A Message from the new Headmaster
Alex Zequeira officially begins his service at Saint John's on July 1.
A Message from Alex Zequeira
My first opportunity to learn about Saint John’s High School was through two graduates from the class of 1990 who brought me onto campus in the spring of 1992. We all lived in the same dorm hall at the College of the Holy Cross, and it was clear from my conversations with them and our visit to campus, that their four years at Saint John’s was a transformative time in their lives.
When my wife and I moved to the Worcester area in 2011, our oldest was in 5th grade. Though high school was still four years away, we both knew we wanted him to be a Saint John’s man.
From Temple Street in Worcester to Main Street in Shrewsbury, for nearly 120 years, the experience of the Saint John’s man has remained rooted in the charism and values of the Xaverian Brothers – humility, simplicity, zeal, compassion, and trust. As a parent first, and now as the school’s 18th headmaster, I see it every day in the important and enduring relationships that are fostered in this caring community. It is a place where students are known and valued.
I also see a true community – one that gathers to celebrate the Pioneer tradition, but that also stands by each other in times of great need.
It is a community that is inclusive - a place for everyone who is willing to work hard and commit to doing good and being good.
It is community with an amazingly talented and hard working faculty and staff, who are committed to educating the whole person.
It is a community that understands that we are all children of God who are given unique gifts and talents where students are pushed to explore those and develop those – not just for themselves, but for a better community and a better world.
It is a community steeped in a tradition of excellence in program – spiritual, academic, artistic, athletic – and with faculty experts and the facilities that provide a space where students can thrive in those areas.
It is a community that will challenge – and with that challenge comes authentic success and the opportunity to fail in a place with people who help pick you up and be ready to meet that next challenge.
If you are new to the Saint John’s community, I invite you to learn more about us – about the history and tradition of excellence with a vision to the future and the goal of educating young men to reach their fullest potential. If you are already a member of the Saint John’s community, I invite you to stop by and see how much the school has grown and changed over the last two decades. I think you will be amazed by what you see and hear.
I look forward to seeing you soon at Saint John’s High School.
Alex Zequeira
Headmaster
Office Hours
In an email shared with members of the Saint John's community, Alex announced his summer "office hours" and encouraged alumni, parents, students, and friends of the school to drop by and share their Saint John's Story. The following is an excerpt from that letter:
Our community – students, parents, alumni, staff, teachers, administrators, benefactors, and supporters – is clearly the “most gifted area” of our life as a school, and it is through our collaboration and sharing that we can continue to unleash our Catholic and Xaverian mission and our Pioneer spirit. I am humbled and blessed to be asked to serve you as headmaster, and I need your help.
As I have met our community in a more formal way over the last few months, my message has been a simple one: that I have a great deal to learn about everyone’s “Saint John’s Story.” We all have one, and while it is unique to each of us, there is a common spirit of love and commitment to the transformative nature of being connected to the school. One of my goals as I enter into my new role at Saint John’s is to hear your “Saint John’s story,” and what better time to do that than now.To that end, starting July 5, I have scheduled “office hours” from 3:00-5:00pm every Tuesday in order to make myself available to anyone in our community (and beyond) who wants to come and share their story with me. I invite you to stop in and visit – and while my door will always be open to all members of the community, this time is set-aside specifically for you and your story. To schedule an appointment, please contact Beth Hayden, Executive Assistant to the Headmaster, at bhayden@stjohnshigh.org or at 508.842.8934, ext. 268. If you cannot make it onto campus, please feel free to e-mail me or call with your story or anything else that will help me understand more about Saint John’s and our community. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
