Murray‘In Murray, House members are encouraged to take pride in both personal achievement and their contribution as members of a vibrant community.’
Pupils are expected to harness their individuality for the good of the community, to embrace the opportunities on offer and face up to the challenges provided by the Mill Hill community. We ask them to involve themselves in the range of House and whole School activities and, in time and as appropriate, to take Leadership roles and to show pride in being a member of the School’s oldest Day house.
Murray House is the oldest day House at Mill Hill. It began life in 1933, recently celebrating its 75th anniversary. Before this time day pupils were allocated to the boarding Houses. It is named after the most prominent former member of staff of the School, James Murray who taught at the School from 1873-1884 and was the editor of the new English Dictionary, effectively the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. He built a corrugated-iron shed in the grounds of the School, called the Scriptorium, to house the many slips he received from the public on which were written quotations illustrating the use of words. Murray died in 1915 before the final results of his painstaking work were published. The Dictionary ran to twelve volumes, defining 414,825 words and referencing 1,827,306 citations.
Murray House relocated in 1994 to its present location underneath the old VIth Form Centre in rooms, formerly used by the History Department. In Summer 2009, it received a major facelift and the classroom feel that had pervaded since the last century was finally lost and a more suitable House space created.
Having been in the Foundation since I was four, I felt particularly honoured when I was asked to be Head of Murray, especially as Murray was a boys’ House until six years ago. When I arrived, it was a very different place: it was much quieter! Now girls are integral to the House and it is livelier than ever. With the recent changes there is even more of a buzz around the place: we now have more rooms and all with carpets, real tables instead of picnic tables and comfy chairs! It has certainly been transformed into a second home. I enjoy my role around the House, especially talking to the younger pupils and encouraging them to get the most from their Mill Hill experience. ‘Get Involved’ is the message I like to spread and even if we do not win all the House competitions, I am glad we get recognised for our enthusiasm. Last year we won one of the Big Three – the Newcastle drill competition, which epitomised the dedication, devotion and team spirit there is in the House. It was great to be a part of it. When I get to school in the morning, it is always nice to know that there will be a lot of smiling faces in Murray. I am proud to be in the School’s first and best day House.
Murray has a great atmosphere! Every morning we walk into such a warm, welcoming House. All the year groups get along so well. The mentoring system has helped as this encourages us all to converse with one another. As sixth formers we can do private study in House so it was good to see that Murray had been refurbished last September providing us with a nice environment to work and play in. I am proud to be a Murrayite, ever since I joined the Foundation four years ago it has been my second home.
After being in Murray for two years and participating in various House activities, music, sport our year group have all become very close and we get on well with the rest of the House. When we first joined Mill Hill, we came from lots of different Schools but we all quickly got on. In sport we had a good year: the girls nearly won the netball and the boys did win the rugby and the cross country. When the summer holidays ended and we all returned to School, the whole of Murray had changed. There was a new House room with new pool and table tennis tables – this was very exciting to most of the boys – and the girls as well. Every morning when I walk in there are always pupils from all years joining in and having a great time! There is a new quiet room where we can get work done if we need to. Mr Hodgson always wants the best for us and encourages us to participate in House activities and make the most of our opportunities. I am proud to be a member of Murray House as this is the House my brother is in and my father's was in 30 years ago. I cannot think of a House I would rather be in. Murray is a cheerful, fun and friendly place to be.
When I walked into Murray House for the first time on Induction Day in June 2008, I was very nervous and even a little bit scared. Now I am here I realise I need not have worried. When I came in September, I came to a House where everyone was smiling and there was a vibrant, happy atmosphere. Since my very first House assembly, I have felt comfortable and at home. My Housemaster and my tutors have been very welcoming and have helped me settle into the House and also to the School. Since the Induction day, the whole House had been renovated with new rooms for all the tutor groups and a big House room. In my first term I took a major role in the House play alongside pupils from all the other years. Everyone got on well; the sixth form were kind and encouraging. I was proud to perform on stage representing Murray House. I am glad to be a Murray-ite.
