From the Desk Of Dr. Autumn A. Graves

Dear Saints,

Each day, the line between what we are accustomed to imagining as “the future” and what we know to be a present possibility blurs a little more. It’s starting to paint a picture of what may lie ahead for our students. The predictions are bold, and they demand our attention. In my last “Autumn Views,” I talked about a prediction that by 2040, artificial intelligence is projected to master social and emotional reasoning. Pondering the near future, might gene editing allow the average person to prevent today’s incurable diseases? What ethical or societal considerations would we need to consider to make that technology accessible? What new critical thinking and civil discourse skills are needed with the rapid rate of disinformation, deep fakes, and widening ideological divides? How should education change to prepare students to thrive in a gig economy where 50% of all workers are freelancers? And amid all these projections of a connected world, a paradox emerges — a world seemingly more interconnected but plagued by rising loneliness.

I choose to approach the future with faith and not fear. As head of school, however, I grapple with how to best prepare our students for the unknown challenges and opportunities that will greet them upon graduation. As a parent, I reflect on the core habits and practices necessary to empower my children to hopefully become exemplary citizens and visionary leaders. One conclusion I have reached with certainty is that our founding headmistress, Mary Hyde DuVal, had it correct back in the 1910s when she stated that the core mission of a St. Anne’s education is for our students to become “strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.”

And I am wondering, with increasing frequency, if an additional key to future proofing our children lies in cultivating curiosity.

Schools like St. Anne’s-Belfield are called upon to be architects of community, fostering relationships that will serve as the foundation for navigating a changing world. It’s not just about academic excellence, but about instilling a curiosity practice, enabling students to take risks, learn from failures, and thrive in discomfort. In this issue, you will notice examples of how we are teaching students to collaborate for meaningful impact, and cultivate their passions. You’ll find examples of how a Saints education prepares students starting from our youngest learners, with lessons lasting far beyond graduation. You’ll note markers of student belonging and connectedness, and ways we support parents/guardians in their journeys, too.

In this ever-evolving landscape, the importance of creativity, collaboration, and cultural competencies cannot be overstated. As we look to kick-off a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the merger of the St. Anne’s School and Belfield School this April, we’ll be celebrating our shared history while also contemplating what our school needs to become to prepare students for the challenges of the next 50 years and beyond. As we embark on this journey into the future together, it’s clear that our School is poised to continue as a vibrant hub that nurtures curiosity, fosters resilience, and equips students with the confidence and skills to navigate an unpredictable world.

With a spirit of curiosity,

Dr. Autumn A. Graves, P. ’33, ’35 Head of School