EXTRA CURRICULAR

Gifft Hill School's lower campus students can explore their interests and talents through several extracurricular activities. Our beloved lower school principal, Beth Knight, teaches a weekly course in Character Development to sow the seeds of GHS ideals early. Angel Bolques instructs the children in ways to incorporate technology into their studies to make learning fun, and Kathleen Cooke assists the children with growing their own fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Our wonderful Spanish and PE teacher, Liz Putnam, leads students in after school activities such as cheerleading and dance, and GHS offers intramural sports run by parent and community volunteers.

Gifft Hill School's upper school students have a myriad of choices for extracurricular pursuits. Below is a list of what is offered for the 2009-2010 school year:

Building with Math and Science- Kent Wessinger's students will build bridges, towers and dams using the principles of math and science to broaden their understanding of these concepts and their practical applications.

Culinary Arts- Walter Hinds, owner and chef of the eponymous Cruz Bay hotspot, Hinds, instructs a dozen lucky GHS students on cooking techniques from boiling water to braising meat to baking decadent desserts.

Gardening- GHS Gardening students cultivate food crops and beautify our campus with ornamental landscaping. Gifft Hill School is partnering with Iowa State's University College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to create a service learning project on our campus that promotes sustainable agriculture in the Virgin Islands. Spearheaded by Gardening teacher Jason Siska and Biology teacher, Kris Bennett, the program will be a huge asset to our school and our islands.

Journalism/Yearbook- GHS students document the course of the school year with their school newspaper, Gifft Hill School Globe, and through their work on the yearbook. Students also produce the creative writing magazine, First Sight, which features student poetry, stories and artwork.

Mad Science Experiments-Our resident "mad scientist", Jim Willen, guides students through enlightening and challenging experiments and mathematical equations to solve complex problems. Adding to the fun, students will convert vegetable oil into biodiesel and create a wind turbine that will generate electricity.

Mini-mesters- Each year when the students return from holiday break in January, they spend the first two weeks of school in mini-units that provide intensive experience in an area of interest. This year's mini-units included: a theater production with the New England Youth Theater; scuba diving and watersports; golf and tennis; pottery and sculpture; kayaking and hiking; vocal music; sailing; and sports camps.

Photography/Video Production- Under the guidance of renowned St. John photographer, Steve Simonsen, Gifft Hill Students begin with the basics of photography and videograpy. They gradually refine and expand their skills, ultimately producing their own music videos and fine photographs.

Sea Navigation- The Caribbean waters surrounding St. John serve as the classroom for the Sea Navigation class as students learn to use nautical charts, plot courses and develop a myriad of marine skills. The class sails and motors on all types of vessels from those using Old World navigational tools to those equipped with modern GPS and radar. The Sea Navigation class is under the direction of Jill Darnley and Bill Henderson and the numerous captains who donate their time, expertise and boats.

Service Learning- This elective offering speaks to the heart of GHS ideals as our students head out into the St. John community to do community service projects at many of the island's worthy organizations and causes. This program is under the guidance of Chelsea Comeau and we hope that it will grow in the years to come.

Woodworking- Instructor and master craftsman, Andrew Cameron, has taught GHS students to create beautiful items from various types of wood since the upper school was founded. Mr. Andrew's "apprentices" create functional pieces and hone skills that will last a lifetime.

Yoga- Our students strengthen their minds, bodies and spirits by exploring the mental and physical practice of yoga. Teacher Lesley Castle is a certified yoga instructor who has recently returned to St. John after traveling and studying abroad.