ANC SECONDARY SCHOOLS
sional development during the year . During the first of these days , Rebekah Russell from General Church Education spoke to us about learning targets and research conducted by John Hattie . In 2009 , Hattie wrote his seminal work Visible Learning . This book combines the results of Hattie ’ s research over the last few years with a deep insight into what really goes on in the most successful classrooms and how teachers can keep improving their students ’ learning . On the follow up professional development day , Hayley Gunther spoke with the faculty about technology education . She then incorporated the concept of learning targets into the use of technology in each discipline . These were invigorating days for all educators .
Club banquets and telegrams are a highly anticipated event every year . They occur twice each year . The fall banquets and telegrams were held on November 7th , with the spring event on May 14th . The banquets are for club members and invited guests , while the public is invited to telegrams .
The softball team was the winningest in school history , with an 11-6 overall record . The Junior Varsity team won the Friends Schools League JV Tournament , going undefeated on the day and outscoring their opponents 42-7 .
Among the flurry of activities hosted at the end of the year are the yearbook signing party . The 2017 yearbook was dedicated to both Marah and Eyvind Boyesen , which is a testament to how impactful these two teachers and mentors have been to our student body as a whole . The senior blessing service , hosted by the Bryn Athyn Church is a wonderful send off for our seniors into the life of the church . This was followed by Academic Awards Night , where we honor the students that excel at learning . The Girls ’ School gave three academic excellence awards this year to Madison Zagorski , Anji Cooper , and Clara Roth .
The following evening is the Glencairn dinner for the senior class followed by the banner and song presentation at MPAC . At graduation the following morning , Leann Perry Hill sent the class and parents off with words of wisdom . Brielle Williams , the valedictorian for the Girls ’ School , made the girls laugh by reminding them of all the happy times they had experienced in the Factores lounge . Theta Alpha gold awards were presented to Samantha Lenn Hill , Clara Marie Roth and Brielle Sage Williams for an affirmative attitude toward the distinctive New Church principles of the Academy , contributions to the life of the Girls ’ School , and for academic achievement .
By the end of the year , the Conjugial Love study group had reached a point where we have produced a document for the faculty . It has been printed and placed in the hands of the faculty to read over the summer . The entire committee has put in seven years of work on this project . Hilary Bryntesson did the bulk of the final editing and put the document into a language that will ring true for adolescent girls . This project was Susan Odhner ’ s dream and the Girls ’ School will long be indebted to her passion for making the concept of conjugial love more accessible to our girls .
We were fortunate to receive a Cole Foundation grant which will enable us to have Julie Lythcott- Haims , author of How to Raise and Adult - Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success to come to speak to our community in the fall . Even though this book is written for parents , the faculty has been reading this book and there is plenty of fodder for discussion about applications to the educational setting .
I have many people to thank for helping me make it through my first year as principal . Jim Adams has been a stalwart support and wise counselor . Wendy Clymer and I have muddled through together as best we can when we both were totally clueless about some procedure . Her sense of humor and her quiet confidence have been invaluable . Liz Fuller has been a source of institutional knowledge as well as a calm presence in meetings . Her handling of discipline has left me free to focus on other issues and I have found her help to be indispensable . And finally , it is with unlimited gratitude that I thank Jeremy Irwin . I appreciate his unwavering patience as he taught me - both with words and by example - what it means to be the leader of the school . I aspire to become the leader that Jeremy seems so effortlessly to be .
It has been both a privilege and an honor to work this first year with the faculty , students , and parents of our Girls ’ School community . We are fortunate to have a dedicated faculty , a gregarious and intelligent student body and a supportive group of parents . When we all work together in the best interest of the girls and the best interest of the Academy magical things occur .
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