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St. Margaret’s Student Body Comes Together for All-School Opening Ceremony
St. Margaret’s officially welcomed in a new school year on Monday, as the All-School Opening Ceremony joyfully brought together the entire student body.
The traditional ceremony was an opportunity to start the school year together, as the Early School’s first day on Monday meant all divisions were back in session at St. Margaret’s.
Monday’s ceremony featured readings, songs and moving remarks by Upper School senior and Associated Student Body President Jack Klausner, and Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham.
“To our returning Tartans, welcome back!” Dr. Graham expressed with full enthusiasm. “And, to those of you who are new to our community, welcome to your new home!”
In total, St. Margaret’s has 183 new students, 166 new families, and 41 new students with current St. Margaret’s siblings, and three sets of twins. In addition, Dr. Graham extended a warm welcome to 22 new members of our professional community.
The school is once again fully enrolled, and Dr. Graham gave special mention to the Class of 2033 in its last year of Lower School, the Class of 2030 in its last year of Middle School, and the Class of 2026 starting its last year at St. Margaret’s in the Upper School.
Dr. Graham expressed, “I’ve been thinking a lot about the word ‘intentional,’ which means being deliberate and purposeful. Two weeks ago, our professional community heard from Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, who reminded us that authentic, thriving communities don’t happen by accident—they require continuous, intentional work.”
As part of intentional community building, the Middle and Upper School joined the Lower School in their tradition of house leagues, an initiative gifted by the Class of 2025 as their parting gift.
Dr. Graham also outlined the three school-wide goals for St. Margaret’s this year, aligned with the school’s mission to educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service.
- Under learning, reflect, learn and grow through the WASC/CAIS Accreditation. St. Margaret’s will engage the entire school community to share accomplishments and achievements with the accrediting team this January.
- Under leadership, to advance St. Margaret’s bold and visionary Strategic Plan. The school will communicate the innovative initiatives and aspirational goals set forth in the Strategic Plan, grounded in our mission, core values and Episcopal identity.
- Under service, enhance community health and partnerships through the St. Margaret’s Commons. The school will complete construction of The Commons, a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, strengthen partnerships with Breakthrough and Special Camp and embark on a unique partnership with the city of San Juan Capistrano and The Ecology Center to deliver high-quality organic produce to the school community and local residents by completing a new community garden adjacent to campus.
“As we begin this new school year, we remember The Reverend Canon Ernest D. Sillers, who made his dream of an Episcopal school a reality when he welcomed 79 students to St. Margaret’s on October 1, 1979,” Dr. Graham said, “I remain inspired and guided by Father Sillers’ vision as we celebrate our 46th year and look forward to all that is yet to be for St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.”
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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