Clifton College Website

Wiseman's House

The boys in the House come from a diverse mixture of backgrounds and cultures which gives the house a truly global feel. They support each other greatly whether it be on the sports field or in other events like the House Song competition or the House Play. Wiseman's boys regularly go on to top universities both in the UK and abroad.

Staff

Housemaster:

Mr William Huntington

Assistant HoM:

Mr Daniel Janke

Matron:

Mrs Gillian Gardiner

Tutors:

• Mr James Baker
• Mr Gary Catchpole
• Mr Young Dho
• Dr Malcolm Grohmann
• Mr Colin Lewis
• Mr Nicholas Luker

History

Wiseman’s was Clifton’s third boarding house opening in 1878 under the leadership of Rev. H. J. Wiseman. The House narrowly escaped bombing in 1940 when a bomb fell and destroyed the squash courts next to the House and its air-raid shelter. In 1966, the Redgrave Theatre was built on an area known as “Clissold’s Piece” after H. Clissold who was a WiH Housemaster killed in the Great War. In exchange for this, the existing WiH building was extended to include a house library, named in Clissold’s honour.

In September 2006, the House and its occupants moved to Worcester Road to a newly acquired and refurbished boarding house. The new house is spacious and comfortable. In particular, the Sixth Form study bedrooms are extremely high quality, with groups of three (two sharing and one single) with their own bathroom and kitchenette. William Huntington, the current housemaster, looks forward to showing Wiseman’s friends around the house: past, present and future.

House Strengths

In recent years Wiseman's has won several House competitions, e.g. 2010 - House Song and Junior Swimming; 2011 - House Quiz, House Golf, Junior Swimming and Overall Swimming trophies; Best Set in House Play.

Photo gallery

House Activities

On Sunday afternoons there is the opportunity to go swimming and play badminton or basketball. Every Sunday night the House has a 90-minute booking for indoor 5-a-side football. This is hard-fought and appeals to the whole House with all year groups taking part. Pool and table tennis are played in the House. House trips occur during the term, with recent ones being paint-balling and Go-Karting.

Recent Pupil Achievements

Murray Lidgitt – national prizes for shooting (2010)
Ryan Westley – one of the country's top canoeists, hoping to take part in the 2012 Olympic Games
Chris Lee – won a place at Cambridge University to read Mathematics (2011)

House Motto

Nec tenui ferar penna – 'On no feeble wing shall I be borne'

This comes from the Roman poet Horace. In this the poet predicts his world fame and immortality. The message for the Wiseman’s boys is “aim high”. Accordingly, the House symbol is of a flying arrow. On the House hall is a Greek inscription from Homer’s Iliad which translates “Glaucus, why is it that we two are held in the highest honour?” The original passage continues with the message that the position of high rank and respect lays on these men the obligation to fight for their weaker men in the forefront of battle. It is urging the boys to use their education and privilege in their lives to the benefit of others.

The two mottos combine powerfully in what they ask the boys to do and to be.

Contact

Wiseman's House 3 Worcester Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JL
Email Housemaster WHuntington@clifton-college.avon.sch.uk
Telephone 44 (0)117 315 7330
Mobile +44 (0)775 100 4605

© 2006-12 Clifton College