I wish I could go back in time to know the day when the idea of having a Hogwarts themed social curriculum was hatched. I do recall having classes at an early stage being given fun challenges from time to time and that silly, early names like "unicorns" and "narwhals" were used. All of these activities came before the actual formation of a "school" built over the years to be a rich and deep culture of ideas, traditions and friendly competitions. I recall discussing with Mrs. Grant (yes...Grant and Sherman...but that's another famous time in American history) about how we could use Hogwarts as part of the Responsive Classroom philosophy our school used in cultivating its social and academic world.

Over its eighteen-year history, students in the Hogwarts 5/6 Team (formerly known as the "Kiwi Team") have created lots of interesting information. One year saw stories about the founders and founding of each house, including houses that ceased to exist (Nunavut and Norfolk Houses). The pages that follow recount the histories of special humans who created each of our houses. These sagas about each were created in the early days of Westford Hogwarts School by student wizards of that time. You'll find the story of each house fascinating, and containing fantastical information about the women, men, and beasts important to the founding of the house and its mascot coat-d'arms.  Another challenge created artifacts associated with the histories of our school, including the Shield of Norfolk.  This is hung in team chambers. Its design recognises the contribution of all four houses along with the initials of the houses that passed into disuse. At one time, our school enrolled nearly 90 students, but in recent years, this number has dipped below 40. The pages that follow recount the specifics of each house. To date, over 260 students have passed through Mr. Filch's entryway and had their Wetford Hogwarts School experience. 

Current Houses of Westford Hogwarts:

Bern House   
Gryffin House   
Ramsay House     
Tudour House

Former Houses of Westford Hogwarts:

Nunavut House     
Norfolk House

House mascots: 

Bern House - The symbol for Bern House is a bear (sometimes called a bruin.) Bears are known for being powerful creatures and apex predators. Bears can run very fast, climb well, and are known to be good swimmers. There are eight species of bears on earth. Polar bears are strictly carnivores, whilst panda species herbivores. Bears have large brains and are considered one of the more intelligent mammals. Bears are solitary except when females raise cubs in dens.

Gryffin House - Also spelled Griffon or Gryffon, this mythical creature is often portrayed as having the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. Others are shown as more snakelike or dragon-like. Gryffins have been portrayed in sculptures from ancient Iran (Persian) and Egyptian cultures. It is considered a symbol of strength and dexterity. In some cultures, gryffins were the protectors of treasure.

Ramsay House - Black eagles are one of the largest varieties of eagles. They are known for the ability to slowly soar just above the canopy of the forest looking for prey. Eagles of this variety are totally black except for the base of the beak. Living in parts of Asia, some cultures believe that the black eagle never alights, living its entire life in flight. The black eagle has been observed carrying an entire nest away to another location to feed on its content. Some prey has been observed giving warning cries when seeing a black eagle, so feared is this predator.

Tudour House - The mascot for this house is the mythical rampant lion. "Rampant" means "ready for battle." This imagined creature is also used by Scotland as a symbol of its former royalty. The lion in heraldry portrays royalty, courage, and nobility. The lion is considered the "king of the beast" and is used extensively in symbolism with flags and coat-of-arms.

Norfolk House - The mascot for this former house was the mythical sea lion. This is not to confuse it with the pinniped sea lion of the seal family.

Nunavut House - The unofficial mascot for this former house was the narwhal, though the house underwent an unfortunate dissolution before the Board of Governors officially adopted this choice.

School crest Motto:

*Anhilo Excellentia (Strive for excellence!)