All students and staff that join Lyndhurst Secondary College are allocated into one of four houses to further foster positive relationships amongst all. Through the support of two House Captains per House, staff and students unite to compete in various activities in order to take the annual winning title.
The House system at Lyndhurst Secondary College was established in 1989. It was introduced to assist staff in coordinating events such as cross-country running, swimming, and athletics sports. It was hoped that it would also endear a sense of pride and spirit into the school.
The original house names were:
- Flintoff (Yellow)
- Hale (Red)
- Kettner (Green)
- Sayers (Blue)
To learn more about the history of the original house names, please visit the College History page.
As Lyndhurst Secondary College underwent significant improvements following the pandemic, so did the House system. In 2022, a House Revamp was introduced to develop pride and participation. Staff and students with strengths in sectors outside of sports could now be recognized. Events such as the talent show, rev ups and cooking competitions are just to name a few.
The year 2024 saw the change of house names. These was voted in by students, staff, parents, guardians and community members. Further revamps to anticipate include mascots, chants, merchandising and house sorting.
Our current houses and their various elements are:
- Chang (Red)
- Freeman (Yellow)
- Irwin (Green)
- Paterson (Blue)
CHANG
Namesake: Dr Victor Chang
- Chang was a medical pioneer for heart transplants and a philanthropist who raised funds and awareness for education and medical innovation.
Colour: Red
- Representing blood, the heart, fire, and considered a lucky colour in Chinese culture.
Element: Fire
- This represents the connection to the heart being seen as a fire organ in Chinese medicine, as well as fire, like the heart, being the giver and sustainer of life.
Mascot: Phoenix
- Found in European, Asian and African mythology, the phoenix is connected to fire in its origin story.
Learning Areas: Languages and Technologies
- Representing contributions to medical and technological advancements, as well as Chang’s diverse language background as a migrant to Australia.
FREEMAN
Namesake: Cathy Freeman OAM
- Freeman is a dedicated sportsperson, successful Olympian and social justice campaigner.
Colour: Yellow
- Representing the sun in the sky (air element), the sun at the centre of the Aboriginal flag, and her gold medals.
Element: Air
- Connection to Freeman’s speed where she ‘runs like the wind’ as well as the connection to the calming breaths famously taken before her momentous Sydney 2000 race.
Mascot: Bunjil, the wedge-tailed eagle
- Found in Australian mythology, connected to air as a bird spirit.
Learning Areas: Health/PE and Mathematics
- Representing contributions to sporting excellence, as well as the distinct connection between sport and Mathematics through a focus on time, statistics and measurement.
IRWIN
Namesake: Steve Irwin
- Steve Irwin was a passionate animal and environmental conservationist.
Colour: Green
- Representing Irwin’s famous khaki uniform, his beloved crocodiles, the land, and sustainability.
Element: Earth
- Connection to Irwin’s focus on conservation of the earth and its natural resources.
Mascot: Cipactli, the crocodile
- Found in Central/South American mythology, connected to element of earth as is often seen as a representation of the earth.
Learning Areas: Humanities and Science
- Representing contributions to sustainability and biological creature conservation, key concepts studied in these areas.
PATERSON
Namesake: Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson
- Banjo Paterson was one of Australia’s most famous poets and storytellers.
Colour: Blue
- Representing water which features in many of Paterson’s works, and the blue of the Australian $10 note featuring Paterson
Element: Water
- Connection to Paterson’s most famous works The Man From Snowy River and the billabong in Waltzing Matilda
Mascot: Sea serpent/water dragon
- Found in European, Asian and African mythology, connected to element of water.
Learning Areas: The Arts and English/EAL
- Representing Paterson’s contributions to literature, as well as subsequent films, plays and retellings of his work.