In 1920, a great change was made in the section of athletics and games by dividing the whole College into four ‘Houses’. They were called Johnstone, Pargiter, Handy, and Thompson. They were named after four of the renowned benefactors of the College- Rev. J. T. Johnstone ( Principal 1841 – 1846), Rev. Robert Pargiter (Principal 1846 – 1866), Rev. C. C. Handy (Headmaster 1889 – 1908), and the Rev. Jacob. Thompson (Principal 1900 – 1919).

The introduction of the House system and the Inter-House competitions was a significant milestone for the advancement of all College games. Every student and every staff member of the College was placed in one of the four Houses at the time of enrolment  with the College.

The Inter–House Sports Meet was held for the first time in 1921. In 1927 in the field of sports at the College, another change was made by dividing the  Houses further into a total of eight houses – Knight, Pargiter, Adley, Johnstone, Williams, Evarts, Handy, and Thompson. Since the total enrolment  of the students was only about five hundred, it was felt the number was not large enough to justify the 8 divisions of the Houses. Hence the eight House system was eliminated in 1929 and the original system of four Houses was restored. In 1954, Peto House was added to the Houses in memory of Rev. Henry Peto (Principal 1920 – 1940). Since then, the House system has prevailed as Handy, Johnstone, Pargiter, Peto, and Thompson respectively.