Atkinson‘The House offers the individual a physical base and helps to provide a sense of identity within the school. The House strives to create an atmosphere of tolerance, mutual respect and understanding. Socialising within and across the year groups is actively encouraged.’
Atkinson is a relatively new day house in just its seventh year, created as a result of an increase in the pupil population at Mill Hill School. The Reverend John Atkinson was the first Headmaster of Mill Hill between 1807 and 1810. The House is situated in the former Classics department in the area above (arch rivals) McClure House.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Atkinson is home to approximately eighty boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18. In its brief history there have been many successes. In 2009 the original Atkinson Fourth Form left the school as Upper Sixth Formers, completing the first full cycle. Amongst this select group were three of the four Senior Monitors, the captains of Rugby, Hockey and Cricket and an Oxbridge student. The tone has thus been set for ambitious, highly-motivated students with a keen sense of fun.
When I was first put into Atkinson I have to admit I was a bit hesitant. As it was such a new House no-one knew anything about it. Boy was I wrong to doubt it! We now excel across the board. Our reputation now precedes us and our numbers have grown dramatically making us one of the biggest Houses in the school! Atkinson is made up of some of the best tutors and our Housemaster Mr Bingham is full of energy and enthusiasm and as a result the students thrive. One of the most noticeable elements about Atkinson is how barriers are non-existent throughout the year groups, in that everybody in the House mixes and socialises creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
When I think of the past four years in Atkinson, the words Joy, Family and Guidance are a few that come to mind. The House is a vibrant place; the Tutors form what can only be described as a ‘Dream Team’. There has never been a time when I have felt unwelcome in Atkinson and with Mr Bingham or one of the other tutors always in house the Housemaster’s office is not a place where you get a “telling off” but a place where you can go to have a chat with the teachers. We are also lucky to have a games room where it is never uncommon to see 6th formers enjoying a good game of pool or table tennis with younger pupils. The friendships I have made here across all year groups as well as the memories are ones that will stay with me forever.
This is my third year in Atkinson and I feel so proud to belong to this House. My very first House event was the House Music Competition which everyone got involved with and even though I was just in the chorus it made me feel I was part of Atkinson right from the beginning. Atkinson has real spirit and a friendly atmosphere which means it is great to come back to at lunch or breaks. Everyone from all the year groups congregates together in the main area just laughing and chatting or playing table tennis or pool. We have great banter with our Housemaster Mr Bingham. He sets the tone as he is interested in everything we do and encourages us all the time. We are a sporty house winning the Athletics Cup, Remove cross country and House hockey but also have some brilliant actors, singers and musicians. I have personally had so many opportunities to represent Atkinson ranging from playing house rugby to running cross country and I am currently on the House General Knowledge team.
