Mr. Frank Roque has been named Bishop O'Connell's next principal.
"Upon receiving the recommendation of the search committee and after prayerful discernment, I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Mr. Frank Roque as Principal of Bishop O'Connell High School," Bishop Burbidge said in a statement. "In his new role, I am confident that Mr. Roque's vast experience, many talents and administrative skills will be utilized effectively in service of the entire school community. Together, Mr. Roque and Mr. Crittenberger, Head of School, will effectively advance the strong Catholic identity and excellence in education at Bishop O'Connell High School."
As previously announced, Mr. Carl Patton, the school's current principal, will be leaving O'Connell at the end of this school year. Mr. Roque will assume his duties as principal beginning on July 1, 2021.
Mr. Roque has been on the staff at Bishop O'Connell for more than ten years. For the past three years, he has been serving as the dean of student affairs, where he has provided oversight of student life, counseling, activities, athletics and the clinic. As a part of the administrative team, Mr. Roque has worked closely with the head of school, principal, chaplain and other deans to ensure that the school is fulfilling its mission to provide an exceptional Catholic education for all its students, creating and maintaining an environment that is conducive to learning, growing and thriving.
He holds a B.A. in economics from Providence College and an M.Ed. in administration and supervision from Marymount University. Mr. Roque also spent four years in formation with Dominican friars where he studied philosophy and theology. Before coming to O'Connell, he served nine years on the faculty at Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg, where he taught philosophy and theology and later served on their administrative team as the dean of students.
"I am very excited for this opportunity to be the next principal of Bishop O'Connell High School," said Mr. Roque. "I have a great love for this school community and our mission of providing a Christ-centered education. I have seen the transformative power of an O'Connell education as both administrator and parent. We have a world class faculty and administrative team that is devoted to our Catholic mission and I look forward to continuing this commitment to excellence into the future."
"On behalf of Bishop O'Connell, I am delighted that Mr. Roque will be the school's next principal, as he embodies all that is called for in this critical position: a deep and active Catholic faith, a keen working knowledge of the O'Connell community, relevant experience, excellent academic and professional training, unimpeachable integrity and character, and an extraordinary touch, marked by humility, compassion, joy, wisdom, good cheer, and hope," said Mr. Bill Crittenberger, Head of School. "As was unanimously confirmed during the school's in-depth and inclusive search process, Mr. Roque, for whom I have the deepest respect, admiration, and affinity, is exactly the right and the best-fitting person for the job."