In this episode of The Great Cause, Head of Barker College, Phillip Heath AM, is joined by Dr Alex Curtis, Head of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wollingford, Connecticut.

With a legacy shaped by remarkable alumni and a history intertwined with the founding of St John’s and the integration of Rosemary Hall, Choate has long been a place where character, leadership and service are deeply connected. It is also the school where a young John F. Kennedy first delivered the words that would later inspire generations: “Ask not what your country can do for you…”

Together, Phillip and Alex explore how this enduring ethos continues to shape Choate’s approach to education today. From its signature programmes to its global outlook, the conversation reflects on how schools can cultivate purpose, leadership and a commitment to contributing beyond self.

This episode offers a compelling look at how tradition and innovation come together to form young people who are not only prepared for the future, but ready to make a meaningful difference in it.