Sorting Ceremony 2023-2024

Joseph felt adrenaline rush through him as he ambled down the aisle towards the very thing that had the final say as to what his next seven years would be like. Was he frightened? No, it couldn't be, as he felt excitement bubbling within him. Yet he still felt a tinge of worry, a hint of anxiety, as he neared the spot where his fate will be decided...

"It's just a sense of foreboding," Joseph muttered consolingly to himself. Joseph bit his lips, feeling the intent stares of a hundred pairs of eyes boring into him, watching him intently in anticipation, awaiting the moment his destiny would be finally confirmed.

Heart thumping wildly, Joseph dropped into the chair provided for him, squirming uncomfortably as he felt the Sorting Hat being raised over his head. The chair would be his only companion during his sorting. Joseph took in a sharp intake of breath, as the Sorting Hat plopped onto his head, ready to declare his decision.

A whole second passed. Two seconds. How long more did Joseph have to wait? His heart only palpitated faster, threatening to burst from excitement.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat boomed, as cries of celebration erupted from the table nearest to the doors. Joseph raised an eyebrow, a wide smile etched across his face. His entire family had been sorted into Slytherin, but here he was, a proud member of Helga Hufflepuff's house. Perhaps the Sorting Hat could sense something different in him. Different values. Different beliefs. A different person. Joseph smile spread slightly wider at the thought.

What would his parents say? Would they be disappointed? Dismayed? None if that mattered now. I have a family now; one I'm proud to be part of, Joseph thought as he settled down among his fellow Hufflepuffs who pat his back encouragingly and welcomed him to his new home.

From what she could see of the other students, Aislinn wasn't as nervous as her peers. She knew what the Sorting Ceremony was about, mostly, but one of the drawbacks of having a family name that starts with the letter 'A' was that she didn't have much of a chance to watch other students going through with the sorting before she was called up.

As she walked to the stool upon which the Sorting Hat was placed, Aislinn wondered if her mam had been similarly sorted. Had she been subjected to this strange, magical personality test in front of the whole school? If so, which house had she been sorted into? She wished she'd asked her mam before leaving for Hogwarts, but she could always ask in a letter.

Aislinn sat carefully onto the stool as the hat was placed onto her head. It mused to itself about where she belonged, and she didn't dare respond to its musings. It was strange enough that there was a talking hat perched upon her head, and the last thing she wanted was to be a distraction who ruined her own sorting, so she sat quietly as the enchanted headwear mused. When it finally seemed to come to a decision, she only just managed to stop herself covering her ears at the volume of its voice.

"Ravenclaw!"

She stood and rolled her shoulders with relief as the tension seeped from them. She'd done it. She'd made it into a house, and now she just had to find her peers. Aislinn walked to the table filled with a sea of bronze and blues eagerly.

The sorting ceremony

When I arrived at Hogwarts by train with the first year and everyone else by boat across the lake and saw the castle, I was impressed. I have to admit, we went straight to the Great Hall without further ado when we were in the Great Hall When I arrived I was very impressed and then it started after the headmaster gave a speech the sorting hat sang a beautiful song after the sorting hat had finished singing the sorting ceremony started. I have to admit I was a bit nervous but that It subsided very quickly. I watched as the other students in front of me got their hats put on and were sorted into their houses. When everyone else was sorted, the deputy headmistress said my name. I sat down in the seat and the hat was placed on my head The whole time I was just thinking about the one house that I wanted to go to. The sorting hat hesitated but then it called out, you belong in Slytherin. I'm happy because I was very proud to have ended up in this house. After I was sorted, I went to the table where the Slytherins sat.

I arrived at hogwarts station nervous and eating some peppermint toads. Wondering what house I would be. As I arrived I would be directed to a boat. The view is so cool as I see the large castle thinking if i would make friends. The water glistening and beautiful. I could see a giant squid waving at me with its tentacles. As I wave back I drop my peppermint Toads into the water. Trying to retrieve it I fall into the lake. Thinking it is the end but eventually I feel a tentacle brings me up to shore. Not knowing where to go I try and find sorting area. After running and stopping for about 45 minutes i see the building. I rush to the sorting ceremony and almost miss it. I hear my name called. And clumsily trip and fall. Embarrassingly I get up and go to the chair. The hat goes onto my head. Covering my glasses. I am sorted into gryffindor.There are cheers and I go to join my house table. And start to eat since I eat when I get nervous. Surprised I got sorted into the brave and bold house. Hoping someone would be friends.

As all the first years were lead towards the great hall , Violet couldn't help but feel nervous. She has heard all about Hogwarts ever since she was a child but now seeing the actual building, she felt extremely small and insignificant. Hogwarts was majestic in every sense.

"All the first years in a line"

More nervousness creeped in when she saw every first year had someone to talk to. She felt alone and hated that feeling.
She heard various names being called and being sorted while the tables erupted in cheers.

"Would I be cheered too for ?" Violet thought. She wanted her house to be welcoming...

Just then, a voice called "ROHR VIOLET"

She walks forward feeling her heart beating out of her chest. She didn't like this much attention, she decided.
The hat placed onto her head, she closes her eyes.
She wasn't really tensed about which house she would be placed in.

Hmm , I sense wisdom and bravery yet someone who is friendly and bubbly, someone who would stand up for her friends

The sorting hat's voice said, now booming in her ears.

And then it got quiet, for a few seconds.

And then the hat roared "HUFFLEPUFF"
The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers !

She felt giddy, it was the friendliest of all the houses. She walked over to the table, not hating the attention she is getting now, so much.

Following the flood of first years that are walking into the Great Hall, Eleanor feels suddenly overwhelmed. It is finally time, in only a few minutes she is going to find out which House she will be. Many days and nights did she wonder about the answer to the big question. To be a Ravenclaw would make sense that is at least what her brother, Neil, always said. He too was a Ravenclaw just like their father. Her mother on the other hand was a Hufflepuff, not a bad House to end up in either.
Slowly the group of first years comes to a halt and the Headmaster, Solomon Lear, began his speech. While still listening, Eleanor lets her gaze wander around the Great Hall. It was truly great and filled with all the older students and teachers. Once again she wonders at which table she will end up sitting but her attention is brought back to the headmaster as he explained the Sorting Hat. One by one each student is called to the front and the hat is placed on their head.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it’s her turn. “Price, Eleanor”
Trying to appear confident Eleanor walks up to the Hat and sits down onto the chair. Soon after the magical piece of headwear is placed on her head she hears it’s voice:
“Well what do we have hear? A kind heart and a witty mind. Ah I remember your brother, a verry bright mind. You too would do well in Ravenclaw…but…yes, I believe there is a House better suited for you. Let’s see, you wish to proof yourself and you could. There is great potential in you, you just need to find it.
So better be…."

Slytherin!

The hat then is removed and with a surprised expression Eleanor walks over to the Slytherin table where the students have begun to cheer. So this is where she belongs, the brown-haired girl muses. With a smile on her lips she begins to great her fellow first years and the older students sitting nearby.

Charlie walked into the Great Hall and looked around at all of the students sitting with their houses and immediately knew this school was where he was meant to be. As he walked to the sorting hat he admired the architecture, finally looking up at the ceiling where he saw the stars. Charlie was in awe, living in a castle had always been a dream of his, but a magical one was better than he ever could have dreamed.

While the other students were being sorted, of which there were a lot because he was at the end of the alphabet, Charlie did not pay much attention to them and instead continued to look around at the gorgeous building and the books and other personal things some of the students had which he had never seen before.

Finally his name was called, “Wilde, Charlie” He knew nothing about the houses or what they meant, but he did see that there was one table that seemed to be littered with many more books, papers, and quills than the others. He thought he might be placed there, remembering that there was a book in his coat pocket at the moment. But he was not, the hat, after a minute or two of silence, said, “GRYFFINDOR!” Charlie realized that he did not know which house was Gryffindor until he saw the table wearing red cloaks cheer much louder than the rest, who were politely clapping.

Charlie sat at the end of the table and made polite conversation with the people next to him after the ceremony was over during supper. This was going to be the best seven years of his life.

"Delacourt, Genevieve!" the voice called.

Genevieve nervously sat down on the stool, trying not to show her nerves. What house would she be in? Would anyone like her?

She looked around, trying to spot the faces of her sisters in the crowd of people. She couldn't find Anastasia at the Gryffindor table, but she caught a glimpse of Chloe, sitting at the Slytherin table. Chloe was watching her with a slight smile, which was unusual for her. Her silvery hair looked perfect, as always.

Genevieve wondered what house she would be in. Probably Ravenclaw, she thought. She loved books and reading, and was very shy and quiet. Her sisters were both in different houses, and Genevieve thought they suited them perfectly. Anastasia was brave, loud, and had a roaring laugh. Chloe was dignified, resourceful, clever, and always knew what to say. What house would her little sister Amelie be in? She didn't know, but for now focused on her own sorting.

The hat took it's time, but finally called out, "HUFFLEPUFF!" Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table as Genevieve shakily got to her feet and started walking that way. She suddenly felt very shy as she looked around at all the faces. The one first year she knew was Tracey Bailey, who had been sorted into Ravenclaw.

Genevieve stood there awkwardly for a second before sitting down on the end of the table. She sighed and waited for the sorting to end.

Friday 1st September 2023




Emiline shuffled behind a long line of the rest of her year group. They had come out of the boats and were making their way towards the school. The gentle September breeze nipped at Emiline's ankles and played with her robes making them dance. The person they were following called for them all to stop and they did. She could see the grand doors of the great hall. Emiline was feeling a mixture of dread and excitement to be sorted. So Gryffindor is for the stupidly brave, Ravenclaw is for the
'nerds', Slytherin is for the plain rude and Hufflepuff is the house that takes the rest. Wow thanks sis for putting that in my head. Which house do I want to be in? She though. Well to be honest I don't mind which house I am in, just as long as the people are friendly and kind. We need more people like that in the world she pondered. The people around her were chattering nervously. Then the grand doors opened, a sudden hush settled over the group, and away they went through the doors. As Emiline passed though she noticed the whole school was going to watch them get sorted. "Oh god. Why does everyone have to watch?" she groaned. Some people around her glanced back at her.

There were four tables, for the four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. It was clear which was which with the colourful school robes. Red, blue, green and yellow. Then a professor came and placed a stool with a hat on in front of the group. Suddenly, it burst into song. Emilie looked around confused. Why an earth was a hat singing. She glanced at the red table and everyone was watching the hat sing, the same with the blue table. The green table seemed less interested in the hat and more interested in he group. Properly trying to guess who is gonna be in their house. Finally she glanced at the yellow table. Immediately, she made eye contact with one of the girls. She smiled kindly and gave a small wave and turned to face the hat and with that gesture she was suggesting that Emiline should do the same. She turned to fade then hat but it just stopped and there was a beat of silence and then the four tables burst into clapping. Emilie joined in but she slowly and uncertainly.


Then a professor came and started reading out names, the first person walked up the the stool and out the hat on. And got sorted into Ravenclaw, and the blue table cheered and gestured for them to sit down. They took off the hat and hurried to there house table. It carried on like this. Through the A's, B's and finally the H's.

" Hunter Emiline!" The teacher called. Emilie pushed through the group and sat on the stool and somehow her eyes had found the girl on the yellow table. She smiled again and that was the last thing she saw before the darkness of the hat. Then she heard a voice in her ear, ' ooh lots of kindness maybe a bit too much, confidence and I see that you want kind people.. Where should I put you? Yep definitely ....... HUFFLEPUFF!' Emiline heard the hat say the last word to the whole hall. She took off the hat and walked swiftly toward the table. She sat down quietly near the girl. And watched the rest of the sorting glad that the attention was off her for a while.


Finally the sorting was over. The headmaster said his speech and suddenly food appeared all over the table. It was stuffed full of all types of food. Like a christmas dinner but more! Emiline felt like she hadn't seen this much food in her life. She grabbed a pot of potatoes and dug into her first feast at Hogwarts.