HADDONFIELD – Settling into his new office at Paul VI, Philip J. Gianfortune is excited to be back in high school.
“I’ve always loved teaching in a high school; it’s where I started my career,” Paul VI’s new principal said. “I’ve always felt a good connection to the students.”
A graduate of Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, Gianfortune holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Rowan University, Glassboro, and a master’s degree in public administration from New Jersey’s Rutgers University. He has been serving in Catholic education for 18 years, first as a band teacher in Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken, with time spent as the school’s academic dean and later, headmaster. From 2019 to 2022, he was principal of Saint Michael the Archangel Regional School, Clayton.
Catholic schools, he said, “are the only place where I can bring my love of faith and education together; I’ve always felt at home [here].”
Such sentiments were fostered by his parents, Debbie and Joe, who worked at Camden Catholic while he was growing up; his mother was in accounts receivable, and his father was a music director. Gianfortune said he looks forward to continuing that family tradition with the Paul VI community.
“This school has a long track record of excellence,” he said, explaining that “it’s a wonderful opportunity” to work with school President Michael Chambers and its Board of Trustees.
“I’m excited to share in the mission of the Church as an evangelist, and be able to [work] with my colleagues in the formation of young people,” he said.
Since arriving July 1, Gianfortune said he has enjoyed interacting with the administrators, teachers and students who have spent their summer taking part in enrichment courses, preseason athletic workouts or preparing for the upcoming school year.
He said his first-year plan will involve communicating with and being visible to the school community, which includes getting to know the faculty and students, and finding ways to help both groups succeed and thrive.
“Being with students is always something that I cherish,” he said. “When I was a teacher, I knew that if I was a champion for my students, they would know that I cared about them. I’ll do the same for my faculty. I look forward to forging those trusting relationships.”
Gazing at a crucifix on the wall behind his desk, Gianfortune said he is ready to contribute to Paul VI High School’s Catholic identity.
“You would know this is a Catholic school by how people treat each other. The love of Christ draws people [here],” he said. “When you have that care and love for each other, and students know that they are loved by God and by the people in this building, that just makes it a place you really want to be.”
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