From the Headmaster
August 2024 “ Drink deep , or taste not the Pierian spring ”
Dear Saint David ’ s Community ,
Leadership and kindness are attributes that define Saint David ’ s boys . Each year , I visit alumni at their secondary schools . I love these trips . They provide an opportunity to connect with and listen to our alums . Our boys eagerly share their growth , experience , and thoughts in wide-ranging discussions about childhood , elementary school , and their current journeys through high school .
When I speak to the heads of their secondary schools during my visits , it is clear that Saint David ’ s boys stand out . They are leaders . They are kind . Examples abound : the alum at The Hill School in Pennsylvania , who this year was elected leader of the school ’ s student body for 2024-25 ; another , at Hotchkiss in Connecticut , who was identified as being a natural leader : by virtue of his being a good person who attracts others to him for his guidance and leadership , “ even though he does not see himself as a leader or even seek it … people are naturally drawn to him ;” and another from Harrow School in the United Kingdom where the head wrote in a letter to me this summer , “[ Your alum ] has been appointed School Monitor and Head of House … the position and role is a prominent and demanding one . It is fiercely sought after ; boys achieving this status need to show an extensive track record of service and integrity as well as the potential to sustain practical leadership and guidance for other boys …”
And these are just the recent ones ! The number of Saint David ’ s alums who go on to lead their school , their sports teams , their dorms and clubs , is literally astounding . The 2020 graduates , shown in this photo from a special reunion we held in June , emerged as leaders here at Saint David ’ s following a most challenging period in their lives , in all of our lives , during their eighth-grade graduation year . Having now completed high school , they enter college filled with optimism and confidence , ready to lead with kindness .
In this issue of Saint David ’ s Magazine , we share examples of the school ’ s leadership with a special focus on kindness , our school-wide theme this past year ; in particular , where our incredible faculty , so dedicated to the art , craft , and science of teaching boys , use the relational nature of their profession to help our boys fulfill their potential . We also pay tribute to Esther Formosa and Winnie Feng upon their retirements . Both led with deep kindness and expertise during their decades of service .
In ancient Greek mythology , the Pierian Spring of Macedonia was sacred to the Muses . It was believed to be the metaphorical source of knowledge of art and science . In Alexander Pope ’ s 1711 poem , he pens , “ A little learning is a dang ’ rous thing ; Drink deep , or taste not the Pierian spring .” In learning the arts and sciences at Saint David ’ s , our boys drink deep of this “ spring ,” not only of the arts and the sciences , but also of kindness … and go on to be champions of the good . Ut viri boni sint .
Enjoy the read ! I remain ,
Sincerely and respectfully yours ,
P . David O ’ Halloran
Saint David ’ s is an independent elementary school for boys of all faiths and backgrounds whose parents seek a school program rooted in its founding Catholic faith . Boys are admitted to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight . Since its founding in 1951 , Saint David ’ s has graduated more than 2,200 students . They have gone on to the most competitive New York City secondary schools and regional boarding schools , and from there to ranking universities and colleges throughout the nation . The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools , subscribing to its Principles of Good Practice for admission of students . Saint David ’ s also belongs to the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York . The school ’ s headmaster is Dr . P . David O ’ Halloran .
Community and Inclusion
In addition to our rigorous academic program and in keeping with our founding faith ’ s spiritual traditions , Saint David ’ s is known for its sense of family , compassion , and kindness . Our community includes boys and faculty that reflect the cultural , ethnic , racial , socioeconomic , and religious diversity of New York City . At Saint David ’ s , we believe that being curious without prejudice and without bias is essential to a well-informed , educated young man . Our boys develop cultural competency as they are taught to respect and embrace difference in all its myriad manifestations . Boys broaden their perspectives as they learn from diverse traditions , creeds , and ways of life — fundamental in fulfilling the aspiration of the Founders “ that they be good men .”
2 • Saint David ’ s Magazine