Recent News

We are excited to share that Good Shepherd Episcopal School (GSES) has been featured in the local neighborhood flyer, highlighting our special community partnership with the Friends of Forest Hill Park (FFHP). This recognition celebrates the deep bond between GSES and FFHP, a collaboration that has flourished under the reinstatement of the FFHP Junior Program.

Led by Laura Bradlee, GSES Director of Outdoor Education, the partnership is rooted in shared goals of environmental stewardship, community service, and fostering a connection with the natural world. The FFHP Junior Program, relaunched in September 2023, has already inspired students and families to engage in meaningful activities such as monthly trash pick-ups and invasive species removal within Forest Hill Park.

The partnership has proven rewarding for both GSES and FFHP, with plans to expand youth involvement from local schools in the upcoming year. Laura Bradlee and her team are dedicated to growing this "park"nership, providing more opportunities for students to take an active role in environmental activism and service.

Be sure to check out the full article in the Fall 2024 Forest Hill Flyer!

Last month, we celebrated our graduating 8th graders at Good Shepherd Episcopal School with a memorable ceremony. We are incredibly proud of all these students for their accomplishments during their time here. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to both academics and extracurricular activities have been truly inspiring.

These students were active and enthusiastic members of the GSES community. Many of them participated in the Mountain Biking Club, where they learned not only biking skills but also teamwork and perseverance. In the Eco Club, our students took on leadership roles, showing their dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. Additionally, they made impactful contributions through the Student Government Association (SGA).

Each one of them has a bright and promising path ahead. Our graduates will be attending a variety of schools throughout the greater Richmond region, including Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, John Randolph Tucker High School, and Open High School. In addition to attending these schools, some of our graduates will be participating in competitive specialty programs that cater to their unique interests and talents. Programs such as Spanish Immersion and Humanities will provide them with enriched learning experiences and the opportunity to delve deeper into their passions.

We are confident that the foundation built at Good Shepherd Episcopal School will serve our graduates well as they transition to their new educational environments. 

Congratulations to the GSES 8th Grade Class of 2024!

We had so much fun at Forest Hill's "Run For the Hills" 5k! Thank you to all the volunteers and participants who contributed to this fantastic neighborhood event. We were thrilled to win the spirit award for our cheer station, and we give credit to all the students who shared their "favorite activity in Forest Hill" for the display. Congratulations to all the runners and walkers, especially for getting up that steep hill with smiling faces!

If you live in or near the Forest Hill neighborhood, you may have heard about the oil spill in Reedy Creek near Owl Orchard a few weeks ago. About 100 gallons of transmission fluid were discovered in the creek by neighborhood resident Alex Marten and promptly reported to DPU. The cleanup was coordinated by the Department of Environmental Quality, and most of the oil was fortunately removed before traveling downstream. Some of our middle school students were able to observe and learn about the cleanup effort, as well as help where they were safely able to do so. The investigation into the cause/ source of the oil is currently under investigation, led by Mercer Croneymeyer, Pollution Response Coordinator for the DEQ. Many thanks to Ms. Cronemeyer, Alex Marten, James MacDonald at Owl Orchard, and Shanna Hryvniak of Total Environmental Concepts, who included our students in this very educational experience.

It was an incredible honor to have Kristen Nye, Vice President of the Richmond City Council and 4th District Council Member, as well as Kate Ayers, Executive Director of ReEstablish Richmond, speak at our assembly last week. The theme of our assembly was "How to be a Good Neighbor." Both special guests lent their insight and experience on this topic. Our community reaches far and wide, and we appreciate learning more about our neighbors' gifts, struggles, and needs. Above all, we were reminded that we are more alike than different, and what we can learn from each other is limitless. Thank you for your commitment to the wellbeing of the Richmond community!