MESSAGE FROM THE
HEADMASTER The Profound & Lifelong Resonance of Caring
W
E’RE ALL familiar with the biblical phrase: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Every day, our students are inspired to “take care” by our faculty — who stand among the
As a teacher, I’ve come to appreciate
most powerful role models in their young lives.
this phrase as less of a commandment
And the exceptional care our faculty takes with
and more of a “statement of condition” — that is, our boys are able to love their neighbors (their
each and every student makes all the difference. No question: Young adults recognize that. Any
family, friends, teammates, and even strangers) to the degree that they’re able to love themselves. Those students who “love” themselves, who take care of and respect themselves, are naturally more loving to their neighbors as a consequence. Conversely, those who lack self-confidence, who are too hard on themselves, who don’t take care of themselves, who are too deep into social media, or who are less willing to allow themselves to see their own potential are less able to extend love to those around them. As I see it, students who are eager and engaged in their educations are immersed in an
alumnus who reflects on the
IN FACT, IF I HAD TO CHOOSE ONE ATTRIBUTE THAT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE — ONE MARKER OF A TRULY INSPIRING INSTITUTION AS COMPARED TO JUST A GOOD ONE — IT WOULD BE ITS CAPACITY AND WILLINGNESS TO CARE FOR OTHERS.
act of taking care of themselves.
Brunswick teachers, coaches, advisors who had the greatest impact on him would cite those who genuinely cared about him and his success. That care can, of course, be couched in the nurture of a second-grade teacher, the tough love of a coach, or the honest advice of an advisor in a moment of personal growth. But care is care — no matter in what form or at what age. We all know it when we see it and feel it — that sense that another person actually cares
of our boys’ academic, artistic, and athletic experience while at Brunswick, I also hope that the care, encouragement, and love that they feel (and felt here) will induce them to pay it forward in their meaningful lives ahead. In doing so, our boys will find that they, in turn, will surround themselves with good people,
makes us feel warm inside and
will reach greater heights, and will certainly lead
tends to inspire us to be better
a life worth living.
than we would be otherwise. I often remind our faculty
that we’ll never go wrong if we always make a
enough to be able to take care of others as the
sincere effort to care for others before ourselves.
Young people learn how to “take care,” I
So, beyond the enhanced impact and meaning
about us and our future. It
And, in doing so, they will swiftly become strong need and opportunity arises.
willingness to care for others.
In fact, if I had to choose one attribute that brings out the best in people — one marker
think, by following the example of the adults
of a truly inspiring institution as compared to
around them.
just a good one — it would be its capacity and
Thomas W. Philip
WWW.BRUNSWICKSCHOOL .ORG
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