House Captains
Emma Leith and Joshua Crook
Head of House – Charlie Upton
I joined St Edmund’s College in 2017 as Head of Business and Economics and was hugely excited to be appointed as Head of Talbot. Talbot House has a long history (see below) at the heart of College life at St Edmund’s and this remains very much the case today. I have yet to establish whether we were the direct inspiration for JK Rowling when she created Harry Potter’s Gryffindor House, however, the shield, colours and indeed the strong feeling of House spirit are very similar with the fictional representation!
Students will often refer to the real sense of pride, happiness and belonging they feel at being part of the Talbot community. This ethos is underpinned by the support that students receive from the experienced team of House Tutors, House Captains and the senior students within the House. Individual talents and interests are nurtured and celebrated creating a supportive, inclusive and caring environment that ensures every student has opportunities to learn and develop both inside and outside the classroom. The number of activities and ways in which Talbotians engage in all aspects of College life and indeed go on to pursue these outside College is nothing short of awe-inspiring and very much reflects the College mission of “developing mind, body and spirit.”
High expectations and regular success in inter-house competitions are also matched by a sense of fun and willingness to learn from each other. The House has a strong tradition of student-led House events and these run throughout the year from fundraising such as the House “bake-off” to the annual House Christmas celebrations and House Dinner. All provide fantastic opportunities for students to socialise and get to know their peers and those from other years and for creating shared experiences and memories.
History of Talbot House
Of the five Houses currently at St Edmund’s, Talbot House was one of the original three founded in September 1922. Whilst Douglass House was for those students who were being prepared to enter the priesthood, Talbot along with Challoner House, was intended “for those who are to aim afterwards at the services, professions, or the higher walks of commercial and industrial life.” Talbot House was named after Bishop James Talbot (1726-1790) who was the last Catholic priest to be tried under the Penal Laws in the eighteenth century and who brought the school to Old Hall in 1769, the site that the College now occupies. Bishop Talbot is buried in Mortuary Lane which leads to the College Chapel.