The arrival of a new school year brings palpable excitement, a reminder of blessings and thoughts of opportunity. Open House and the first day of school bring the brightest smiles of the year. The happiness of students reuniting with teachers, sharing summer stories and long hugs provide a foundation for the year ahead.
It is a blessing to learn at Saint Philippine Duchesne’s school, surrounded by students and faculty of exemplary character and faith, and a community dedicated to the goal of supporting students and faculty.
At the conclusion of the first Mass of this new year to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, we spoke about the opportunity to collaboratively construct our year. Sir Arthur Lewis, a Nobel Prize Economist, and the first African American professor at Princeton wrote: “Excellence is achieved not only by intellect; it derives even more from character.” I also shared the words of Bridget Bears, RSCJ, who writes:
Listen . . . all around us echo possibilities. The possibility
- of leaving our mark and writing a chapter of hope
- of creating communities where the horizon is written in love
- of being the ones we have been waiting for to build bridges
I concluded by explaining that in light of this, our goal for us individually and as a community is to demonstrate character of hope, of love, and to build bridges to support those around us. By doing so, we will create excellence. Let these be our guideposts this year as we work as a community to create excellence!
With gratitude for your partnership with our extraordinary school,
Tim Horner, Head of School
