Divisions (Houses)

Dunbar is Pangbourne’s Junior House, made up of pupils in Year 7 and 8. An experienced team of Dunbar staff support pupils’ transition from their prep or primary school by creating a positive, welcoming atmosphere. The Division offers a firm foundation for their time with us, developing the confidence of its members ready for them to progress through the College.

Dunbar is split into four ‘Watches’ (Port, Starboard, Forward and Aft) who compete in challenges against one another. They each have their own Watch Captain (a prefect in Year 8) and Dunbar Buddies (equivalent to peer mentors), providing early leadership opportunities. To further friendly competition and maintain high standards, pupils compete for the coveted title of ‘Smartest Watch’ each Tuesday during weekly uniform inspections.

All Dunbar pupils sing in the Dunbar choir and embark on various trips arranged throughout the two years.

Housemaster: Dr Ian Hart

Harbinger is located within the main school building next to Devitt House, our aims are to nurture young men with a range of knowledge and experiences to enrich their lives beyond the College. The boys are encouraged to become the best version of themselves that they can be and remain "'Lions for Life'.

Mascot: lion

Division colours: gold and black

Division emblem: the Harbinger ship

House Values: Achieve, Believe, Succeed

Motto: ‘In Cublie Leonum Intrate’ (‘Welcome to the Lions’ Den’)

The boys are put into one of six Prides, ensuring a good mix of talents and abilities across vertical year groups. Throughout each half term the boys earn points for their pride through academic excellence, exhibiting flag values and taking part in organised house events. Each half term the winning pride is taken out for the evening to celebrate their success.

Housemaster: Mr Andrew Sumner

At the core of Hesperus - surrounded by lawns and located below Devitt House - is a commitment to happiness. If pupils are happy they will achieve their best in everything they do. Once a year, there is a Hesperus trip for the pupils to enjoy.

Mascot: Elvis the Elk

Division colour: maroon

Division emblem: the Hesperus ship

House Values: Effort, Family, Manners and Responsibility

Hesperus house is split into ‘Herds’ - groups which compete against one another throughout the term. The Herds receive points for achievements including academic work, cabin tidiness and general acts of service. The winning Herd each term is treated to a meal at a restaurant.

Housemaster: Mr Tom Cheney

Illawarra is a stable, happy family-like environment where girls can flourish and become independent Pangbournians. The Division aims to be a community with the highest possible academic contribution of each student.

Mascot: kangaroo

Division colour: green

Division emblem: a capital ‘i’

House Values: Kindness and Integrity

Once a week, the Division meets for a morning ‘Muster’ (house assembly) and every evening boarders gather to review the day before prep. Birthdays are celebrated with brownies, and on Friday evenings boarders come together to enjoy food (toasties, brownies, crepes) and watch films together. The divisional 'Pouches' meet to discuss current topics with a few girls from each year group, to give a broad perspective and to help the girls to get to know everyone in the house. The boarders often help each other with their work between year groups, as well as amongst friends. The divisional events are definite highlights, which the girls always look back on with fondness.

Each term, pupils switch their roommates to enable everyone in the division to form close bonds. Outgoing Upper Sixth girls paint their handprint and sign the Leavers’ Wall as a lasting legacy of their time in Illawarra, and at the Christmas party Year 9s do good-humoured impressions of their Upper Sixth peers. 

There is an annual Illawarra Parents’ Lunch at the beginning of the Michaelmas term for new and existing parents to get to know one another.

Housemistress: Mrs Rosie Jewell

Known also as ‘Q Town’, Macquarie prides itself on having a friendly atmosphere where all pupils feel relaxed and encouraged to achieve. The Division has a proud open-door policy enabling the boys to thrive in a warm community.

Division colour: dark blue

Division emblem: ship’s wheel

Whole-division activities include regular pizza nights and Sixth Form socials, indoor football, and our annual team building day - canoeing and a visit to an aquapark in recent years. The team spirit within the division is strong and we always perform well during divisional competitions. With a fearsome reputation in the Div Music competition and winning sport trophies, including Div Rugby and Div Football in recent years, Macquarie is a division that suits all rounders who throw themselves into College life.

The Macquarie ‘Man of Steel’ competition sees a tankard presented each week to the boy who has best displayed our Flag Values.

Housemaster: Mr David Metcalfe

Port Jackson is a place where pupils build lifelong friendships. They are encouraged to be kind, courteous and the ‘best they possibly can’, and have their efforts celebrated in a weekly ‘Muster’ (house assembly).

Mascot: wolfpack

Division colours: light blue and white

Division emblem: Sydney Harbour Bridge

House Values: Unity, Honesty, Commitment and Responsibility

Motto: ‘Ubi Concordia Ibi Victoria’ (‘Where there is unity, there is victory’)

The Port Jackson Division runs a competition between five mixed-year group teams, each forming a Divisional ‘Wolfpack’. These teams gain points from room inspections, duty week, academic effort and more, with the winning team being awarded a prize each term. The Division comes together to prepare food including pancakes on Friday evenings and tutoring the boys in the art of cooking for a dinner party ready for a black-tie ‘do’ with Illawarra, our sister house.

Housemaster: Mr Steven Thompson

St. George was the original division to welcome girls at Pangbourne college. Now, along with Illawarra, it is a thriving home to over 70 girls. There is a beautiful courtyard between the two girls' divisions to enable them to meet, socialise and work together.

Division colour: bright pink

Division emblem: a Dragon

The whole division meets in the Gunroom (Common Room) on Tuesday mornings and the boarders meet there every night before prep. The Gunroom is a homely and comfortable space where the girls can relax, play games, socialise and watch films. There is also space for the younger years to complete their prep with support and supervision.

All pupils are put into a dragon's 'den' which contains a mix of year groups, boarders and non boarders. They compete each term to see which den can gain the most den points. Dens gain points from winning challenges and competitions and from gaining positives from ClassCharts and from room inspections.

Our full boarders go on many trips at weekends, and also spend time cooking, baking, and having extra film and games nights. Outgoing Upper Sixth students paint a dragon on the wall so that their name lives on in St. George.

Housemistress: Mrs Jenny Jones