Five of TA's VEX Robotics teams competed on Saturday at Pinkerton Academy in the "Turkey Day Classic" event. It was a good day for 4886, with team 4886T "Complete Signal Loss," (Tate Whiteberg, Alex Holzer, and Carter Banks) earning 3rd place in the qualifying rounds before a tough defeat by three points in the semifinal rounds. Two of TA's teams were competing for the first time ever--and all for the first time this … read more

November 18, 2019

This holiday season, TA students will participate once more in the international "Empty Bowls" event, selling hand-crafted bowls and homemade soup and bread at the annual TAAA Craft Bazaar. Empty Bowls is a global grassroots movement, led by artists and crafts people in cities and towns around the world and aimed at supporting food-related charitable organizations. This year, the Culinary Arts and Ceramics classes teamed up in TA's art studio to create a colorful array … read more

November 13, 2019

On Friday, Thetford Academy seventh graders had the opportunity to hear from James Bruchac, a member of the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe. Bruhac is an award winning author, Abenaki storyteller, animal tracker, wilderness survival expert, cultural educator, and instructor of the martial arts. Seventh graders are currently reading the novel Hidden Roots, a book written by James Bruhac's father, James Bruhac, about a boy's journey to confront hidden family secrets and discover the truth about his … read more

November 12, 2019

On Saturday, November 1, TA's Varsity Girls soccer team headed to the Maxfield Sports Complex for their championship game to take on No. 2 Vergennes. The Commodores were a familiar foe and a formidable one--the Panthers played hard to win last year's title game, 2-1, against the same team. Knowing their opponent well, the Panthers were prepared and quickly took control of the game. The Valley News reported that "TA fans seemed to sigh a collective … read more

November 4, 2019

The Thetford Historical Society has announced the date and theme for the 8th annual Thetford Geography Bee. The Bee, scheduled for Friday, November 15, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Thetford Academy Cafe, will focus on the theme of "Migrations," a topic that the Historical Society has been exploring with their "Migration Nation" series this year. The questions will explore the theme's geographical aspects (physical, cultural, political) with questions drawn from the Migration Nation events. There … read more

November 4, 2019

October’s Student of the Month is a quiet, hard-working, and well-rounded student. Always a positive presence in any classroom, she shows a genuine interest in learning. She also plays a leadership role in the TA community. She is involved with gender equity and the Gay Straight Alliance. She is a talented musician, willing to take risks and perform solo in front of a large audience. On the track team, she supports her teammates, takes workouts seriously, and projects … read more

October 31, 2019

ANTIGONE OPENS NOV. 21! Thetford Academy Drama presents ANTIGONE,  a Greek tragedy reimagined by Jean Anoulih, and translated from the French by Lewis Galantiere. The story of ANTIGONE, by Sophocles, is rooted in civil disobedience, set in the aftermath of civil war. Oedipus’ two sons have killed each other in a fight for the crown of Thebes. Their uncle, Creon, becomes king and declares that Eteocles will receive holy burial while his brother, Polynices, is left unburied to rot … read more

November 14, 2019

TA's Visual Arts teacher, Karyn Neubauer, includes a multimedia unit in her curriculum every year. So when Patricia Norton, director of the Upper Valley Music Center's Juneberry Choral Program, reached out with an idea to incorporate multimedia art into the group's next choral performance, it felt like a perfect fit. Juneberry Community Chorus, one of Juneberry's choral programs, is a roughly 70 voice group, with singers ranging in age from twenty-something to octogenarian. The group … read more

October 25, 2019

At Wednesday's all-school assembly this week, TA's Robotics Club, also known as VEX Robotics Team 4886, presented their early-stage prototypes for the robots they hope to take to competition this year. The team is gearing up for the 2019-2020 VEX game "Tower Takeover," designing, building, coding, and learning to drive robots that will withstand competition from teams all over the world. VEX competitions, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, put classroom STEM concepts … read more

October 23, 2019

Soccer Last week, the Panthers celebrated their Varsity Soccer seniors at the final home games of the regular season. At last Tuesday's Varsity Girls game v. Stowe, the Panthers honored Brittany Clifford, Arwen Clayton, Grace Davis, Alexis Gaetz, Jade Jamieson, Lily MacVeagh, Casey MacVeagh, Bethany Maxfield, Ellen Veracka, and Sophie Williams for their contributions to the team. The Panther Girls have earned the Division III State Title two years in a row and are top-seeded for … read more

October 21, 2019

On Thursday, October 17, Thetford Academy, with the New Hampshire non-profit Compas de Nicaragua (Friends of Nicaragua), was proud to host the Nicaraguan dance troupe "Daughters of the Corn" for the third time. Compas, founded in 1992 and now led by Littleton, NH native Michael Boudreau and Ana Narvaez of Managua, Nicaragua, began as a small, informal community service effort focused on service trips to Nicaragua. The group traveled annually to the Nicaraguan community of La … read more

October 17, 2019

For the last 29 years, Thetford Academy has been the proud host of the Woods Trail Run, widely considered the best of New England's middle and high school cross country circuit every year. This year, as bus after bus pulled into TA's lots, the temperature hovered at 32 degrees and a dense fog hung over the campus. The cold temperatures did nothing to dampen the energy and excitement of the 96 middle and high … read more

October 7, 2019

We are pleased to introduce senior Casey MacVeagh as TA's first Student of the Month for the 2019-2020 school year. Here are some shared words of praise from Casey's teachers: -A quiet leader -An engaged and motivated student -A civil and well-respected classmate -A fierce competitor This student’s teachers and coaches have been impressed with her independent academic pursuits, such as her internship at a Dartmouth chemistry lab or her summer International Relations course at Tufts University. They also talk about … read more

October 4, 2019

Thetford Academy will host its annual Admissions Open House for prospective students on October 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This interactive and informational event gives students and families an inside look at TA's academic program, extracurricular opportunities, and positive school culture. Learn how TA encourages and supports students, fosters community spirit and engagement, and builds strong relationships. Learn about the Panthers, TA's Division III athletics teams with their impressive reputation and record for … read more

September 25, 2019

Thetford Academy is gearing up to open the town’s first fully sanctioned mountain bike trail and one of only a few high school mountain biking trails in Vermont. The new, one-mile flow track is slated to open on Saturday, Oct. 19, with a launch event on campus from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The new trail, the result of a multi-year planning effort and collaboration, will be the latest feature of TA’s Thetford Outdoor Program (TOP) … read more

October 17, 2019

If you've signed in at TA recently, you might have noticed a new face in TA's front office. Welcome Alison Davis! Alison joined TA this August and splits her time between the front office and study center. She comes with years of administrative and teaching experience, and has worked in schools both internationally and in Vermont, including at Thetford Elementary. Most recently, Alison taught English and history in Brattleboro after receiving her Master’s from SIT. … read more

September 22, 2019

The 2019 Woods Trail Run marks the 29th year of TA's renowned cross country event. On Saturday, Oct. 5, Thetford Academy's campus will transform into a vibrant, buzzing event space and host nearly 2,000 people— including runners, coaches, families, and supporters. Over 100 community volunteers help to execute the event every year, ensuring that it's a seamless success for the high school cross country teams who travel from all over New England and beyond to … read more

September 27, 2019

One of Thetford Academy's most iconic traditions falls on the second Friday of every September. Mountain Day was founded 41 years ago by then Headmaster Frederick G. Torrey and quickly took root as an important event in both TA's calendar and culture. On Mountain Day, students gather on Thetford Academy's quad before heading out with their class to one of the six mountains visible from TA's front steps. Each class tackles one mountain per year, … read more

September 16, 2019

On Sunday, September 15 at 10am, TA’s new head of school, along with TA's parent and alumni associations, will host the second annual Alumni and Community Mountain Day hike. All are welcome to come along on this relaxed trek through TA’s trail system. Learn more about how TA uses its outdoor resources to enhance the student experience and enjoy some cider in the outdoor classroom after the event. Meet up on TA's quad - hope … read more

September 13, 2019

Has your TA gear seen better days? Maybe you just need more Panther blue in your wardrobe? The TA School Store can help! Thetford Academy is excited to announce the opening of a permanent, new school store. The store has both online and on-site locations and carries a wide variety of spirit gear for all of your TA pride needs. The online store will carry only items that have embroidery; screen printed and other spirit gear … read more

September 12, 2019

Thetford Academy's annual Back to School Night will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The event is designed to give parents and guardians an opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and learn more about their student's courses this semester. The program will begin with a welcome assembly in the gymnasium at 6:00 p.m., followed by advisory meetings, and an abbreviated school-day schedule that allows parents to rotate through their child's classes. There is also a special … read more

September 9, 2019

https://www.facebook.com/thetfordacademy.vt Fall athletics are in full swing at Thetford Academy, with soccer and cross country teams moving from practices and scrimmages to games and meets. The Boys' Varsity and JV Panthers opened up the soccer season in Randolph with back-to-back wins. The varsity team beat Randolph 2-0, with goals from Ryan Pepe and Elliott Jones. Nathan O'Donnell and Knute Linehan played strong defense and Ryen Wolf had a two-save shutout in the goal. The JV Boys … read more

September 3, 2019

The bus pulled up to TA on the first day of Strafford's Newton School's partnership with Thetford Academy. On the bus: 16 Newton middle school students, principal Tracey Thompson, and several teachers and staff members. TA faculty met the bus, excited to welcome the group and help them get oriented to their new afternoon routine. This exciting new partnership between the two schools aims to both build community and provide student opportunity. For the remainder of … read more

August 28, 2019

Thetford Academy launched the new school year with an all-school assembly in the Vaughan Alumni Gymnasium. Head of School Carrie Brennan (Ms. Brennan, to students) introduced herself for the first time to the full student body, welcoming students to the year with a reflection on the school's mission and values, and the meaning and importance of community. Ms. Brennan encouraged students to think about what it means to lead, acknowledging that most leadership opportunities require … read more

August 27, 2019

Meet and Greet Series Join Thetford's new school leaders, Thetford Elementary School Principal Chance Lindsley and Thetford Academy Head of School Carrie Brennan, at the Cedar Circle Farm Cafe for a coffee and chat on one of the following mornings: Monday, 8/19, 8-9am Friday, 8/30, 9-10am Wednesday, 9/25, 10-11am The community is invited to meet Thetford's new school leaders in an informal setting. Come meet Chance and Carrie, learn about their education backgrounds and their visions … read more

August 21, 2019

Excerpted Letter to Families from Carrie Brennan, Head of School August has arrived, and here at TA we are busy preparing for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Every new school year is opportunity for a fresh start - and with those hopes, goals and dreams for a new year often come excitement and jitters. This is true for students and staff alike, whether it’s our first year as a 7th grader, our sixth year … read more

August 20, 2019

Carrie Brennan arrived on campus last week for her first days as Thetford Academy’s new head of school. The TA community has been looking forward to her arrival. Formerly the executive director at CITY Center for Collaborative Learning in Tucson, AZ, Carrie brings many years of experience in educational and community leadership to her new position. Carrie is nationally recognized for her contributions as an innovator in education, most recently earning Tucson’s “2019 Woman of Influence … read more

July 11, 2019

During the Bicentennial Senior Class Day and Final Awards Assembly on Friday, June 14, outgoing Head of School William Bugg presented the 2019 Employee of the Year to Science and Social Studies teacher Len Whitaker. Here follows Bugg's tribute to this remarkable teacher: At this time, it is my privilege to announce this year’s Thetford Academy Employee of the Year Award. This award is given annually to a member of the faculty, staff or administration who is … read more

June 14, 2019

TA held its Bicentennial Baccalaureate ceremony for the Class of 2019 on Sunday, June 9, at the First Congregational Church. There was abundant sunshine for the graduates and a palpable feeling of excitement and emotions in the church. Science faculty member Derek Burkins was this year's presenter of the Baccalaureate address. Below is his speech to the graduates. 2019 Baccalaureate Address by Derek Burkins Good evening and welcome:  parents, grandparents, family members, friends; colleagues and … read more

June 11, 2019

The fourth annual Arts Night on Thursday, May 23, featured all six categories of art at Thetford Academy: art, design technology, drama, culinary arts, choral music, and instrumental music. The café was transformed into a gallery displaying dozens of student 2-D and 3-D artworks created in Karyn Neubauer's classes. Tabletops were spread with culinary delights—from spanikopita to pastries—prepared by Jennifer Gernhard's cooking classes. Artworks created out of wood—including furniture, turned bowls, and a chess board—were also on display, products of … read more

May 27, 2019