Current News
19/01/10
Four houses make a home at Furness Academy
Students at Furness Academy have recognised four inspirational figures in the naming of the Academy’s four houses.
Students from across the Academy were involved in the decisions, and showed pride in their hometown by naming Ramsden House after a founder of Barrow-In-Furness, Sir James Ramsden.
Award winning cyclist Lance Armstrong and athlete Jane Tomlinson have been honoured with houses named after them, recognising the students’ keen interest in sport and Furness Academy’s status as a specialist sports centre. Students were impressed with Armstrong and Tomlinson’s work to raise money for cancer charities, and members of Tomlinson house have pledged to support the charity Jane’s Appeal.
The fourth house is named in tribute to Jonny Kennedy, a young man whose brave battle with skin cancer moved and inspired the Furness students. The members of Kennedy House plan to raise money for DEBRA, the skin charity that Jonny supported during his life.
Principal Doug Blackledge is proud of the choices made by the students. “These names embody the qualities that we value at Furness Academy, namely community spirit, bravery in the face of adversity and an emphasis on kindness and generosity.
“These houses will work to build the identity of Furness Academy, forging a positive community both within the Academy and in Barrow as a whole.”
Each house offers a small, close-knit community to its members, which complements the wider community structure of the Academy as a whole. Teachers and House Leaders offer a strong network of welfare and support to students in each house. The new names, Kennedy, Tomlinson, Armstrong and Ramsden replace the current house names, Blue, Green, Yellow and Red.
