Announcement from the Board of Trustees January 11, 2023 |
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Dear Holy Child Community, On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Brian McBride to serve as the next Head of School of Holy Child School at Rosemont, effective July 1, 2023. He will be the eighth Head of Holy Child School at Rosemont and will succeed the current Head of School Thomas G. Lengel P'12. Brian currently serves as the Associate Head for Community Life and Strategic Initiatives at Concord Academy in Concord, Massachusetts, a co-educational college preparatory school, and brings with him 32 years of experience in independent school education including roles such as teacher, advisor, coach, and administrator. He spent a notable 13 years of his career on the Main Line as the Associate Head of School for External Affairs at The Haverford School, an all-boys preschool through grade 12 school, affording him a deep understanding of the independent school market in the greater Philadelphia area. Throughout his career, Brian has held numerous senior administrative positions which allowed him to gain experience and knowledge in areas relevant to the internal and external affairs of independent schools, including enrollment management, advancement, communications and marketing, student and community life, and athletics. He has been particularly committed to programs that have built diversity and equity at the schools he has served, especially during his tenure at The Haverford School and McDonogh School. Brian earned a bachelor of science degree at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in school administration from Loyola University in Maryland. A nation-wide, months-long search for the next Head of School was led by Carney, Sandoe & Associates and the Head of School Search Committee. The greater Holy Child community actively engaged in this process, providing important insights, perspective, and feedback that informed our approach to identifying the next Head of School. The Board of Trustees would like to thank the Holy Child community for participating in this important process and sharing valuable input, including what characteristics and qualities our next head should have and the top priorities for the future of our school. In addition, the Board extends its thanks to the Head of School Search Committee and in particular, our co-chairs Steve Schreder P'13'15'18'23 and Anne Schoemaker Vazquez '95 P'25'27'30 for their thoughtful and strategic approach as well as the time they dedicated to this process. Our search brought forth many qualified and experienced candidates from schools across the nation. Brian's wealth of experience in independent school administration, understanding of the educational landscape on the Main Line, and commitment to living our school's values and faith made him the clear choice to lead Holy Child School at Rosemont. "The Board was drawn to Brian's depth of experience and vision for the future. He is a strong, seasoned, and compassionate leader who has touched the lives of countless students over his educational career. We are particularly excited about Brian's ability to work with the faculty and staff to bring leading-edge education to Holy Child students, and we have the utmost confidence in his ability to guide Holy Child through its next chapter," shares Chair of the Board Judi Taylor P'14'16 and Vice Chair of the Board Kane Brenan P'16'18'23'25. |
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| A devout Catholic, Brian looks forward to the opportunity to serve our community both as Head and as a spiritual leader. Reflecting on this important moment in the school's history, faculty member and search committee member Alexis Morsell P'23'23'25 shares, "Brian is a strong relational leader with a range of experience in independent school education and is a great fit for our community. His strong devotion to his faith, family, and the students that he has served is impactful and inspiring. Brian truly leads with 'Actions, Not Words.' This community is a second home to many, and I know Brian's strengths will continue to nurture the joy of learning and advance Holy Child for all constituents." |
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Welcoming and acclimating Brian to our campus and community will be the next step in this process. Looking ahead, the Board of Trustees will select and establish Transition and Support Committees so that Brian is equipped with the resources that he needs to be successful in his transition. Holy Child School at Rosemont will continue to be led by Tom Lengel P'12 for the remainder of this school year, and the Board thanks Tom for his outstanding leadership and for working with Brian to ensure a smooth transition.The Board of Trustees will continue to update the Head of School Selection Process webpage as needed and you will expect to hear from us — and Brian — in the coming months as we prepare for this transition of leadership. Again, we want to thank everyone in the Holy Child School at Rosemont community who dedicated their time to this important process. Please join us in welcoming Brian and the McBride family to the Holy Child community. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we want to express our hope and excitement for the future of our school under the leadership of Brian McBride. Warmly, Judi Taylor P'14'16, Chair of the Board of Trustees Kane Brenan P'16'18'23'25, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees |
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Message from the New Head of School To the Holy Child Community, What an incredible privilege and honor it is to be named the next Head of School at Holy Child School at Rosemont. My wife, Lisa, our four boys, and I are thrilled to be joining the incomparable Holy Child community. I look forward to partnering with the students and parents, the faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, and the alumni and friends of Holy Child to lead this remarkable school in the next chapter of its history and tradition of "Nurturing Excellence in a Joyful Catholic Community." My visit to campus during the search process confirmed what I have known for a long time: Holy Child is a special place, made so by the wisdom, knowledge, and grace engendered by those who compose the school community. Everyone who I had the pleasure of interacting with made me feel genuinely welcomed and, as a result, I felt a harmonious connection with the school and my faith. I am committed to serving Holy Child as both a spiritual and academic leader. Having worked at The Haverford School for many years as a senior administrator, teacher, and coach, I have had the pleasure of getting to know many Holy Child graduates and their families and have seen firsthand the power of joy, faith, and trust in producing lifelong learners who are well positioned to serve their communities. I have a keen appreciation for the school's commitment to academic excellence; it has always been apparent to me that Holy Child teaches habits of the mind as well as habits of the heart in an intentional and effective manner that uniquely prepares their students for high school and beyond. Holy Child's mission and vision, as well as the educational philosophy of Cornelia Connelly, resonates deeply with me. Cornelia Connelly sought to live her life with joy and "as one continuous act of love," a philosophical foundation that serves the school to this day and acts as a beacon for our daily purpose. The fact that Holy Child is a joyful, loving, and kind community, facilitated by close relationships and a deep faith in the enduring spirit of humanity, confirmed for me that this is a place that I want to be a part of and serve with all my heart and soul. As I prepare to transition to Holy Child as the next Head of School, I would like to make three commitments to the school community. First and foremost, I will work tirelessly to serve Holy Child to the very best of my ability, every day. I will do so with integrity and respect for the mission and history of the school, as well as with reverence for the vision of Cornelia Connelly. Second, I will always make decisions in the best interest of the school and the people in the school community, especially the students. Holy Child is a student-centered school, and my leadership will be guided by this focus. Finally, I humbly pledge that when my tenure as head is complete, Holy Child will be in a better place than when I started. I realize that I cannot do this alone and recognize that the dedication, contributions, and support of the entire Holy Child community will allow us to accomplish our shared goals and continue advancing the school's enduring mission and vision. I am excited by the possibilities and potential for growth at Holy Child and look forward to collaborating with all school stakeholders to nurture excellence in every aspect of the school. Thank you to the Search Committee, the Board of Trustees, and everyone who participated in this process for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. The McBride family looks forward to joining the Holy Child family, and I can't wait to get to know the school community as together, we develop the next generation of learners and leaders. |
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With gratitude, Brian McBride The McBride Family, pictured from left to right: Grace, Gavin's wife; Gavin; Lisa; Brian; Brennan; Tucker; and Shane. |
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Holy Child School at Rosemont 1344 Montgomery Avenue • Rosemont, PA 19010 • 610-922-1000 |
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