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September 16, 2025
Cate Drops Match to Louisville
Cate hosted Louisville on Tuesday, September 16, and faced a tough challenge against a strong and physical opponent. Louisville came out firing in the first set, using aggressive serving and dominant net play to take the set 25-12. The Rams faced a similar start in the second set, falling behind 5-0, and Louisville maintained control …
September 16, 2025
Cate Battles Hard but Falls to Louisville in Straight Sets
The Cate girls volleyball team hosted Louisville on Tuesday night (9/16) and, despite a slow start, pushed the visitors to the brink in the final set before dropping a 3-0 decision. Louisville came out firing in the opening set, using aggressive serving and a strong attack to win 25-12. The momentum carried into the second, …
September 16, 2025
Rams Dominate Rio Mesa, 18-3
On September 16, our Cate boys water polo team traveled to Oxnard for a non-league match with Rio Mesa High School. All fifteen varsity players made contributions toward a statement win. We jumped to an early lead from a stifling press defense, which fueled an aggressive counterattack. Our offense had been struggling through our first …
September 16, 2025
Cate Tennis Moves to 4-0 with Pair of Dominant Performances
Cate girls’ tennis has now fully settled back into the tennis groove after the annual school “Outings Week.” Last week, they picked up a 9-0 win over visiting Santa Ynez High School and today have registered a 15-3 win over visiting Thacher School to open Tri-Valley League play. How it Happened: Cate was led today …
September 12, 2025
This Week in Athletics
Fall sports are officially underway at Cate! After returning from the annual Outings Week and getting back into the swing of the school year, all five fall teams have now started their seasons. Thursday marked the first competition for the cross country team, and the girls tennis, football, volleyball, and boys water polo squads have …
September 12, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Where the World Feels Simple Again
Reflections from Outings Week After a flurry of activity to get the year launched, the Mesa fell quiet as we ventured into the wilderness for our annual Outings Week. In a world where breaking away from our phones and a fast-paced routine is rare, Cate’s unwavering commitment to the distinct educational opportunity that only the …
September 11, 2025
Rams Drop Close Battle to Dons, 6-5
Yesterday, September 11th, our Cate Boys’ varsity water polo team traveled to Santa Barbara High School for our second non-league match of the season. With only two practices under our belt, we were back in action after a week in the back country. This was a back-and-forth battle as both teams played stifling team defense, …
September 11, 2025
Rams Open Season at TCAA Preview Meet
Yesterday, the Runnin’ Rams had their first opportunity to show off their fitness at the TCAA League Preview in Ventura. The day got underway with our JV boys running the two-mile course. Ian Kim was our top finisher, placing fifth overall in a time of 13:10. The varsity girls competed on the three-mile course, and …
May 30, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: This is the Work
Last weekend, we honored the Class of 2025. These seniors, in particular, have reminded us that leadership takes many forms. Sometimes, it listens before it speaks. It builds trust, slowly and over time. It bakes cookies after a long, hard day and writes the best Senate recaps you’ve ever read. It guides quietly in the …
May 26, 2025
Commencement
Thank you for joining us for Commencement weekend to honor the Class of 2025! Relive the weekend below: Awards Ceremony: Saturday, May 24 at 4:00 p.m. Baccalaureate: Saturday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony: Sunday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m.
May 16, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Next Monday will be the last day of classes for our seniors. Somehow, this school year seems to move faster as May arrives. But, when I pause and look back, I’m struck by how much we’ve seen together – new beginnings, joyful milestones, and real, meaningful growth. Here are a few of my most cherished …
May 2, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – On Alignment
I’m always so grateful to see parents when they return to the Mesa during Family Weekend. The small interactions, the warm hugs, and casual conversations are a delightful reminder of our important, interconnected work of raising young people together. During my talk over the weekend, I shared insights and observations about this very connection …
April 11, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Pacing and Pause
Last week, the pace on campus shifted. We moved into April, and everything started to move faster. End-of-year projects, exams, planning for Commencement – all of it now feels just around the corner. My inbox is full of questions about the years ahead: 2026, 2027, 2028. This time of year always comes with urgency. But …
March 28, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook
Today, we welcomed a record number of newly admitted students and their parents for Revisit Day. The influx of nearly 250 visitors is a rare and wonderful event here on the Mesa, made even more special by the purpose of their visit. Like so many of the milestones we experience and expect each school year …
March 28, 2025
Spring Break Bahamas Trip
By Lucy ’25 Earlier this month, during the first week of spring break, a group of Cate students embarked on a week-long trip to Eleuthera, Bahamas. After a 3-hour bus ride to LAX, 2 flights with a 5-hour layover, and another 4-hour layover in Nassau before our short flight to Eleuthera and 30-minute shuttle to …
March 28, 2025
Meet Round Square Exchange Student Jenna ’27
By Tatiana ’28 Jenna van Niekerk, from Dainfern College in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently joined Cate as an exchange student for the entire Spring trimester. I sat down with Jenna a week into her exchange to learn about her experience at Cate so far. Jenna had many options to choose from, and with the help …
March 28, 2025
Cate Performing Arts Highlights
Vocalists This past weekend, the Cate vocal music program was active both regionally and nationally. Four of our junior singers, Mo Kanda-Gleeson, Coco Kliman, Elise Tsai, and Claire Ziebart, were invited to the second round of the Southern California Vocal Association Solo Competition after scoring high enough in the first round. Mo, Coco, and Elise …
March 28, 2025
Winter All-Tri-Valley League Honors
Congratulations to the Tri-Valley All-League selections from a sensational winter season on the Mesa! Boys Soccer Coach of the Year: Jorge Reynoso Offensive Player of the Year: George ’26 Defensive Player of the Year: Kamil ’26 First Team: Quincy ’26, Dimash ’26, Charlie ’26 Second Team: Nic ’25, Lucas ’25, Sam ’25, Uriel ’25, Alex …
February 21, 2025
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
For more than 100 years, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have identified students with exceptional creative ability. Approximately half a million pieces are submitted each year to be evaluated on their originality, technical skill, and personal voice or vision. There are three honors awarded on the regional level: Gold Key — The very best …
February 21, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – This Must Be The Place
During the Sunset Ceremony this fall, senior Henry Koepp delivered a beautiful and clever speech referencing the Talking Heads lyrics “Home is where I want to be” as he welcomed us all back to the Mesa. Not only is that song one of my personal favorites, but its title This Must Be The Place so …