HOUSE SPIRIT!
ARMSTRONG It was Elliott Armstrong who suggested the name Wyndham be used for the local district because of his friendship with Sir Henry Wyndham, a famous soldier. Elliott owned the Bridge Inn, the only accommodation for those travelling between Melbourne and Geelong. Elliott Armstrong provided land for the first school in the Wyndham area and his daughter Ellen was its first teacher at the age of 19. Armstrong’s new crest depicts the Werribee Mansion and the Racecourse Hotel. Armstrong House values: Collaborative, supportive, harmony BAKER Baker House is named after John Baker who was the first paid primary school principal at the national school in the area. He served the local community for 26 years. John was also responsible for putting the resolution to a public meeting in 1883, that the name of the township be changed from Wyndham to Werribee. Coincidentally Baker is also the last name of our second Principal, Jan Baker. Baker’s new crest represents the educational aspects of lifelong learning. Baker House values : Encouraging, passionate, teamwork HUME The area of Werribee was first discovered by explorer Hamilton Hume of the famous Hume and Hovell. In 1824 he led the first exploration from Gunning to Corio Bay, discovering part of the Murray River and valuable farming and grazing lands along the way. In 1860, Hume was awarded a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and later served as a magistrate. Hume’s new crest depicts a compass and a path. Hume House values: Efficient, cheerful, determined CHIRNSIDE Thomas Chirnside was originally from Scotland and came to Australia in 1839 to seek his fortune. His younger brother, Andrew joined him later that same year. In 1846, they are recorded as occupying a run of 14,000 acres of grazing land called ‘Werribee Low’. Thomas funded the construction of the iconic bluestone mansion as a testimony to his colonial wealth, which we fondly refer to as the Werribee Mansion. Chirnside’s new crest depicts a sheep and the Scottish flag. Chirnside House values: Fearless, courageous, compassionate
In the early days of Good News, under the leadership of Roger Schwarz, students were grouped into two Houses for what were mostly sporting competitions: Armstrong (blue) and Chirnside (red). In 2007, during Jan Baker’s time as Principal, the House system was expanded to include two more Houses: Baker (purple) and Barak (yellow). Each of the four House names had been chosen for its relevance and connection to the Werribee area. Barak was re-named Hume in 2008. According to an update in the school magazine that year: “While studying Australian Aboriginal culture the children learned that it is disrespectful to use a deceased person’s name, therefore, with respect to the Aboriginal culture we have changed the Barak House to Hume House.” Good News’ House system fosters participation, builds teamwork and provides students with opportunities to try new activities. In 2022, Year 10 Engineering students worked together to design a new crest for each House. Our crests encompass and reflect the history of the House and what it represents to the GNLC community.
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