ST.MARY’S
SUMMER 2021
NEWSLETTER St. Mary’s Welcomes New Faculty Leadership
WHAT’S INSIDE? CLASS OF 2021
MOVES ON TO HIGH SCHOOL
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ALUMNI:
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
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SPECIAL EVENTS
ARE COMING SOON
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Early this summer, four extraordinary leaders joined our faculty. After an extensive search filled with countless interviews, St. Mary’s unanimously found the right leaders to shepherd respective divisions. Over the coming months you will have the opportunity to meet and get to know each of them. Please help us welcome Tom Spence, Head of Lower School; Rebecca Zipprich, Head of Middle School; Abeni Bias, Director of Enrollment Management; and Rob Warren, Director of the Arts.
Tom Spence, Head of Lower School With 30 years of education experience, Tom Spence joins us from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he was the Elementary Principal at the distinguished Mont’Kiara International School. While there, Tom successfully guided his school through a rigorous accreditation process, fostered relationships with school stakeholders and implemented game changing curricular programs. He has worked in five international schools on three continents ranging from International Baccalaureate programme roles to key leadership positions. He is a Westmont College alum and holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration. Tom’s passion for an IB education, rich administrative experience and love of teaching will enhance our Lower School program.
Rebecca Zipprich, Head of Middle School With more than 20 years of leading and teaching in urban and international school settings, Rebecca departed the Bay area where she served as the Head of School for the well-respected Shu Ren International School. Prior to that, Rebecca spent most of her career in Shanghai, China, where she played critical roles that involved leading and guiding schools through the accreditation process, establishing IB curriculum across all divisions, developing strategic plans and working closely with both faculty and parents to foster strong relationships. She has two master’s degrees, the most recent from Arizona State University in Educational Leadership. Her dedication to developing learner-centered environments that prepare Middle School-aged students to thrive coupled with her immense hands-on IB experience, assure us Rebecca will lead our Middle School with integrity while successfully preparing our students for the next stage in their education. Story continues next page.