Harewell House
Mrs Holman is Housemistress of Harewell House, most ably assisted by her House Assistants Mrs Shutler and Mrs Samoluk. As with all the Houses at St Marys, Harewell is named after one of the places associated with the life of Mary Ward. It was the Yorkshire home of her cousin Catherine Ardington and Mary stayed with her from 1597 to 1598. It was in this beautiful and remote farmhouse, high on the Yorkshire Moors, that she prepared for and made her First Holy Communion on 8th September 1598 at the age of 13. This makes Harewell very significant in Mary Ward’s life and in the St Mary’s community.
I have been Harewell Housemistress for nearly six years now although I have been a teacher here since1998. I have never known the years to pass so quickly! Harewell is a very happy and relaxed House, full of creative and exceptionally lovely girls who all pull together to make it a warm, supportive and caring environment. The walls are adorned with their artwork and photographs and the corridors resound with laughter and general merriment. Harewell comprises over fifty boarders and day girls and numbered amongst them are very talented artists and actresses, great sportswomen and equestrian champions, musicians and philosophers and just thoroughly glorious girls, all with differing aims and aspirations but all proud to be Harewellians! It is they who make the House the home that it is.
I am delighted to report that last year's Prefects are all happily ensconced in Mary Ward House; we miss them greatly but they have promised to come back and see us regularly and tell us all the news. We wish them success in this very important year ahead. Their places have been most ably filled by a very dynamic prefect team led by House captain Rebecca and assisted by two very supportive and stoical Deputies, Jess and Livi. Although working as a team, each Prefect shares a position of special responsibility:
- Jess and Venetia: Events Prefects
- Livi: Charities Prefect
- Jess and Rebecca: Liturgy Prefects
- Lucy and Rebecca: Art Prefects
- Lola and Livi: Sports Prefects
- Jess and Venetia: Rewards and Sanctions
- Lucy and Lola: Birthday Prefects
- Kitty: Day Girl Prefect
- Kitty and Lola: News Prefects
- And a new role, Official House Photographer: Livi
They have all made a brilliant start this term, giving encouragement and support to everyone in the House and I am looking forward to a very happy year under their guidance.
Sadly we said goodbye to Miss (Librarian) Walker last year and Mr Pavlou and Mrs Lane as members of our House Staff at the end of last term. We miss their support, interest and encouragement. However, we welcome Miss Edmonds, Miss Williams and Mr Holdaway. They join Mrs Andow, Mrs Bramble, Mr Daley, Mrs Holdaway, Mrs Ridgway, Mr Rigby and Miss (Registrar) Walker, all of whom tirelessly support the House and this community.
