Incoming Head of School Matt Glendinning Visits Hopkins 

On Wednesday, December 8, recently announced 110th Head of School, Matt Glendinning, came to Hopkins to personally introduce himself to students, faculty, and staff. Wednesday wasn’t the first time Matt had been on campus as he visited during the Head of School search process and also to film his welcome video, but this time he was given a taste of the full Hopkins experience. 

Matt’s day began with a school lunch in Heath Commons where he was joined by his wife Katherine and members of the Hopkins Committee of Trustees. Throughout his meal, students, faculty, and staff members popped over to his table to introduce themselves. Matt, who says he has been studying the Hopkins 2021/2022 Facebook with hopes of learning each and every name, has encouraged all members of the Hopkins community to say hello whenever they see him.

The main event of the day was an assembly in the Athletic Center which gave Matt the opportunity to address the full school for the first time. Vince Calarco, President of the Hopkins Committee of Trustees, began the assembly by publicly thanking current Head of School, Kai Bynum, for his work since joining Hopkins in 2016. This moment was met by thunderous applause from the audience. Vince then introduced Matt who delivered a welcome speech that highlighted his educational background, his teaching and leadership experience, as well as his personal interests. Matt expressed his excitement to join Hopkins and shared his passion for the work that lies ahead. Following the speech, Matt took questions from students who pressed him on subjects like environmental sustainability, gender inclusion, and why he chose Hopkins as his next professional home. 

“You all sound like the Search Committee,” Matt joked as a way of complimenting the quality of questions he received from students. After the assembly, Matt was surrounded by students who eagerly welcomed him and shared their congratulations. 

During a faculty/staff meeting that followed the assembly, Matt was presented with a handmade maroon and gray Hopkins scarf which was created by members of the faculty as a welcome gift and in appreciation of his viral snow day video produced at Moses Brown School. Upon opening the gift, Matt quickly threw the scarf around his neck to the delight of the crowd. 

While snow fell around campus, Matt’s day concluded with a student-led tour of Hopkins where he was able to hear more about the School’s history and fun facts. 

Click here to enjoy a photo gallery of Matt’s visit.
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Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.