June updates for Mayfield’s Head of School Transition
Dear Mayfield Senior School Community,
Firstly, thank you to everyone who joined us for recent celebratory events, whether it be the Mother Daughter Mass & Brunch, Baccalaureate Mass or the Commencement Ceremony of the Class of 2023—in person or over livestream. It was a beautiful graduation weekend, celebrating the accomplishments of this unforgettable class, with Kate Morin presiding over her eighth and final Mayfield commencement ceremony. And although Baccalaureate Mass focused mainly on the many gifts of our recently graduated class, there was a special surprise for Kate too. The Board of Trustees voted to make Kate an honorary alum of Mayfield Senior School, the first Head of School to receive this distinction. Kate was very touched and looks forward to hosting events in her home in Maryland for her “fellow alums.”
We are now eagerly anticipating Laura Farrell taking the official title of Head of School on July 1, 2023. With the big day approaching, it has given us a chance to reflect on what a momentous year it has been for our community.
As you might remember, at this time last year, Kate Morin announced her impending retirement and the Board of Trustees formed the Head of School Search Committee, enlisting the help of the executive search firm RG175. We asked our community members to complete our Head of School Search Survey, to share your opinions about the current state of Mayfield Senior School, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and the professional and personal qualities you felt were important in the next Head of School. By October, we had narrowed the Head of School search to two incredible candidates, and after wonderful forums and feedback from our community, in late-November, we announced the selection of Laura Farrell as the next leader for our beloved school. The Head of School transition work began in earnest in January, launching the small Transition Committee and forming two robust subcommittees, one focused on Kate Morin's retirement, and the other on Laura Farrell's welcome.
We are delighted to report that all of these transition plans exceeded our expectations! Kate Morin has been an indelible leader for the school, and we’ve been celebrating her tenure at multiple events, with heartfelt gratitude. If you haven’t picked up a copy of her cookbook or watched her tribute video, we encourage you to do so.
At the same time, Laura Farrell was able to visit campus on multiple occasions, attending performances, the annual gala, meeting with faculty, staff, students, families and Board members, and was also able to join in the “New Cub” event with the incoming students of the Class of 2027. Laura and her family made the move from Pennsylvania to California last month, and she found a beautiful home, mere minutes away from campus. Over the summer, Laura is excited to continue to acquaint herself with this area and our community. And the special collegiality being shared between Kate Morin and Laura Farrell over these past few months has been so inspiring to witness, a testament to the joy and strength of our Holy Child values, ensuring a seamless transition to this important role.
In this season of change, we are also pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees voted Jane Collins Hawley ‘86 as the new Board Chair, with a July 1 start date as well. As you may know, Jane has already been serving as Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Search Committee and Chair of the Transition Committee. Since Laura’s selection late last year, Jane has been in regular contact with her, and they have been building a strong and effective Board Chair/Head of School partnership that will only continue to flourish.
Finally, we thank you again for being part of the Head of School selection and transition process. If you have any questions or comments about the transition, we remind you that you can always access the members of the Transition Team at MSSHOStransition@mayfieldsenior.org.
Most sincerely,
Incoming Chair, Board of Trustees
Chair, Head of School Transition Committee
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
