After spending half a year getting to know the people and culture of Malvern, the new Head of School looks to the future.

Father Donald Reilly, O.S.A. has now been the Head of School of Malvern Prep for well over six months. As he begins to settle in, his eyes are looking down the road to see what’s ahead for Malvern.

One change that Malvern students often see each year is a new schedule. Reilly has one idea relating to the schedule. He believes that spending more time in the chapel will help the students connect with one another on a more personal basis.

[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I would like a discussion around the possibility of that [dress code changes] happening without it being a burden.”

-Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A.

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“Next year we are going to hopefully start off every day in the chapel for a brief moment of silence,” Reilly said. “[It will be] a time to reflect and to be present to yourself with everybody being there and begin the day.”

Reilly believes starting off the day with a moment of silence will also allow students to perform better in school as well.

“It’s not only good for behavior–learning to respond rather than to react–it also enhances the learning ability of the brain,” Reilly said. “You’re less vigilant, you’re more relaxed and you’re more receptive to take in information. I’m looking forward for that happening.”

Plans for the new schedule will also allow students to hopefully lead some of the mornings in the chapel.

“Eventually probably by January, if we’re lucky and everything goes the way we hope, it can be student-led,” Reilly said. “It’ll be call to order which might be, get into a certain posture, focus yourself on the now, might be a word or two shared. It’s helpful spiritually and psychologically.”

In addition to schedule changes, Reilly plans to investigate some changes to the dress code.

“I would like a discussion around the possibility of that [dress code changes] happening without it being a burden,” he said. “I don’t want students to feel that it’s, ‘oh, I have to put on a tie again.”

Reilly said he has not yet defined these dress code changes.

“I need to do it in consultation with the students and the faculty,” he said. “We’ll see how it turns out.”

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“A student is one way when you’re teaching and a completely other phenomenon outside of the classroom. I love that.”

-Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A.

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In addition to looking down the road, Reilly is also reflecting upon his Malvern experience so far.

“This year so far, in a good way, has been busy,” Reilly said. “I’ve enjoyed it while trying to get to as many things as I can. Just to get a feeling for it, get my arms around it and kind of understand the culture and the people.”

Reilly says that part of adjusting to the shift revolves around getting to know the people and the Augustinian culture on Malvern’s campus.

“The whole community has been very gracious and very hospitable,” Reilly said. “It’s a matter of getting familiar with the Augustinian community, my colleagues, members of the board and to just assess where some of the needs might be that are available to us in education.”

Reilly has also been making an effort to carry on a practice he did at St. Augustine Prep to at Malvern: learning the students’ names and stories.

“Get to know the names of the students. Get to know them,” Reilly said. “A student is one way when you’re teaching and a completely other phenomenon outside of the classroom. I love that.”

While Reilly continues to build relationships in the Malvern community, he wants to make sure he is putting students on the top of his priorities.

“I want the students to enjoy each other, to recognize the gift they have when they are with each other, the influence they can have on each other’s life,” Reilly said. “Just paying attention to what the students need. I’m looking forward to next year.”