The Bulletin
Friday 29 April 2022
Issue 203
From the Headmaster There are a number of phrases – increasingly and understandably diminishing in regular usage – which include the word cock: a fanciful and unbelievable story being a cock and bull story; exuberant elation being cock-a-hoop; absolute certainty being cock sure; the dominant individual being cock of the walk; even chicken and leek broth being cock-a-leekie soup. Many of these phrases date back many centuries and are embedded in traditions and conventions, and the phrase cock of the school is certainly an established part of historic British educational phraseology. Whilst the exact etymology of the term is rather varied, an article in The Journal of British Studies examined the cultural history of playground violence in Britain during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Through frequent playground fights, children would compete for the title of cock of the school, the term attached to the best fighter. Thus, the Cock House would be the dominant House, the one which won most of the individual events, as opposed to a single championship trophy. By the mid-twentieth century, it is likely this term had evolved into the House systems of many schools throughout Britain. Indeed, it seems this was a more widely used term, particularly in schools at the time, in which cock denoted confidence or dominance. The RGS was not exempt. A House report from the 1962 edition of The Guildfordian contains the first mention of a Cock House competition. This is a significant academic year for the RGS: the 100th anniversary of our current House System. Initially set up in 1919, the names and colours of the first four Houses were introduced in 1921 and then added to, as the School increased in size in the 1960s. Initially, after a trophy was donated to the School by Messrs B Hardy and S Hardy, the Houses eagerly competed, through a variety of events, for The Hardy Cup. The Headmaster of the time AJB Green established the competition to generate, and provide focus to, a healthy spirit of internal competition and a sense of camaraderie between boys throughout the year groups. It seems to have worked as a report in The Guildfordian in 1929 notes that, “the thing that helps more than anything else is the spirit of the boys belonging to a House.” With the House competition continuing to flourish to this day, the centenary feels an appropriate time to mark a return to our historical origins. As Karim Tayar, the Senior Housemaster, noted: “The name of our House trophy should not be rooted in power, dominance, and winning; rather, the very ethos, central to the system, is about respect, teamwork, and fun.” Therefore, as a tribute to the kind donors of the original trophy, we are resuming the tradition and boys will compete, once again, for The Hardy Cup. The boys derive enormous pride and a genuine sense of belonging from our House system and thanks to the tireless work of our Housemasters and senior boys, the Houses form an integral part of the RGS experience. The opportunities also continue to increase to allow as many boys as possible to represent their Houses: new events this year have included art, debating, golf, and music. I am delighted that The Hardy Cap encapsulates the spirit of healthy competition, of camaraderie and friendship, and most importantly of fun and enjoyment, and I look forward, with interest and confidence, to the next 100 years of the House competition! RGSGuildford
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