First Day Ceremonies: Tradition & Togetherness

After members of the Class of 2024 processed hand-in-hand with first graders into Dann Gymnasium on Edwards Campus — a longtime First Day tradition — Head of School Thomas W. Philip opened Brunswick’s 121st year by addressing the faculty and student body. 

Philip’s message at the ceremony focused on the word “together.”

“It’s an important word at Brunswick and in the world at large: We’re all in this together,” he said. 

“Many of us know each other really well, and for those who don’t, we will soon get to know each other well,” he noted. “But even though we are each different individuals, we will likely discover that we have a great deal more in common with one another than we don’t. And most significantly, we will all grow to appreciate that together we represent and serve Brunswick School.”

Philip also shared a few of the key things for which Brunswick School stands — and, in contrast — a few of the things for which Brunswick School stands against.
What Brunswick Stands For

“Those are a great many words and concepts,” Philip said. “But I’ve found over the years that a community can’t really move ahead unless there is a shared sense of where you would like to be heading.

“Having a sense of what we want to do together and what we want to be together will help us work hard to get there.”