Intentional

 

This summer has been full of excitement as we enjoyed our hosted programs, Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano and Special Camp, and of course our thriving Summer at St. Margaret’s and athletic programs. And, while all of these wonderful programs infused life on our campus, we also have witnessed the St. Margaret’s Commons begin to take shape. The heart of our campus—a place dedicated to wellness through healthy, made-from-scratch meals, unparalleled athletic and educational facilities and inviting spaces for community building and relationship development—has risen out of the ground and is on track to open next year. I am enormously grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this remarkable facility a reality for our school and community.   

 

This summer, I have reflected on all that we accomplished last year and all that lies ahead. In particular, I have been deeply inspired by our strategic-planning journey. After an extensive review process, we partnered with Ian Symmonds & Associates, whose expertise is widely recognized among independent schools and colleges around the globe. They have worked with thousands of independent schools and colleges and helped to guide them into their bold and aspirational futures. Ian’s thoughtful leadership and broad perspective have been invaluable as we listened to voices across our community: students, families, faculty, trustees, alumni, and friends. Together, we gathered ideas, explored possibilities, and crafted a visionary Strategic Plan that will shape St. Margaret’s for years to come.

 

At a pivotal moment in the process, I asked Ian to describe St. Margaret’s in one word—a word that captured the heart of who we are. Without hesitation, he replied: “Intentional.” His answer resonated profoundly with me, as it so beautifully captures the spirit of our school.

 

At St. Margaret’s, being intentional means acting with purpose, clarity, care and mindfulness. It means steadfastly honoring our mission, our core values, and our Episcopal identity, while always considering the uniqueness of every child entrusted to us. We are continually learning, discerning, and growing to meet the evolving needs of our students and the world around us. To be intentional, one is constantly reflecting, shifting and planning anew—always looking well into the future and with curiosity and confidence, striving for ever greater levels of excellence. This thoughtful intentionality is the very foundation of our new Strategic Plan, which we are thrilled to share with you in the coming year.

 

Of course, the St. Margaret’s Commons is another shining example of our “intentional” work. Years of vision, input, and planning are coming to life before our eyes. It is incredibly exciting to know that this transformative community space remains on time and is set to open next school year, providing our students with a campus experience that is second to none. Soon, we will be gathering menus for an innovative dining program, planning community and educational spaces, and imagining new ways for students to connect, create, and thrive together.

 

As we prepare to open a new chapter this year, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the tremendous strides we have made—and to look forward, with joy and hope, to all that we will accomplish together.