Page 3 - Priorities #53 2012-June/July

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TFROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Priory Community,
The school year is over – both our Middle and Upper School graduates have received their diplomas, the faculty are travelling, enjoying time with family and involved in over 30 different Summer Grant professional development projects (all to benefit our students in the classroom next year), and we received a full six-year term accreditation from WASC. The accreditation is a huge accomplishment for our school community and validates all the efforts made over the previous six years to make the Priory a more robust educational environment.
The Priory is a leader in responding to new trends in education both in and out of the classroom and provides a student experience which is balanced in expectations and demands. The results of a recent Alumni Survey conducted by the School Affairs Committee of the Trustees showed that our alums valued their experience at the Priory and felt empowered and engaged in college and work. The Priory values of community and hospitality were mentioned often in the survey results as lasting positive influences in their lives. All five of our Benedictine values provide for everyone in our community a set of expectations that assist in living a life that is other-centered and helps “students in becoming lifelong stewards and learners” and our alums agree wholeheartedly.
We have a new Abbot of the Priory and Saint Anselm communities (pg. 27). Abbot Mark
Cooper was elected in the first week of June by all the Monks of the two communities. Abbot Mark
is a member of our Board of Directors and was the treasurer of the college for over 25 years. In
1975 he was part of the first group of Monks sent to the Priory by then Abbot Joseph and has an intimate understanding of the financial and overall picture of Woodside Priory. We express our gratitude to Abbot Matthew for his leadership and wisdom for the past 27 years. He was an inspiration to all of us during his annual visits in January, and like Abbot Mark, has roots at the Priory. We wish him the best in whatever Divine Providence has in store for him next year.
Next year, the Priory celebrates 55 years of education in the Bay Area. I am not sure exactly what our founding monks had in mind when they bought the ranch house in 1956, but I do know they would be very proud of what the Priory has meant to countless students and parents. We will soon embark on Phase Two of our capital campaign to build facilities that provide a better learning and living environment for our students and faculty. As the early Monks did so often, we will rely on the generosity of all our Priory community to make this next dream a reality.
In the view book we create for prospective families, we say that what sets us apart is the “Priory Way,” which is rooted in the 1500 year-old Benedictine education. We do more than just educate kids. We challenge them “to take risks, discover their passions, and to grow in heart, mind and soul so they can face the changing demands of the 21st century with confidence.” As we reflect on who we are, we believe our values are timeless, our community is real, and our vision is far-reaching. It is a school where special things happen every day.
Please know that you and your family are always in the thoughts and prayers of the Monks and all that we do is a reflection of your generosity to us these past 54 years and yet – Always We Begin Again!
From all of us at the Priory – enjoy your summer days! Sincerely,
Tim Molak Head of School
The Priory is a leader in responding to new trends in education both in and out of the classroom and provides a student experience which is balanced in expectations and demands.