Lively greetings, joyful traditions, and a focus on values made Wellington’s opening day more than just the start of school; it was a celebration of community, learning, and a Culture of Challenge.
The first day of school at Wellington is always a joyful marker of community, and this year’s return carried energy into every corner of campus. Duke the Jaguar set the tone at morning drop-off, offering high-fives and hugs to our youngest students as they made their way inside. For kindergartners, the day was full of fresh beginnings, including the chance to explore the new Croft Family Kindergarten Wing, a bright, engaging space designed to help them feel at home from the very first moment they walked in.
Another tradition also took shape today: the annual pairing of kindergarteners with their 4th grade buddies. These older students serve as mentors and friends throughout the year, beginning with the simple but meaningful act of reading together on day one. They’ll also help their younger partners gain confidence and independence in the Thomas Family Dining Room. It is the kind of connection that builds both responsibility and empathy while reinforcing Wellington’s belief that learning happens best in community.
In middle school, the excitement was twofold. First, students completed a values exercise, breaking into small groups to reflect on what it looks like to live Wellington’s core values in practice. They considered questions like: What does empathy sound like in the hallway? How do we support a classmate who is having a hard day? Their reflections and ideas will serve as daily reminders that academic excellence is inseparable from character and care for others. In the afternoon, the beloved House Sort welcomed new students into one of five houses, fueling the spirit of teamwork and friendly competition that will last all year. These activities also echoed this year’s guiding theme, a Culture of Challenge, encouraging students to pair high expectations with empathy and responsibility.
Upper school students took their turn to lead with enthusiasm. Student Council members lined the front of the building, music and bubble machine in tow, dancing, waving, and cheering for younger students as they arrived. That sense of welcome continued inside, where students launched into a thoughtfully designed new daily schedule that balances academic rigor with time to dig deeper, collaborate, and pursue passions beyond the classroom. It is a model that reflects both Wellington’s forward-thinking approach and its commitment to preparing students for tomorrow’s world, and another way of embracing a Culture of Challenge in daily learning.
From Duke’s warm greeting to the cheers of Student Council and the first moments in new classrooms, Wellington’s 2025-26 school year began with energy, curiosity, and confidence. The day reflected what makes our community thrive: students eager to learn, teachers ready to guide them, and a shared belief that excellence grows best in an environment filled with joy, connection, and a willingness to take on meaningful challenge. To read more about this year’s guiding theme — a Culture of Challenge — visit Head of School Eliza McLaren’s back-to-school message.