Shipley Names New Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach
The Shipley School is proud to announce that Ellen Bair has been named Varsity Girls' Basketball Head Coach. After an extensive search, Shipley is delighted to have Ellen take the helm of the Girls' Basketball Program.
Ellen has spent the last three years as the Varsity Girls' Basketball Coach at Linden Hall, an all-girls boarding school, located in Lancaster, PA. During her tenure, she developed the basketball program into one that is well-recognized and high-achieving, including three consecutive PIAA District championships, and two trips to the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 of the Pennsylvania State Tournament. She is devoted to the development and growth of her players and has sent numerous girls on to all levels of college basketball.
Coaching and basketball run in the family for Ellen. Her father, Jeff, is the long-time coach for Gettysburg High School, and her brother, Sean, is an Assistant Coach at Monmouth University. Ellen played college basketball at both Lebanon Valley College and Dickinson College as a point guard. Most recently, Ellen was the Director of Athletics at Linden Hall in addition to being the Varsity Basketball Coach. Ellen will join Shipley in a full-time capacity with additional roles in both Middle and Upper School. She will also join the staff of our Volleyball Program.
Coach Bair stated, “From the moment I stepped onto the Shipley campus, I knew it was a special place. I am honored to be the newest member of the Gator family and look forward to continuing a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence in girls' basketball. I want to thank everyone in the Shipley Athletics Department for this incredible opportunity, and for their faith in me and my vision. Let's get to work!”
We are also pleased to announce that alumnae and former Georgia Tech standout, Martine Fortune '15 will join Liz Denbigh '14 and Shania Stamper on the Varsity Girls' Basketball staff as an assistant coach. Martine will also be a full-time colleague working in our Lower School as an Associate Teacher.
Learn more about Chantra Reinman—from her unexpected journey into education to her love for dance, and a surprising encounter with royalty, Chantra shares what drives her to make a difference in the lives of young learners. Discover why she's so passionate about protecting children's options and possibilities, what she loves to do in her free time, and why the classic film Roman Holiday holds a special place in her heart.
In the whirlwind of the first few weeks of school, Shipley's teachers set the tone in their classrooms with engaging ice-breaker activities that transcend traditional introductions. Through these activities, our students are not merely getting to know each other; they are building the foundations of a thriving, supportive, and vibrant community that will guide them on their journey to becoming their best selves.
Phillip Brown, Upper School Theater Director at Shipley, considers his portrayal of Jay Jackson in Lantern Theater Company's "The Royale" to be the role of a lifetime.The play was nominated for seven Barrymore Awards, including Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, with Phillip himself nominated for Outstanding Leading Performance in a Play.
Contour line drawing is more than a classroom exercise, it demands unwavering concentration, forging connections between the artist and their subject, creating a unique interplay between the pen and paper. A poignant reminder that art isn't merely about what we see; it's about how we see it and the stories we can convey through the lines we draw.
Explore the world of renowned artist Rory MacArthur at The Speer Gallery in a mesmerizing exhibition on loan from the West Collection. Discover MacArthur's journey into glyphs and abstraction, where he crafts perfect glyph-like objects using color, shape, surface, and form in an age inundated with symbols.
In an effort enrich Shipley’s Theater Arts Program, significant changes are underway, touching every aspect of the program—from personnel to scheduling. Learn more about the exciting changes underway in Shipley's Theater Arts.
Meet Sergio Jackson, Shipley’s Director of Athletic Performance, who inspires the community to move and thrive. Learn about his journey from a college athlete to Shipley, where he creates an inclusive and empowering environment for the community. You will also discover how he applies his guiding principles of strength, energy, resilience, and gratitude (SERG) to help students achieve their health and wellness goals.
Departing Director of Physical Plant and Security, Bob Meals, shares his fond memories and gratitude. This place isn't just a workplace; it's a home," he emphasized, having lived on campus for 25 plus years. The family-like environment, the friendships, and the connections with students, families, and coworkers are what make this place so unique."
Join us on Saturday, September 30, for this day-long celebration that will include a kids’ carnival, free community barbecue, athletic events, Kona Ice, and more. Festivities begin at 10:00 am! Carnival, Kona Ice Truck, 5th grade smoothies, and Middle School bake sale proceeds will support Shipley's 22-year partnership with The Brain Tree Primary School in Uganda.
Shipley's very own Director of Bands, Dr. Harley Givler was recognized as a finalist in the 10th Annual Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute Ovation Awards. He and the nine other finalists were nominated by current and former students who wrote essays on “How My Music Teacher Changed My Life.”
Shipley’s Asian Student Alliance (ASA), led by co-presidents Amber Feng ’24 and Anne Gu ’25, recognized Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with programming for Upper School students, including a presentation about AAPI Heritage Month by members of the ASA, and one by guest speaker Elvis Zhang ’17 about his life as an entrepreneur and Asian American.
Capping their stellar season, the girls’ played Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in the Final League game, only this time the tables turned and Shipley was victorious.
Shipley's Middle School Latin students took the 2023 National Latin Examination with over 100,000 students from around the world. Thirteen students earned Latin Award prizes and recognition for excellence. Middle School Latin students also competed in The Philadelphia Classical Society's 84th Annual Latin Week Competition - Traditional Artistry & Literary Projects on Classical themes. A total of 30 Middle School students won Latin Awards and recognition for excellence.
The Upper School Administration recognized the outgoing and incoming student leadership officers and presented students with academic, athletic, and leadership awards at the annual Closing Awards Ceremony.
"How can we use the language of art to explore our feelings and beliefs? What do I care about and how can I bring that idea to life? What do I want to communicate?" These are just a few of the questions that Shipley’s Studio Art 3 Honors students grappled with as they completed their protest art assignments. Learn more about this project and how students discover their voice as artists to speak about something they care about.
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Defining scientific research questions and the process of inquiry is an important part of Middle School science. Beginning in sixth grade, students define their questions, then design experiments to help them answer these questions. Eighth graders recently traveled to Saunders Woods to do this work as part of their ecosystem assessment project—just one example of how authentic assessments create meaningful learning experiences.
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.