Fall 2018 Independent

The Independent

FALL 2018

Student Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight

LILY MURPHY ’19

PHILLIP PAIGE ’69

IN 2013 THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT OF ST. PETER’S SCHOOL WAS CREATED. Since then, we have been representing the student body by helping share ideas and concerns for the school. Student Government is also responsible for organizing multiple events and activities during the school year for students to enjoy. These include Open Mic Night, dances, trivia lunches, Movie Night on Wiggins Turf Field, and many more.

PHILLIP PAIGE, CLASS OF 1969, WALKED DOWN LOMBARD STREET IN THE SUMMER OF 2018.

He entered St. Peter’s through the red doors as he had hundreds of times before and stepped back in time, to his childhood and to his old school.

Meet Lily Murphy, St. Peter’s School new Student Government President Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I have been attending St. Peters School for 11 years now, since Preschool. I have a twin brother (Harry) in Eighth Grade, and a younger sister (Eleni) in Sixth.

Student Government President Lily Murphy (left) and Vice President Norah Strauss (right)

What are your favorite things about SPS? My favorite thing about SPS has to be the community, I am lucky enough to be able to be in an environment of kids that I have known for years. Our school is so unique in how we celebrate our traditions and how every child has bonds with both their teachers and their fellow students. I have had an extremely positive experience at SPS and have grown to be very passionate towards this school over the years.

He found the picture of his graduating class hanging on the wall – the very first graduating class in the school’s modern history – and memories of the school flooded back to him.

Phillip remarked fondly “...that whole area of the city is still a thrill, I love that whole section of the world.” He also recalls Albert Robinson, then Choirmaster and a tremendous influence on his life, and of course, Ms. Seamans, the School’s Founding Headmistress, (and her little dog Timothy). Phillip had not been back to SPS in many years and his life after graduation took him first to Strawberry Mansion JHS and then Ben Franklin HS, before he enrolled at University of Pennsylvania. St. Peter’s sent Phillip on a pathway, exposing him to a broader world, giving him opportunities that he valued through his whole life. He recalls the physical place, the graveyard, pulling the ropes for the bells, the smell of St. Peter’s Church, and he described how Choir used to be in what is today, the lobby and office spaces.

Phillip went on to a distinguished career for the Internal Revenue Service, retiring in 2006. He lives with his family in Harrisburg, PA. We were so fortunate to reconnect with him that day in July and are looking forward to having him back to share his stories, and rekindle more memories as a member of our first graduating classes in 1969.

Why did you want to run for Student Body President?

I wanted to run for president of the Student Government because I love our community so much, I would do anything to improve it. I would love to find more time for the Upper School students and the ECD to interact. I feel this will make our community even stronger and make the younger students feel more welcome and comfortable. I also enjoy having Norah Strauss as the Vice President. She’s a twin and loves the School also.

What are some of your immediate plans?

My immediate plans are to try to schedule a Meme Day and a door decorating contest in November, and have a Holiday Bake Sale and a Winter Dance in December. I will also work to find a date for the ECD to meet with our Upper School volunteers. Plus, more dress down days and bake sales. I am very excited to be the new student government president and I hope my fellow peers are as well.

Phillip and his family (above); and his Graduation photo (front row, far right)

Harvest Festival

Early Childhood Division Visits Elmwood Park Zoo ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, WHEN THE CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL, PREKINDERGARTEN, AND KINDERGARTEN ARRIVED AT SCHOOL THEY WERE BUBBLING WITH MORE ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT THAN USUAL. If you asked any one of them “why,” their answer was “We’re going to the zoo,” accompanied by jumping up and down. The 56 students and their teachers and chaperones boarded the school buses around 9:00 AM for the LONG trip to Norristown, Pa. which is where the zoo is located. Young and young-at-heart had a memorable time visiting the animals, eating snack and lunch, and playing on the playground. They said “good-bye” to the reindeer and bison as they headed toward the buses at 1:00 PM for the sleepy ride home. The youngest students, on their first field trip of the school year, were fabulous representatives of SPS. They are looking forward to their spring trip to the Camden (NJ) Aquarium!

HARVEST FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE MOST HONORED TRADITIONS AT ST. PETER’S. The school community comes together to celebrate the fall season, welcome our new families, and enjoy the shared experiences of the start of a new school year.

Beginning with the parade, the Calling of the Colors and the Garnet vs. Grey Tug-o-War, the day is filled with tradition and fun. The games, the food, and the extension of gratitude we all share make Harvest Festival a highlight each year.

This year, our Eighth Grade students took on a new role as leaders of this important event. After many years – in some cases since Preschool – of joining in the games, making crafts, painting pumpkins, and making (and eating) sweet treats during the annual event, now the Eighth Graders had the opportunity to step into a new role for Harvest Festival. As our school leaders, the Eighth Graders planned the games, sought volunteers, ran the event, and celebrated their final year at the School by bringing the community together for a memorable day. Their spirit while gathering the students for the annual march through Society Hill, their support during the Calling of the Colors, and their leadership during the Tug-o-War demonstrated the maturity and energy of this group of students. The event could not have happened without them and they have set the bar quite high as future Eighth Graders look to match the leadership of the Class of 2019.

St. Peter’s School 2018-19

Full STEAM Ahead!

On any given day, you are likely to see a Lower School class fully engaged in a STEAM project.

WHAT IS STEAM? STEAM education is the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, applied Art, and Math, into hands-on, problem-based activities and projects that reinforce and make student learning more meaningful. STEAM learning is a challenging process. Students are given a project goal and a set of constraints. From there, they learn to brainstorm and record their ideas, and manipulate and experiment with materials in order to create and test a model of their idea. Chances are their first designs, and maybe their second and third designs, are failures and some students will become frustrated! But that’s okay because when failure becomes a natural part of the learning process, students become adaptive learners. When the outcome is not what is expected, students learn to adjust their thinking and try again.

Early in the school year, the Fourth Graders were tasked to design a structure greater than 12-inches high that could support a large dictionary. Easy, right? Not really, when you consider each building team was constrained to ten pieces of copy paper and 10" of tape!

However, through frustration and trial-and-error, the students found success. Besides learning about strength and structure, they found the importance of project planning, communication, teamwork, and resilience.

Ingenuity abounds in the ECD and US as well. Even students in Early Care tackle STEAM challenges that need to be completed in under 25 minutes!

Here are a few of the other exciting STEAM projects that our Lower School students are working on: FIRST GRADERS designed catapults to launch candy corn pumpkins across the room and sturdy structures to hold real pumpkins; other groups designed mini models of playground equipment.

THE SECOND GRADE is putting their knowledge of matter and buoyancy to use designing miniature boats that carry various masses across a tub of water.

THE THIRD GRADE will design vibrobots at the end of their electricity and circuits science unit.

St. Peter’s School

School Service As an aspect of our ongoing discussion of the School’s identity, this year in School Service, we have explored the similarities of different religions our community celebrates. Engaging speakers and lively discussions about holidays have guided our time as we have learned about Hinduism and Judaism. We are fortunate to have the beautiful St. Peter’s Church as a backdrop for our services as the Church is the perfect space for our community to gather and learn together about world religions. Through the remainder of the year, we will welcome the Chaplain from a School in New York City with close ties to St. Peter’s to talk about Christianity, an Imam to talk with us about Islam, a local Buddhist will speak on Buddhism, and more. Our School Service has taken on greater meaning this year through these intentional conversations about connection, belonging, and the similarities of all in our community. Please join us through the year to learn more about what we do and know that everyone is welcome to join us on Wednesday mornings. Check the calendar and stay tuned for more information about future speakers and events through the year.

New Head of School MATT EVANS MATT EVANS IS NOT NECESSARILY A NEW FACE AROUND ST. PETER’S, BUT HE RECENTLY BEGAN A NEW ROLE AT THE SCHOOL. Matt began at St. Peter’s in the summer of 2013 and was greeted by the fire in the Early Childhood Division on his first day on the job. Once the dust settled, Matt began the work which would see him take on many roles at SPS including: Academic Dean, Upper School Division Director, Assistant Head of School, soccer and cross country coach, advisor, and classroom teacher. His many roles helped him to understand the nuances of the School and has been one of the reasons he found success in his initial months as Head of School.

Matt is originally from Philadelphia, graduated from the Episcopal Academy and his sister, Kelsey, attended St. Peter’s in the 1990’s. He has worked in independent schools for 24 years and came to St. Peter’s six years ago from boarding schools in New England. His experience has been in the classroom, admissions, and administration at a number of different schools, primarily elementary and middle schools.

Matt loves St. Peter’s and commented, “St. Peter’s is such a wonderful community that takes care of one another. Each student is known by many others and that gives everyone a sense of belonging, a sense of security in the school.” Matt, his wife Sara, and their two children, Maren and Carter, live in

Matt with his wife Sara, son Carter, and daughter Maren

“St. Peter’s is such a wonderful community that takes care of one another. Each student is known by many others and that gives everyone a sense of belonging, a sense of security in the school.” MATT EVANS Wynnewood and have found being in the Philadelphia area to be a terrific experience for them as a family. “We love Philly and it’s nice to be able to root for the Flyers and the Eagles with others who love the city too.”

Matt has been busy since he started. He has helped the community improve some security measures, created new classroom spaces, and oversaw the renovation of the new Library. Matt has also worked closely with the Board of Trustees on the School’s Identity. Through meetings and conversations about what is important to the School, culminating with a day long Board Retreat this fall, the School has developed language around the identity of St. Peter’s. Further clarity around the role of religion at the school as well as honoring the traditions of the past have been important aspects of the identity work thus far. The School will continue to develop this important work and more information will be presented later in the winter.

Matt has enjoyed his time in the new role and relishes the opportunity to work with such an outstanding group of educators. Shaking hands in the morning, reading to the children, listening to Student Government President campaign speeches, and watching the students find success in their own way each day, are all examples of how Matt spends his day. “I have the greatest job in the world!” We are happy he is the new Head of School.

Matt shakes hands with the students each morning before school.

DON'T FORGET TO GIVE!

St. Peter’s School Annual Fund st-peters-school.org/give

Photography by Elizabeth Reade Photography

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