House System
Our House System is a big part of the fun at the heart of our school’s vibrant community. When a new student arrives at Saint Felix, they get placed in one of our four awe-inspiring houses, each representing a distinct essence of greatness, and named after famous Old Felicians:
Kay (Yellow)
Named after Daphne Pagnamenta (nee Kay), 1929-1935. Daphne was a prominent member of the Pony Club who pioneered riding for the disabled. She introduced riding holidays for the disabled and was chairman of their horse and pony welfare committee and treasurer of the National Equine Welfare Council. She also established international links with other riding for disabled organisations.
Pemberton (Red)
Named after Eleanora Pembleton, 1900-1903. Eleanora joined the City of London Red Cross in 1913 and went to France to nurse the wounded near Boulogne in October 1914, followed by a period near Gournay. She then became a Quartermaster at Etaples and was in charge of the first female ambulance drivers in France, before starting a rest station at Abbeville. She came back to England in 1917 and trained new nursing recruits in Paddington. She was awarded an OBE and mentioned in despatches for her service in France during the Great War. She died aged 109 and left her body to medical research.
Rowell (Green)
Named after Dr Sarah Rowell, 1972-1981. At school, Sarah was a sporting superstar, representing England, East of England and Suffolk in hockey, athletics and cross-country. She played in all the school teams and continued to play hockey and run long distances when she went to college. She won the gold medal in the marathon at the World Student Games in Edmonton. Sarah followed this up with British records in the London marathon, coming 2nd in 1985. She represented Britain in the first women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles where she came 6th; she then turned her attention to fell running, becoming national champion for several years. At the same time, she pursued a career in exercise physiology in Leeds whilst working for British Athletics as an administrator and adviser, punctuated with regular skiing, cycling and climbing trips to the Alps. She is now in serious training for the British Veterans’ triathlon championships.
Edmond (Blue) !Current Winners!
Named after Fiona Edmond (nee Macdonald), 1974-1984. After Saint Felix, Fiona studied Geography at Trinity College, Cambridge. She was the first woman to win a blue, playing for the Cambridge men’s golf team after winning both of her matches. Fiona also represented England in women’s home internationals and GB & Ireland. After setting up a nationally renowned garden design company and raising a family, she is now playing golf again and winning senior national championships.
