Page 2 - Priorities #8 1997-98 Annual Report

From the Headmaster
“Celebration,” the theme
of this Annual Report, aptly describes
our just-concluded 40th Anniversary
year. We had much to celebrate. We
took full advantage last year of the opportunity to honor our past with
picnics, music, an oral and written
history, a rededication ceremony, and many more special events in which
many of you participated. It was
glorious and we enjoyed every minute of it.
Now, we look ahead. Recently, in that all-too-brief period called summer during which school administrators tie up the loose ends of one year and prepare for another, I took the opportunity to stroll along the hill above the campus. I looked down on the buildings, the beautiful rural setting which is the gift of those who preceded me, and asked myself, “What vision am I — are we — carrying forward as we move into the 21st century?
Many of you are already engaged in helping us plan for our immediate future. You have completed questionnaires or are participating in discussion groups that provide essential feedback for a strategic plan.
The students are at the center of what we do so all deliberations begin with them. How do we retain the advantages, yet manage the hurdles, inherent in a small school? How can we provide the special opportunities required by students with extraordinary academic, athletic or artistic interests and aptitudes? What sort of ingenuity will we need to providechallengesonamoreindividualbasis? Holly Thompson, our new Academic Dean speaks of helping each student find his or her passion. Where will the necessary experiences, equipment, peer and adult support come from?
Our discussions fall roughly into four areas and the first two actually support the third.
Facilities: We need more space - but not necessarily traditional classrooms and offices. We are studying the possibility of reconfiguration. The library might move to the assembly hall to join the computer center in creating a more comprehensive media research and technology area. A student center could fill the vacated library space. Our dream is of a
Fine Arts and Communications Center to support this blossoming aspect of our community life. “Red Square” might become a newly landscaped “St. Benedict Square.” Additional faculty housing might enhance our sense of community while meeting the problems caused by Bay Area real estate prices.
Finance: Our financial support consists of tuition, gift support and endowment. Last
year, we learned we were behind comparable independent schools in tuition and endowment. Our parents understood and accepted our tuition increase, which permitted us to raise teacher salaries to a more competitive level. At the same time we continued to make significant strides in gift support, which was up 30%. The challenge of building our endowment remains.
Faculty and Staff: We have a clear identity as a place of student-centered learning and values-centered education. Our style actually requires more of teachers than traditional education. It calls for a teacher with a particular perspective and even a special temperament. To attract and retain these individuals, we need adequate compensation, a welcoming educational environment, and opportunities for professional growth. We know we are on the right track with our professional development program. See the article on pages 5 and 6. And we are moving quickly in the other areas,
as I explained.
Benedictine Tradition: Our commitment goes beyond college preparatory education, as important as that is. We are here also to teach the values of a life well lived. This fourth point, Benedictine tradition, has the most meaning for me. Last summer, when I was walking along the hilltop and looking down on the campus, the first building I saw was the monastery. This is our foundation, and we must continue to find ways of sustaining our heritage, even as the number of those choosing a religious life declines. By staying true to the origin and mission represented by that small, plain building, I believe we can assure that Woodside Priory School will continue to flourish and its mission will continue to unfold.
I want to thank all of you who celebrated with us last year, welcome everyone who is new to the Priory community this year and encourage all of you to join in the rewarding task of building the Woodside Priory of the next decade.
Warmly,
The students are at the center of what wedosoall deliberations begin with them. How do we retain the advantages, yet manage the hurdles, inherent in a small school?
2