Westminster Begins 119th Year with Energy and Spirit

Westminster welcomed eight new faculty members and 382 students to the school’s 119th year with an energetic and a spirited series of orientation programs and opening day celebrations. Photo Gallery

Faculty Begin New Year
The 2006-2007 school year kicked off with an opening faculty meeting, Wednesday, August 30, where faculty heard presentations about the school’s outstanding admissions’ year, summer enhancements to campus buildings, and the school year ahead. That evening, Headmaster Graham Cole and his wife Carol hosted a faculty dinner in Cushing Hall where Mr. Cole formally introduced eight new members of the faculty. In more formal remarks that evening, Mr. Cole addressed some of the issues presented in Harry Lewis’ new book, Excellence Without a Soul: How a Great University Forgot Education. He reflected on the book’s thesis that teachers and educational institutions should be helping young people to become good people and that their educational experiences should prepare them to be first-rate citizens and decent human beings. “In our boarding school setting and our liberal arts curriculum we are, indeed, all about teaching youngsters to be good human beings and to think about how best to live a life,” he said.

During the next several days, faculty members were busy attending departmental meetings, corridor meetings, and a SPHERE (Supplementary Program in Hartford for Educational Reinforcement and Enrichment) meeting at Watkinson School in West Hartford.

Sixth Formers Lead Return to Campus

Sixth Formers returned to campus Tuesday, Sept. 5, to participate in Sixth Form Orientation and leadership training in preparation for their role in the orientation of Third, Fourth and Fifth Formers later in the week. Their orientation began with a series of games on the Sixth Form Lawn then moved to Commencement Lawn where the Sixth Formers were joined by faculty members in a series of activities designed to foster teamwork and core values of the school. The day was capped off by the Headmaster’s Dinner for Sixth Formers in Cushing Hall, where new members of the faculty introduced themselves, and Mr. Cole and Head Prefect Nick Stevens ’06 formally welcomed members of the Sixth Form back to school and reminded them of their leadership responsibilities for the coming year.

The next students to return to campus were early athletes on Wednesday, Sept. 6. After they and their parents attended a meeting with Mr. Cole and the four Form Deans, the early athletes reported to their respective practices and captain’s training.

Opening Day Starts with Top of the Hill Welcome

A warm and sunny Opening Day, Saturday, Sept. 9, began with the traditional top of the Hill welcoming of new and returning Third, Fourth, and Fifth Form students by members of the Sixth Form. After registering for classes, many students, parents, and faculty gathered for a Multicultural Reception in Keyes House. Following the reception, all new students and their parents attended a meeting with the Headmaster and the Form Deans in Werner Centennial Center. After saying good-bye to their parents, new students met with their advisors. Opening Day concluded on a very upbeat note with Texas line dancing for all in the new gym.

A new student meeting and Form Orientations started Sunday, Sept. 10, and were followed by an all-school carnival and cookout on the quad. Performing arts interviews, technology training, and library orientation continued into the evening.

Students Observe Traditions on First Day of Classes

Monday, September 11, marked the first day of classes and the Headmaster’s Address in Werner Centennial Center. The gathering began with a thunderous round of applause for new students and faculty, who were asked to stand and be recognized. This traditional Westminster welcome was followed by an address by Mr. Cole about the importance of good manners and how they contribute to Westminster’s sense of community. Head Prefect Nick Stevens also welcomed students back to school and talked about the importance of formal traditions at Westminster. He ended his remarks by asking those gathered to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As the students exited the Werner Centennial Center, members of the faculty lined the walkway to Cushing Hall, giving students a warm welcome to the new academic year.

Following in the footsteps of their predecessors, all new students then proceeded to the Headmaster’s office, where they entered their signatures in a book signifying their formal entry to the school and their membership in the campus community. All Six Formers then received their Sixth Form pins from faculty alumni as a symbol of the guidance these students will provide to the school community in the coming year. As the academic day continued, students found their classrooms in Baxter Hall and launched into a new and exciting year at Westminster.