Traditions

Red and White Teams

In Classes V to XII, the Physical Education Department divides the girls into two teams, Red and White. The Red and White Teams have been a part of Brearley tradition since 1923. If a family member preceded a girl at Brearley, she will join that family member's team; otherwise, she will be assigned to one or the other by the Physical Education Department. (Students in Classes V to XII can be identified by their P.E. shorts, which are trimmed in red or white to reflect team membership.)

Mountain Day

Every fall the Brearley’s Athletic Association, Self-Government and Class XII sponsor a “Mountain Day” for Classes V through XII at Bear Mountain State Park. We have a picnic lunch and join in various noncompetitive activities and games designed to give students throughout the Middle and Upper Schools a chance to have fun together in a splendid outdoor setting. Many faculty and staff members come along and participate in several planned activities with students, such as hiking up the mountain, walking around the lake, and playing faculty-student volleyball.

Although all academic classes are cancelled, Mountain Day, like Field Day and “Special Day” programs, is considered a regular school day. Middle and Upper School students report to their homerooms at 8:10 a.m. and return to school by 3:15 p.m.

Homecoming

Homecoming takes place on a Friday and Saturday in the fall. On Friday night, V and VI Varsity Volleyball compete against the Nightingale-Bamford School at the Brearley Field House. On Saturday, the Middle School and Varsity Soccer teams compete against Nightingale at Asphalt Green, and the Varsity Field Hockey team plays against Chapin. Many Brearley clubs set up booths to sell treats throughout the day, and there is always a cookout. The event is full of Brearley spirit and fun.

Spring Fling/Winter Carnival

Spring Fling and Winter Carnival are two days when all of the Brearley teams play against Nightingale-Bamford’s teams. On both days each year we try to plan some sort of fund-raising to link to the event: in past years we have raised money for American Red Cross Tsunami Relief, Hurricane Katrina relief and Operation Phone Home (phone cards for the troops overseas). The events themselves are full of fun and good competition. 

Field Days

Middle and Upper School Field Day is one of Brearley’s oldest traditions: the first Field Day was held in1923. It is a day of community spirit and friendly Red and White team competition, and is one of the few events when the entire Middle and Upper Schools come together for a full day. The event culminates in the announcement of the winners of the Brearley Middle and Upper School Cups and the Richard B. Stearns, Jr., Memorial Award. For the Lower School, a morning is set aside each spring when all the girls participate in athletic activities.

Athletic Association Banquet

The Athletic Banquet has been a spring event at Brearley for the past sixteen years. It is a beloved tradition that allows the Athletics Department to recognize the hard work, dedication and time that Brearley students devote to sports. Speeches, award presentations and the annual slide show of scenes from the past year are a few of the evening’s highlights.