Introduction
Mason House - Solar nobilitas virtus (Virtue alone is noble)
History
Mason was one of the original Four Dorms when the College opened. Initially, in 1895, with 44 new boys, there were just two Dorms called the Headmaster’s Dorm and School Dorm. Before long it was decided that the dorms should have emblems to distinguish them and so the Headmaster’s Dorm became Cross (from the cross of St. Cuthbert) and School Dorm took Fleur de Lys, which is on the ends of the arms of St. Cuthbert’s cross. As the size of the College grew, so did the number of dorms and quickly two dorms became four and in 1925, under Canon Shirley they were renamed as Houses. Each House was named after a benefactor and Cross became Mason, after the first Custos William Henry Mason.
Facts and Figures
Mason is a lively place that values independence and integrity, and strives to achieve a successful balance between work and play. Often referred to as ‘The Senior House’, Mason is a traditional boarding House comprised of 54 pupils (day, flexi-boarders, weekly boarders and full boarders) a Housekeeper, 3 Tutors, an assistant Housemaster, and a Housemaster.
House Team
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Housemaster
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Mr. Will Robinson (Mathematics)
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Assistant Housemaster
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Mr. Chris Cook (Design Technology)
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Tutors
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Mr. David Topham (Biology)
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Mr. Graham Tattersall (Mathematics)
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Mr. Aidan Futter (Director of Sport)
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Housekeeper
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Mrs. Sally Staveley
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The House is run by Mr. Will Robinson who became Housemaster in 1999. In addition to teaching Maths, Mr. Robinson is involved in a number of outdoor pursuits and challenges including the 3 Peaks, Duke of Edinburgh, World Challenge expeditions and the annual GRIM challenge. Mr. Robinson is married with three children who have all enjoyed their time as pupils at the College.
Assistant Housemaster Mr. Chris Cook, in addition to teaching Design Technology, is responsible for the College Athletics and is also keen on outdoor activities and pursuits such as walking, cycling and climbing. In addition to teaching Biology Mr. David Topham is in charge of the RAF section of the CCF and he also enjoys and coaches rugby. The newest member of the tutor team is Mr. Graham Tattersall and as well as teaching Maths, he is responsible for Community Service and ASH.
Address: Mason House
Worksop College
Worksop
Nottinghamshire S80 3AP
Tel No: 01909 537129 (Housemaster)
Email: w.robinson@wsnl.co.uk (Housemaster)
About House
About Mason House
House Aims
Although mindful of tradition, Mason has an innovative and forward looking approach; we all aim to:
- Promote an environment where individuals strive to succeed by fulfilling their potential.
- Provide a place where pupils feel able to express themselves whilst showing due consideration for the needs and wishes of others.
All the Houses aspire to greatness, which tends to come in waves across the range of extra curricular endeavour. Music is currently in the ascendant in Mason, but sport, and running in particular, has become the acme of House achievement. Following a generation in the wilderness, Mason has won the Dorm Run for the last three years, thanks in part to a cohort of gifted individuals, but more so to the stout hearted who train hard in the frost and give their all on the day.
House Management
Every pupil in the House has a Tutor who takes a particular interest in the performance of their tutees across the whole range of College activities and the Mason team has such a variety of strengths and interests that most sixth form pupils look no further, although they have the option. Parents are encouraged to develop a close relationship with their son’s Tutor and Housemaster, ideally with a chat over a mince pie at the Carol Service, on the touchline or at a match tea, as well as email and ‘phone. As the years roll by, there are bound to be moments of tension between a young man’s aspirations and the expectations of the adults in his life, and sometimes mistakes are made – these are the times when a supportive relationship between pastoral staff and parents can be most fruitful.
All senior pupils are expected to be a role model for the juniors in the House as well as a source of support, and the best take great pride in this responsibility; consideration and humour are guiding principles which can resolve many difficulties. Prefect induction begins towards the end of the LVI year and is formalised during a presentation by the Housemaster at the start of the UVI. Prep conditions operate from 7 p.m. each evening and a prefect will supervise the junior members of the House to help ensure that a working atmosphere prevails.
House Spirit
Mason House Spirit
In addition to close monitoring of a pupil’s academic progress, Mason offers a wide variety of cultural and social activities including the Patchett Suppers, a formal affair in honour of a former Mason House benefactor, prepared and hosted by the senior boys for their guests and invited staff. This year's event included a competition to create and model the most unusual hat, photos of which can be seen in the Gallery.
The House Dance is a unique annual event and an opportunity for everyone to invite a guest and help contribute to the best and most photographed night of the year. There is also plenty of diversity, from opera and plays to paintballing and cinema nights, in addition to the range of Weekend Activities on offer to everyone in the School and the August trips to the Edinburgh Festivals. We encourage pupils and parents to support whenever possible and appropriate (particularly on our annual 3 Peaks events) – there really is something for everyone and the busiest pupils tend to be the most cheerful!
Mason staff have developed a passion for the outdoors and can offer expertise on fly fishing, cycling, running, shooting and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. Mason tutors have run the Grim and similar adventure or endurance races in recent years and instead of having a summer holiday in 2010, two of the team led Mason pupils (and others) in School teams on expedition in Africa. Dedicated parents have supported LVIth pupils on the Coast to Coast cycle ride (2009) and the 3 Peaks (2010 and 2011). During the summer of 2012, seven boys plus members of Mason staff visited Snowdonia and despite challenging weather conditions climbed for over 7 hours. Although the intention had been to complete the Snowdon Horseshoe, advice from the Mountain Leader suggested that the weather was too severe, leaving it as a yet uncompleted challenge for Mason House!
Click here to view a short amateur film of the 2011 3 Peaks Challenge!
Quotes and Testimonials
“Mason – always fun and banter.” (House Captain 2009/10)
“It’s an intellectual furnace up here!” (Year 9 pupil)
"Thank you for the unforgettable and life changing year, I really made a great experience, that I will never forget. You contributed a lot to making the stay in Mason so amazing. I know the House changes as the people change, but I hope some of the atmosphere and attitude in Mason stays the same. I will never forget how great it was to go to Worksop College. I am looking forward to come visit Mason House if I may. Thank you for the most amazing year. (Overseas Pupil and 2012 Leaver)
Gallery
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24th May 2013
23rd May 2013
22nd May 2013
21st May 2013
20th May 2013
16th May 2013
16th May 2013
