Please Look After This Bear

When Paddington Bear first arrived at London’s Paddington Station with nothing but a suitcase, a tag reading “Please look after this bear,” and a marmalade sandwich tucked in his hat, he had no idea that he would eventually find his way to a girls’ school in Los Angeles. But, on October 7, 2025, the Class of 2026 made it official: the beloved bear has been selected as their class mascot.

The announcement came during an All-School Meeting (ASM) dedicated to this cherished and historic Marlborough tradition—complete with the Seniors decked out in blue duffle coats and red bucket hats with fuzzy Paddington Bear ears. The mascot tradition at Marlborough allows each Senior class to select a character that embodies their shared values and experiences. Through weeks of pitches, discussions, and voting, the Class of 2026 found their perfect match in a small bear with a big heart and an even bigger appetite. With the Class of 2026’s signature creativity and humor, the Senior Class Council thoughtfully articulated why Paddington Bear was selected as their mascot.

Senior Class Wellbeing Representative Lilly S. ’26 set the stage by explaining Paddington’s origin story. “You might know Paddington as the small bear from ‘deepest, darkest Peru’...but he’s so much more than that. To us, Paddington represents qualities that define our class—kindness, resilience, adventure, and community.”

“He steps into new worlds with curiosity and courage,” shared Senior Class Athletics Representative Amirah M. ’26, “even when things don’t go as planned. That is how we see our class right now—standing at the edge of new opportunities, ready to take on the unknown after graduation.”

Paddington is also known for his resilience. Senior Environmental Representative Emily H. ’26 drew a powerful parallel between that trait and her class’s own journey: "Things don’t always go Paddington’s way—he’s lost, misunderstood, sometimes covered in marmalade—but he keeps going with optimism. Our class started school during COVID and despite this setback, our class continues to show perseverance and dedication to one another.”

The trait that has come to truly define Paddington is his unwavering kindness, a quality the Senior class hopes to emulate in abundance. Senior Communications Representative Jessica G. ’26 noted, “He doesn’t win people over with power or popularity—he does it by being thoughtful and generous. We like to think our class has built that same kind of community.”

A couple of the Senior Class Representatives mentioned the ever-present snack table outside the Senior Lounge as another defining characteristic of their class, which brought knowing laughter from the audience. It was the perfect segue to discuss Paddington’s famous marmalade sandwich, always kept “for emergencies.” Senior Arts Representative Juliet S. ’26 explained the significance: “It is a reminder to find the sweetness in life.”

Senior Community Partnerships Representative Chloe T. ’26 celebrated what makes both Paddington and the Class of 2026 special: authenticity. “What really makes Paddington special is that he’s unapologetically himself and he celebrates others for being themselves, too. That individuality, that playfulness, and adventurous spirit is exactly what makes the Class of 2026 who we are.”

Perfectly summarizing the sentiment behind their choice, Senior Class President Clara M. ’26 closed out the class’s presentation: “On behalf of the Class of 2026, we are proud to present Paddington Bear as our mascot. He’s beloved by all, kind, and always ready for the next adventure and a jar of marmalade. Just like him, we’ll carry our suitcase full of lessons and friendships wherever our journeys take us next.”

As they navigate their final year and prepare for the adventures awaiting them, Paddington Bear will be there—duffle coat and all—reminding them to lead with kindness, embrace resilience, and always keep something sweet on hand for emergencies.