Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Robin Clements, Hillbrook School headmaster, enjoys the quilt that marks his 20th anniversary. With him are students (from left) Haig Yenikomshian, Remy Goldberg, Jon Poser, Stephen Chang, Ryan Seay, Sean Connors, John Battaglia and Nicole Strayer.

Quilt tells of headmaster's 20 years with Hillbrook

By Shari Kaplan

For headmaster Robin Clements, the June 10 flag-raising at Hillbrook School began at 8:45 a.m., as it always does.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and various announcements, however, Clements noticed what he thought was "an inordinate number" of parents--many carrying cameras. Even his wife and dog were present.

The flag-raising had actually become a surprise celebration honoring Clements' 20-year anniversary as Hillbrook headmaster, including the presentation of a large quilt created by students and a handful of parents.

Clements later said he was so pleased and surprised by the gift that he cried. He is also pleased, he added, to work for a school that he believes in so much and whose Board of Trustees believes in him.

"The health of a school depends on the health of the board. They invited me to come and they continue to support me," said Clements, who serves not only as headmaster and superintendent, but as a teacher as well.

"One drifts into a career. This seemed like a natural thing to do. I love children, and I love literature and learning," he said regarding his career in the field of education, which began many years before he joined Hillbrook in 1976.

With a bachelor's degree in English from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from UC--Berkeley in English literature, Clements has taught and administrated at several private schools, including the Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera.

When asked to describe what his typical day at Hillbrook consists of, Clements chuckled and said, "Interruptions!" But he doesn't usually mind them, he said, because he is very open to dialogue and encourages teachers and parents to talk with him about problems relating to students--or even personal problems.

Among other things, Clements is responsible for overseeing the school in general, monitoring the moral climate and making decisions about academic programs and financial matters. He visits classrooms to take attendance every day with coworker Gary Bathurst and takes time to play and talk with the students every day. Something Clements finds particularly rewarding is "watching good teachers work, because what you're seeing is children learning."

Sabrina Hill, whose three children attend Hillbrook, took the helm late last year of the quilt project at the suggestion of Rosella Bathurst. Hill recruited and worked with a small but devoted team of parents to plan the quilt layout and choose and cut fabric. Accompanying the larger square sections and the Hillbrook centerpiece with the motto "Do Your Best" are 12 colorful ties designed with different themes by different classes.

"Robin is a tie collector and has some really wild ties. He wears a different tie every day, and the kids are always commenting on them," explained Hill, who happens to be an artist and a quilter herself.

Although it took several months to finish the 54-inch-square quilt, Hill said the "quilting bee" experience was a interesting way to bond with other Hillbrook parents and swap stories. It was also a personal way to thank Clements for his years of service.

When she was considering enrolling her children at Hillbrook about four years ago, Hill said, she was amazed at the rapport Clements had with students as she toured the campus with him.

"Not only did he know all their names, but he knew things about them that he asked them about. Every kid came up to him like he was their uncle," she said.