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| A light in the cupola signifies a varsity team victory. |
Salisbury is a dynamic, modern school, but we take pride in the history that makes us so unique. We embrace the founding rector’s belief that a boy’s secondary school has the responsibility for addressing every aspect of development. Listed below are some of Salisbury’s traditions that continue to be such important parts of our boys’ overall school experience:
CHAPEL
Salisbury welcomes students and faculty of all faiths but maintains its historic ties to the Episcopal Church. The entire school community gathers every Tuesday and Friday morning in the Chapel for reflection or to hear a message. These services embrace all faiths.
SIT-DOWN DINNERS
Twice a week, students eat family style with their advisor or with a randomly assigned faculty member and fellow students. This promotes a deeper sense of community and allows new students the chance to get to know boys from older or younger classes than their own.
SCHOOL MEETINGS
Weather permitting, we gather in the Quadrangle for updates from faculty members and students on what lies ahead in a given week. The student body president oversees these meetings, giving the first words of welcome as well as the dismissal.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Another valued tradition is good sportsmanship toward opponents, coaches, referees, and spectators who may be cheering for another team. A Salisbury team is expected to be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. A victory by a winning team or squad is often applauded at school meetings.
RED LIGHT IN THE CUPOLA
After a varsity team wins a sports match, the red light in the Main Building’s cupola is lit to alert the rest of the community to the team’s victory.
HANGING OF THE GREENS
Shortly before students go on break for the winter holidays, the entire school community gathers in the Chapel for the traditional Hanging of the Greens. Two nights later we celebrate the service of Lessons and Carols, sung by a joint student-faculty choir.
DRESS CODE
All students wear jackets and ties to class, sit-down meals, Chapel, and special school events. In the winter, a student may wear a turtleneck shirt instead of a tie and in the spring, Bermuda shorts may be worn on hot days. For other meals, students are permitted to wear collared shirts and trousers (no jeans). From the end of Saturday’s class until Monday morning, dress is casual.
SIXTH FORM PRIVILEGES
All Sixth Formers are entitled to wear a blue blazer with the Salisbury crest on the left jacket pocket. Graduates at commencement exercises traditionally wear a school blazer and white slacks. The “senior rug” area, named in memory of the Rev. George D. Langdon, the “senior steps,” and the “senior mound” are restricted to Sixth Form Students.
MOTTO
The Salisbury Motto is Esse Quam Videri, which orginates in Sallust’s Bellum Catalinarium, 54. Sallust compared Cato to Caesar and wrote that Cato preferred to be virtuous rather than appear to be so. Consequently, the less Cato sought recognition the more he found it. “To be rather than to seem to be” is an affirmation of personal honor at the heart of the Salisbury experience.
SCHOOL SEAL
The Salisbury Seal is colored red for bravery and gold for generosity. The four crosses above and below the crest symbolize faith in God through Christ. The shell is a vessel used by the Crusaders. The heart symbolizes charity and the arrows preparedness. The open book is for learning and the acorn and its brand for maturity.
SCHOOL MASCOT
In the spring of 1995, the Sixth Form adopted the Crimson Knight as the School’s mascot. It symbolized the history, character, and devotion of the Knights represented in The Sarum Hymn.
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| Lighting of the advent wreath during "Hanging of the Greens" |