Wykeham Willoughby Newton

Wykeham Rise School for Girls
Washington, Connecticut

Memories of Willoughby Newton
A collection of thoughts from students with fond memories of an unforgettable man

Willoughby Newton,
Wykeham's first Headmaster after reopening in 1963

He usually wore his black ministers shirt and collar (forgive lack of correct terminology) with a blazer, of which he had a wide variety of colors. He had seersucker jackets for the warm months, which as a teenager, amused me for some reason! He got in on the Nehru Jacket craze when they were in fashion and he looked pretty good, I have to admit.

Saturday nights he would have us do some folk dancing before the movie. He had a slight southern accent, Virginia maybe, and was quite charming. He certainly had a positive presence. Not the scary disciplinarian type, although when he had to be tough he was.

His vision of a college preparatory art school was wonderful and worked for me! I feel extremely lucky to have been at Wykeham at that time.

At Christmas time, he would have us listen to a recording of "A Child's Christmas in Wales" read by Dylan Thomas, which I continued to do on my own from time to time, for years afterwards.

I hope others will share memories of Father Newton and Wykeham; it was a great time!

Mandy (Amanda) Worrall

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Willoughby Newton was a great friend of my father, and he and Otis Charles and my dad were instrumental in restarting Wykeham. At that time the school had been closed and abandoned & W.N. was working at the Kent School for girls. After he left Wykeham, he was for some time Director of Development for NY PBS station. He was living in Manhattan and was at Sid Ferguson's funeral.

I remember very well as a little girl, WN coming over for dinner and he and my dad discussing what they wanted to do and how they wanted the school to be. It really is amazing to think what a few visionary people did, even if their dream didn't last to the present day!

Thacher, Gail G.

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I did know Willoughby Newton and admired him very much. I started at Wykeham in my sophomore (form?) year January 1974 to May 1975. I will never forget my initial interview (for admission) with him.

All of the descriptions I have read so far are right on target. My favorite picture of him is in the 1974 yearbook kind of jumping for joy...This is a very informative picture of his personality. I will always remember his eyes. I saw such love for everyone in them. Best wishes where ever you are Father Newton!

Shirley (Norris) McElfish

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He was a wonderful Headmaster. I will always remember him and Sunday night Vespers. I believe when he left Wykeham he went to PBS in NYC. He was an ordained Episcopal Priest, so we nicknamed him "Father Fig"......He had a fabulous laugh.

Sara '73

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	I remember him very well, since I was a prefect and was on the Disciplinary Committee with him. He stood out for his kindness and compassion and understanding and love of kids. I also had him for Creative Writing class. I recall many meetings-- one pair of girls kept running away -they got caught at the Dunkin Donuts in Torrington once--- and they got a lesser punishment for going less far..... Also one girl sneaking out, to his enragement, for an "assignation" with her Gunnery dayhop bf whose family lived on Wykeham Road. I also remember how devastated he was when speaking at the funeral of Beata Stewart, a student who died in a small plane crash. The memorial at St. John's was painfully beautiful. I also remember with great love the wonderful ceremonies at the Congregational church on The Green with lots of Brass Royal music! And, of course, "An Hymn For Scholar's And Pupils", composed by Randall Thompson for the school, and Yehudi Menuhin playing a benefit concert at The Congo. Wonderful times! MBH
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			He had a huge personality, could be very charming, loved T.S. Eliot, taught creative writing, had an interesting egg collection in his office...and he doused himself in Aramis. I can smell it now! He was essentially a kind man. I never saw him lose his temper. We were pretty close by the time I graduated, though I haven't seen him since 1974. I am in touch with Fourgie and Willie Smith, and I will ask them for an update. I know he lives in New York and is retired. Betsy Crabtree ------------------------------------ He was a great guy, and tolerated a ton of stuff from me and I am sure from others....oh yes he was patient..Frankly I can hardly believe that they let me graduate! Penelope

	----------------------------------------- I never met him, but Willoughby Newton looms large in Wykeham's history. I believe he retired in 1976 or at least at the end of the 76-77 school year ... as far as I know he was instrumental in the re-opening of Wykeham (which was surely in the early 60's -- as my mother says she met Father Newton when she took my sister to look at Wykeham around '65...) . Dan Richardson was headmaster the whole time I was at Wykeham -- 77-80... and I'm pretty sure that he was the first person to replace Willoughby Newton. Interestingly, while I was at Wykeham the "Chapel," which was in the basement of the main building was converted to a "meditation room," replete with black satin cushions ... ah the 70's!