In his Opening Chapel Talk, Head of School Tim Richards spoke about the importance of striving for excellence in the 131st academic year of Pomfret School. He used the experiences of Olympic athletes as metaphors, highlighting their record-breaking performances and golden moments that occurred during the Games this summer in Paris. “Like Olympians preparing for a shot at gold medal glory, you students should approach this year with your own ambitious goals.” 

Richards encouraged sportsmanship and collegiality as he recounted the final moments of the men’s pole vault event. American silver medalist Sam Kendricks psyched up the crowd as his Swedish competitor Mondo Duplantis, who had already earned the gold medal, attempted to break the world record. “Imagine how amazing this year could be if you students also took on the role of coaches for your friends and classmates, encouraging, cajoling, nurturing, and pushing each other to raise the bar in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, in the dorms, as well as in your interactions with others in this community.”

“Let us take joy from the friendships and relationships that define this community. And let’s aim to make Pomfret a better place next May than it is today by raising the bar for ourselves and for those around us. If we can commit ourselves to doing that, it will indeed be a year for the record books.” Tim Richards, Head of School

Even before Richards’ Opening Chapel Talk, the Pomfret community had already begun to make this year a one for the record books. Fall varsity athletes on the field hockey, volleyball, and girls and boys soccer teams arrived early to the Hilltop for preseason training. They practiced their skills, honed their plays, and completed the Bean Run. And at night, they bonded as a team in the dorms and the stands of college games. After three days of teamwork and practice, they welcomed the rest of the school community on Arrival Day.

Also greeting members of the Pomfret community was VISTA, Pomfret’s new Venue for Innovation, Science, Technology, and Academics. For 137 new Griffins, this was the space they had seen and heard about during their campus tours. For returning students, the construction site they had walked past each day for the past year was now a state-of-the-art building ready to host their science labs, robot creation, astronomy explorations, and engineering builds. Upon seeing the warm and friendly faces of the faculty and staff inside VISTA, the students’ and families’ nervous and anxious butterflies were immediately released into the new pollinator garden planted just outside of the building.   

After attending their first advisory meal and saying goodbye for now to their families, students participated in orientation, leadership, and QUEST workshops, reconnected with their classmates, and bonded with their new dormmates. 

The School gathered around the Proctor Sundial for Pomfret’s most cherished tradition — the Opening Sundial Ceremony — before the first day of classes. The time-honored event included Director of Spiritual Life Bobby Fisher delivering the inspiring words of benediction as the Class of 2025 stood on the Sundial encircled by faculty and underclassmen. 

The following morning, on the first day of classes, Convocation was held to celebrate students' achievements during the previous academic year. Student speakers Haynes McCoy ’25 and Charlie Festini ’25 echoed Richards’ advice about supporting friends through academic challenges and turning to teachers and coaches in challenging times. Charlie shared how her friends and classmates helped her last year when she experienced difficulties in her Advanced Anthropology class. They helped her stay on track. Together, they encouraged one another while they completed their challenging assignments. “Finding balance is crucial in moments when we feel overwhelmed. It is also just as important in moments where we feel like we have it all under control to help other people find that balance when they need it most,” she said.

Arrival Day and the days that followed were inspiring and full of traditions and greeting old as students greeted old friends and new. The bar has been set for an outstanding year. If we can achieve everything we aspire for this academic year — both inside and outside the classroom — it will undoubtedly be one for the record books. 
 

View photos from the Sundial Ceremony and Opening Chapel

View photos from Convocation

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