On a Sunday afternoon early in September, balloons, pool noodles, Frisbees and plastic cups took over the fields at St. Michaels University School.
It was the first House Games event of the school year, bringing together nearly 250 students from more than 25 countries and SMUS’s six boarding houses: Barnacle, Bolton, Harvey, Symons, Timmis and Winslow. Students moved through six stations in small teams, taking part in relays and challenges designed to reward enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to join in—not any particular athletic ability.
That accessibility is an important part of House Games throughout the year. Whether the activity is soccer, floor hockey or a series of minute-to-win-it challenges, students can contribute in different ways while earning points toward the House Cups and Building Cup. One of those trophies is now 100 years old, first awarded at the School’s earliest organized House Games. While the activities and awards have evolved alongside the boarding community, the tradition of friendly competition has endured.
The competition begins in September and continues throughout the year, culminating in House Olympics in June. But the games serve a larger purpose: they create regular opportunities for students to spend time together, build traditions and strengthen their sense of belonging.
Each of the three boarding residences brings together one boys’ house and one girls’ house, creating another layer of connection across the community. Students compete for their individual houses while also contributing to their shared building.
That spirit was evident before the first game had even begun. House Games traditionally opens with a “cheer-off,” as each house performs its own cheer. Some have been passed down over many years, including Bolton’s memorable penguin cheer. This September also brought something new: Winslow and Barnacle joined forces for the first-ever building cheer.
It was fun, loud and slightly ridiculous—which is part of what makes it work.
House Games are thoughtfully structured, but the sense of community they create increasingly belongs to the students themselves. Grade 12 boarders play an especially important role. Many have participated in these events year after year and understand both the pride at stake and the responsibility they have to set the tone. They cheer others on, keep their houses engaged and show younger and newer students what it means to contribute to the community.
Houseparents help create the conditions for that to happen, but over time, students begin to lead the way.
For boarding students, life at SMUS extends well beyond the school day. Like their day-student peers, their weekends include time with friends, activities, competition and community traditions. House Games are one way that life is intentionally brought together, not as forced fun, but as an invitation to participate, take pride in something shared and help create the kind of community in which everyone has a place.
Last year, Symons and Harvey captured their respective House Cups—and, as the two houses sharing a residence, combined to claim the Building Cup. The question now is: who will dethrone them?
