McClure‘The House aims to create an atmosphere which is both nurturing and positive in its approach with a ‘can do’ attitude.’
The House prides itself on its home from home environment, offering pastoral care to the highest order and providing pupils with a sense of identity within the School. McClure House was named after Sir John McClure, Headmaster of the School at the turn of the 20th century. Established in 1971, it is situated in the West wing of the School, underneath Atkinson House.
McClure has had a great deal of success, winning the House Drama Festival in 2009 and providing eight members of our House to represent the rugby 1st XV in the same year.
My first steps in Mill Hill School were very daunting, especially considering I came from a very small secondary school. However almost immediately, due to being part of McClure House, I felt settled. To this day I remember feeling envious of the grown-up sixth formers that paced across the huge quad. I wished that I too, one day, would be as confident and mature as the 17/18 year olds that I saw. Now, in their position, I am confident that thanks to McClure's strength, I have been guided into the person I now am. McClure and the members of McClure not only helped me to settle in and feel comfortable, but the house itself has also given me a foundation from which I could, and can always, turn to for support.
The amazing thing about Mill Hill is its sheer diversity. There are people who excel in every aspect of curricular and extra curricular life and that makes school so much friendlier. Whenever you go to a school event, it is so obvious how much work people put in to the performance, but mostly, how well we gel as a team and work together. For example, the recent house drama festival showed just how much fun it is to work together and McClure’s play was absolutely incredible. I was privileged to be a part of the house drama ‘squad’ so I could see, first hand, the sense of camararderie that we all know circulates through McClure on a regular basis.
Since joining Mill Hill, being part of such an amazing house has made me enjoy my two years to a maximum. McClure honestly feels like a second family and as I would do anything for my family. Being part of McClure has made me push myself to the limits and get involved with everything for the House. We take part in everything and whether we win or lose we always give our full effort and give the other Houses a run for their money. But winning isn’t bad either! So far I have been lucky enough to have captained the winning Inter-House Lower School Netball Team and was also a member of the cast of the winning House Drama Competition. Getting two trophies for McClure in one term can't be that bad! I have also been able to represent House as an individual on sports day, inter house swimming gala, and the McClure rep on the Anti-Bullying and Mentor Council (AMBC). After such a great start I just cannot wait to see what the rest of my years in McClure House have in store!
I had great expectations of Mill Hill before I arrived because my junior school was very small and all boys. As you would expect this was going to be something very new for me, however I was excited. When I arrived at McClure House I was welcomed by the people in my house, it really helped that a lot of the students were from Belmont so if you made friends with one you could then meet new people through them. What also helped me settle in was the buddy system; this meant that I knew people from the year above who I could talk to if I needed help. This gave me confidence to reach out and become friends with people in other houses.
