Lawrence

Meet the Housemistress

Nicky Payne-Cook, the Housemistress of Lawrence, has a degree in Sports Science and a PGCE in Physical Education and has been teaching at Haileybury for just over 20 years. She has held a variety of different positions during her time here including Head of Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE), Houseparent of Highfield, Assistant Housemistress of Alban’s and Allenby, Head of Girls’ Games, Head of Netball and Head of Athletics.

Nicky enjoys teaching PSHE and PE and being fully involved in coaching girls’ sports here at Haileybury. She has played competitive sports to a high level throughout her time at school and University in various sports. Nicky is particularly proud of her 100m PB of 12.6 seconds and, as rowing is a passion of hers, she is hoping to get back into a boat very soon!

Nicky has four children; Ella, Ollie, Archie and Sophie. Their golden cocker spaniel Rosie also lives in Lawrence.

Integrity, loyalty, support, achievement and lifelong friendship are values at the heart of the Lawrence ethos, such values will shape and bond the Lawrence girls together during their time here and prepare them for life beyond school.

Nicky Payne-Cook Housemistress of Lawrence

House Character

The new cohort of girls can learn a great deal from the Lawrence boys and old-Lawrencians and we will carry forward the ethos of “integrity, loyalty, support, achievement and lifelong friendship.” The common room sits in a central location and will certainly feel like the “heart of the house” a wonderful place for the girls to get together, share experiences and form memories.

Representing the house in inter-house competitions and supporting one another in all aspects of school life, whether that be academic achievements, sporting, musical or a drama performances will be at the forefront of building the new Lawrence community. We will celebrate individual and collective successes and learn from one another and encourage all to be the best version of themselves.

House Facilities

Lawrence underwent extensive renovation and refurbishment during the Summer of 2021 to convert it from a boys’ boarding house to a girls’ house. These works modernised and embellished the already homely and welcoming layout to ensure that the girls of all ages are able to work, meet, socialise and relax in a “home from home” environment.

Lawrence holds prime location on campus with easy access to Quad, Chapel, Big School, the Form room block, dining hall, music school, maths, DT, science and the sports facilities! (No excuse for Lawrence girls to be late getting anywhere!!)

The girls have bedrooms laid out over two floors, with two large common room areas and two kitchens as well as two ‘wellbeing spaces’ where the girls can relax. The house also has a laundry facility for the girls to use if they wish.

The Lawrence girls also have a new garden and with its south-facing location, they can make the most of relaxing (and studying!) in the sunshine!

Matron, tutors and HPA representative

Nicky is supported in her work by Amanda King, 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 (HPA).

History

Lawrence is one of the original two houses at Haileybury.

The House colours are navy and magenta and the House badge, the skull and crossbones, is accompanied by Horace’s Latin aphorism ‘Carpe Diem.’ This motto symbolises one of the core values of Lawrence and will challenge every girl to take all the opportunities offered to them, both at school and in life beyond. Famous Old Lawrencians include former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Clement Attlee and Formula 1 Racing driver Sir Stirling Moss OBE.