Sports’ Day vs House Shout- which reinforces House Spirit more?

With Sports Day slowly creeping up around the corner (or should I say starting the long sprint?), I took a second to consider how strongly the house spirit is felt there compared to one of our other House events- the one and only House Shout.

Sports Day: loud cheers; painted arms, legs, faces; glitter and bows in long hair; screams at the finish line; house tops and flags; a blur of colours walking, jumping, and of course, running across the sports’ field.

House Shout: a bond formed over the strongest desire to win as a team; smart and standard uniform; deafening cheers or squeals; hours and hours (or not…) of pre-competition work; smiles and choreography; the potential for blood, sweat, and tears to be mixed in.

Both events are rich in house spirit- but which is stronger?

Firstly, having just had House Shout and witnessed all of the emotion involved, one could easily argue that this is a pinnacle moment for many. Winning provides that sweet satisfaction from all the hours on dance routines, pitching the right notes and actually trying to sing as a house. Dedication from each and every member is required and in doing so, as Emile Durkheim studied, this cohesion and group goal brings everyone together. However, the constant rehearsals, restriction of precious phone time, and opposing ideas for songs or dance moves can also lead to some rather fractious relationships. But it cannot be denied that there is a strong sense of unity within each house- whether that has arisen from the countless repeats of ‘Rock your body’ or the strong desire to win for a third year in a row, the spirit is nonetheless thriving.

On the other hand, Sports’ Day has its anticipation built up over the entire summer term. But how many people actually train together beforehand? Maybe the relay team do occasionally or at a push a couple times in the near build up- other than that though, there is far less creation of a house team. Of course, the Collingwood flag flying from someone’s shoulders or Howe’s glitter-and-paint fest mostly definitely add to the idea of spirit and community. Moreover, the urge and competitiveness between each house allows for members to support each other and cheer rather incredibly loudly. House marquees and tents are swarmed by pupils, who are chatting, watching, and indeed feasting away at the foods house staff have worked hard to provide. A warm sense is felt all around (even if the weather itself isn’t actually that warm…) and with it, comes the aforementioned house spirit.

But an overall winner? It’s got to be House Shout. The collaboration alongside some tense competition (as anthropologist Thorbjornsen researches) really brings each and every house together whilst providing school with some ear-deafening cheers. Sports’ Days cheers can of course rival these and the colours of the houses running all around does help bring house spirit- but nothing can beat the dedication and teamwork House Shout requires and brings.