Convocation Sets the Tone for a Year of Curiosity
Opening Days traditions culminated with Convocation on Thursday, September 14th, and students and faculty gathered in the Flagler Memorial Chapel to formally reflect upon and launch the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
Visit our online photo gallery or our Millbrook in Motion page for images and video from all of Millbrook's Opening Days traditions, including Convocation. You can also read Headmaster Drew Casertano's full Convocation Address on the Special Ink section of our website.
Headmaster Drew Casertano opened his address to the Millbrook community by asking everyone to reflect on the school's motto: Non Sibi Sed Cunctis, which means "not for oneself, but for all."
"Indeed, it is a good thing to live not for oneself, but for all," said Headmaster Casertano, "but what does that mean exactly? What does living “not for oneself, but for all” actually look like?"
He went on to outline what is means to live the school's motto, pointing to empathy as being necessary for a successful pursuit, and curiosity, Millbrook's theme for the 2017-2018 academic year, as being a prerequisit for empathy:
"To walk in their shoes, as the saying goes. This doesn’t mean that we will always agree with that perspective. However, we should try to understand it…and to respect it," he said. "The key to doing that is to be curious...to want to understand…to be willing to keep an open mind. Curiosity, one of Millbrook’s five core values, is our theme for the 2017-2018 school year."
Headmaster Casertano then invited everyone to listen, question, and seek understanding, as we all challenge ourselves to grow academically, socially, and emotionally over the coming months.
"When curious, the desire to understand takes the place of the impulse to judge. Questions replace answers. With understanding, the chances are that respect will supplant disdain and disregard," he said.
With clear goals and high spirits 315 students, faculty, and staff exited the Flagler Memorial Chapel and gathered in the Dining Hall for the first formal dinner of the school year. Traditions like these provide a link between current students and alumni, a connection that is unique to Millbrook students--past and present.
"Indeed, it is a good thing to live not for oneself, but for all," said Headmaster Casertano, "but what does that mean exactly? What does living “not for oneself, but for all” actually look like?"
He went on to outline what is means to live the school's motto, pointing to empathy as being necessary for a successful pursuit, and curiosity, Millbrook's theme for the 2017-2018 academic year, as being a prerequisit for empathy:
"To walk in their shoes, as the saying goes. This doesn’t mean that we will always agree with that perspective. However, we should try to understand it…and to respect it," he said. "The key to doing that is to be curious...to want to understand…to be willing to keep an open mind. Curiosity, one of Millbrook’s five core values, is our theme for the 2017-2018 school year."
Headmaster Casertano then invited everyone to listen, question, and seek understanding, as we all challenge ourselves to grow academically, socially, and emotionally over the coming months.
"When curious, the desire to understand takes the place of the impulse to judge. Questions replace answers. With understanding, the chances are that respect will supplant disdain and disregard," he said.
With clear goals and high spirits 315 students, faculty, and staff exited the Flagler Memorial Chapel and gathered in the Dining Hall for the first formal dinner of the school year. Traditions like these provide a link between current students and alumni, a connection that is unique to Millbrook students--past and present.
Visit our online photo gallery or our Millbrook in Motion page for images and video from all of Millbrook's Opening Days traditions, including Convocation. You can also read Headmaster Drew Casertano's full Convocation Address on the Special Ink section of our website.
