Northfield Banner


The Seven Simple Rules and Oxford Thursday


From a film by Jordan Entz, NF Class of 2010


It is a Northfield tradition to begin the day by reciting the Seven Simple Rules, which the school relies upon to maintain a healthy learning environment. Faculty, students, and parents agree to:

1) Respect and encourage one another, in word and deed.
2) Practice personal and academic honesty.
3) Be on time, be prepared, and be attentive.
4) Be modest in word, deed, and appearance.
5) Maintain a clean and orderly environment, including lockers, classrooms, and common areas.
6) Comply immediately with requests from administration.
7) Resolve disputes.

We strive to remember that faculty and parents are expected to set the example (1 Peter 5:3), and students are expected to follow (1 Peter 5:5). No one is expected to do this alone (1 Peter 5:10).

Another tradition that Northfield enjoys is Oxford Thursday. In the spirit of Oxford University, faculty members wear academic gowns over their clothing and students follow a more formal convention of dress: girls wear skirts or dresses, and boys wear slacks and shirts with ties. We practice this as a reminder to respect those who have mastered their subjects and undertaken the solemn responsibility of teaching.