Let Classes Begin!

September 11, 2009

Principal Hassan displays the "dog-eared copy" of the Academy's Deed of Gift which has been passed down by 3 principals: Stephen Kurtz, Kendra Stearns O’Donnell and Tyler Tingley

Students leave Opening Assembly to attend their first classesIn his first Opening Assembly, Exeter’s 14th Principal Tom Hassan spoke with excitement to the fully packed Assembly Hall. He focused on Exeter’s traditions, the founding Deed of Gift, his 20 years at Exeter working with 2 previous principals – Kendra Stearns O’Donnell and Tyler Tingley – and the importance of “learning from one another.”

Hassan talked about the history of the Academy and the tremendous impact of the Harkness gift. “I was struck by the Deed’s passage detailing the primary duty of our school: ‘instructing youth, not only in the English and Latin grammar, writing, arithmetic, and those sciences wherein they are commonly taught, but more especially to learn them the great end and real business of living,’ ” Hassan explained. “Over 75 years ago, this Academy was transformed by a generous gift from Edward S. Harkness, a gift that changed our classrooms and the experiences within them. The open give-and-take of Harkness pedagogy has enabled not only students but also faculty and staff to consider together what ‘great end and real business of living’ really means. In this process, students have learned from teachers and teachers have learned from students both inside and outside the classroom.”

Reverend Thompson, Hassan and emeriti/ae singing "For the Splendor of Creation"Hassan also told stories of his family and an Exeter student, Annie, whose caring and dedication to helping others opened doors for Hassan’s son, Ben, who has cerebral palsy. In true non- sibi fashion, Annie worked assiduously to create a New England chapter of Best Buddies, a national organization which links able and disabled students.

“Together we are all engaged, in and out of the classroom, in a community of committed inquiry,” Hassan concluded.  “I know I carry with me the lessons I learned from Annie, from the Exeter students and teachers who came before me, and those who are with us here today. At Exeter, we share a unique learning and teaching opportunity, and I know that today we are all eager to begin the 229th year of our extraordinary collaboration.”

Hassan hugs O’Donnell during Opening AssemblyAt the start of Opening Assembly, Reverend Robert Thompson ’72 led the school in a prayer honoring the victims of 9/11. Dean of Faculty Kathleen Curwen introduced emeriti/ae and new faculty, seated on stage.

At the end of assembly, students cheered Principal Hassan. They then left Assembly Hall to attend the first classes of the 2009–2010 academic year.

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