Westfield Resident Participates In Innovative, Interdisciplinary Project At Pomfret School

Submitted by Pomfret School

Christopher Kattak of Westfield, a member of the class of 2015at Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut, was recently part of an all-school academic experiment called Project: Pomfret.

From December 2 - 17, in place of structured class time and homework, students were instead tackling one of twenty-seven innovative exercises in learning that saw plenty of overlap between academic disciplines.

The list of topics ranged from geocaching, engineering, environmental, theatre and dance projects, to exploring the American legal system, the LGBT community, and Hollywood’s take on Word War II.

Finished products included illustrated children’s books, a poignant and highly personal Hip-Hop playlist, and two par-3 miniature golf putting greens, complete with water hazard. There was even a project for aspiring photojournalists who documented the efforts of everyone else.

Christopher was in the group of students and faculty who collaborated on a project entitled “Performance and Perspective: Lizzie Bright,” in which the students studied the work of playwright Cheryl L. West-and specifically her recent work, “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.”

They will perform it when West visits the Pomfret campus January 25-27 as the 2015 Schwartz Visiting Fellow, a program that brings distinguished writers, journalists, scientists and artists to the School.

Now in its second year, Project: Pomfret is an experimental retooling of the 121-year-old school’s academic matrix, harvested two years ago from the self-examination that resulted in a new strategic plan.

The experience is based on the principles of project-based learning (students engage to the fullest when they can experience and solve real-world problems). Everyone involved got to break away from the established academic routine and focus instead on their one particular topic. The goal: to make the learning viable and real.

Head of School Tim Richards, himself the parent of a Pomfret student, made a point of thanking the faculty for their hard work.

“The recent Project: Pomfret period,” he said, “echoes loudly and clearly that this kind of work--thinking, learning, playing, and creating together in such unique and collaborative fashion--has the potential to be extremely and powerfully transformational for students and teachers alike.”

Founded in 1894 and coeducational since 1968, Pomfret School is an independent college preparatory boarding and day school for approximately 360 students in grades 9 through 12 and postgraduates, and the more than 40 faculty members involved in their lives.

Set on 500 acres in the celebrated Last Green Valley of Northeastern Connecticut, Pomfret offers eight academic disciplines, 19 AP and 16 Honors courses, over 100 elective courses; 25 sports options, and numerous opportunities to participate in community outreach and service programs.

At Pomfret we endeavor to teach, guide, and above all, inspire.