Welcome from the Housemaster
I have been at Christ’s College for more than a decade and have been involved in an interesting range of different roles.
I started out as a boarding House tutor in Flower’s House and was there for five years before I became Assistant Housemaster of Richards House for two years. I have taught Physical Education for nine years. I manage the 2nd XI hockey team in winter and athletics in summer, specialising in long and triple jump.
My interests outside work include rugby, and I have played more than 150 games for the Christchurch Club Division 1 team. I like keeping fit with weights and exercise, runs with my dog and relaxing with friends and family over the summer.
Matt Thatcher
Housemaster
Welcome from Head of Jacobs House
Jacobs House is one of the most welcoming communities at College.
We build each other up, and support one another. Our motto, Non Sibi, which means "Not for oneself", is a reflection of the selflessness of every individual in the House. While we do recognise individual excellence, we also know that our strength as a House lies in teamwork. I believe it is through this sense of comradeship that everyone in Jacobs will have the right attitude for success.
Josh Durant
Head of House 2024
House staff
House booklet
History of Jacobs House
Jacobs House was originally designed by Cecil Wood as part of larger reorganisation for the development of the Quad. Only this building came to fruition as planned. It was opened in 1931, with 50 boys drawn from four other Houses, plus some new boys.
The House is named after College’s first Headmaster, Henry Jacobs, who arrived in New Zealand as a Canterbury Association chaplain on board the Sir George Seymour. The House is on the site of the first Headmaster’s house.
Within the House Library is a stone fireplace, in memory of Guy Spencer Bryan-Brown, Chaplain of Christ’s College who was killed in the First World War. The House was refurbished in 2003 and the concrete block addition at the rear of the House was constructed at this time.
The Jacobs House symbol is a red or Tudor rose and can be seen on the College Crest. It is also part of the Arms of Christ Church Oxford, where John Robert Godley and many of the founders of Canterbury had attended university. The motto Non Sibi translates as Not for one’s self.