MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

As the spirit of Summer Session sweeps across our campus, I would like to take this opportunity to say Welcome to Rawley Academy. For many of you, this will be your very first taste of life at Rawley. And I can assure you, it will prove to be an experience like no other. You may have walked through our gates expecting the best education money can buy; but by the time you walk out, you will understand that Rawley is about so much more than poetry and history, mathematics and the sciences. It is about family.

What makes Rawley such a unique family atmosphere? The answer is no single thing, but the extraordinary combination of students, faculty, lifestyle and curriculum. And it is the day-to-day interaction of all these ingredients which creates a community that is indeed special.

From the first moment you meet the students in your dormitory — your roommates and neighbors — you will begin forging friendships that last a lifetime. It doesn't matter if you come from a long line of Rawley alums turned politicians, or are here at Rawley on scholarship from our neighboring town; if you have a world-renowned entertainer for a mother, or have grown up on our campus as the son of the Dean. Each of you will grow to appreciate the fact that a person's character is shaped by more than just his background or beliefs. And invariably, you will start to see your new friends in a different way — almost like siblings — supporting each other, relying on each other, and yes, sometimes even aggravating each other. But nonetheless, there for each other throughout it all.

Much the same, you will quickly find that the educators here at Rawley are more than mere teachers who assign homework and give grades. We are as passionate about living as we are about learning, and are not afraid to step from behind the podium to take a sincere interest in the daily workings of your lives.

At Rawley, we live by an "open door" policy, and I personally invite all of you to drop by my office any time, for any reason whatsoever. With my own son now a member of the student population, you will find I am surprisingly in touch with the younger generation and I am always available, whether you seek advice, companionship, or just a partner for a good game of squash.

And so, I leave you all with this: As you wind your way through this Summer Session, and through the rest of your time at Rawley Academy, make the most of the education you will receive. But remember – you are not on this journey alone. I am here for you. We are all here for each other. We are indeed the Rawley Family.