Ightham
History of Ightham:
The House was created in 2005 and was the smallest House with one form entry.
When Mrs Kleywegt started at DGGS in 2009, she was the tutor of 11I, who called themselves “the Originals “ as they were the first Year 7 to be called 7I”
Ightham is named after a renovated romantic moated manor house in Kent near Sevenoaks called Ightham Mote.
Built nearly 700 years ago, this house has seen many changes and been owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians. Highlights include the picturesque courtyard, Great Hall, crypt, Tudor painted ceiling, Grade I listed dog kennel and the private apartments of Charles Henry Robinson, who gave Ightham Mote to the National Trust in 1985.
The house is surrounded by peaceful gardens with an orchard, water features, lakes and woodland walks.
Venture onto the Ightham Mote estate on one of the three estate walks, which offer unique views across the Kent countryside and stunning displays of flora and fauna. There is the renowned ancient bluebell woodland in spring at Scathes Wood, wildflowers in the summer, autumn colours and the crisp days of winter to come back and enjoy. Hoppers' huts and the source of the water spring that feeds the moat at Ightham Mote would also be worth discovering.
Saved from demolition by an America, Mr C.H. Robinson and passed to the National Trust on is death, this house has undergone massive restoration in recent years. Built in 1340 by Sir Thomas Cawne, it has been added to by subsequent owners. Moated and beamed, it has Jacobean, Tudor and Victorian features which show that it has been in almost continuous occupation. ‘Mote’ comes from the ‘moot’ or meeting place of the local council who used to gather in the most prosperous house in the neighbourhood during the Middle Ages. It is said that Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers, intent on destroying Ightham as a Royalist stronghold, got lost in the deep wooded valleys of the Weald and ransacked another house instead – another very fortunate escape for one of Kent’s most beautiful early moated English manor houses.
House Colour: Orange
What is the meaning of the colour orange?
Orange is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. To the human eye, orange is a very hot colour, so it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless, orange is not as aggressive as red.
Orange represents us as it shows our bright, vibrant personality and enthusiasm which is represented through the years. The link to Tiger highlights our energetic nature which is part of what makes Ightham so special.
House Motto
"Personal achievement comes from bouncing back - Believe in bouncing back"
House Mascot: Tigger
Tigger is a fictional tiger character originally introduced in A. A. Milne's book The House at Pooh Corner. Like other Pooh characters, Tigger is based on one of Christopher Robin Milne's stuffed animals. Nowadays he is most widely recognized as reinterpreted by the Disney studios, with distinctive orange and black stripes, large eyes, a long chin, a springy tail, and (the one detail originating from A. A. Milne) his love of bouncing. As he says himself, "Bouncing is what Tiggers do best."
The message we can take from Tigger is that he has bounceability!
Bounce = Rebound, Leap, Spring Jump
Ability = Capacity or power to do something, talent, aptitude or competence
This is what IGHTHAM HOUSE is all about…..BOUNCEABILITY!
What we stand for?
"Bouncing back no matter what"
Being an IGHTHAM HOUSE MEMBER is all about being able to bounce back. It's having the resilience to try again or take a different route to achieving a goal. It's recognising when something isn't working and having the courage to make a change.
Year 7 House Visit
Annual visit to Ightham Moat in Term 1. The day is fun-packed, a great bonding experience and a good way to learn more about the student's house.
Students have a pre-booked time to view the inside of the house and then enjoy some games in the grounds. Towards the end of the trip, the students visit the gift shops where they are able to purchase a souvenir.
