Welcome

Laurie Lambert, a visionary leader focused on helping students grow and succeed, was installed as the 10th head of school at Stoneleigh-Burnham School on October 21, 2023. Speakers at the ceremony praised her commitment to community, diversity, and growth.

As noted by Mary Maloney, who welcomed Lambert to the community on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Lambert has already implemented a number of new initiatives at Stoneleigh-Burnham, including a house system ("Go Cressler!") and the Wingspan Program that will focus on academic inquiry, creative collaboration, personal reflection, and real-world experience.

Speakers included Barbara Mayo Llewellyn ’69 Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, who gave the opening welcome remarks, Stella '24, delivered the welcome from the student body, and Deborah Schultz and Hannah Richards P ’25, representing the staff and faculty welcomed Lambert to the School.

Deb Schultz, a former colleague of Lambert's from The Winchendon School and current staff member at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, spoke at the ceremony and praised Lambert's adaptability, resilience, courage, trustworthiness, and joyfulness. Schultz said that Lambert brings her playful attitude with her everywhere she goes and that she does everything with "joy and an authentic love for this school."

After a swinging musical interlude from the Stoneleigh-Burnham School Jazz Ensemble, Mary Maloney, '69 and Chair of the Board of Trustees gave the Board of Trustees address. In her introduction of Laurie as the new Head of School at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, guest speaker, Rachel E. Stone, Head of School, at Canterbury School spoke of the early days of her and Laurie's careers at Blair Academy in New Jersey. "We were immersed in a community of educators that embraced a handful of simple yet significant guiding principles: Be present. 
Be willing to wear many hats and to learn along the way (say yes!). Be a student-centered adult. Hold fast to your moral compass. 
Communicate. Enjoy the students!"

Stone continued, "When Laurie and I connected earlier this fall, her heart was full when she spoke about being a female head and serving a girls' school. It is a powerful opportunity to inspire, support, and advance the voices of these talented young women, the next generation of learners and leaders. Indeed, this is a perfect partnership. "

In her own speech, Laurie encouraged the students to listen for that 'click' inside themselves, "my feeling of being in the right place has only grown. Listening for that “click” inside yourself is so important, students. It has never steered me wrong. Last year, I knew I had made the right choice when I listened to StuCo talk about their goals for the year ahead, when I watched more than half the school in Once Upon a Mattress, and when I listened to Alex Loud give his witty and unique take on a commencement speech."

Watch the full ceremony below.