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A Word From the Head
May 16, 2013
Mr. Rod Gilbert, Head of School
One of My Favorite Moments at Regents
Something happened on Tuesday. My heart kept rolling around and around with emotion and contentment. And, my biggest thought was – “I wish I could transport every Regents person to this spot at this moment.”
What happened?
Mr. Angerman led the SOR Honor Choir into the rotunda of the new SOR building and they sang for about 40 minutes. It was majestic. The student’s voices became a conduit to the world, reminding me of my own minuteness as a human being.
As the music resonated through the building, the workers slowed. Many painters sang along with the choir to “O Danny Boy," and the woodworkers clapped. It was a good moment for everyone.
Our architect came and found me at the far, far corner of the second floor near the new teacher’s lounge. The student’s voices sounded so clear and lovely that he and Mr. Draper were convinced we were running a sound check with the new digital speaker intercom system. They were surprised when they followed the voices and found the choir.
Each of our 16 choir members then moved to the 2nd floor and nestled in the 16 open archways that look down into the front floor lobby. The open space created a heavenly sound that was alive and reverberant, causing me to abandon the everyday word for the word of our Lord.
I am so proud of these students, and so thankful that they truly ministered to my heart, soul, body, and mind during their “construction helmet” impromptu concert.
Below are the links to two short videos taken on my iphone. The camera work is shoddy, but the sound is divine.
SOR Honor Choir Singing on 1st Floor New SOR Building
SOR Honor Choir in Archways of 2nd Floor
Something happened on Tuesday. My heart kept rolling around and around with emotion and contentment. And, my biggest thought was – "I wish I could transport every Regents person to this spot at this moment."
The Class of 2013 is surging forward with solid acceptance offers from 62 colleges and universities, bountiful scholarship offers totaling $5,305,614, and vision-laden plans for the 2013-2014 year.
Last Friday night the boys varsity baseball team defeated St. Michael's for the second time this season. This week they won the TAPPS Area Playoff Game and will face Fort Bend Christian Academy in the Regional Playoffs on Tuesday. But that success pales in comparison to their spirit of love for each other and the Bunch family.
here is a paradox in our school. It exists now. It has been here a long time. It will be here in 20 years as well. Paradox: If we publicly proclaim the specific achievements of students, we celebrate. However, is such recognition braggadocios and elitist? How do we balance on this fine line?
This week's article is by Daniel Pope, SOR Humanities Instructor and Regents Mock Trial Head Coach...
Mock Trial is one of the most demanding extra-curriculars our school offers, one of the most selective, and our 6:30-9:30 PM practices redefine grueling. And that's all before the first competition.
Next week we will be showing Austin hospitality to educators from our accrediting association, the Association of Classical Christian Schools. A special thanks goes to Doreen Howell who efficiently led our teams in preparation for this important 5-year renewal.
What songs inspire you about the resurrection of our Lord?
Regents 8th-12th graders won top awards in the 2012-13 Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, which included public and private schools such as Austin High, St. Stephens, and Westlake. Out of the 15,000 entries at the national level, only four 8th grade artists from Texas were selected as Gold Medalists and two were from Regents.
Last weekend I was reminded of how much some of us love speed. On Saturday a friend took me and my son Ryan to the COTA F1 track to enjoy some races. What a blast! The sounds brought back memories of pushing my Hot Wheels back and forth, wishing my 4 inch Shelby Cobra would grow exponentially into a car I could drive.
Did you know that the Regents Boys and Girls Swim Team won the overall combined score championship at the TAPPS Division II state swim meet last Friday in San Antonio? This was a remarkable accomplishment for only 6 boys and 5 girls from Regents who, like our other sports, moved to a more competitive TAPPS division this year.
Since 2007, Regents has been the home of Pack/Troop 25. We are thankful for their presence at Regents. Today's article highlights an act of service by Troop 25 after the death of a retired United States Navy SEAL and true American hero, Chris Kyle. John Childers, Scoutmaster of Troop 25, is the guest writer.
Friends, I have written often in my "Word from the Head" articles that February is the hardest and most emotionally draining time of a school year for students, teachers, and parents. It's a documented fact, and this year is no exception.
What happened in 1961 that won't occur again for another 4048 years? Both years can be read upside down. The year 6009 is a long way away, but time does fly. It seems like yesterday that thoughts and resolutions were crossing our minds for the New Year. And here we are on the cusp of February 1, providing you with the Regents 2013-14 Holiday & Event Calendar.
This week's article addresses Social Media by Craig Doerksen, our Head of School of Rhetoric. I've invited Mr. Doerksen and Dr. Peterson to speak at Dads' Lunch next week on 'Three Things a Father Needs to Know about Social Media.' I strongly encourage you to attend our Dads' Lunch at 12:00 next Thursday, January 31.
I am humbled and honored when parents make a value choice proposition to partner with the Regents community. This choice is most evident in my heart during our reenrollment and admissions season. In speaking on behalf of our board and parents, I thank you for coming alongside us each year as we mentor your children with you. That said, the value proposition of a Regents education involves your hard-earned finances as well.
"1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 18." This is a direct quote from a four-year old that was on campus today applying to our kindergarten for 2013-2014. On the opposite end of the 'childhood to adulthood' spectrum, but at the same time in the same building, ten alumni were giving college advice to our senior class.
Last Saturday over 140 Regents staff and their spouses gathered for our annual Christmas party, where we enjoyed great food and warm camaraderie. At our Christmas party in 2007, Dr. Carol Blosser graced us with her poetic skills and recited her very own "The Knights Before Christmas". She's provided us with an updated version below. It is good to know that a Ph.D. from UT whose dissertation was on Medieval Literature has the consummate skill of teen interaction every day in our SOR culture.
Handel's Messiah first premiered in Dublin 270 years ago. Since then, the piece and particularly the Hallelujah chorus rose to prominence as one of the most recognizable pieces of Western Civilization's music. Handel originally composed The Messiah as an Easter and Lent celebration, but as it caught hold of the hearts of listeners, it merged into the Christmas season. In fact, our 3rd graders are performing it next Wednesday morning.
Experimentation in the sciences brings God's created order to the forefront of the learning process. Cognition is best when a student can see, touch, feel and smell the abstract formula in its truest most concrete form. Our science teachers use labs to impose the accuracy and process of data collection whether the outcome is perfect or imperfect.
I dropped my daughter off at the airport Monday after a great Thanksgiving visit. She returned to Boston for another round of college life, and honestly, my heart was calm as I drove away from Austin-Bergstrom. Why is that?
Our K-12 Thanksgiving Chapel on Monday was a memorable one. The joy of forged bonds between our older and younger students was evident as they carried their canned goods - and each other - up the Plaza. There was a stillness and reverence among us all as the Honor Choir and Orchestra shared their talents and excellence. And, it was a special day in American history.
Our message at Chapel was: BE A COURAGEOUS SOLDIER AS WE TAKE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE TO OUR CITY.
This year we tried something new on one of our field trips. On Tuesday, our kindergartners were escorted to Crowe's Nest Farm by our 16 seniors who have been attending Regents since kindergarten. The abundance of emails and pictures I received were a powerful testimony as to the rich and blessed experience it was for all.
The pursuit of perfection battles mightily against the pursuit of excellence. Though often used synonymously in our Christian culture, the words "excellence" and "perfection" stand against one another.
A few weeks ago a friend and Regents dad asked me, "Rod, name the top concern on your mind right now so that I can pray for you." He approached me while I was wearing a construction vest and hard hat, and we were standing before mounds of moved earth that made our campus look like another planet. Given the surroundings, I think my answer surprised him.
On Monday of this week the RSNC hosted the annual Kinder in the Garden Day. It is one of the best days of the year as kindergarteners move through a variety of stations and participate in activities of the garden kind. Thanks to all the parent volunteers and our lead organizer, Tiffany Willett. You all made it a great day!
The RSNC also hosted the To Kill a Mockingbird Feast with the 8th graders and the Monk Day Luncheon with the 4th graders.
Steering Committee meeting this Friday 19th at 8:00am. Service Day Saturday 20th from 9:00am - 12:00 noon.
Questions/comments hgilliam@regents-austin.com
Mr. Acton and I found ourselves in the midst of a baby shower a few weeks ago. All of us were engulfed in a sea of gift bags, paper, cake, and snacks.
How do these older parents handle sending their teens to college? The parents look older, or at least the dads do. Wait a minute. That's me!
Children bring our Plaza to life every day. As you enter the campus this weekend for Homecoming events, you will notice two new pieces of art depicting children in a beautiful way.
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