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Greetings FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Members of the Saint Edward’s School Community:

One of the real joys as a Head of School in my eighth year at Saint Edward’s School is when we come together as a
community, and when we recently convened for our Opening All School Chapel, I had no way of knowing we would
have 594 students at press time.

In my words during our last graduation in May, 2016, I spoke specifically about leadership at our School and in our
society. After a summer of uncertain headlines, my concern remains for our future in terms of the dearth of leadership
I see in our current times.

When I speak of leadership, I am not referring to elected officers with titles that supposedly designate one as a leader.
Whether one is elected president, captain of a team, or director of a program matters not to me. Real leaders get their
hands dirty in the work, in the support of others, in the whole idea of serving. Leaders spend time figuring out what
others need, have compassion for the group, class, and the whole school community at large. Leaders have empathy. I
recently heard a great definition of true empathy, and that is someone who is able to feel the pain of someone else, in
one’s own heart. To be authentic, to be trusted and accountable, and to be present are essential qualities of real
leadership, and I know that every adult on Saint Edward’s School campus is committed to cultivating those gifts within
our students.

When one is finished with his or her formal education, and begins with a
profession and a passion for growing as an individual, one will know early
on that no one is awarded for showing up, for being where one is supposed “To be authentic, to be trusted
to be, all of the time. The world requires that at a minimum, and a great and accountable, and to be
deal more from all of us. Our students have a remarkable opportunity to present are essential qualities
make a positive difference in the lives of others in this School community,
and to be purposeful about leading on a larger scale. of real leadership, and I know
that every adult on Saint
This special school culture, which includes pride, spirit, and closeness,
doesn’t and shouldn’t just happen on Friday nights in the stands of athletic Edward’s School campus is
competitions. It shouldn’t just happen in the beautiful Waxlax Center for the committed to cultivating those
Performing Arts during performances, and it shouldn’t just happen in the gifts within our students.”
classrooms each day. It should occur everywhere on this campus and in our
lives beyond the campus, because we are representing ourselves, our
families and this School, always!

At Saint Edward’s School we ask, and yes even demand, more from each individual than merely to be present. We need
and require active engagement, motivation to improve and give to others, and a desire to be stewards of this School
and the community beyond.

Saint Edward’s School is not just a place to go – it is a place that you take with you forever. May God bless you to carry
out these charges each day of your time at Saint Edward’s School and beyond.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Mersky
Head of School

SAINT EDWARD’S SCHOOL