This weekend, the Andover community celebrates the thirtieth annual weekend gathering of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (G.S.A.). This important milestone merits attention and reflection. The G.S.A. has played a central role in supporting students (and adults, for that matter) of all genders and sexualities on campus at Andover. This week also marks the publication by the … Read more
Richard T. Greener Quadrangle dedication September 29, 2018 John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy Welcome students and parents, faculty and staff, trustees and alumni to the Richard T. Greener Quadrangle. Thank you, Linda Carter Griffith, for blazing your own trail as the first Assistant Head of School for Equity, Inclusion and Wellness—not only at … Read more
The New York Times published a terrific Magazine this Sunday on education. The cover reads: “Teachers just want to teach but the classroom has become a battleground.” I’m not sure that’s exactly “news” this fall but it is absolutely true. Two of the articles in particular were worth reading and reflecting on as we start … Read more
John Palfrey Remarks at Capital Campaign Launch Andover, MA September 2017 Thank you, Dana Delany, for your kind introduction and for everything you’ve done for Andover over the years. I also want to thank Peter Currie and the board of trustees for their leadership. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you. Thank … Read more
All-School Meeting John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy September 13, 2017 Good morning, Andover! I am psyched to see you all here. The main point of this All School Meeting is simply for us to gather, in one space, to celebrate the start of the year. It’s a great chance to acknowledge the special … Read more
All-School Meeting Opening Remarks, Phillips Academy September 28, 2016 Good morning, Andover. We gather today, early in the school year, to begin our exploration of our values as a school. You are by now deeply ensconced in your classes, clubs, arts and sports. We are also deeply engaged in the work of what kind of … Read more
Commencement Address Phillips Academy, Andover June 5, 2016 John Palfrey Welcome, everyone – trustees, faculty, and staff; faculty Emeriti; alumni, families, friends, and – most of all – our beloved students. Thank you for your presence with us today. I would like to start with a note of gratitude to the adults in the Andover … Read more
For the cozy Sundays in New England, with snow lying all around (as it is this morning in Andover, MA), here’s the line-up of books I have put out on the Head of School bookshelf for faculty at Phillips Academy: James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time. I re-read it over the winter holiday break and … Read more
The long flights to and from East Asia this Spring Break afforded time to catch up on a stack of books I’ve been meaning to read for a while. For this Spring’s Head of School bookshelf, I’ve selected a series of titles focused on psychology and policy relevant to the secondary school field in education. … Read more
On October 17, 2014, we are launching the Andover Institute at Phillips Academy. The Institute will be a hub for innovation at PA, where our students, faculty, and others come together to explore new ideas in teaching and learning at the secondary school level. The idea is to have a “Bell Labs” here at Andover … Read more