Welcome from the Housemaster

Staff Matt Thatcher 0757 SQ

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

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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

Staff Matt Thatcher 0757 SQ

Matt Thatcher

Housemaster

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Staff Josh Kim 6313 SQ

Josh Kim

Deputy Housemaster/Mentor

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JA12 J Dura Ja 40088 0612

Josh Durant

Head of House

Staff William Bell 35461 2243 SQ

William Bell

Mentor

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Staff Caroline Black 6072 SQ

Caroline Black

Mentor

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Staff Chris Sellars 0909 SQ

Chris Sellars

Mentor

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Staff Elaine Tang 1213 SQ

Elaine Tang

Mentor

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Staff Chris Waugh 6342 SQ

Chris Waugh

Mentor

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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.