2024 Parents Weekend welcomes families back to Groton School

Groton School once again opened the Circle to parents, siblings, and other family members for its annual Parents Weekend, October 17 to 20. 

Perfect fall weather and the chance to catch up on everything that’s happening at Groton—including academics, the arts, athletics, and more—made it a special weekend for all.

Besides seeing their children, visiting parents were able to meet with their teachers and advisors, and nearly 2,300 conferences were held over four days. In addition, open houses and information sessions were offered with the Counseling and Academic Services, Spiritual Life, College Counseling, and Global Education Opportunity teams.

Friday evening featured a tailgate dinner before the varsity field hockey game against BB&N, a 3–1 Zebra win under the lights on the Field of Inclusion.

After breakfast and a Parent Fund meeting early Saturday, Headmaster Temba Maqubela gave his annual Parents Weekend address.

“Thank you to those who came from a few steps away as well as those from around the world. We appreciate your efforts to show up,” he said. “But today we are not travelers. We are neighbors: United in purpose, united by the children we love.” 

Pointing to the work of Groton headmasters before him to diversify the campus by admitting minorities and women, Mr. Maqubela said it showed the roots of diversity and inclusion ran deep at Groton.

“These are just two examples of the inclusion DNA that is on the Circle,” he said. “Inclusion didn’t start with us. We just had to find it and to know that it’s been there.” 

In closing, Mr. Maqubela urged parents to continue setting good examples for their children.

“As neighborly neighbors, please continue to love more and judge less,” he said. “The value of a child should never be measured by what college they attend. So with humility, intentionality, and purpose, let us behave, folks. Let’s just behave and we’ll be fine. The children are all right. We’ll all be all right.” 

Following the speaking program, families enjoyed a full schedule of athletic contests all over the Circle, before an evening reception at Sunset Farm and a performance spotlighting Groton’s young musicians in the Campbell Performing Arts Center.

Sunday started with brunch in the Dining Hall, before religious services for various denominations were offered in St. John’s Chapel and throughout campus.

More than 700 parents and family members took part in this year’s event, visiting from such places as Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.