Anything but extra...
Extra-curriculars enhance challenging curriculum and mission objectives throughout the school
Virtue Knowledge Faith
Field trips, clubs, and volunteer opportunities prepare students for college and life, beginning where the curriculum leaves off
The World is our Classroom
Faith Virtue
Knowledge
Virtue
Bringing the Curriculum Alive
Faith
Knowledge
Faith
Virtue
Knowledge
Faith
Virtue
Knowledge
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Virtue
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Virtue Knowledge Faith
St. David’s
Comprehensive missions and study programs send students around the country and the world, to serve others and learn life lessons outside their classrooms and comfort zones
St. David’s Snapshot is a periodical publication that highlights the unique ways in which St. David’s School strives to fulfill its mission of preparing young men and women for college and life in the vital areas of faith, virtue, and knowledge.
eyond B t n e W t a h T r a e Y A Look Back at a ts discover that , studen nd the curriculum tra Venturing far beyo e anything but ex ar es iti tiv ac ar ul escribed extra-curric and describes the pr
Latin m’ comes to us from lum’ is the The word ‘curriculu emic sense, ‘curricu ad ac n er od m r ou ence in course of a race. H study for a student. prescribed course of of a school note those activities de to ed us n te of ademic a term n in the standard ac io ‘Extra-curricular’ is ct ru st in om ro ss related to cla mathematics. that are not directly y, the sciences, and or st hi , es ag gu lan ch are ature, those activities whi disciplines like liter at th it: nd hi be y e philosoph The term betrays th , and all else outside the classroom of the stanwhich falls outside -- Dr. Timothy Pitts t no ow eh m so e dard disciplines ar the education an integral part of e participant in process. ent becomes an activ ud st A ly. nt re ffe di ely admirwe see things a quite essionals or by mer , of ol pr ho e Sc th ’s g id in av ch D at . w At St ting – not by these activities unity, not by specta rn to participate in lea ey th n he w ed the broader comm at y educ y good. udents become trul od and the seemingl go y ul tr ing works of art. St e th n ee tw d discriminate be dding scholars and to appreciate an a community of bu – e ns se st lle fu its istry and ity in academic commun not only study chem e an w , te er ea th cr ge to To ek . se es We communiti t in our plays, the life of our wider on the ball fields, ac te pe m co ts, en who participate in m ru to both r inst , and travel abroad sing, dance, play ou e ity w un e, m ur m at co er r lit ou e rld wo titions, serv ysics and ancient in academic compe not only master ph e W le. ab e ar compete nationally e w understand where ltures and to serve about each other, to cu rn r lea he ot to ts, om en fr em rn lea our achiev gether to celebrate life itself. history, we gather to separate entity from a t no is om ro ss that life in the cla llowread about in the fo ill w u yo at th es iti The activ they are xtras” at St. David’s; “e t no e ar s ge pa g in of our are. They are part e w ho w of el rc pa part and t for ourselves urse that we lay ou co e th – m lu icu rr cu d of e are justifiably prou W . ue rs pu ely iv ct and colle th inside and that we cultivate, bo g in rn lea of e lif e th rooms. outside of our class
a separate ot n is om ro ss a cl e th Life in entity from life itself.”
Timothy Pitts, PhD cipal Upper School Prin
sings her , Sarah Harrison ’15 As the Sour Kangaroo producing spr the g rin d house du sassy songs for a packe portunities to rformers find ample op tion of Seussical. Pe rricular activities. get involved in extra-cu
On the cover: seventh grade musicians lead their peers in song around the campfire during their traditional camping trip to Kerr Lake. It was a team-building, outdoor learning adventure for the entire class.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Lower School
From mills to ponds, learning comes alive in first grade Catching tadpoles at every stage of their life cycle up to their metamorphoses into frogs isn’t something first graders can do at their desks, but it is an activity they did outside the classroom that enhanced the learning inside it. Tedi Fagan, along with her other first grade faculty colleagues, saw the wonder of discovery on the faces of her students as they engaged in “Adventures in Aquatic Life” at Laurel Hills Park. “It’s exciting to see how hands-on learning helps the kids visualize what they have learned in the classroom,” said Ms. Fagan. The class worked
in groups to collect samples of insects and pond animals to study. Yates Mill, a historic, working grist mill, also offered a science connection, bringing alive the first graders’ unit on force and motion. Students marveled at the pulleys, axles, levers, and wheels -- and then had the opportunity to build their own machines using such components. Through these “extra” experiences students “use all their senses to bring the learning alive,” said Tedi with a smile, referring to these and other hands-on opportunities. “These are fun class adventures!”
Tedi Fagan First Grade Teacher
Middle School
Arts foster confidence and relationships When Elizabeth Webb performed “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, audience members from the studentfaculty recital told her they were moved to tears. “There is nothing more special to a performer than knowing you’ve touched an audience emotionally,” Elizabeth said. As one who has taken advantage of many opportunities in the arts -- having been involved in theater, choir, and visual arts throughout middle school -- she
has found that it has given her a confidence that pervades many other aspects of her life. She also cherishes the special bond she’s formed with her teachers through these experiences. In addition to the arts, Elizabeth has been a leader in Friday Morning Fellowship. As a Christian, she desires to “have an impact on the lives of others.” Extra-curriculars have given Elizabeth unique opportunities to grow and mature both as a learner and as a person.
“It’s not something people talk about over dinner,” JB Novak explained. “It’s a country the world has pretty much forgotten about.” But for JB and his teammates, Ethiopia, complete with its physical and spiritual needs, was a very large part of their lives this summer. A couple months before embarking on the trip, JB brought a stack of bills, about $700, to Mr. Sturdevant and Mr. Sutton, the trip leaders, explaining that he’d recently raised the money for the trip. He had mowed lawns, done odd jobs, and washed cars and dogs. Considering that the
trip costs a fair bit more than that, it seemed like a good start, but JB still had a ways to go. “Oh, that’s not for me,” said JB. “This is to buy Bibles in the Ethiopian language.” The group delivered them to the church they partnered with when they arrived, who in turn distributed Bibles in Amharic, their own language, to ministry workers in small Ethiopian communities -- who will then touch others by spreading God’s word in their community. JB explained the significance of the partnership: “It’s like planting a seed.”
Elizabeth Webb ’17
Upper School
Outreach tools for burgeoning partnership
JB Novak ’16
with
Fulfilling the Mission
Missions
A new approach draws fresh ideas and broad-based support
“I
t just clicked,” said Ethiopia trip co-leader James Sutton. “One of the first things we did was pair up our students with the youth from our partner Ethiopian church,” Mr. Sutton explained, “and they bonded and fed off each other.”
The infectious joy that the Ethiopian youth possessed, regardless of their circumstances, was an encouraging model for our students; conversely, the St. David’s students’ systematic training and desire to fulfill missional objectives motivated their Ethiopian part-
Frisbees: a novelty in Addis Ababa
A
mharic, the language most commonly spoken in Ethiopia, has no word for “frisbee”, but when the children at the orphanages received them from the St. David’s mission team, they didn’t need words to show how much they enjoyed them. In addition to distributing frisbees at the orphanages, the team brought soccer balls, baseballs, and frisbees as tools for the local church to use for outreach. Misrak Meserete Kristos Church is perfectly positioned in the community with a large field and facilities that draw many people from the surrounding area. The church engages in sports outreach as one means of connecting with their neighbors and sharing the love of Christ with them. The 45 St. David’s frisbees that the team brought to Ethiopia immediately went to good use! Many orphans just long to be held; Greyson Brannon ’15 was happy to oblige.
Great Commission Scholarship Formed for the purpose of supporting St. David’s alumni in missions endeavors in the summer or gap year after they graduate, the Great Commission Scholarship has been funded by donations that will support this award for years to come.
After going through a rigorous application process, recent graduates Carolyn Hawkes and Cate Alspaugh were awarded this year’s scholarships in support of trips to a language ministry in France and an outreach partnership in Uganda.
Cate Alspaugh ’13 in Uganda
have the opportunity to reach out to ners. Together, they forged a ministry those around them. The Salvation Army relationship that serves as a model for Stockings Project, Backpack Buddies, missions. and the Lower School Serving Hearts “Being in Africa really opened my create opportunities for lower school eyes,” said Sophie Sheats ’15. “I was students to serve on campus and out helping organize over 1500 books in in the community. the [church] library with two Ethiopian In middle school, students have opboys named Joshua and Emmanuel. It portunities to be involved in service seemed that every time we finished our clubs, meeting the needs of those outpile someone would load more on. I was side their own circles. They also have becoming frustrated and said some- Sharing her camera with orphans at an Ethiopian-run Hope for the Fatherless oran annual, stateside mission trip that thing along the lines of, ‘More books? When is this going to end!?’ Joshua phanage, Melanie Park ’15 and the team is open to any middle schooler. In enjoyed building a partnership with the middle and upper school, classes are paused for a minute and looked me ministry and playing with the children. suspended one day each fall so every straight in the eye, responding, ‘Do you not enjoy spending time with us as we ent to the committee members that student can join with their advisory for organize these books? This is so fun! they had a passion far beyond just service day, where St. David’s partners It’s like school, and we LOVE school!’ that one opportunity. By the end of with ministries like Raleigh Rescue MisSophie learned the joy of service in a the year, a common vision emerged: sion, Habitat for Humanity, With Love whole new way. to offer support to all the varied oppor- from Jesus, Hearts and Hands for Haiti, Co-leader Dan Sturdevant agreed tunities around campus. “We hope to and many more. This is just the beginwith Sutton when he said, “The im- utilize existing trips,” explained Mr. Dan ning of the outreach that students are pact we have made will be multiplied a Sturdevant, “in a missions curriculum... involved in annually. hundred fold through the relationships that will encourage, support, and grow Far from home Outside our own borders, students we’ve built.” opportunities for missions both domescan participate each year in overseas This recent Ethiopian trip is the lat- tically and internationally.” trips, including our annual Guatemala est addition to a slate of missions and From the youngest to the oldest service options that St. David’s has Beginning in lower school, students trip, where 35 students went this year to the remote village of Machaavailable, and some exciting quila to partner with a church changes have created a more on a building project. They cohesive program. worked side-by-side with GuaMissions Committee temalans to build a foundation A newly-formed missions for a school, and fell in love committee, made up of lower, with the children and Guatemamiddle, and upper school facullan co-workers while they were ty began meeting this year. The there. initial purpose was to choose With a comprehensive prorecipients for yet another new gram in place to guide students opportunity: the Great Comthrough the process of learning mission Scholarship. However, and growing through service to as they met, they found themKatie Dickens ’14 and the Ethiopia mission team served at others, the missions opportuniselves discussing their vision Hope Enterprises, a soup kitchen in Addis Ababa that profor a broad-based program at vides lunch to women and children. Seeing their happiness ties have never been better at St. David’s School. the school. It became appardespite how little the people there had was eye opening.
Beyond the comfort zone
Learning to serve -- from campus to the far reaches of the world... Guatemala Guatemala is the longest-standing mission trip at St. David’s, going every winter break to serve largely through ambitious building projects. As with many mission trips, learning about the culture and history of the people is important, and a visit to notable sites is a valuable and exciting part of the experience. Marianna Brewer ’13 and Olivia Vanarthos ’13
Josh Cianca ’13 and Guatemalan co-worker
Academic Connection
The
From ocean studies at the Carolina coast, to government participation in Washington, D.C., students discover by doing
O
ne month this spring, while the fourth grade students were visiting New Bern, the state’s colonial capital and home of the first governor’s mansion, Tryon Palace, students in the middle school elective class “Raleigh: Past, Present and Future” took a trip downtown to the executive mansion. It turned out they got a first-hand look at not only government -- but the governor himself! Getting out of the classroom and into the world is a key component to a St. David’s School education. “The world is our classroom,” proclaims Headmaster Lockerbie, expressing a philosophy that takes our students from locations as varied as the creek beds in our own backyard, to the steps of our nation’s capitol and the streets of ancient Greece. Designed to complement the curriculum, field trips and clubs give students and teachers a deeper understanding of their classes. Observing God’s Creation Fourth grade students begin each year with an exciting trip to North Carolina’s coast. After class time spent studying about the North Carolina seashore, including lessons on hurricanes, beach erosion, and marine life, the students board a bus for Carolina Beach and a day on a boat fishing for all kinds of sea life. On-board marine biologists give the students information about the specific species caught, and information about North Carolina’s changing coastline. “The students love this field trip,” said fourth grade teacher Pam Hofer. “Before the trip, each child researches a specific fish found on our coast. They are always so excited when they can identify the fish they are reeling in.” Middle school earth science teacher Kelly White and upper school biology teacher Jon Benner love the proximity of St. David’s to the greenway and Crabtree Creek. Both teachers share their passion for nature Naturalist Club member Billy Coleman ’16 notes changes in plant life.
by sponsoring clubs that take students to the creek and along the greenway to observe what is happening in these settings. Mr. White’s Environmental Club has spent time collecting trash from the creek and participated in “The Big Sweep,” a county-wide effort to clean up local waterways. Mr. White also sponsored and coached St. David’s first middle school Envirothon team. Envirothon is an annual competition testing student knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management. Dr. Benner’s Naturalist Club members spent time at the creek and at the tree line on campus studying and making notations about the blooming flora and aquatic life. “This is a great exercise in observation, notation and patience,” he said. “Students are visiting from week to week and taking notes on what changes are happening.” All three of these teachers say they enjoy being able to share their personal interests in nature and biology with the students in a more relaxed setting, hopefully sparking a greater interest in science. “It is also a great opportunity to share with them about God’s creation, and our responsibility to care for it. It has been entrusted to us, and we are responsible for these things,” said Mrs. Hofer. History in the Present Students in the third and fourth grades traversed the state this year learning about colonial life in North Carolina. In addition to the fourth grade’s trip to Tryon Palace, the third grade students spend a day in Old Salem. The trip is the culmination of their study of communities past and present. In Old Salem, they learn about colonial life, specifically life as an adolescent Moravian in the community of Old Salem. They visit the Single Brothers’ House and the Single Sisters’ House where young Moravians lived and learned life skills and a trade.
A visit to Tryon Palace lets fourth grade students get a glimpse of colonial life in North Carolina.
Third grade students are full of questions for the historical characters of Old Salem.
Mr. White, Envirothon team advisor, and eighth graders Marie Leighton McCall, Katherine Roberts, John Mac Feeney and Cole Estrada compete at the state competition in Burlington.
At the banks of the Seine with the famous facade of Notre Dame in the background, French students experience the culture, language, history, and famously delicious food of Paris.
Mary Grace Brinson ’18 explains her Innovation Warriors project at the annual Emerging Issues Forum hosted by NC State.
“I am always amazed at the questions students ask when they are interacting with someone who is in character and is an expert at their craft,” said teacher Amy Rogers. I love to watch the conversations that take place as students use the background knowledge they have acquired in the classroom to extend their learning even further. It is one thing to learn about a blacksmith in class, but to see, smell, and experience a blacksmith shop with all its uniqueness is amazing.” Eighth grade students travel to Washington, D.C. as a part of their study of United States government. Their four-day visit includes a tour of the US Capitol, the monuments and memorials, the Smithsonian museums of American History, Natural History, Air and Space, and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. “This trip is a wonderful lesson in sacrifice for these young people,” said middle school principal Neville Sinclair. “They learn about the structure of government in class and are interested in seeing it in action, but the memorials and monuments are the items that stick with them. Visiting Arlington Cemetery and the Vietnam memorial give them a visual of how many people have died in defending our nation’s freedom.” Eighth grade chair Jeanett Newsome agrees, “After each trip, we do a wrap up of what the highlights were for them. The students are always most moved by the Holocaust Museum. Hearing the sounds and seeing the names and faces of those who lost their lives sticks with them, especially having recently read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom in the
seventh grade, and The Diary of Anne Frank in the eighth grade. But, she added, they also get a kick out of standing at the same place on the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and imagining the crowds before him on the national mall.” Purposefully designed, clubs and field trips complement the curriculum in all three divisions at St. David’s and allow teachers to bring classroom lessons to life for our students. Being able to see and touch, not just read about, these lessons really makes an impact on our student and enhances the classroom experience.
The Brain Trust Winning the televised Brain Game competition was no surprise for Charles Keen ’14, Nick Collis ’13 and Danny Ferguson ’16. These students spent hours in preparation with advisors Mrs. Pedersen and Mr. Carreker learning information on a broad array of topics.
St. David’s School 3400 White Oak Road Raleigh, NC 27609
Leading the Community Through Music
“I
Teamwork, leadership, musical development all part of praise band
t has definitely been one of my most memorable experiences at St. David’s,” said Evan Fritsch ’14 of his experience on praise band. “It has made me reflect on my goals in life and has influenced what my goals are for my future after St. David’s.” Evan isn’t just talking about his future in music -- which is not just a future, but a present reality, considering he produced his first album of original compositions this year -- he’s also talking about the impact on his leadership skills and development of his faith. “It has helped me grow,” said
guitarist and vocalist Bellamy Harden ’15. Leading praise band has helped her to understand “the right reasons” for being up on stage -- not pride or popularity but “to worship God and use my gifts for Him.” Each week, both middle and upper school students lead their peers in Chapel and in Student Led Morning prayer. Faculty mentor Jake Rodgers said, “It’s a labor of love,” going on to explain, “It’s the collective product of the student body.” The volunteers spend their lunch and flex time each Monday and Tuesday, and each group arrives an hour
early for school on the day they lead to practice and set up. Of course countless hours of practice at home are involved as well. “Students have to be bold in their commitment and vulnerable enough to play and sing in front of their peers,” explained Mr. Rodgers. “It’s really made me appreciate worship teams in churches and artists everywhere,” said Bellamy. Keyboard, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, bass, djembe and vocals bring the music alive and add a vibrant excitement to regular gatherings. Mr. Rodgers smiled, “I just love when it all comes together!”
Josh Cianca ’13, Evan Fritsch ’14, Bellamy Harden ’15, Sarah Harrison ’15, Courtney Casey ’15, Zack Sfirlea ’16