School of the Holy Child Appoints New Head of School

Thank you to the School of the Holy Child for sending this information.  

 School of the Holy Child’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of William C. Hambleton, Ed.D. as Holy Child’s next head of school, effective July 1, 2013. Dr. Hambleton will be the 20th head of school since Holy Child’s 1904 founding as St. Walburga’s Academy in New York City, and the 8th Head since relocating to its current Westchester campus in 1957.

In making the announcement, Chair of the Board Alfred F. Kelly Jr., said, “Throughout the interview process, Dr. Hambleton impressed our community with his academic credentials and impressive experience, enthusiasm and passion for Catholic, independent and single-sex education. He is a proven leader whose educational vision resonates deeply with our mission and school community.” 

The appointment follows a national search launched last May after current Head of School Ann F. Sullivan announced her retirement. Search Committee Co-Chairs, Joe Kennedy and Roseann McSorley, also current parents and members of the Board of Trustees, remarked on the critical importance of engaging the entire school community—faculty, students, parents and alumnae—throughout the search process. “The community’s feedback was invaluable, clearly directed our thinking, and informed our decision to select Bill as Holy Child’s next great leader.”

Currently the President of La Salle Academy, a private all-boys Catholic high school in New York City, Dr. Hambleton has deep roots in education.  Previously he was principal of the Madeleine Choir School in Salt Lake City and, before that, principal of St. Dunstan School in Millbrae, California. From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Hambleton served as the director of campus ministry at Saint Mary’s College, Rome campus.

 “School of the Holy Child rivals any independent or Catholic school I know in its depth of programs and quality of opportunities for young women,” writes Dr. Hambleton in his first letter to the Holy Child Community.  “I am profoundly grateful to current Head of School Ann Sullivan for her leadership over the last fourteen years.  Her incredible work has paved the way for a smooth transition, and I hope that my work will honor her legacy.”

“Bill Hambleton is an excellent choice as Head of School,” says Mrs. Sullivan, who will relocate to New York City next summer.  “He has impressive academic credentials and his most recent experience with under-served students at Manhattan’s LaSalle Academy demonstrates a commitment to mission-based education.  He will benefit from an outstanding faculty, staff and administration.  I look forward to working together on a smooth transition and foresee very bright days ahead for School of the Holy Child.”

Dr. Hambleton is a graduate of The Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and his Educational Doctorate is from the University of San Francisco. He has also studied at The Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology.  A resident of Greenwich, CT, Dr. Hambleton is a former member of the Representative Town Meeting, and a member of St. Michael The Archangel Parish.

About School of the Holy Child

School of the Holy Child in Rye, NY, established in 1904, is an all-girls, Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for grades 5-12. The School is guided by the educational philosophy of Cornelia Connelly, the founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and her dedication to developing “young women of conscience and action.” At Holy Child, accomplished and dedicated faculty members foster the spiritual development, individual talents and interests of each student. This is realized through rigorous and comprehensive academic, arts, athletics, service and global programs. The School currently enrolls students from communities in Westchester, Fairfield, Putnam, New York and Bronx Counties. For more information about the School, contact (914) 967-5622 or visit www.holychildrye.org.