Report from the Board of Regents Chair

From The Board Of Regents Chair

I write to you as the School celebrates the opening of our 96th academic year. With 338 students representing 18 countries and 21 states, we are enjoying a robust enrollment as well as our highest number of boarding students in the last five years. With the term fully underway and in-person, I am thrilled to share the news that Portsmouth Abbey School is bustling with the hum of busy students attending classes, competing in athletics, dining in Stillman, worshiping in the Church of St. Gregory the Great, and gathering in their dormitories making memories that will surely last a lifetime.

The Board of Regents approved and unveiled our new Mission and Vision Statement last spring, and as custodians of the Mission, it is a privilege to experience our students, faculty, and monastic community help young men and women grow in knowledge and grace supported by friendship and joy.

This year we also welcome Mr. Matthew Walter as Acting Headmaster. Many of you are familiar with Matt through his role as Assistant Headmaster for Advancement in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. Through his work, and that of his team, the School exceeded goal for the 2020-21 Annual Fund for the eighth consecutive year. In addition to this achievement, we have also grown our endowment, offered the highest financial-aid award totals in the history of the School, and increased our enrollment for the current academic year; all of this in the midst of a global pandemic!

None of this would have happened without the stalwart support of our many volunteers and donors. Your commitment to the School allowed us to steadily navigate the many challenges we faced with both faith and confidence. Looking back at last year, we learned not to take the small things for granted. As we look ahead to this year, please know how grateful we are for you and all of your continued support.

On behalf of the Board of Regents, and the entire Portsmouth Abbey community, THANK YOU!

W. Christopher Behnke ’81 P’12 ’15 ’19 Chair, Board of Regents