A Back-to-School Letter from the Headmaster

 

Dear Cathedral School Parents,

 

Usually, by the first week or so of August, I begin to hear parents express how eager they are for the school year to start. One parent recently commented, “For Heaven’s sake, let the school year get here. I can’t take any more summer!” The bustle of the new school year will be upon us very soon, and lest the opportunity that comes with a new beginning passes us by, I thought I might reflect upon the potential that opening day offers to all of us.

 

This summer, while reading a novel, I was reminded of the theme of homecoming that exists throughout literature. Ulysses’ ten-year trip home from the Trojan War constitutes one of the better-known examples. Invariably, the story characters return with more self-awareness and more appreciation for home than they had before leaving. They are better people because of their time away.

 

We can equate this theme of homecoming to the first day of school. We often refer to Cathedral as a “family,” and, by extension, this corner of Jones and Sacramento Streets serves as our “home.” Thus, the boys, even those new to the School, will be returning home next week. As such, they have the chance to use the opportunity as a new beginning and to return as better versions of the young men they were when they were last here.

 

It’s worth pointing out that we adults possess this opportunity, too. Perhaps we can use this new beginning to reflect upon our time away and to return as better parents, better partners, better role models, and better people than we were before we left. We owe this to ourselves and to one another. The boys, seeing our example, will be sure to do the same.

 

Last week, the kindergarteners were on campus for camp. In walking the halls, I overheard one kindergartener say to another, “If I like this place, I may go to school here next year.” The other retorted, “This is a school?” There is a certain amount of innocence, and maybe even magic, embedded in this conversation. Perhaps by drawing upon their worldview a view unencumbered by adult strictures—the opportunities will be endless for us all.  

 

I look forward to seeing you on our corner of Jones and Sacramento very soon. The School will be made whole by your family’s return.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Headmaster and Father of Wyatt '20 and Crawford '25