REVERENCE FOR GOD AND THE HUMAN PERSON
RESPECT FOR LEARNING AND ORDER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHARED EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY LIFE

This is part of an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School's constituents.  Current parents, alumni/ae, past parents and friends have all expressed an interest in hearing more about our school, more often.  It is meant to be one element among a number of activities designed to keep you better informed about the School, the Monastery and our community.

College Counseling: There is a great deal of activity in the College Counseling Office as we complete the application process for our Sixth Form students and begin working with the Fifth Formers.  As of mid-January, Students have been accepted to the following colleges: Boston College (4), Brown University, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Connecticut College, University of Connecticut, Emmanuel College, Fairfield University, Fordham University (2), Georgetown University, Gettysburg College, Hamilton College (2), Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Holy Cross, Loyola University Chicago, Lynn University, University of Miami, Ohio University, Providence College (2), University of Rhode Island (5), Saint Anselm College (2), Syracuse University, The University of Tampa, Utica College, Valdosta State University, University of Vermont (3), Williams College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Yale University. Please visit the College Counseling pages of the website for more information.

Portsmouth Abbey School on the Road: The Office of Development & Alumni Affairs invites you to join us at one of our upcoming receptions for alumni, parents and friends. On January 31^st Jim and Barbara Baisley and Paul '87 and Susan Baisley will host a reception at Gibson's Steakhouse in Chicago. On February 5^th Eric '85 and Kelly Tassell, Miguel Hidalgo and Rausdha Cachoa P '06, '09 will host a brunch at the Brockton Villa Restaurant in La Jolla, CA. On February 7^th Bing '87 and Angela Howenstein and Jon Kuyper '85 will host a cocktail reception at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. On February 9^th Jim '65 and Therese Sturdevant will host a cocktail reception at Palio D'Asti in San Francisco. Finally, on February 12^th there will be a brunch at Salty's on Alki in Seattle, WA. For more information regarding upcoming events or to register please visit the Events Page of the school Website. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Alumni Speak to Irish History Seminar: Niamh Bohan '03 and Matt Hunt '05 visited campus this month to share their personal insight into the transition from Portsmouth Abbey School to Boston College with all interested students. Both alumni are taking courses within the Irish Studies program at BC, so also used this opportunity to speak to the Irish History Seminar about the detail of the program, summer language work in Ireland, how to choose college courses and teachers, and, most interestingly, where they see this program leading them in the future. Attending students and faculty member, Bowen Smith, asked many and varied questions of the visitors, who spoke passionately and knowledgeably about all things Irish - from the music, to the politics, to the nuances of conducting business in Ireland. Thank you Niamh and Matt!For news of all upcoming events on campus, please visit the online School Calendar.

Dom Luke Childs Lecture: Roseanne Haggerty, Founder and Executive Director of Common Ground, a non-profit housing and community development organization whose mission is to solve homelessness, delivered the third Dom Luke Childs lecture to the School community on January 13^th. Haggerty, a commencement speaker for Portsmouth Abbey School in 2001, is a New York real estate entrepreneur who, through Common Ground, restores hotels and other residences, making them available to low-income and homeless people. In 2001 she received a MacArthur 'Genius Award' for her accomplishments. The subject of Haggerty's lecture was "Rethinking Homelessness" and her message was surprising and optimistic: "It is solvable." She left the audience with some food for thought. "I hope that you all will be attentive to this issue and see it as a wining proposition. There are solutions here. It does not need to be this way." Visit the News Pages of our website for more information. Visit the online photo galleries to see pictures of this event.

Dom Gregory Havill, O.S.B to Take Solemn Vows: Please keep Brother Gregory in your prayers as he makes his solemn profession to the Abbey of Saint Gregory the Great this February. Brother Gregory became a novice at the Abbey in 2002 after a 30-year career as a sculptor with works in collections in North and South America, Europe and the Near East. He teaches art and has become a much-loved and valued member of our School community.

New Artwork Arrives on Campus: The Class Gift of 2005 was presented to Dom Damian Kearney upon his retirement from 52 years of teaching, at last summer's Commencement. Father Damian's chosen piece was installed on campus this week, to much joy, as the perfect focal point and daily reminder of our Benedictine heritage. On the lawn between the Administration Building and the Dining Hall, sits a well-head that came from a Newport mansion 50 years ago, by way of Venice, and ancient Constantinople. The only similar piece in the area is on the grounds of Blithewold in Bristol. The Blithewold well-head includes the over-throw, as it should, and this was the inspiration behind Father Damian's choice. Artist Bob Kluge created and installed an iron over-throw that is a sculpture of two parts: depicted in the piece are the Raven and the Benedictine Cross. Father Damian addressed the entire School community to introduce the piece, and spoke of how Benedict's Raven is "helpful, considerate, dependable and faithful" and so this sculpture not only will become part of the Benedictine heritage of art collection, but will act as a visible symbol of what makes our School unique. You can see pictures of this addition to the campus in the Online Photo Galleries.

Athletics: Over Christmas vacation Girls' Varsity Basketball traveled to South Hamilton, MA, for the Annual Pingree School Holiday Tournament. The girls fell to Tilton School in the first round but bounced back to defeat Berwick Academy in the consolation game, where Katie Chiumento '07 and captain Sade Solola '06 contributed significantly on offense. The Boys' Varsity Basketball team traveled to Middlesex School in Concord, MA for their annual holiday tournament. The team had exciting victories over Kents Hill and host school, Middlesex. Steve McClintic '06 was awarded Most Valuable Player for the entire tournament. Visit the Athletics Pages of the School Website for the most up-to-date results and game highlights.

Boy's Hockey Team off to Great Start: The Boys' Varsity Hockey Team is off to the best start in school history with a record of 8-2.  Bryan Kriner '07 has led the way offensively for the third straight season scoring an astounding 32 points. Bryan Abraham '08 holds the team record for five game-winning goals. The team has remarkably improved its offensive production over the year, and four newcomers to the front line have made tremendous contributions to this improvement as well. On defense, captains Joe Queno '06 and Kyle Biddick '06 have led a six-deep defensive corps.  Between the pipes, the combination of Chris O'Reilly '07 and Andrew Post '08 has combined for an excellent save percentage of .920.  O'Reilly shut out New Hampton 2-0 with 20 saves in the team's most recent game. The success of the team can be attributed to great team chemistry which combines a potent offense, veteran leadership on defense and truly outstanding goaltending. Visit the Athletics Pages of the School Website to see what happens next for this team. 

Admissions: On Sunday, January 15, Whitney and Bob Bauer, parents of Merritt '09,  graciously hosted an Admissions reception for prospective students from the greater Aquidneck Island area. Mary Johnstone, mother of Rachel ' 06 and Maggie '09 and Tish Behan, mother of Michael '08, helped welcome over 100 guests to the Bauer home. The families had the opportunity to meet current parents, students and faculty in a comfortable and informal afternoon setting. Headmaster Dr. Jim De Vecchi, along with Head Boy Conor Collins '06, addressed the guests and offered their perspective on what makes Portsmouth Abbey School a unique community. For more Admissions information check out the Admissions Page on the Schools Website.

Reminder: As a yearly fund-raiser, Fifth and Sixth Form students organize a raffle to benefit the Appalachia Service Project.  The money raised pays for transportation to and from Chavies, Kentucky, where twenty students spend a week of March Break repairing damaged houses.  Raffle prizes include a round of golf at Carnegie Abbey for 4 people and assorted restaurant and store gift certificates.  The drawing will be held in February.  Single tickets cost $10 or buy three for $25.  Visit the School Store Online today and buy tickets to allow our students give their time to this great cause. Thank you in advance for your support!

Mark Your Calendars: The Fifth Form weekend is approaching quickly. This year's Fifth Form Weekend will be held February 10^th-11^th.  This weekend will also incorporate the annual Fifth Form College Seminar. The Friday evening program will include dinner, a presentation about the college counseling resources and the college application process specific to Portsmouth Abbey students. On Saturday morning Seth Allen, Dean of Admission at Dickinson College and Mary French, Associate Director of Admission at Boston College will discuss the broader world of college admissions. We hope that all Fifth Form families will join us for this very important event. For more events, listings and news, visit the School Calendar online.

Be on the Lookout: The Winter 2006 Bulletin will be in the Mail shortly. This winter's bulletin will feature Portsmouth Abbey's art community. Be sure to check it out! Then let us know what you think by e-mailing the Communications Office.

Answer to the December Question of the Month: What is the oldest structure on campus? Answer: The oldest building on campus is the Anthony farmhouse which was built in 1745. It was used during the Revolutionary War for billeting Hessian soldiers, and as the headquarters of the English general at the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. This battle was reenacted on school property to commemorate its bicentennial. Today the Anthony House is home to Derek Gittus, history teacher at Portsmouth Abbey.

January's Question: Who was the last monk to make his solemn profession to the Abbey of Saint Gregory the Great, and when? Please e-mail answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org.

If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please contact the Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.

Kathy Heydt Director of Communications

Nicky Piper Asst. Director of Communications

For all issues related to the School, please contact Tony Klemmer at tklemmer@portsmouthabbey.org or Jim De Vecchi at jdevecchi@portsmouthabbey.org at any time. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

Tony Klemmer '73 Assistant Headmaster External Affairs

Jim De Vecchi Headmaster