Hawken School’s original rule book nearly one hundred years ago consisted of two words: Fair Play. Signs depicting the motto were hung in every classroom, and if the spirit of Fair Play was violated, the sign would be temporarily removed from the walls.

Today, you will still find Fair Play signs on the walls of all Hawken classrooms – a reminder of our school’s emphasis on the importance of character. The concept of Fair Play remains at the core of our community’s collective consciousness, along with our founder James A. Hawken’s original goal for his students: “That the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life.” These guiding principles and shared beliefs, which apply to academic, athletic, personal, social, and professional conduct, keep our community grounded in integrity, accountability, and respect. 

Hawken’s mission calls upon us as individuals and as a community to periodically examine and evaluate the content of our character and culture through a new lens – the feminist movement and the civil rights movement being perhaps the most notable historical examples. Today, we find ourselves at a similar pivotal point in our story as we prepare our students for an increasingly global world while honoring our commitment to Fair Play. As one senior comments, “Fair Play is something you have to cultivate and nurture. It’s not like some magic. It’s something you have to work on.”

The Board of Trustees clearly see the wisdom in these words, as they recently added a new priority to the 2018 strategic plan: Deepening Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice. Click here to read more about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging.