Traditions
Traditions
With a rich history for over 150 years, Oldfields traditions create powerful connections that build bonds between our current students as well as tie the generations of Oldfields girls together for a lifetime. Of course they are fun—but our traditions are so much more than that. Grounded in our motto of Courage, Humility and Largeness of Heart, they encourage genuine kindness that is built upon trust and mutual respect. They foster acceptance, character, and leadership.
Every new girl is assigned to one of the School teams and thus begins a friendly competition that lasts well beyond your years at Oldfields. Led by the coveted roles of Captain and Spirit, the teams compete in a wide variety of ways throughout the year including athletic, academic, community service, and school spirit challenges.
Fall Family Weekend is everyone’s favorite weekend as families and friends come to campus to experience a day in the life of a student, meet faculty and friends, and celebrate our wonderful students.
Our family-like atmosphere begins right away. As a new girl, you are paired with a big sister to support you as you move through your time at Oldfields.
Garden Party kicks off Graduation Week with a beautiful evening that includes a special dinner, songs from our a cappella groups, yearbook signing, and lots of happy tears.
Every meeting is different as the entire community gathers in the theatre three times a week to share presentations, announcements, birthday songs, and weekend highlights as well as participate in with special themed days like Appreciation Wednesday.
With two months until Graduation, we are so excited for all of the ways that we will celebrate our incredible seniors. Senior Presentations began on February 5, and we have been fortunate to have some of them take place in our Theatre—with select guests! We look forward to the remaining Fridays as seniors take to the podium to share personal reflections on a topic that is important to them.
Graduation—The Ultimate Tradition
There is nothing that can compare to the profound simplicity of Graduation at Oldfields. For generations, our girls have walked down Graduation Hill in long white dresses and bare feet. The entire student body participates, with underclass girls carrying a bouquet of wildflowers followed by the seniors carrying red roses. The last to walk down the hill are the girls selected by their peers to be on the May Court—the four girls who best embody our School motto, Courage, Humility, and Largeness of Heart.
Each senior’s name is called one at a time by the Head of School and, each senior walks forward to collect her diploma. The ceremony ends with the roses tossed into the air, and a new group of Oldfields students are ready to go make their mark on the world.
When Oldfields alumnae look back at their school years, they remember the big events, like Graduation, but also all the little things—meeting at Crosswalks for an outing, bonding with the adorable campus kids, and late night snacks in the dorm lounge. Embracing the new while honoring the traditions of old makes a rich, meaningful experience for our students.