Brooke House

Welcome to Brooke House!

"As Head and Deputy Head of Brooke House, we see our roles as supporting the pupils and tutors in their endeavours - to celebrate their successes and to help them develop resilience in the face of challenges. The course of learning is not linear; through a pupil’s school journey there will be highs and lows, but in being part of Brooke House a pupil is never alone in this experience. Brooke house provides a ‘community within a community’ where we foster positive relationships built on integrity, trust, and ambition. We value pupil voice, being part of a team and having opportunities to lead. We also strive to provide a vehicle for pupils to explore their passions and demonstrate the values of being a Norwich School pupil upholding and fostering a collective and empathetic environment – sharing in each other’s achievements and working together to support one another."

House History

The swashbuckling Victorian adventurer

Brooke House takes its name from daring ON Sir James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak. He attended the school between 1815/6 - 1819 and was reputedly “completely unreceptive to the idea of learning”.

He allegedly hid Headmaster Edward Valpy’s cane under floorboards, only discovered after Brooke’s leaving.

After a career in the army cut short by injury, he used a substantial inheritance to buy a boat and sail to Borneo, bound for adventure. Here, he exerted his force of personality over pirates, head-hunters and rebellious tribes, ruling Sarawak for 27 years.

The Brooke family crest features in a window on the south side of the Chapel, identified by the distinctive yellow trim.

House News

What A Celebration of House Music!

By Eleanor Lewis • October 13, 2026

After two full and joyous days of music-making, Repton House emerged victorious! It was wonderful to be back in The Halls for House Song, a much-loved celebration that sees every pupil take to the stage. The Music Department has been buzzing throughout two weeks of rehearsals, culminating in beautifully blended part-song performances and a fantastic array of hastily formed bands for the Instrumental Ensemble class. The solo classes were equally special, showcasing an incredible standard of performance alongside a wonderful spirit of encouragement and support. Congratulations to Alena, L6, for winning the Bernard Burrell Award for best overall solo performance. A massive thank you to all our House Music Captains for their immense hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm in bringing this brilliant event together. And congratulations to Repton House again on a well-deserved victory!

Repton Operation Christmas Child - Shoe Box Appeal November 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • November 18, 2025

Mrs Curtis, keen to again achieve the remarkable success of the 2024 shoe box appeal, challenged Repton to donate (toys, stationery, clothing, soap and flannels etc.) again this year. The operation aimed to fill at least one shoe box per Repton tutor group, with items useful or uplifting to the struggling children of the world, and to send them to these children in need. Last term the donations began, and a mountain of gifts donated by many generous Reptonites and their families formed in the JBR. The Repton tutor groups also got hands-on and put together the shoe boxes that the donations were each packed into, which was then done by a hard-working team of pupils. Boxes were organised and labelled by this team, who then on each box left warming messages such as: ‘Happy Christmas from Repton House, Norwich School, UK.’ Last year, Mrs Curtis anticipated that 7 boxes would be filled – one from each tutor group - and was met with the welcome surprise of a total of 40 boxes. This year, in a display of special festive kindness and thanks to the generosity the students showed, the team managed to fill a staggering 50 boxes, smashing the appeal, and demonstrating that when everyone chips in, a real difference can be made. We may never see the effect of this year’s donations; however, we can only hope that they lifted many Christmas spirits across the world. In which case, a massive thank you is due to all who donated, pupils, parents and friends, and of course to Mrs Curtis, who organised the appeal and drove the 50 packed boxes to our local drop-off point! Report by Theo Hunter (L6 Repton)

Friendly Competition and Teambuilding for Lower 5 at Bramley Lakes

By Eleanor Lewis • October 3, 2025

Despite the grey skies and constant drizzle, the opportunity to be crowned as the winning Lower 5 tutor group of Bramley Lakes, 2025, meant that all pupils gave it their all to bring home the coveted shield. Within their House tutor groups, and supported by tutors and pastoral prefects, the competition was fierce, and the lead chopped and changed throughout the day. Each group was being scored on their communication, effort, peer support and positivity. Activities included, trebuchet building, crate stack and other high ropes challenges, axe throwing and archery. Water balloons were fired from the trebuchets at rival Lower 5 tutor groups, with particular pupils getting even more soaked in the wet weather. It was a pleasure to see all tutor groups working together, and making the most of the day. Despite Nelson's best efforts, it was Coke that triumphed in the end, retaining their crown from the previous three years! Can Coke go for an unprecedented five in a row next year? Only time will tell.