From the Beacon - In Focus: Upper School Clubs and Activities
Andrew McCarthy ’23
One of the most important aspects of this community is our activities and clubs where students can embrace their passions! A few activities have been highlighted in order to provide information on what they’re working on currently and their plans for the future.
Asian Student Alliance
Advised by Ms. Tang and led by junior Amber Feng, the Asian Student Alliance seeks to “cultivate a safe space for Asian students.”
What’s happening now? The Asian Student Alliance meets once every two weeks on Green Thursdays in room S107. During their meetings, students enjoy food from Asian cultures while playing card games and Mahjong. Club president, Amber Feng, explained that one of her goals is to create a “culture of sharing at Shipley.” The conversations happening between students in the room are always positive and insightful.
Plans for the future? As of now, the Asian Student Alliance has a number of exciting activities planned for upcoming meetings. They are hoping to bring in guest speakers, and they are considering the possibility of cross-school collaborations with nearby schools. Going forward, the club strives to continue providing students with a safe space to celebrate their identity.
STEAM Club
Advised by Dr. Brandao and led by senior Kevin Zheng, the STEAM Club seeks to “give students the opportunity to work with tools in the Maker Space.”
What’s happening now? The STEAM Club meets once every two weeks on Green Mondays in the Maker Space lab.
During their meetings, students engage in hands-on learning and experimentation, making use of the 3D printer, the laser cutter, and materials such as wood and cardboard. Currently, the club members are working on an interactive “STEAM” sign which will be displayed in the Maker Space lab.
Plans for the future? Going forward, the STEAM Club is considering the possibility of redesigning the Python room with the help of their advisor, Dr. Brandao.
Sprouts Horticulture Club
Advised by Ms. Sterling and Ms. Couture and co-led by senior Wyatt Strawbridge, Sprouts seeks to “increase the popularity of horticultural engagement in the Shipley community.”
What’s happening now? Sprouts meets once every week in the Greenhouse. During their meetings, students participate in a variety of activities, including caring for flower bulbs, planting raised-bed gardens, and preparing plants for sale in the Spring.
In partnership with the Lower School, club members are currently making ornaments for a holiday-themed tree which will be included in a seasonal event at Longwood Gardens.
Plans for the future? In March, Sprouts will be working on forcing flower bulbs for the Flower Show run by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society.
Students will each get the chance to design their own individual submission, while also collaborating on creating a singular, large-scale submission of a door entryway.
Global Village
Advised by Mr. Oatts and led by seniors Kevin Zheng, Zion Alexis, and Keith Brennan, Global Village seeks to “learn about languages and cultures around the globe.”
What’s happening now? Global Village meets once every two weeks on Blue Tuesdays in room US SP102. Using the website ITalk, students discover and reach out to native speakers from various different countries.
During their meetings, students ask these speakers questions about the culture and customs of their native country. Often, they learn how to greet one another in the speaker’s native language. So far, they have spoken to Korean, Filipino, and Moroccan speakers. Club leaders sometimes bring in traditional snacks and treats from the speaker’s native country.
Plans for the future? For their upcoming meetings, Global Village is looking forward to the possibility of chatting with international speakers from countries such as Israel and Sri Lanka.
Wharton Investment Club
Advised by Ms. Nappi and led by junior Chase Leibowitz, the Wharton Investment Club seeks to “create the best portfolio for the case studies they are given.”
What’s happening now? The Wharton Investment Club meets once every two weeks on Green Tuesdays in room US M205. During their meetings, students simulate buying and selling stocks through the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, an online investment simulation. Competitors are given $100,000 and challenged to make the most profitable investments they can.
The Wharton Investment Club members recently invested in stock from Axis Bank Limited, a financial services company headquartered in Mumbai, which, to their surprise, is doing particularly well.
Plans for the future? Going forward, the Wharton Investment Club hopes to finish the preliminary competition at a high enough standing to make it to the finals. We wish them luck!
Ceramics Club
Advised by Ms. Royer and led by seniors McKylah Fletcher and Katherine Foulke, the Ceramics Club seeks to “provide students with a space where they can express their artistic visions.”
What’s happening now? The Ceramics Club meets once a week on Blue Mondays and Green Thursdays in room SC217. During their meetings, club members shape, glaze, and fire sculptures and pottery out of clay. Whether they are throwing on the wheel, glazing a piece, or sculpting with their hands, students are permitted to work entirely independently and at their own pace.
Plans for the future? Going forward, the Ceramics Club plans to continue providing students with an open studio—a place where they can feel free to express themselves while always having access to guidance and support.
The Upper School Honors Jazz Combo, directed by saxophonist Chris Oatts, is Shipley's premier music ensemble and reflects Shipley's dedication to excellence in the arts. The group continually impresses audiences and serves as a pinnacle experience in Shipley's musical learning community.
🇮🇹 Last month, 13 students and 2 teachers had the trip of a lifetime in Italy, exploring Paestum, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Naples' Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and Rome's historical sites and museums, experiencing Italian culture, history, and art!
12 Shipley Spanish students had an unforgettable adventure in Spain, exploring Madrid, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, and immersing themselves in local culture and iconic landmarks. ¡Recuerdos para toda la vida! 🇪🇸
At Shipley, students are supported in pursuing their passions beyond the classroom, as showcased by eighth-grader Anne Martindale, whose imaginative costume designs for the Middle School’s production of Alice in Wonderland transformed the stage, blending artistic vision with the encouragement of dedicated teachers.
Shipley is pleased to welcome Steve Lisk as Interim Head of School for the 2024-2025 school year. Steve Lisk served as the 10th Head of School at Lancaster Country Day School from 2008 to 2022. His 14 years at LCDS made him the second-longest tenured head in the school’s 100-year history. Across 34 years in independent schools, he has served also as an executive coach, division head, department chair, dorm head, classroom teacher, advisor, and athletic coach.
Affinity groups at Shipley help to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, empowering students of diverse backgrounds to build authentic relationships, celebrate their identities, and grow into confident, compassionate global citizens. Learn more about our Lower School Affinity Spaces.
After 34 years of dedicated service to The Shipley School, Kay Weinstock is retiring as College Counseling Assistant. Her meticulous attention to detail and genuine kindness have shepherded thousands of Shipley students through the college admissions process.
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.
Shipley's Director of Libraries, Jennifer Phiambolis, collaborates with teachers to integrate library research into course projects, fostering students' critical thinking and information literacy skills. This approach empowers students to discern credible information and challenge online misinformation.
A quiet powerhouse in Shipley’s Athletic Department, Katelyn manages the moving parts of anywhere from 12-15 teams per season. While that may seem chaotic—she sticks to her spreadsheets and checklists, plans for various scenarios, and thrives under pressure, all while presenting a calm demeanor.
Christine Greenwood held various roles at Shipley, spanning a tenure of 36 years, most notably as an art teacher and the advisor of The Beacon and the Yearbook. She will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Shipley's beloved PreKindergarten teacher Tina Wattles will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, leaving a lasting mark on the community. Her energy and smile will be greatly missed by her students and colleagues alike. "For a generation, Tina has planted acorns that have grown into mighty oaks. Her work will reverberate for years and years to come,” said Head of School Michael Turner.
Discover how Shipley School's music program nurtures young musicians from Lower to Upper School, fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Learn how students find their musical voice and achieve professional-level performance through this comprehensive education.
Anna Dejdar ’04 is set to embark on a new journey, leaving behind a legacy that spans over two decades. As she prepares to assume her new role as Head of Upper School at Stratford Academy in Macon, GA, in the 2024-2025 school year, we reflect on her invaluable contributions and the indelible mark she has left on our School.
Shipley's Middle and Upper School Science Olympiad Teams earned many medals at the Pennsylvania Southeast Region Science Olympiad Tournament on March 8 at Penn State Abington.
This year’s alumni exhibition features work from the Sky Paintingsseries by Shipley alum Peter Makela ’04 and will be on display in Speer Gallery from April 9 to May 5. Celebrate the fine arts at Shipley with an artist reception in Speer Gallery on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Alumni Artist Reception is part of Alumni Reunion Weekend and is open to family and friends of the Shipley community, we ask that you please register online or contact alumni@shipleyschool.org with any questions.
Discover how our theater program nurtures student voice, confidence, and leadership. From sixth grade silliness to Upper School self-awareness, our students learn to express themselves with empathy and creativity, embodying our mission of compassionate participation.
The son of a North Philly cop and South Philly educator, Shipley alumnus Robert "BJ" Glenn III ’07 demonstrated prowess as an athlete and as a student. Knowing the importance of a good education, BJ's parents enrolled him in Kindergarten at Shipley where he soon made his mark in class, and later on Shipley’s playing fields in lacrosse, baseball, and other sports. But it was at daily recess at age 6 when he discovered a sport that perfectly blended his budding speed and agility with a strong leg: soccer.
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.