By Felix O. ‘25
In the world of education, few leaders leave as indelible a mark as Mr. Mansfield has on Halcyon. His tenure, marked by a commitment to fostering a nurturing and human-centred environment, has seen the school through significant milestones and challenges. From guiding the first graduating class to navigating the complexities of global events like Brexit and the pandemic, Mr. Mansfield’s leadership has been both steady and visionary. As he began preparations to pass the torch after the 2024/2025 school year, he sat down to share his thoughts on his journey, his achievements, and his hopes for Halcyon’s future.
Legacy and Impact
When asked about his legacy, Mr. Mansfield emphasised the collective journey of the school.
“It’s not about me as a person,” he said. “It’s about the journey as a school to where we are.”
He named “mentoring, coaching conversations, and all those well-being elements” as part of the school’s journey he’s most proud to have supported.
Standout Moments and Achievements
Reflecting on his time at Halcyon, Mr. Mansfield recalled standout moments and achievements that have defined his tenure. One such memory is of the school’s first graduating class.
“We only had 8 kids,” he said, “all girls, and they all did biology, and they all did visual arts. It’s those kinds of ‘milestone’ things you remember.”
He also highlighted a recent milestone.
“Last year, we had our first alumni speaker at graduation, and that was two girls from that class, 2017, because they’re now old enough to have left university and be out in the real world.”
Vision for Halcyon’s Future
Mr. Mansfield expressed hopes and predictions for Halcyon’s future growth amidst challenges, like Brexit, the pandemic, and additional fee charges on private schools.
“I hope that we survive all of those things and move forward.”
When discussing his vision for Halcyon’s future and what he sees as critical for its development, Mr. Mansfield stressed the importance of maintaining a ‘human centre’, and the ‘small school’ feeling.
He remarked that: “Once you get beyond a certain number of students, you lose that ‘human centre’ and you have to have those ‘rules and regulations’,” he said. “[That’s] not us, it’s not Halcyon.”
Core Values
At the heart of Halcyon’s culture, according to Mr. Mansfield, is a focus on being human-centred and prioritising learning.
“At Halcyon, it’s important that the ‘human-centred’ part of it is maintained.”
“It will always be about human beings, and it will always be about learning,” he said. “We make decisions based on what’s best for the kids.”
Cherished Relationships
Mr. Mansfield also reflected fondly on the relationships he built at Halcyon.
“It’s about relationships, that’s kind of the ‘meta thing’,” he said “Being known to everybody, being vulnerable and human to people. Relationships, that’s what it’s all about.”
He added, “The work we do, all the mentoring work, all those pieces come together, and I think we have quite a calm and cohesive group.”
He concluded with: “You can have a sense of belonging in a place like that because you have that confidence and those relationships.”
Hopes for the New Director
Looking forward, Mr. Mansfield hopes the new director will continue to grow the school while preserving its unique culture.
This interview was conducted before the Board appointed the next director, Jeff Lippman, on June 18th 2024. Mr. Mansfield, at the time of the interview, expressed his best wishes for the transition.
“I just hope that they take things onboard. That they can grow the school. It’s such a beautiful school, it’s a lovely place to be, so just… come in, look after it, take it forward.”
He further expressed that “whoever comes in is new; they’ll have their own stamp, they’ll want to do something that expresses some of their values, but I just wish them well.”
Parting Message
As he transitions from his role, Mr. Mansfield shared a heartfelt message with the Halcyon community.
He said, “I think that people just need to have faith in the enterprise. To have faith in what we do, you know? It’s not just about me, I may occupy the role of ‘director’, but we’re really a collaborative space.… with Mrs. Fritz, Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Harvey, Ms. Marshall, Ms. Stoneman, and others who contribute every day.”
“This is a great, great school,” he said, “and we’ve got great people here, and all it is is a transition.”
As Mr. Mansfield prepares to leave Halcyon, his contributions and the relationships he has fostered will continue to shape the school’s journey. Under his leadership, Halcyon has grown not just in size but in spirit, fostering a community where learning and compassion go hand in hand. The upcoming transition marks a new chapter for Halcyon, with Mr. Jeff Lippman stepping in as the new director. The foundation laid by Mr. Mansfield ensures that the school is well-prepared for the future, poised to build on its strengths and continue its tradition of excellence. As the Halcyon community bids farewell to Mr. Mansfield, his legacy of kindness, dedication, and human-centred leadership will undoubtedly endure.
The Halcyonite 
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