During the first couple days of school, you may notice that the Upper School office looks a little bit different – maybe a lack of Elvis memorabilia or a different variety of knick-knacks cluttering the desk. These changes mark the arrival of GA’s new Assistant to the Head of the Upper School, Ms. Lydia Dudley.
A Warminster native, Ms. Dudley grew up in the area and even met her husband back in high school. Her eldest son, one of three, will also be joining GA as a new student.
Though Ms. Dudley has never worked in a school setting before, she is excited to bring her administrative skills to GA, cultivated from her background working as an executive assistant in home care.
“I have a lot of experience working in an office setting,” Ms. Dudley said. “So, you know, similar roles, but just a different feel.”
The position of Assistant to the Head of the Upper School entails supporting not only Head of Upper School Dave Samson, but students and faculty too. This includes ensuring that all students are accounted for, planning field trips and preparing for events. Ms. Dudley was able to get an early taste of the job in May, working alongside Ms. Kennedy in the last weeks of school.
“I was here for Prize Day and graduation and got to see how much Ms. Kennedy did to get that ready and organized,” Ms. Dudley said. “Being at those events and seeing how much work went into them, I hope to have success with planning and prepping and organizing so that everything runs smoothly throughout the year.”
Heading into her first full year, Ms. Dudley hopes to support the Upper School office in a way that honors existing GA traditions.
“I think it’s really great–the foundations that have been made–and I want to make sure that these traditions stick. I feel like that’s important,” Ms. Dudley said.
Beyond the logistics of the role, Ms. Dudley is looking forward to getting to know the GA community itself.
“I’m excited for all the students to come in. A little nervous, too, because I want to learn everyone’s names and get to know everybody, and there’s a lot of you,” Ms. Dudley said.
Faculty members, including Mr. Samson, are confident that Ms. Dudley will integrate well into the GA community.
“[Ms. Dudley] seems very laid back and approachable and fun and chill. And she takes the job really seriously,” Mr. Samson said.
As for the office’s new look, Ms. Dudley has ideas to fill the newly blank walls, potentially with student artwork or collages of photos. Alongside these changes, she brings her organizational experience and a genuine enthusiasm for getting to know the GA community.