An Eventful Beginning of the New School Year

The Westminster community began the 2017-2018 academic year by welcoming 395 students to campus from 24 states and 28 countries. The new school year also marked the opening of Armstrong Dining Hall, a new dormitory named Kelter House and two new carriage houses: Flinn Family House and Beinecke House.

 

During opening days’ events, students took part in a number of group activities including dorm Olympics, fun-filled games, a trivia contest and cookouts. They also met with their advisors.

 

At the first assembly of the year Sept. 8, Headmaster Bill Philip invited everyone to applaud the 122 new students. “We had a great opening of school,” he said. He thanked faculty and staff for all of their planning efforts and members of the Sixth Form for their help moving students into dormitories and assisting with orientation activities.

 

Head Prefect Jessie Schuhlen ’18 also welcomed new students in her remarks, saying, “I know I speak for everyone when I say that I look forward to you becoming a part of our community and getting to know each of you.” She shared some background on her Westminster experience and provided some advice for each form.

 

For Third Formers, she acknowledged that they might be nervous and recounted her first-day as a Third Former. She also encouraged them to reach out to upper formers. “Ask for advice,” she said. “Get their experiences. They’ve been through this already and their advice is some of the best.”

 

For Fourth Formers, she encouraged them to start taking advantage of everything the school has to offer. “Start making this your school. Try something out of your box.”

 

For Fifth Formers, who are beginning to focus on the college process, she advised: “Put in the hours. Study for that big test. It will pay off, I promise. And know that you don’t have to go through this year alone. Lean on each other. Use your friends. Find a study group.”

 

And for her fellow Sixth Formers, she said: “We are now the leaders of this school, and it’s our job to decide what kind of legacy we want to leave behind us here. We need to step up and make this place the best it can be, especially for everyone who comes after us. And in the midst of that, we need to cherish every moment.”

 

She closed by saying how excited she is to see what the year brings. “Together, I know we can make this one of the most memorable years Westminster has ever seen as long as we don’t forget the little things that can make the whole difference, like simply saying ‘hi’ to someone new in the halls.”

 

At the Pin Ceremony on the Sixth Form Lawn, alumni and honorary faculty members presented members of the Sixth Form with their Class of 2018 pin or pendant that was designed by the form. All new students then gathered in Andrews Memorial Chapel for the Sign-in Ceremony where they were greeted by Headmaster Philip and members of the prefect board. They also signed their name in a book signifying their entrance to school.

 

The first family-style lunch took place Sept. 11 in Armstrong Dining Hall with faculty and students eating together at assigned tables in the magnificent new Gund Dining Room. Family-style lunches now take place four times a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. And this year’s chapel program got underway Sept. 12 with a talk given by Headmaster Philip.