Athletics
In the spirit of healthy competition, our athletes at all levels are expected to strive to win, as a winning tradition is one measurement of success and can invigorate an entire community. We recognize, however, that success is not exclusively a function of winning and our student-athletes working toward team goals, conducting themselves with honor, integrity, and sportsmanship at all times is the cornerstone of our athletic philosophy. It is a philosophy and approach that complements the educational process, mission, and overall environment of Gill St. Bernard's School. Gill's academic excellence is well-established and our athletic program reflects the academic goals of growth, character, and excellence.
Athletics in the Upper School
In our Upper School, we offer 24 different opportunities for interscholastic athletics, a remarkable number considering we have roughly 330 students in grades 9-12. Over the last few years every one of our varsity teams has qualified for the NJSIAA post season and six different programs have been ranked in the “top-20” in New Jersey, a state with over 450 high schools. In 2011-12, our Upper School teams earned the prestigious “ShopRite Cup” from the NJSIAA for overall athletic excellence and sportsmanship. Only six schools in the entire state (one from each of the six sections) receives this award each year.
In addition, our teams have earned several conference, prep, county, sectional, and state championships and on an individual level, many GSB student-athletes earned post-season all-conference, all-prep, or all-state recognition. Several of our recent graduates also earned “Player-of-the-Year” accolades in their respective sports and many have moved on to compete at every collegiate level, Division One through Division Three.
Athletics in the Middle School
The daily schedule of the Middle School is set up so that our teams practice during the physical education period set aside during the school day. For fifth and sixth graders, this is 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. For seventh and eighth graders, this is 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Because our teams are so closely connected with the physical education program, it is imperative that we make every attempt to create a positive experience for student-athletes of all levels and interests.
While we make every effort to have a place on a team for every Middle School student who wants one, please know that this does not mean that "playing time" during contests will be divided equally among all athletes.
While we make every effort to have a place on a team for every Middle School student who wants one, please know that this does not mean that "playing time" during contests will be divided equally among all athletes.
In addition to our competitive teams, we also offer a supervised "General Gym" opportunity for those students who would like an athletic experience without having to make the often extensive commitment to interscholastic competition. We also allow a student, if he or she desires, to take part in a sport-specific physical education class without taking part in the actual games, meets or matches.
Our Upper School teams are achieving at an increasingly high level of success. It is our hope and expectation that this success will continue. Part of our goal in structuring an appropriate Middle School program is the idea that we will be effectively preparing our young athletes to move seamlessly into the more rigorous varsity and junior varsity programs in the Upper School.
Our Upper School teams are achieving at an increasingly high level of success. It is our hope and expectation that this success will continue. Part of our goal in structuring an appropriate Middle School program is the idea that we will be effectively preparing our young athletes to move seamlessly into the more rigorous varsity and junior varsity programs in the Upper School.
GSB in the Skyland Conference
As a result of extensive realignment by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, most of the Upper School athletic teams at Gill St. Bernard’s began competition in the Skyland Conference in the fall of 2009. The Skyland Conference includes 24 public and private high schools from Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties and provides regular season schedules as well as championship events for its member schools. Each sport has been placed in a division within the conference based on enrollment, geography, and the overall strength of the program. GSB teams and student-athletes will continue to enter Prep B and Somerset County tournaments and, as full members of the NJSIAA, will be eligible for all state-level post season events.
Students must have physical forms completed for fall Upper School athletics by August 11. This can be accessed on KnightSite under Health Forms. Middle School student-athletes must have their forms completed by September 5.
7/30: Boys' Varsity Soccer leaves for Portugal (returning 8/8)
8/12: Pre Season Breakfast for new GSB Upper School Athletes & Captains 8:30 am
8/12: All Fall Sports Pre Season Practices begin 9:30 am
8/20: Boys' Soccer Scrimmage vs Bernardsville 9:00 am
8/21 Girls' Soccer Tri Scrimmage @ Villa Walsh 10:00 am
8/23: Boys' Soccer Scrimmage Fest vs Oratory, New Providence, Somerville, Immaculata & Franklin 10:00 am
Girls' Soccer Tri Scrimmage @ Pequannock 9:00 am CANCELLED
8/25: Boys' Soccer Scrimmage Fest @ Stockton University 9:00 am
8/26: Girls' Soccer Scrimmage vs North Warren 11:00 am
8/27: Boys' Soccer Tri Scrimmage @ Princeton HS 4:00 pm
Field House
Athletics Hotline
(908) 734-1109
Meet the Athletics Department
List of 8 members.
Gill St. Bernard's School
Gill St. Bernard’s is a private, coeducational day school for students age three through grade 12, located in suburban New Jersey. Each of the three school divisions provides a vigorous, meaningful and age-appropriate curriculum, and all students benefit from the environmental learning opportunities that exist on our 208-acre campus.