A girl belongs to her house for the whole of her time here, and a little while after. Houses cross forms and friendships and, sometimes, the better sort of loyalty. Every house is written so that it sounds like the best house, because to the girls in it, it is.
Steadfastness
The Great Elm at the gate has stood through every storm the Weald has thrown at it, and that is exactly why Elm girls are steadfast, and why they are insufferable about it.
Strength and endurance
Oak does not hurry, and Oak does not fold. It simply outlasts the weather, and the term, and, of late, everyone else. It wears this lightly, which is the most maddening thing about it.
Courage and good cheer through the winter
When the light goes early and the frost comes down, Holly is the house still laughing in the corridor. It bides its time, and it is not remotely worried about the Cup, which is precisely what worries the other two.
House points are earned for effort, conduct, kindness and clean play, and posted on the board every Friday in three columns: green, amber and scarlet. They are totted towards the Cup, which is presented on the last day of the summer term. As things stand this term:
Points are aggregate. There is no leaderboard of girls, and there never will be. Elm is winning, or Elm is not. That is all anyone ever knows, and it is quite enough.
The Sorting asks you three small questions, one about courage, one about kindness, one about honour. It keeps no answer, and it tells nobody. Then it tells you your house, and writes you a letter.
