News & Events

The Honor System is a hallmark of Norfolk Academy, highlighted on S. Barron Segar Day, when Upper School students sign the Honor Board and the entire school comes together for the installation of the Royster and Tunstall Honor Councils.

Honor Council President Van '24 gave the council's address this year, speaking first to Lower School students and explaining to them the importance and value of the Honor System. Students learn to tell the truth and do their own work in the primary grades, building on these traits as they move into Middle and Upper schools. A school fortified by such honor has many benefits, including the ability to leave books and athletic gear alone and know they won't be stolen, Van said.

More importantly, teachers are better allies to students when this mutual trust exists.

“This honor education is a cornerstone of your time at Norfolk Academy and beyond," Van said.

Head of School Travis Larrabee then gave the S. Barron Segar Day Address, speaking about the definition of integrity - the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles - and what it means to him. In his first year as Head, he chose to designate this year as the Year of Integrity.

“When you live with integrity you let your life speak," Mr. Larrabee said, adding that integrity is an alignment of upright values, words, and actions.

Living with integrity means understanding how to carry yourself during the trickier times when two positive values - like honesty and loyalty - collide and you're forced to make difficult decisions.

“Move forward, regardless of the consequences, with integrity," Mr. Larrabee said. “Let your life speak."