List of 20 news stories.

  • Mary Faber, an award-winning actor, singer and puppeteer spoke to middle and upper school students at Norfolk Collegiate on what it’s like to live a life in the performing arts.

    Mary Faber, an Award-Winning Actor, Singer and Puppeteer Speaks with Students

    Middle and upper school performing arts students joined Mary Faber, an award-winning actor, singer and puppeteer for an informal session on what it’s like to live a life in the performing arts.
     
    Faber's career reflects her range of talent, from being the lead in “Boss Baby: Back in the Crib” on Netflix to being on Broadway, starring in shows like “Avenue Q,” “American Idiot,” and “How to Succeed in Business” with Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. Her TV roles include Ashley on HBO’s “The Brink,” Macy in Jim Carrey’s “Kidding” on Showtime, and as fan favorite Sweetums lobbyist Kathryn Pinewood on “Parks and Recreation.”
     
    Faber, aunt to Thomas W. ’25, spoke about her career and answered a range of student questions.
     
    “Most of what I do is voiceover and I love it,” said Faber who also does a lot of work as session singer and as an ADR.
     
    When asked what her favorite role has been, “Parks and Rec. was my most favorite on-camera role. She (Kathryn Pinewood) was an evil lobbyist,” Faber said, and was a lot of fun to play.
     
    She also encouraged students to try improvisation.
     
    “Improve education isn’t just for people who want to be superstars,” she said, “improv is really great way to learn how to interact.”
  • Second Grade Teacher Nicole Mottinger, center, won the 'Ballin' in the Classroom' from BOB-FM. Radio host Eric Worden, right, and Julianne Worden presented Mottinger with her certificate aloong with tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters for her and her students and their families this Saturday, March 30, 2024.

    Mottinger Named 'Ballin' in the Classroom' Teacher in Local Radio Contest

    Students in Nicole Mottinger’s second grade class were surprised yesterday when 𝟵𝟯.𝟳 𝗕𝗢𝗕 𝗙𝗠 Morning Guy Eric and Julianne Worden surprised their teacher and the students with tickets to this Saturday’s Harlem Globetrotters game at the Chartway Arena.
     
    The tickets were part of the Ballin’ in the Classroom contest and our very own Mrs. Mottinger was the winner! The contest called on Hampton Roads to nominate “a teacher who knows how to dribble, dunk, and teach; a teacher that is ‘Ballin’ in the Classroom.’” The contest was looking for a teacher who “makes learning come alive by incorporating sports and physical fitness in the classroom.”
     
    As a result of the contest, Mrs. Mottinger’s class will get to see the game and they’ll be honored on the court by the Globetrotters this Saturday.
     
    “When I found out that my class and I had won the Ballin' in the Classroom contest, I was beyond excited for my students and myself,” said Nicole Mottinger. “I am so proud of my second graders. They show commitment and interest in fitness inside and outside of the classroom every day, and I enjoy helping them reach their fitness goals by running alongside them in the Shamrock Final Mile and helping to coach Girls on the Run.”
     
     
    Shoutout to our families who helped with the nomination process, including Kat Taylor, who said, “Ms. Mottinger is a dedicated, fun and loving teacher! She pushes her students to make and meet their personal goals for both mental and physical fitness. She is a leader with the Girls on the Run program at school, and with the school's participation in the Shamrock Marathon Final Mile run.”
     
    Mrs. Mottinger was elated to be honored on Tuesday.
     
    “I’m very appreciative to my families who nominated me and the class for this amazing opportunity,” she said. “I can't wait to cheer on our Harlem Globetrotters with my fellow Oaks!”


    MARCH 2024
  • Several upper school Norfolk Collegiate students participated in the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities’ Diversity Dialogue Day at Old Dominion University.

    Students attend community Diversity Dialogue Day

    Several upper school students participated in the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities’ Diversity Dialogue Day at Old Dominion University. The one-day event brings together students from public and private schools. With the help of trained facilitators, the program works to increase the students’ understanding of what prejudice is, decrease stereotypic attitudes and develop an expanded awareness of discrimination and its harmful effects on individuals and groups. It also works to expose students to diverse perspectives and create connections between peers.

    Students learned about the LISTEN Model which emphasizes:

    LOOK:
    Look at the person speaking and make good eye contact
    INQUIRE: Ask open-ended questions
    SUMMARIZE: Reflect your understanding of what the person is saying
    TAKE NOTES: Write down or make mental notes about what the other person is saying
    ENCOURAGE: Use positive nonverbal and verbal cues to encourage the person to say more
    NEUTRALIZE: Try to stay positive and avoid bias

    The goal was to have students leave feeling an increased sense of personal empowerment and recognize the positive impact they can have on their own school and communities.
  • Winter Student-Athletes Honored in Ceremony

    Collegiate's winter athletic season student-athletes were honored on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in front of their peers during the Middle and Upper School Winter Athletic Awards program. The winter season saw student-athletes take on swimming, cheer, wrestling and basketball in the longest season for our Oaks, beginning Nov. 6, 2023, and ending on March 1, 2024, with our last basketball game.
     
    Standout student-athletes were awarded plaques describing their role on their respective teams, including the following awards: Most Valuable Players; Most Improved Players; Team Manager and OAK Award, which honors the impressive attributes in the student to which it’s awarded. “O” stands for overachiever, “A” stands for attitude and “K” stands for knowledge. This is also the first year that the Outstanding Teammate Award is being “given to the athlete who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to their team embodying sportsmanship, character and spirit,” said Director of Athletics Jon Hall.
     
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  • Natalia '24 Heads to Poetry Out Loud Regional 2024 Competition

    Natalia '24 Heads to Poetry Out Loud Regional 2024 Competition
    Good luck, Natalia C. ’24! She is competing in the regional Poetry Out Loud competition tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The competition will have the top three from each semi-final round moving on to the state competition in Richmond.
     
    Natalia, Chloe S. ’24, Izzy R. ’24 and Sophie H. ’26 competed for a chance to represent Norfolk Collegiate in this year’s regional Poetry Out Loud competition in December 2023, each reciting from the Poetry Out Loud anthology.
     
    Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition that encourages students to learn about and memorize great poetry. The goal of the competition is to help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary history while exploring contemporary life.
     
    Students participate yearly at school, regional, state and national levels. This year, Natalia, Chloe, Izzy and Sophie delivered poignant renditions of the top picks. Two of Natalia’s selections were “All This and More” by Mary Karr and “Mr. Darcy” by Victoria Chang.
     
    “Poetry is such an interesting form of writing,” Natalia said of why she is drawn to the form of expression. As for why she selected “Mr. Darcy,” she said, “It was a lot of fun to work out a poem with no punctuation.”
     
    Tomorrow’s competition will have the top three from each semi-final round moving to the state competition in Richmond.
     
    Good luck, Natalia!
  • From left to right: Grace O. ’29, Jonas E.' 28 and Kellan H.' 30 took home the second, third and first place honors, respectively, for the 2024 Norfolk Collegiate Middle School Spelling Bee. 

    Kellan H. '30 Takes Home Top Honors in 2024 Middle School Spelling Bee

    This year’s middle school spelling bee saw 32 students face off for the first-place honors, competing in 18 rounds and spelling 300 words. The word “gorilla” landed Kellan H. ’30 with the title of Norfolk Collegiate spelling bee champion.

    Third place was awarded to Jonas E. ’28 and second place went to Grace O. ’29. 

    Words like “amphitheater,” “gastritis,” “Oman,” and “bunion” were delivered to the students by the moderator Mr. Evan Benedict ’04 and the students calmly asked for definitions and usages in sentences before tackling their words.   

    Middle School English Teacher and coordinator of this year’s bee Chrisy Cooper said the event was fantastic. It was evident the students were looking forward to competing against their classmates. 

    Kellan will next compete in The WHRO Public Media Spelling Bee on Saturday, Feb. 10. Good luck, Kellan!
  • Fourth graders Charlotte and Karter finished their shift at the Oak Delivery Mail System at Norfolk Collegiate lower school. A typical day can see anywhere from 60 to 90 pieces of mail from students in pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5.

    Oak Delivery Mail System Bustling With Letters

    Norfolk Collegiate’s youngest Oaks have been keeping their new Oak Delivery Mail System busy and their fourth grade postal workers are loving it!

    The newest addition to the lower school is not only improving our Oak’s writing skills, but it’s also improving their communication, thanks to the genius of our lower school Science Teacher Melissa Economou.

    “This system will allow students to authentically write and address letters to friends and/or adults in the lower school no matter what grade,” said Economou. “Fourth grade students will be responsible for checking and delivering the mail.”

     
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  • Norfolk Collegiate’s Upper Division Forensics Team on winning first place in the Robert S. Sergeant Forensics Tournament on Dec. 11, 2023.

    Norfolk Collegiate Takes Home First Place in Robert S. Sergeant Forensics Tournament Upper Division

    Shoutout to Norfolk Collegiate’s Upper Division Forensics Team for winning first place in the Robert S. Sergeant Forensics Tournament on Dec. 11, 2023.

    These talented Oaks comprise our Grades 7 & 8 Forensics Team and their hard work and dedication paid off when they competed in the tournament alongside students from Cape Henry Collegiate, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Virginia Beach Friends School and The Williams School.  

    The group competed in storytelling, poetry, prose, speech and original oratory and took home several honors for their efforts, including: 

    Grace O. ’29 – First Place in Girls Prose for “Fish in a Tree”
    Landon T. ’29 - Third Place in Boys Prose for “Greenlights”
    Bea D. ’29 - Second Place in Girls Poetry for “The Singing Mermaid”
    Blake C. ’29 - First Place in Boys Poetry for “The Circus Ship”
    Taylor N. ’28 - First Place in Coed Original Oratory for “The System is Rigged”
    Mary Walsh M. ’29 – Second Place in Coed Original Oratory for “Individual Sports Don't Always Serve Well”
    June R. ’28 - First Place in Coed Speech for Taylor Swift's NYU Commencement Speech
    Eliza V. ’29 - Third Place in Coed Speech for Reese Witherspoon's Glamour Woman of the Year Award
    Samuel R. ’29 - First Place in Boys Storytelling for “Storm is Coming”
    Colton N. ’29 - Third Place in Boys Storytelling for “Bedhead”
    Mollie A. ’28 - Robert S. Sergeant Award Winner 

    Way to go, Oaks!
  • Norfolk Collegiate sent one of the largest groups in the school's history to the National Association of Independent School's People of Color Conference in St. Louis, from Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2023.

    Faculty, Students Attend Flagship People of Color Conference

    We are proud to share that we sent one of the largest groups in the school's history to the National Association of Independent School's People of Color Conference in St. Louis, from Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2023.
     
    This year's theme was "Gateways to Freedom: A Confluence of Truth, Knowledge, Joy, and Power" and it encouraged attendees to converge from different paths to a common journey of truth, knowledge, joy and power. Attendees left feeling inspired and eager to cultivate joy, the theme of this year's initiatives.
     
    In addition to hosting faculty, staff and administrators, the conference also hosted students for the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). Collegiate's student attendees served as peer facilitators and they're eager to put their conference skills into action. They will work with Dr. Nefertiti Makeda as mentors for a middle school conference during LEAP Term using the leadership skills they acquired at the SDLC.

    To learn more about the conference, please contact Dr. Makeda at nmakeda@norfolkcollegiate.org.
  • Norfolk Collegiate's  First LEGO League team took home second place in robot performance in Division 2 and first place in the Innovation Project in Division 2 regional competition, shown here.

    First LEGO League Team Heads to State Competition

    Congratulations to the First LEGO League (FLL) team!!! They took home second place in robot performance in Division 2 and first place in the Innovation Project in Division 2 regional competition. The team now advances to states this weekend at James Madison University. If they win, they advance to national FLL competitions, and the students are hoping that their hard work over the last few months will secure their place in the national competition.
     
    The team is comprised of students Jonas E. ’28, Cleveland J. '28, Robert M. '28, Zack H. ’29, Evelyn W. '29, Cadence B. '30, Sadie Z. '30, Giovanni S. '30, Carter R. '30, Declan W. '30 and Kolten K. '30.
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  • Amy Cutter speaks during the Mike Cuter '88 Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 18, 2023, at Norfolk Collegiate.

    Mike Cutter '88 Tip-Off Tournament

    Dear Norfolk Collegiate Community,
     
    This past Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, Norfolk Collegiate School hosted the inaugural Mike Cutter ’88 Tip-Off Basketball Tournament welcoming four schools including our own Mighty Oaks! The tournament was developed to honor the legacy of leadership and service of Mike Cutter ’88. Amy Cutter joined us at the tournament to share in her words the impact Mike made on his family, the school and the community. 
     
    We are pleased to share Amy’s words with you and the announcement of the new Mike Cutter ’88 Student Leadership Endowment Fund. The fund will help provide Collegiate students with leadership and service opportunities to carry forward Mike’s legacy in the Norfolk and Hampton Roads communities. If you would like to support this fund, please make a gift using this link
     
    Sincerely,
    Stacy Nixon
    Assistant Head For Advancement


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  • "A Christmas Carol" Comes to Collegiate

    Mark your calendars to see “A Christmas Carol” on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. or Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. on the Hackney Theater stage in the Meredith Center for the Arts.

    This family-friendly adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale and adapted by Michael Marrone has all the familiar characters we know and love who nimbly bring us through Scrooge's journey of self-reflection and redemption.
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  • Fall student-athletes were honored for their accomplishments and awarded during the Fall Athletics Awards Program in the Watt-Baker Gymnasium on Nov. 15, 2023.

    Fall 2023 Athletes Honored in Ceremony

    From Aug. 14, 2023, to Nov. 11, 2023, more than 180 middle and upper school students put on their uniforms and took to the courts and fields and represented Norfolk Collegiate in six sports on 18 teams during the fall athletic season. 

    They brought home TCIS championship titles in sailing and JV boys soccer and were state runner-ups in girls tennis.
     
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  • Upper School Mathematics Teacher and Retired United States Navy Captain Luis Boticario spoke to students, faculty, staff and families about his journey from being a midshipman to a commissioned officer during this year’s Middle and Upper School Veteran Days Program on Nov. 9, 2023.

    Boticario Speaks to Students about Serving Country as Commissioned Officers

    Upper School Mathematics Teacher and Retired United States Navy Captain Luis Boticario spoke to students, faculty, staff and families about his journey from being a midshipman to a commissioned officer during this year’s Middle and Upper School Veteran Days Program on Nov. 9, 2023.

    “Part of the reason I joined the Navy was to see the world,” Boticario said. “You see a lot of areas of the world you wouldn’t see otherwise.”

    During the program, he spoke to students about how they could serve their country as commissioned officers through ROTC programs in college or attending military academies post-college and to officer candidate schools. 
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  • William King served as Norfolk Collegiate's head from 1988-2008.

    Former Head William W. King Passes Away

    That this was the letter was shared with our community from Head of School Scott Kennedy:


    Dear Norfolk Collegiate Community,
     
    It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Mr. William W. King passed away on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Will served as headmaster of Norfolk Collegiate School from 1988 to 2008. He provided compassionate and visionary leadership to the Collegiate community while also tirelessly dedicating his time to civic organizations throughout Hampton Roads. Will left a remarkable legacy on this school, this region and this Commonwealth. 
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  • Oaks Athletics is Now on Hudl

    Norfolk Collegiate is excited to announce a new partnership with Hudl, a video software company used by 162,000 teams worldwide and more than 4.1 million active users. Oak Nation will have its first opportunity to check out the Hudl cameras the week of Sept. 25-29, 2023, as our teams take to the fields and courts. The cameras will capture competitions for our fans near and far! After the competitions, the games will be available for viewing for those who may have missed the game or want to see a replay of their favorite Oaks.
     
    To watch Collegiate games, Oaks fans can go directly to our Hudl page, (fan.hudl.com/NCOaksAthletics). Collegiate has invested in three cameras, with one located on the Franklin Family Field, one on the Mathas Family Field and one in the Watt-Baker Gymnasium. For varsity, junior varsity and middle school teams playing in those locations, fans will be able to sign on and cheer on their teams!  

    As we implement this new and exciting system, there are a few key things to share with families: 
    • The Hudl camera does record our athletic competitions and games will be available for replay on the site.  
    • When student-athletes are competing off-site, if the host school also offers Hudl, the game will be recorded and shared with Collegiate. 
    • For Collegiate athletic activities offered off-site, Collegiate is exploring opportunities to leverage the Hudl platform to include those sports.
    • The Hudl camera will record sound from the sidelines, so cheer on our Oaks loudly!

    For more information, please contact Jon Hall, director of athletics, at jhall@norfolkcollegiate.org.


  • Giovanni  took home third place honors in the grade 5 category of the Friends of Norfolk Public Library (FNPL) 2023 Book Review Contest.of the

    Oaks take home honors in Friends of Norfolk Public Library Book Review Contest

    They read. They reviewed, and they took home bragging rights.

    Four Oaks received top honors in the Friends of Norfolk Public Library (FNPL) 2023 Book Review Contest.

    Each year, the contest receives submissions from students in Grades 4 through 12 in public and private school and those who are homeschooled. The FNPL's goal is to organize, strengthen and encourage public support for the Norfolk Public Library and enrich the total resources and facilities of the library, including raising money for new books and funding special events like the Summer Reading Program.

    Congratulations to all who submitted reviews and extra congratulations to Collegiate’s 2023 winners!

    Grade 5
    Giovanni S. ’30, Third Place

    Grade 6
    Grace O. ’29, Second Place
    Leia S. ’29, Third Place

    Grade 8
    Owen K. ’27, Second Place

    The winners were honored at a celebration at Pretlow Library in Norfolk.
  • Norfolk Collegiate middle school student Duncan M. '29 participated in a chess tournament sponsored by Hampton Roads Chess Association on April 29, 2023, and took home a medal. Also, incoming Oak Elias N. '27 took home a medal as well.

    Oaks Participate, Take Home Medals in Chess Tourney

    Shoutout to our Oaks who participated in this weekend's chess tournament sponsored by Hampton Roads Chess Association. The Kindergarten through Grade 12 event saw four Oaks participate and even placed in the event.
     
    Shoutout to Mark K. '32, Hayden M. '33 and Rachel B. '33, all of whom are part of our lower school Chess Enrichment Club which meets on Mondays and is open to our Kindergarten through Grade 5 students.
     
    Middle school student Duncan M. '29 also participated in the event and took home a medal. Also, incoming Oak, Elias N. '27 took home a medal as well.
     
    Way to go, Oaks!
  • Senior Student-Athletes Commit to Play for Colleges, Universities

    Eight members of the Class of 2023 will continue their athletic journeys this fall as they swap their blue and white jerseys for the colors of their colleges and universities throughout the United States.

    These student-athletes were recognized during their last school meeting for taking their talents to the collegiate level. They are:
    • Sam C. '23 will be playing lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College
    • Winston C. '23 will be playing tennis at Randolph-Macon College
    • Colby F. '23 will be playing volleyball at Emory University
    • Ethan H. '23 will be playing baseball at Salisbury University
    • Charles H. '23 will be playing tennis at Louisiana State University
    • Jackson H. '23 will be playing lacrosse at the University of Mary Washington 
    • Clara M. '23 will be sailing at the College of Charleston
    • Colin P. '23 will be playing baseball at St. Mary’s College of Maryland
    Way to go, Oaks! We can't wait to see you represent your new teams this fall!
  • Norfolk Collegiate’s Heath Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, NJHS, inducted 26 new members into their chapter today, Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

    NJHS Inducts 26 New Members

    Norfolk Collegiate’s Heath Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, NJHS, inducted 26 new members into their chapter today, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. NJHS is a national organization that recognizes outstanding seventh and eighth grade students who meet academic and service requirements.
     
    Congratulations to the following students: Liam A., William A., Taylor B., Messiah B., Mallory C., Lucy C., Jonas E., Ella H., Makenzie H., Cleveland J., Ethan K., Lexi L., Colin L., Jeremie L., Rheagan L., Jacob M., Graham M., Sophia M., Taylor N., Samuel S., Quincy S., Michael T., Corinne T., William V., Michael W. and Brayden W.
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  • Photo of Sara Steil

    Sara Steil 

    Director of Communications and Marketing
    Virginia Wesleyan University
We're always looking to highlight the amazing things that are Oaks, past and present, are doing.
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