A Tale of Two Houses.jpg)
The Reverend Herbert Armstrong James, Headmaster, established a House system at Rossall in 1875 and the pupils were split between seven Houses (School, Rose, Spread Eagle, Maltese Cross, Mitre, Anchor and Fleur-de-Lys). Mitre House was situated to the north of the Archway (where Dolphin House currently stands) and Fleur-de-Lys was situated between the Archway and the Dining Hall (alongside Rose House).
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.jpg) In the summer. holiday of 1914, a near catastrophic fire occurred in the servant’s quarters. A Fleur-de-Lys pupil remembered the aftermath: “In those days Fleur-de-Lys house-room and studies were next to the entrance gate of the Quad. At night we walked through Rose House and Dormitory and into our own dormitory that was over the kitchens. During the summer vacation in 1914 our dormitory was badly damaged by fire and for my last year we slept in the hospital”.
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This enabled dramatic improvements to be made in the layout of the Houses. A new House .jpg) was built overlooking the playing fields for Mitre and opened in 1915 (the current Anchor House). The House Captain, R.C. Sinker, made the following comments in the House Book: “We have left the old house in the corner of the square and emigrated to the more bracing, but quieter regions, overlooking the playing fields. The new house is a great improvement on the old, the studies are much larger and get the sun the whole day and the changing rooms are the best in the School.” At about the same time, the Housemaster of Spread Eagle was allowed to get married (!) and to move, with his wife and House, into the old Mitre corner where there was married accommodation. This enabled Fleur-de-Lys to move from its fragmented premises to the South West corner of the Square vacated by Spread Eagle (the current position of Mitre & Fleur-de-Lys).
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.jpg) 1985 brought about further change when it was decided to amalgamate Mitre and Fleur-de-Lys. The departing Mitre House Captain wrote “At the end of an era I can always look back with great nostalgia. Always the House with the best spirit and the most ‘bottle’, I hope that future generations of MF will do the old Mitre House justice”.
MF currently houses 30 boarders and 20 day boys.
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 Every boy that has been in MF House has enjoyed the rustic charm of the old building and has particularly enjoyed the camaraderie with their fellow pupils. Each boarder is accommodated in either a single or a double room equipped with a desk and wardrobe, though single rooms are at a premium and therefore cannot be guaranteed. There is also plenty of storage space in the House. Dayboys will find themselves allocated to a shared study. All pupils make much use of the communal areas, from the day room with a pool table to the house room, fully equipped with Sky Digital and table football.
 Some prefer to entertain in the brew room where the cooking facilities are available during the day and evening; others prefer the music room, demonstrating a hidden talent on the grand piano. The House soon becomes a home from home for both boarders and dayboys. The range of nationalities and cultures is enjoyed by all, particularly the opportunity to learn about and understand different lifestyles.
Students are allocated a personal tutor who discusses academic and other issues. They will also discuss progress with parents and set academic targets that the students strive to meet.
 Rossall School will be what you make of it and MF House is no exception. All boys in the House are encouraged to make the most of their opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Consequently, life is very busy and everyone supports each other. Every senior school activity, all sports, choir, band, school play, etc… has some MF representation. There are also regular House trips ranging from shopping in Manchester to theatre trips and even paintballing.
The Michaelmas term features the House Singing comp etition and the MF MADD night (an evening of Music, Art, Drama and Dance). Every member of the House takes part and last year £2000 was raised for a local children’s charity. The usual round of carol services and House Dinner ends the term.
 The Lent term has many House Competitions that are fiercely fought. In between completing coursework, boys can be found playing hockey on the beach, practicing for the House Instrumental Competition, or competing for the coveted “mo’ped” in the House Arts Quiz.
With the sunshine comes the summer term and the boys take to the fields, either playing cricket or croquet. Of course, there are exams for many and regular revision clubs can be found around the House. The term, and year, draw to a close with the MF garden party.
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There follows some information about the House that we hope you find both interesting and informative. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail s.corrie@rossall.org.uk
Housemasters
Mitre
Mitre Fleur-de-Lys
1875 – 1884 HP Owen-Smith 1875 – 1881 AA Bourne
1884 – 1909 AA Cordner 1881 – 1899 T Batson
1909 – 1914 HM Chamberlain 1900 – 1907 SI Atkinson
1914 – 1919 KAR Sugden 1907 – 1908 CH Tyler
1919 – 1920 EP Smith 1909 – 1915 JF Marsh
1920 – 1922 VL Armitage 1915 – 1946 W Furness
1922 – 1925 AHW Dennis 1946 – 1961 JG Wagener
1926 – 1929 HV Leonard 1961 – 1971 LH Fallon
1929 – 1935 RAM Harris 1971 – 1985 GAM Clube
1935 – 1944 MJ Olivier
1944 – 1958 Maj. CE Esnouf
1958 – 1976 JA Whale
1977 – 1982 TH Roper
1982 – 1985 J Aveyard
Mitre & Fleur-de-Lys
1985 – 1987 J Aveyard
1987 – 1995 RJ Clapp
1995 – 2001 JA Ralph
2002 - SL Corrie
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