Time with Tony - 8/21/26

 

For about 30% of our families, this is your first experience with a Friends school, so I want to begin by saying that you do not need to know all the language or traditions right away. Quaker education grew from the belief, championed by George Fox, that there is something of God, or an Inner Light, in every person. William Penn helped bring those ideas into public life, and his vision contributed to the founding of Penn Charter School in 1689. From the beginning, Quaker education has connected strong academics with reflection, character, community, and a responsibility to make the world better.

When we talk about the history of Quakerism, we also need to talk about Margaret Fell. She was not simply a supporter of George Fox; she was one of the movement’s strongest leaders and its clearest early voices for inclusion. Her home became a gathering place for Friends, and her writing made the case that women had the same spiritual authority as men. Margaret Fell reminds us that if we truly believe there is “that of God” in everyone, then everyone must be welcomed, heard, and valued.

In schools we often reflect on the Quaker values through SPICES: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. That acronym is a helpful starting point, but these ideas are much deeper than a list to memorize. They are questions we keep asking throughout our lives: How do we treat people fairly? What does peace look like when we disagree? How do we tell the truth, care for our community, and take responsibility for the world around us?

For me, the heart of Quakerism is Continuing Revelation, the idea that we are never finished learning and that our understanding can continue to grow. It asks us to listen carefully, stay open to new insight, and be willing to change when we learn something important. As Head of School, that belief matters deeply to me. I do not think leadership means having every answer. It means listening to students, families, faculty, staff, and trustees; seeking wisdom together; and being willing to acknowledge when we need to do something differently.

That kind of education feels especially important right now. We are living in a time when people are often targeted or divided because of the color of their skin, their religion, or their ethnicity. Quaker education gives us a way to push back against that hatred, not by avoiding hard conversations, but by teaching students to listen, think deeply, pursue justice, and see the humanity in one another. At its best, Quaker education helps us disagree without losing respect, live our values with courage, and create a community where every person truly belongs.

Locally, Wilmington Friends Meeting gathers every Sunday at 10am at the Meeting House on the corner of 5th St. and Chestnut St. Everyone is always welcome.