Thomason

Meet the Housemaster

Laurence Bruggemann, Housemaster of Thomason from September 2024, joined Haileybury in 2020 as a Deputy Housemaster and Teacher of Mathematics. Shortly after joining the School, he was appointed to lead the Lower School as Housemaster of Russell Dore which he did for three years before moving to Thomason. 

Laurence attended Trinity School, Croydon before studying Mathematical Economics at the University of Birmingham. Following his undergraduate studies, Laurence completed his PGCE at Homerton College, Cambridge and a Masters degree in Education at Corpus Christi, Cambridge, where he was also awarded a Blue for squash. Before joining Haileybury, he taught in two other boarding schools in the South East of England, where he also held additional pastoral responsibilities. Alongside teaching and Housemasting, Laurence coaches rugby and cricket. 

House character

The third-oldest House at Haileybury, Thomason is a diverse and inclusive House with boys pursuing a range of interests. Our ambition is for the boys to be kind and make progress along their chosen pathways at Haileybury.

Laurence Bruggemann Housemaster of Thomason

Thomason aims to create a home-from-home environment where the pupils love spending time and feel that their talents, skills and personalities are accepted and celebrated whatever they may be. The boys understand that kindness and respect underpin life in the House and this allows the friendships to transcend the different year groups. 

The boys are challenged to play a full and active role in school life, always giving their best in anything they do, and have the courage to take on a challenge, try something for the first time or still have a smile on their faces even if it is not their favourite thing to do. 

The hope is that when the boys leave Thomason at the end of their time at Haileybury, they will do so as the best versions of themselves with many fond memories, lifelong friendships and achievements which they are proud of as well as all the necessary skills to be successful in life beyond the School. 

House facilities

Thomason is one of three centrally located Houses and enjoys stunning views of Main Quad and Memorial Quad.

The House has two main communal spaces, which include a large common room where pool and table tennis games are fiercely contested. It also serves as a formal space for House meetings where the achievements of all the boys in the House are celebrated. There is also a smaller TV room, particularly well used for film nights, and a communal kitchen. 

History

Thomason was the third House to be opened at Haileybury in 1862.

The House colours are blue and yellow, adapted from Trinity College, Cambridge, the alma mater of the Reverend Lewis Prance, Thomason’s first Housemaster. The House badge is described as “a griffin’s head, couped between two wings sable” (a truncated griffin between two black wings).

Tutors and HPA representative

Laurence is supported in his work by Sarah Banks, the House Matron, and a team of eight tutors. Thomason holds several parental social functions throughout the year which always see a high turnout of parents. The House has its own representative from the Haileybury Parents Association.