Ballot boxes at the Polling Stations
New House Names for THA!
After thirteen years of using sporting heroes as House names THA STARS decided that a change was needed. They felt that the House names were no longer relatable to younger students and wanted to rebrand the House system. The democratic process of choosing new names began in June and the General Election took place on the 21st June 2018 when both staff and students cast their votes at The Academy Polling Station.
This was an exciting learning opportunity for all students to take a huge part in The Academy’s future.
The students came up with a list of possible people who they considered worthy candidates for our House names. Nominations were announced and for three days hustings and manifestos took place during Tutor times followed by the General Election in the Sixth Form Room. Each class was sent up to the ‘Polling Station’ throughout the day to cast their votes in secret. Each student and member of staff voted for two men and two women.
The result was as follows:
Joshua House – Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua is currently the World’s Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Joshua has the IBF Heavyweight Title, the OBO Heavyweight Title and the WBA Heavy weight Title, these are three of the four major world titles. Anthony Joshua grew up in Watford, Hertfordshire, which is close to THA! His determination and humility is truly inspirational.
Hawking House – Stephen Hawking
Stephen William Hawking was a scientist known for his theories on space and time. At age 21, he was diagnosed with ALS but he kept going with his research and helped us understand black holes. He was a professor at Cambridge University and wrote 46 books. He stood for excellence and perseverance and is an inspiration to all.
Ennis-Hill House – Jessica Ennis-Hill
Jessica Ennis-Hill is a former Heptathlete. This means she specialised in seven different disciplines. This takes plenty of determination and training to pull off. In 2012, at her home Olympics, she won the gold and inspired thousands of young people to try and do the same. She is such an inspirational figure to all of us.
Obama House – Michelle Obama
Michelle is an American lawyer and writer who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She is married to the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, and spent her early legal career working at the law firm Sidley Austin, where she met her husband. She subsequently worked as the Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago and the Vice President for Community and External Affairs of the University of Chicago Medical Center. Barack and Michelle married in 1992 and have two daughters. As First Lady, Obama sought to become a role model for women, an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity and healthy eating, and a fashion icon.
