Annual Traditions
The very first tradition of the year is the New Girl Picnic, during which new girls and new faculty members learn if they belong to the Purple Team or the Gold Team (a key part of their Chatham Hall identity!). Then, competition between the two teams kicks off with a Purple/Gold tug-of-war. The evening ends with the seniors leading the way back to school, lighting the way with their lanterns.
Senior Stairs
The main staircase in the front hall of Pruden belongs to the Senior Class. Seniors use the stairs for assemblies – and no underclassman may set foot on these stairs without permission from a senior!
Junior Step
Members of the junior class may, however, use the very bottom step of the Senior Stairs (a taste of things to come).
Sophomore Furniture
At assemblies, seniors dominate the stairs, juniors rule their step, and sophomores may use all furniture. Freshmen sit on the floor – and wait for the day when they’ll “move up.”
Assemblies
Assemblies are held twice a week in The Well, in the front hall of Pruden. The Rector and Student Council President preside.
Flag Duty
Freshmen raise and lower the American flag each day.
Senior Chapel Talks
Each senior is required to give a talk at a weekday chapel service. The Chaplain personally helps each girl prepare for her talk. Topics are generally taken from personal experience.
New Girl Show
This is a surprise each year so new girls will just have to wait to see what this is all about!
Purple and Gold Teams
Every member of the school community belongs to either the Purple or the Gold Team (except for administrators and coaches, who must remain impartial). Color is assigned by the Athletic Department; once any family member has received a color, all successive family members will automatically be that same color. Competition between the teams occurs throughout the year.
Decoration Day
Honoring the School’s Episcopal heritage, each class assumes responsibility for decorating a portion of the school for Christmas. The seniors prepare a special program for the evening of Decoration Day.
Grand Illumination
At Christmastime, each outward-facing window in Yardley, Pruden, and Dabney is provided with an electric candle. On the day of the Grand Illumination, a small team of students lights the candles after chapel, while the rest of the student body (and much of the town) watches the light spread through the darkness.
Lessons and Carols
During this Christmas chapel service, the presidents of each class, a senior faculty member, an alumna, a trustee, and the Rector share scriptures from the Old and New Testament. The service concludes with music.
The Madonna
One of the highest honors a girl can receive at Chatham Hall is to be chosen as The Madonna. The senior class and faculty vote to choose one girl from the senior class (on the basis of character, service, kindness), and reveals her identity during the pageant.
Take-Ins
For some on-campus clubs, membership is by invitation only. “Take-ins” are based on demonstrated interest and commitment.
Easter
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services are held. There is no class on Friday afternoon or all day Monday after Easter Sunday.
Publications Banquet
A special dinner is held in May for all students who have been active in any of the School’s publications.
Junior Party
Among students this often is called Senior Party because it is a "farwell" party the junior class throws for the seniors. On an unannounced evening in May, after study hall, the junior class "kidnaps" the seniors, leads them around campus blindfolded in silly costumes, and eventually leads them back to Yardley for a celebration.
Purple and Gold Banquet
At the end of the school year, a formal banquet is held to recognize students for their accomplishments in riding and athletics.
Senior Night in the Well
There are two Senior Night in the Well traditions. At the beginning of Commencement Week in the spring, seniors gather to read the Class Prophecy and sing their own version of “We’re Comin’ Back!” The second Senior Night in the Well is held prior to Christmas: seniors prepare a Christmas play in secret then perform it for the entire school.
Senior Banquet
Two nights before Commencement, the Senior Class is transported to a secret place for a formal banquet.
Ring Hunt
Juniors go on a treasure hunt using clues left by the seniors(who are enjoying Senior Banquet). The hunt leads them to the name of the senior who will give them their lantern and their Chatham Hall ring.
The seniors return, light their lanterns, and circle the dorms singing “Esto Perpetua,” written by Judith Fenn, Class of 1956. They proceed to the Senior Stairs where the juniors serenade them.
Class Songs
On the night before Commencement, each class competes in a song contest. A silver bowl is presented to the winners.
Lantern Ceremony
The night before Commencement, the seniors pass their lanterns to the juniors in a carefully choreographed ceremony. The juniors also receive their class rings and take possession of the Senior Stairs.
