teams representing Meriden are formed and play against other private girls schools in Sydney. There is also a Personal Development, Health and Physical Education program which is compulsory for all girls in years 7–10, with 3 PDHPE lessons per fortnight(2 being a practical and 1 learning about health). House system Meriden School's original house system was established in 1931 by the headmistress at the time, Miss Overy, who named the houses after English counties. The original four houses were: Warwick (Yellow) Cumberland (Blue) Kent (Green) Sussex (Red) In 2014, two more houses were introduced to meet the need for improved house-based pastoral care. In line with tradition, the new houses were named after English counties that are famous for their universities. The two new houses were: Oxford (Orange) Durham (Purple) Each year, students in each house are to vote for their new Year 11 house leaders – the House Captain who is supported by the Service Officer, Arts Officer and Sports Officer. Through the house system, students participate in inter-house competitions in order to gain points for their house. Competitions include the Athletics Carnival, Swimming Carnival, House Choral Competition, House Arts Competition, Inter-house Sport Competition and Inter-house Maths Competition. The house with the most points at the end of the school year is awarded the Wallis Cup. Associated schools Meriden's brother school is Trinity Grammar School at Summer Hill, an Anglican day and boarding school for boys. Old Girls Education and community Helen Halse Rogers OBE – social worker and chair of Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Silma Ihram – education pioneer Robin Morrow – lecturer, critic and editor in children's literature and president of the Australian section of the International Board on Books for Young People IBBY Australia. Sally Ruston AM – Head of Junior School Abbotsleigh Rev Catherine Wynn Jones – Royal Australian Navy Chaplain and former Vice Chairman of Meriden School Council Entertainment, media and the arts Sally Ayre-Smith - Producer of SeaChange Harriet Ayre-Smith – Actress and former Chanel publicist Pamela Clark – cooking editor, editorial and food director of the Australian Women's Weekly Kellie Crawford – singer and actress, Teen Queens and Hi-5 Patti Crocker - actress and author of Radio Days Barbara Davidson – printmaker who specialises in etching Desmonde Downing — stage designer Helen Kenny — literary editor of the Sydney Morning Herald Sarah Monahan – actress on Hey Dad..! Natalie