The 2023-24 academic year is officially underway. Head of School Peter Becker ’95 delivered his inaugural Convocation address to the Taft community to kick off the school year Thursday, September 7.

In his address, Becker identified three shifts each student should embrace during their time at Taft: a shift from xenophobia to philoxenia; from serving self to serving others; and from drive to healthy drive. Each, he notes, requires “intention and conscious work,” which may be facilitated by five “moves” or mindset shifts: learning how to learn; developing tools and skills to manage stress; unlocking the wisdom of our community; using screens and technology well; and taking good risks.

Watch the full address below.