly competition. The games varied from having students try to catch beach balls in a huge pair of pants launched by a badminton racket, to stacking cups with rubber bands that required team work and strategy.
Sigma House ready to spring into action to claim their paper plates in the “Clap, Boom, Snag” competition. Photo Credit: PAW
“I liked how [the day] started with Mass and faith-based talks because it reminded us of the core of Providence and the pillars it is held on, because we can’t have the school we go to without remembering what it stands for. I also liked the field activities because it helped the Houses work together for a common goal, and it was the first opportunity to really get to know the new members of the Houses. I liked how all of the games were team-based because it allowed all grades to work together instead of just the grades competing against each other,” House Captain Shannon Healy, ‘26, stated.
Overall, House Day was successful for both students and faculty. The students were reminded of the core values of the school, which are faith, knowledge, and virtue, while also being able to have fun and compete with other students.
Delta House strategizes with their House Advisor, Mr. Kennedy, before their next game. Photo Credit: PAW
“The games worked well. It’s good seeing such a high level of participation, and it seemed everyone was in good spirits. The reflections after the talks went well, so it’s good everyone got to relax for a day,” Dr Keiser expressed.