Lyra House

The Lyre

House Colour: Canary Yellow

Named after the Constellation of Lyra

Head of House - Mr R A Colbert

The lyre is one of the most ancient of musical instruments. For example, in the royal city of Ur (circa 3000 BC) musicians played the lyre for royalty, according to excavated artifacts.

In Greek mythology, the lyre was invented by Hermes. When only a child, he pulled a cow-gut across a tortoise shell, and thereby created the lyre. Hermes gave this lyre to his half-brother Apollo (both were fathered by Zeus). As the god of music, Apollo became associated with the instrument.

Orpheus was given the instrument by Apollo when only a child, and the Muses taught him to use it. Even Nature herself would stop to listen, enraptured by his music. When Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus, died from a snake bite and was taken to the Underworld, Orpheus followed in hopes of bringing her back. His playing convinced Hades to release Eurydice, providing Orpheus didn't look back at her during the journey home - but just as he emerged into the sunlight Orpheus turned and gazed upon his wife, and lost her forever.

There are several versions about the death of Orpheus. In the most widespread version Dionysus invades Thrace, home of Orpheus, and the female followers of Dionysus (the Maenads) tear Orpheus from limb to limb. His head is thrown into the river Hebrus, where it floats to Lesbos, singing the entire time.

The lyre of Orpheus is also thrown into the river, and it too floats to Lesbos, beached near the temple of Apollo. Apollo then convinces Zeus that the instrument should become a constellation. Zeus agrees, and places the lyre of Orpheus between Hercules and Cygnus.

Lyra is the lyre played by Orpheus, musician of the Argonauts and son of Apollo and the muse Calliope. Apollo gave his son the lyre as a gift, and Orpheus played it so well that even the wild beasts, the rocks, and the trees were charmed by his music.

Although we are not all musicians in Lyra House we understand about harmony in the sense that we all try to work together and support one-another. We pride ourselves on our team spirit and respect for each other. We understand the need to listen to each other and respect the views and ideas of the house members. To help in this we have regular House Council meetings that discuss matters pertinent to our students. One member of this council is then elected to represent Lyra on the College Council, here students know they can bring about changes to the college.

The constellation Lyra is quite small but it contains the fifth brightest star in the sky. This is Vega and the temperature on its surface is twice that of our Sun, and that's pretty hot! It's close, as far as stars go, only 26.5 light years away. Actually our Sun is travelling towards the general direction of Vega at about 18 kilometres a second and taking us with it!

We have lots of stars in Lyra House and everyone is good at something. Lyra students enjoy taking part in may event each year and this resulted in 2008-9 achieving a commendable 3rd place overall. Lyra were winners in Inter-House Attendance and Business and Enterprise trophies. We will be working hard to improve on these achievements in the 2009-10 year!

The final assembly of 2008-9 saw the appointment of the new prefects and sports captains for Lyra house for 2009-10. These roles allow Lyra students to take an active role in the running of their house and we wish them all the success for the coming year.

Lyra Prefects with Mr Colbert

(left to right) Kelsey Wigglesworth, Mr Colbert, Ria Peacock, Laura Marshall, Reece Saunderson, Matthew Kirke, Melissa Towriss, Sam Reavill, Luke Townsend, Jordan Smith, Lloyd Townsend, Oliver Mussell, Lucas Van Rijswijk.

Sports Captains – Oliver Fytche and Molly Fletcher