A Message from Board Chair Barbara O'Connor

Jim made his mark on our school in many impactful ways. His commitment to putting the student experience at the forefront was never clearer and more appreciated than during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. When most schools moved to a fully remote model, Jim’s calm and steady leadership enabled Berwick students to retain a level of personal connection with the peers, faculty, and administration that all make the Berwick experience so special. With no precedent to draw from, he showed innovative thinking and decisiveness that enabled the best possible outcomes in the most challenging of times. 

Additionally, in partnership with the board, Jim successfully launched the current $15M Campaign for Berwick, a transformational investment that will ensure the school’s future durability and flexibility to thrive for generations to come, and pushed forward our bold strategic plan, The Courage to Climb. He moved Berwick’s mission forward through uncertain times with confidence and direction. This steady leadership, as well as his highly effective communications that summarize the spirit, energy, and activities of life on the Hilltop, are just some of the ways Jim’s impact has been felt.

 

With Jim’s announced departure, we begin the search for Berwick’s 55th Head of School. Poised as a highly regarded academic institution with an extraordinary faculty and staff that is integral to our dynamic community, Berwick Academy is in an excellent position to attract a strong pool of candidates. While change can be challenging, it also offers unique and exciting opportunities. 

The Board’s executive committee is in the process of evaluating and selecting a firm to manage the search. In the coming weeks, we will announce the search firm, committee chair and membership, and the process and timeline we will follow to select our next leader. As part of the process, we will be soliciting community feedback and input on key considerations to inform our work and selection. The Board welcomes your input as we begin this important process, and I encourage you to participate in providing feedback. 

Communications to the whole school community will be posted on this Head of School Search web page throughout the process. 

While we are saddened to see the Hamiltons leave the Hilltop, this moment represents a great opportunity for Berwick to build upon the excellent work of Jim and his predecessors. I am excited to see where this next step takes us and look forward to keeping the community updated as the search for our new Head of School progresses.

 

Please join me in thanking Jim for his leadership and the contributions he and his family have made to the Berwick community. We will have opportunities to honor him in the months ahead.  For now, I know he is dedicated to providing another great year on the Hilltop and continuing to build on the many achievements of our academy and its community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Barbara Rose O’Connor

President – Board of Trustees