Head of School Holiday Reflection—December 2023

On a morning campus walk in November, I noticed someone moving back and forth in the Hamilton Stadium bleachers, occasionally stopping to look at something before continuing on. When I reached that side of the track, I realized that one of my colleagues had decided to tackle the painstaking task of scraping off small pieces of tape left behind from a spirited fall season of athletic contests and cheering crowds. While the posters had been cleaned up, tiny scraps of adhesive remained, remnants that most of us would never have noticed.

I stopped to say hello (and ask what she was doing!), and during our brief conversation, this selfless community member said something to the effect of: When I go for a walk, I like to find purpose along the way.   

Purpose. A mindset I believe we should contemplate and embrace this holiday season. Amid the shopping lists, Christmas card labels, and travel itineraries, we are at risk of conflating the idea of purpose with that of to-do items and outcomes. It is easy to get lost in the countdown to the holidays, and there is nothing wrong with the joyful adrenalin rush of planning and preparing for a season of traditions. But let’s be honest, we could probably all slow down and seek moments of purpose in the weeks ahead.

As members of the extended Canterbury family, you are well aware that our community holds both the big idea and the practical reality of purpose close to our hearts and woven throughout our daily work. Students understand and believe in their responsibility to sustain the mission and culture of our School as an avenue toward being a meaningful part of something bigger than themselves. Our shared commitment to moral leadership is the very manifestation of purpose and a differentiator desperately needed by the local, national, and global communities our students will join and impact in the years ahead.

Let’s remember, too, that small and simple acts (like peeling tape off a fence!) matter. I could share countless examples of acts of purpose I witnessed this fall, from the proctor who drops by the dorm room of an overwhelmed peer to the student who consistently keeps an open eye in the dining hall to ensure no one is eating alone.  Reaching out—to a current or past colleague; to a roommate, teammate, or classmate; or to a friend/family member—in order to share gratitude and appreciation. The annual commitment to a local holiday toy, coat, or food drive. The ongoing care provided to a family member.

As our Thanksgiving break was about to begin, I had the great pleasure of watching our fall play—Anti-Social—as well as our volleyball and football teams compete to win championships. Such an extraordinary three days! This brings me to our tireless faculty and the purpose with which they carry themselves each and every day on this hilltop.  Our students, from the novice athlete, artist, or actor to those reaching their high school pinnacle performances as seasoned members of a cast, crew, or team, are immersed in purposeful moments modeled to them by their coaches and directors (and advisors, teachers, dorm heads…). At Canterbury, our faculty not only impart skills, technique, and strategy but also emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and humility, teaching values that transcend mere outcomes. A prime example is E.J. Soifersmith. In her role as Director of Community Life, E.J.’s areas of oversight run broad and deep across all aspects of our student experience, and watching her coach the volleyball team to a gritty and declarative victory over a top-seed opponent was, indeed, a tangible moment of purpose! 

We can—and should—walk with purpose whenever and however we are able, during the holiday season and beyond. And as we transition from Thanksgiving to the New Year, I could not be more grateful for the myriad ways in which the Saints family seeks and demonstrates just that. Thank you.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Canterbury holiday parties in Washington, DC; Boston; and New York City.

Merry Christmas!

Rachel

PS - It seems only fitting to reiterate that the second priority in Canterbury’s Strategic Plan is Purpose!