The Halcyonite

By Amelie ’27 and Félix ’25

Students of Halcyon played an active role in selecting and vetting our new director, but as in any case, curiosity about his leadership has only grown. To give a broader picture of Mr. Lippman, Halcyonite conducted a short interview with him, summarised in this article.

Our reporters asked him questions ranging from his own knowledge and expertise to the challenges he sees the school facing now and in the future. One of the first questions was how he would describe his leadership style and approach to conflict.

In his reply, Mr. Lippman commented on the qualities of a good leader: “They elevate other people’s voices, they make people feel valued in a community, they ensure everyone is seen.”

He further explained how he envisions his role as a leader, describing his aim to provide not only practical support but also what he calls “symbolic leadership”, offering inspiration alongside structural and relational support.

Of course, no matter how skilled the leader, conflict will always arise. Mr. Lippman noted that one of the challenges in schools is that people tend to shy away from conflict, while he sees it as a necessary part of progress.

“You can only move forward with things if you push a little bit, and that pushing will lead to conflict,” he said. However, he doesn’t seem wary of the tensions that come with change. “As long as you build communities of trust,” he said, “then you can have conflict without fear that it will be damaging.”

A Focus on Community

Community is something Mr. Lippman emphasised throughout the conversation, highlighting its importance not just in education, but in shaping a school’s culture. “At its core, a school is a group of people working toward a common purpose,” he said. “If you don’t have a strong sense of community, then everything else: learning, well-being, even innovation, becomes much harder.”

As he steps into his role as director, he hopes to foster a culture where students, teachers, and parents feel heard and valued. “It’s not just about academic success,” he explained. “It’s about creating a space where people support one another, challenge one another, and grow together.”

The Role of AI in Education

One of the modern challenges Mr. Lippman discussed was the rise of Artificial Intelligence in education. While acknowledging both the excitement and concern surrounding AI, he believes it should be seen as a tool rather than a threat.

“The reality is, AI isn’t going away,” he said. “The question isn’t whether we should allow it but how we integrate it responsibly. We need to teach students how to think critically about AI-generated content, how to use it ethically, and how to ensure it enhances learning rather than replaces critical thinking.”

He also noted that AI will likely influence the way assessments are designed, with a greater emphasis on problem-solving and originality rather than rote memorisation. “It challenges us as educators to rethink traditional models of teaching and learning,” he added.

What Will Change?

As for what will shift under his leadership, Mr. Lippman acknowledged that any new director brings change, but he stressed that his approach would be gradual and thoughtful.

“I don’t believe in coming into a school and making immediate, sweeping changes,” he said. “The first step is listening, understanding what’s working well, what challenges people are facing, and where we can improve together.”

However, he did highlight areas where he sees potential for growth. “One thing I always look at is how a school fosters innovation while staying true to its core values,” he said. “Halcyon already has a strong identity, but there’s always room to evolve, whether that’s through interdisciplinary learning, global connections, or new approaches to student leadership.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Lippman acknowledged that Halcyon, like any school, will face challenges. “Education is always evolving, and our job is to evolve with it while staying true to what makes this school special.” He emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance between academic excellence and student well-being, a key focus as he steps into his new role.

With a commitment to fostering a thoughtful and engaged school community, Mr. Lippman begins his tenure with a clear vision, one that values growth and stability as well as tradition and innovation.