New House System
Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College has a House System with the aim of fostering a strong sense of identity, community and belonging; reminding students and staff that everything we do is for the greater glory of God.
The Houses will encourage teamwork, leadership, and healthy competition through a wide range of activities, from sports and the arts, from academic challenges to serving our local and global community. Through this system we want students to become people of good character by putting our College virtues into action!
Every member of our College community belongs to one of our Houses, creating a supportive, unifying and competitive environment where everyone feels that they can contribute and succeed. We want to provide students with opportunities to build positive relationships across the College, to celebrate effort, achievement, and virtues; our house system helps every student find their place to thrive.
We are the only school in the world to have Blessed Edward Oldcorne as our patron, therefore the Houses are proudly linked to places that were significant in his life, places which are still important to us as a community today.
Hindlip – Head of House: Mrs Ball
Father Edward Oldcorne, a Jesuit priest, lived and worked in secret at Hindlip Hall near Worcester. Hindlip (owned by the Abington family) was used as a safe place for Catholics during a time of Catholic persecution in England; The Hall became the Jesuit’s base of operations where many people came to seek the sacraments and hear Oldcorne’s preaching. Fr Oldcorne was based here for 16 years, hiding in priest holes (hiding places to shelter priests) to escape capture and continue his Catholic Ministry in and around Worcester. It was eventually the place where Blessed Edward was captured, along with his friends Henry Garnet, Nicholas Owen, and Ralph Ashley on January 27th 1606.
Mascot: Phoenix
The phoenix rises from its ashes, symbolizing rebirth, resilience, and eternal hope. It is a fitting mascot for Hindlip House as they show courage in adversity, sacrifice, and triumph over destruction. The Phoenix inspires students to persevere, grow through challenges, and rise stronger; it honours the heritage of sacrifice and courage showed by Blessed Edward Oldcorne.
Holywell – Head of House: Mr Peacock
Father Edward Oldcorne had throat cancer that left him with a hoarse and painful voice, but this did not keep him from preaching. He made a pilgrimage in around 1591 to St. Winifred’s well in Wales, a site of pilgrimage known for its miraculous cures both then and still today. He returned to Worcester with the cancer healed. After recovering, he later returned to Holywell in 1605 with around thirty others to give thanks to God for his health. Today Winifred’s Shine is considered to be the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain (since 1115AD) and in 2023 was granted the status of a National Shrine by the Catholic Church of England and Wales.
Mascot: Dragon
Dragons in myth often guard treasures or sacred sites, making them fitting protectors of a place like Holywell. Not only are dragons synonymous with Wales, but they also breathe fire representing the Holy Spirit’s power to heal and protect. A guardian of sacred healing, breathing the fire of the Holy Spirit, the Holywell dragon symbolises purification, transformation, and spiritual empowerment; it encourages students to be brave, wise, and protective.
Redhill- Head of House: Mr Gittens
Red Hill was the county’s main gallows site until the early 1800s and today it marks the site where Blessed Edward Oldcorne was executed on the 7th April 1606. The charge against him was simply being a Jesuit priest, he was found guilty of high treason and ordered to be executed. Just before he was hung, his betrayer asked for pardon, which Oldcorne readily granted. Father Oldcorne also prayed for the king and royal family, for his accusers, the judge and the jury who had condemned him. He was hung, drawn, and quartered on Red Hill alongside his friend, Ralph Ashley. The location is now marked by a shrine in his memory and is a site of annual Pilgrimage by our community on Blessed Edward Oldcorne’s feast day on January 27th.
Mascot: Lion
In Christianity, the lion is often associated with Christ, martyrdom, and resurrection. The lion mascot for Red Hill honours the sacrificial courage of Blessed Edward Oldcorne’s martyrdom, emphasising his bravery in the face of persecution. Executed for his faith, yet he is today remembered as a symbol of spiritual strength, for taking up his cross and being a witness to Christ. The lion inspires students to be leaders, to be brave and virtuous, honouring the legacy of Blessed Edward Oldcorne’s faith and sacrifice.
The House Structure
All students are placed in a House according to their tutor group. Students will work together to compete against other Houses to earn House points throughout the year which will foster a greater sense of community and teamwork across the College.
If you have any questions about the House System, please contact the relevant Head of House.