Melvill

Meet the Housemistress

Taking over as Housemistress of Melvill in September 2024, Rosie Morley joined Haileybury in 2018 and has been a tutor in Melvill since.

Rosie lives in Melvill with her husband James and their two daughters Eden and Summer. In their spare time, they can often be found on warm coastal holidays or visiting their favourite UK spot, North Norfolk. She loves baking cakes, spa days and is an interior design enthusiast. 

In her previous career, Rosie worked in cancer diagnostics for the Royal Marsden Hospital after completing a BSc In Forensic Science. She then moved on to undertake her PGCE at Goldsmiths University where she was awarded a scholarship from the Royal Society of Chemistry. 

Haileybury life is centred around the boarding houses and I feel so blessed to be able to be the Housemistress for Melvill. This house is so special and the girls are at the core of everything we do. They all make their unique mark on the house and Haileybury community; we are known by the pupils as the ’happy house’ on campus! I want all parents and relations to feel that they are an important part of the Melvill family and to work in collaboration to ensure the girls find purpose in their lives and achieve a healthy balance between work, rest and play. Our aim is to help create a solid foundation for their futures built on friendship, kindness, and loving others.

Rosie Morley Housemistress of Melvill

House character

Melvill is a very inclusive and kind House which embraces each personality and unique talent. All the girls are valued and fully supported in reaching their full potential.

The newest boarding house on the campus, Melvill overlooks two large ponds and is surrounded by mature trees and gardens; its reflective environment encourages open-minded, artistic thinking.

Melvill is very much a multi-talented House, competing with considerable enthusiasm and dedication in competitions such as junior rounders, tennis and athletics. The House is also home to many talented musicians who sing in the choir, play in the orchestra and perform in the yearly cabaret.

Girls from the Removes (Year 9) up to the Upper Sixth have had starring roles in a wide variety of drama performances, and have also contributed some excellent pieces of work to Haileybury’s art competition.

Whatever the challenge, Melvill girls put in their best effort and celebrate each other’s achievements with pride.

House facilities

Situated next to Colvin, its sister House, Melvill occupies a secluded and peaceful corner of Haileybury in contemporary, bright, and airy buildings designed with modern living in mind.

There are several shared spaces in the House, including a large common room, a TV room, and two large kitchens. There is also a computer room, equipped with a laser printer, and fast wireless broadband is available throughout the House.

The girls have a particular fondness for their House Matron, Fern Ritthichai, who, along with her team, keeps the House organised and a comfortable place to live and work.

History

Melvill was founded in 1884 as a boys’ House, before becoming a girl’s House and moving to its purpose-designed building in 2001.

The House badge is ‘argent a cross gules’ (a red cross on a field of silver), and its motto ‘delectando pariterque monendo’, which means ‘by pleasing and instructing in equal measure’. The House colours are black and red.

Tutors and HPA representative

Rosie is supported in her work by Fern Ritthichai, the House Matron, who helps with the day-to-day domestic management of the House and an experienced team of Tutors. The House also has its own representative from the Haileybury Parents’ Association.