Editing Dulwich College (section)

===Day Houses===
All boys are members of one of eight [[House system|day houses]] or ''Athletic Houses'' as they were originally known.<ref name="GG223 224" /> The Houses were the brainchild of W.D. ('Scottie') Gibbon, an assistant master and rugby coach.<ref name="GG223 224" /> The idea was decided upon in 1919 and in the school magazine, ''The Alleynian'', of March 1920 the process was described. The division would be into six houses to be named after ''distinguished Englishmen of the Elizabethan period''<ref name="AllLent2006 2">''The Alleynian'', Lent 2006, p. 2.</ref> (see table below). The name of Shakespeare was omitted as being considered pre-eminent.<ref name="GPS 94">Webster, F. A .M., (1937), ''Our Great Public Schools'', p. 92, (Butler & Tanner: London).</ref> Upon their original creation Boarders and Day Boys were divided thus: ''Grenville'' included ''Blew House'', ''Marlowe'' included ''The Orchard'', ''Spenser'' included ''Elm Lawn'', ''Sidney'' included ''Ivyholme'' and two entirely Day-boy houses were created: ''Drake'' and ''Raleigh''. In 1982 two more Houses (Jonson and Howard) were added due to an increased College roll. 
 
The athletic houses were created to improve the standard of games at the college, which had deteriorated during the First World War. Before the creation of these houses, the most keenly anticipated matches were the '''Boarders vs Day-Boys''' or the '''Prefects vs The Rest of the School'''. The Athletic Houses produced, and still produce, '''Big Sides''' and '''Little Sides''' for competition.<ref name="GG223 224" /> Big Sides are Houses teams that include players who also represent the school and Little are House sides that do not include school sporting representatives.
A boy's house is decided randomly or through family connection where possible. The houses continue to compete in sporting and cultural competitions (such as music, drama, chess and debating).<ref name="AllLent2006 2" /> The '''Cock House''' ''Shield'' or ''Cup'' are presented to the leading House at the end of the school year taking into account all competitions.<ref name="GPS 94" />