Hilton

'Unity is Strength’

Hilton House, for boys from Shell (year 9) up to the end of the Lower 6th, takes its name from Revd. F. K. Hilton, who was the second Headmaster of Ardingly College between 1894 and 1904. The house has its own crest, while its motto, ‘Unity is Strength’, reflects the strong house spirit, in which every boy makes an extra effort to look out for one another. Hilton prides itself on its closeness and unique atmosphere. Opened in 2003, the house is in great shape, physically and socially, and all connected to Hilton are very proud to be so.

We invite you to learn more about life in Hilton on our blog http://hiltonhouseardinglycollege.blogspot.com/

Or by contacting the Housemaster, Mr Tom Caston via email: tom.caston@ardingly.com or telephone: 01444 893140

Facilities

Hilton has accommodation for 60 boys. The boarding accommodation is located on three floors with four distinct areas divided broadly on year group lines. Each area has its own toilet, shower facilities and a Brew Room (a small kitchen with kettle and toaster). In addition to this, the Fifth form and Lower Sixth each have a small year group Common Room. Each boy has a bed with storage underneath, a wardrobe and desk with shelves for books. All rooms have sinks and the furniture also includes lockable drawers for valuables.

The ground floor contains a large Common Room, which is where Callovers (daily registrations) and House Meetings are held. The Common Room contains Sky+ HD Satellite TV with a DVD player (and Surround Sound), as well as a piano, pool table, table football and Xbox games console (and two flat screen 52 inch plasma tvs). We also have a house BBQ and seating area with benches for social events in the summer. These events are often combined with our Mertens brothers and the two girls’ houses. These areas are the social hubs of the House and where visitors are allowed at certain times. There is also a House Quiet Room that contains several computers and a House library. Wi-Fi is available throughout the House.

House staff

Mr Tom Caston took over as Housemaster in August 2010 and is the third Housemaster of Hilton House. Mr Caston was previously Head of Lower School at Shiplake College and currently teaches Geography, as well as coaching rugby, football and cricket at Ardingly. Mr Caston has also been both a Day-Housemaster and Head of Department and has a BA Hons in Geography from Exeter University and an MSc in Education from Reading University. His interests include cricket, rugby, playing the drums and trying to learn Spanish. Tom is married to Consuela and three weeks after joining Ardingly they had Noah, who loves growing up in the boarding house environment. Baby Sebi has joined the house this year and, like Noah, is thriving in Hilton.

The Assistant Housemaster is Mr Gwilym Batchelder. Gwilym has been in Hilton since January 2011 and has made a huge impact. He teachers D&T, is head of Boys’ Tennis, coaches Hockey and is involved in the CCF, as well as being a brilliant distance runner and chef.

The Matron, Mrs Sue Sanford, and the House Cleaners, Tim and Mary, are absolutely vital to the smooth running of the House and it is no understatement to say that the House would fall apart without the work performed by them. Mrs Sanford has responsibility for all housekeeping matters including laundry and repairs to clothes and, with Tim and Mary, she ensures the cleanliness and tidiness of all areas of the House.

The House Tutor team for 2012/13:

Mr I Zharkov (Physics)

Mr S Shelley (Economics)

Mr P Joseph (Mathematics)

Mr T Sayers (Physics)

Mr P Ryan (Mathematics)

Mr R Costin (Music)

Ms M Ambler (Classics)

This highly experienced tutor team each have a duty night where they help to supervise Evening School (a period after dinner when the boys do their homework in house). As you can see from the array of academic subjects the team covers, there will always be someone on hand to help any boy struggling with homework tasks.

House events

The house competes in the many inter-house sports events and currently holds the Senior AND Junior House Football trophies, the Junior House Tennis Cup and the Junior House Cross Country title. Four months on the boys are still very disappointed to not be the holders of the House Singing cup, but plans are already in place for next year’s competition. As well as achieving sporting success, Hilton is a particularly musical house, with a high percentage of boys taking music lessons. Aside from sporting and other house events, Hilton also prides itself on its hosting of weekend social events for all the full time boarders, whatever their house. Mocktail Nights, a Western Night with Line Dancing, the “Hilton Cinema” and themed nights with music and food have all been hugely popular this year. On Sundays, BBQs, basketball, Fifa 2000, pool, rounders, volleyball and football tournaments have also all been a hit. Some of these will incur a small fee as we look to raise £22 a month to help educate Menibel Anteneh, an Ethiopian schoolboy sponsored by the house.