Bishop Ireton Principal To Retire

The principal of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria will retire this year.

Tim Hamer sent an email announcing his resignation to members of the school community Wednesday. Bishop Ireton, located at 201 Cambridge Road, is a college preparatory, coeducational high school serving students from across the Washington metropolitan area in grade 9 through 12. It is owned by the Diocese of Arlington.

Hamer’s letter reads as follows:

Dear Members of the Bishop Ireton High School Community:

I write to announce that 2013, my 20th year of service to our school and the Diocese of Arlington, will be the year that I retire as Principal of Bishop Ireton High School.

It has been among the greatest blessings of my life to learn, live and work in the company of some of the most splendid Catholic educators to be found anywhere, and to have the privilege of helping many hundreds of truly gifted young people learn to 'be who they are and be that well in order to bring honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork we are." Thanks to the dedication of Diocesan leaders, a fantastic Board of Governors, incredibly committed parents, a faculty and staff second to none, and to the support of thousands of alumni, friends and benefactors, Bishop Ireton High School shines as a beacon of Catholic school excellence rooted in the unique spirituality of its patron Saint Francis De Sales. I will miss you all.

I will forever treasure the many friendships that I know will continue and the honor I have had to serve with so many holy men and women. My life has been immeasurably enriched by the vocations of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, TOR Franciscans and, of course, the beloved Oblates of St. Francis De Sales, with whom I have served over the past two decades. I depart confident that with a just-completed Long Range Strategic Plan, the school stands ready to continue to provide an education of world class quality and most importantly, retains the firm commitment to form its students in the values of our Catholic faith, guided by the practical advice and example of St. Francis De Sales to "Live Jesus".

I plan to continue my service to Catholic education as a member of the team at the Institute for School and Parish Development, (ISPD), assisting Catholic Schools and Parishes across the nation in meeting the challenges that have led to the closure of so many over the last few years.

Wherever I go, I will carry boundless gratitude and admiration with me for the gift of all the students, educators and friends I have come to know and love at Bishop Ireton High School. Know that, in my heart, I will always be an Ireton Cardinal.

Live Jesus!

Tim Hamer