Houses

Discover the five RGS Houses

Last updated on 9 September 2026

The House System in RGS

Large school gathering with hundreds of students in colorful uniforms outdoors, colorful banners displayed on building.

There are five Houses in RGS, and each is named after one of five consecutive RGS principals who had served the school. Chronologically, the Houses are Tarbet (Red), Buckle (Green), Richardson (Blue), Waddle (Yellow), and Hadley (Purple). Established by Miss Hadley during her term as principal from 1946 to 1950, the House System has always been an integral part of RGS, and a source of much pride.

History of RGS House (opens in new tab)

House Spirit

Five girls in colorful shirts hold hands raised above large multicolored letters spelling I Love RGS outdoors.

As a group, House leaders lead in organising and running House activities and Inter-House Games to encourage House spirit and nurture a sense of belonging in each student as they engage in healthy competition across Houses. They play a key role in integrating our Year 1s into the school culture and helping them develop a sense of pride in their House and in turn, the school.

The 5 Houses

Five cartoon mascots standing in a row: a brown bull, a green elf fairy, a genie, a yellow duck, and a monkey.

Each Rafflesian, as well as staff member, is allocated to one of the 5 houses, each with their own unique mascots; the bull, elf, genie, duck and monkey respectively.

In 2011, Houses designed their own House Crests, which are proudly worn by House members, and can be seen on the house T-shirts until today.

Five schoolgirls in colored tops and navy skirts hold red, green, blue, yellow, and purple flags outdoors.

All Y1 Rafflesians also participate in a series of House Practices, where they strengthen bonds with their fellow House members through the various activities and also learning their House cheers. House Practices are integral to the RGS culture, instilling a sense of House pride in each new House member.

Large group of students in red, green, blue, yellow, and purple shirts holding colored flags in a school hall.

Today, the House spirit continues to grow stronger, contributing to the blossoming of the school spirit.

Tarbet (Red, Axl the Bull)

Zeal, Tenacity

Red banner for Tarbet House showing the motto Zeal and Tenacity, a brief history, and a shield crest.

Tarbet House is named after Miss Tarbet, RGS principal from 1904 – 1910. She set up a training establishment within the school where students could be trained to be future teachers. This training centre was set up in 1906.

Collage of group photos: students in red shirts posing, cheering with pom-poms, and holding a red flag.

Buckle (Green, Genn the Elf)

Courage, Unity

Green banner for Buckle House showing its motto Courage and Unity, a brief history, and a shield crest.

Buckle House is named after RGS’s longest-serving principal, Miss Dorothy Martha Buckle, who was principal from 1910 – 1937. The teacher-training scheme which started in 1906 continued to make good progress under her principalship. She also introduced the school badge to be worn with the school uniform.

Collage of school students in green team shirts posing in groups at various sports and school events.

Richardson (Blue, Richard the Genie)

Bold, True

Blue banner reading Richardson, Bold and True, with a brief history and a decorative crest on the right.

Richardson House is named after Miss C Richardson, RGS principal from 1938 – 1939. She was known for her zeal in equipping students with a good command of the English Language and her emphasis on discipline.

Collage of students in blue uniforms at school events, holding flags, posing in groups, and planting seedlings.

Waddle (Yellow, Quack the Duck)

Strength, Pride

Yellow banner reading "WADDLE" and "Strength and Pride" with a decorative crest and brief historical text on the right.

Waddle House is named after Mrs K Waddle, RGS principal from 1939 – 1942. When World War Two broke out, she chose to remain in Singapore out of a sense of dedication to her job. She lost her life at sea when the evacuation boat that she was on was torpedoed, just before the Japanese occupied Singapore.

Collage of school students in yellow uniforms posing, cheering, and holding yellow flags at various school events.

Hadley (Purple, Harley the Monkey)

Power, Conviction

Purple banner for Hadley House with motto "Power and Conviction," a brief history, and a crest on the right.

Hadley House is named after Miss M M Hadley, RGS principal from 1946 – 1951. She took over the task of rehabilitating the school after the war and started the House system to develop in students a strong sense of belonging to the school. The RGS House system is one of the oldest House systems in Singapore.

Collage of school students in purple uniforms holding flags, posing in groups at sports and school events.

Highlights

2020 House Banner Unveiling

House is where the Heart is!