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Traditions, whether dating back to the founding of St. Richard's or within the last decade, are an integral part of St. Richard's School and student life. The following pages will highlight important traditions with a description of the school's history, spirit and symbols, texts, behavior expectations, uniforms, faith, and activities.
 School history
The name St. Richard's was chosen by the school's founder, the Reverend Ernest Lynch, in honor of St. Richard of Chichester, an English saint and scholar. The name “Richard” also honored then retiring Episcopal Bishop of Indianapolis, the Right Reverend Richard A. Kirchoffer, who was interested in the education and the parish school concept. Patterned intentionally after the parish day school of Great Britain, St. Richard's incorporates the best aspects of the system. The first teachers were British and were brought to the United States specifically to teach at St. Richard's bringing with them a British cultural flavor which remains today.
Spirit and Symbols
St. Richard's School colors are red, green, and white. The school mascot is a dragon. Pip Padgett, from Wales, was the first Head Teacher, and she used the Welsh flag as the school's flag-thus the Welsh Dragon as mascot and red, green, and white as the colors.
The St. Richard's School coat of arms (crest) is adapted from the authentic crest for Saint Richard as recorded in the British College of Heraldry. The design for our coat of arms was drawn by Mr. Jack Bevan, the artist brother of Helen Bevan. The colors are symbolic with red representing the blood of Christ and green the English countryside and the seasonal color of the Trinity season. The Chalices remind us of the consecrated sacrament of Eucharist; the cross of Christianity's main symbol; and the bishop's mitre of Richard's position in the Church. The banner below the coat of arms is inscribed with the School's identity.
 Dragon
The Welsh dragon, with its distinctive features, stands as the School's mascot in all sporting events. The School adopted the Welsh dragon in the 1985-1986 year in an all-student contest to select a mascot.
Texts
Day by Day (School Song):
Day, by Day, Dear Lord,
Of Thee three things I pray;
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by Day
--St. Richard of Chichester, 1253
 School Prayer:
O God, the creator of light and fountain of all knowledge,
bless this school, we pray;
and illuminate those who teach and those who learn here,
that your light of truth and love may
shine with growing brightness within us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Affirmation of Honour:
As a member of St. Richard's School, I celebrate:
My love for God;
The acceptance of personal responsibility;
The values of knowledge, honesty, integrity, and service; and
Openness to the diverse world in which I live.
Behavior and Welcoming Environment
Students and adults often refer to the Affirmation of Honour (see above) as a model for desired behavior. In fact, when discussing the need for improved behavior, the Affirmation of Honour is often recited. Students are often complimented for upstanding behavior and an overall general concern for the welfare of others. Many may argue that one of the most important traditions of St. Richard's School is the welcoming atmosphere the students provide.
Specifically, the following lists minimal expectations for students:
-Treat others with courtesy and respect. Students who are rude or demeaning should expect to be corrected by any adult member of the community.
-When an adult enters the room, students should stand to greet the visitor unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.
-When meeting visitors to the school, students should be polite, greet the visitor, and move to the side of the hallway so visitors may pass freely.
-When in the halls, students should walk quietly, greeting each other and adults politely by name, holding doors for others, and should not walk in between people in conversation.
 School Uniforms
Finally, St. Richard's School believes that being neatly attired contributes to a student's positive self-image and success in the classroom, as well as giving visitors a positive image of the school. Therefore, students in Lower and Middle School wear school uniforms, and this is another important tradition of the school. Although uniforms vary some by grade-level, community members easily identify our students as they all wear dark green blazers.
Faith
One of the other most defining aspects of an Episcopal school is the expression of its life of faith in worship. Since Episcopal faith allows for a wide range of individual beliefs, not being defined by a core dogma or set of catechetical statements, the liturgy or structure of worship becomes a central focus of faith. Chapel, therefore, is supremely important to our Episcopal identity. Early Childhood classes do not attend formal chapel services in Trinity Church; rather they hold more informal services in their own classrooms, often facilitated by the school's Chaplain and teachers.
Lower School students attend daily chapel services in Trinity Church, and the Middle Schools joins the Lower School for chapel on Wednesdays. Attendance is mandatory for chapel, but a student's level of participation is a matter of individual faith and religious preferences. In addition, Middle School students attend Divinity class each week.
Activities
There are several activities rooted in traditions that play an important part in making St. Richard's School a special place. Some date back to the school's beginning, and others are more recent. The following is a sample of some of these traditions:
Kindergarten: Nativity Play and Mothers' Day Bunny Play
First Grade: Memorial Day Service and Eighth Grade Buddies, Re-enactment of the Nativity in Lessons and Carols
Second Grade: May Pole Dance
Third Grade: International Fair, Wax Museum, and First Grade Buddies
Fourth Grade: Famous Hoosier Puppet Presentation
 Grade Five: French Back-to-Back Program, 5th Grade Tea, and Richard of Wyck Play
Grade Six and Seven: Waycross Retreat
Grade Six-Eight: Spring Musical
Grade Eight: History of SRS Assembly, Washington D.C. Trip, First Grade Buddies and Commencement Activities
Lower School: Mini-Assemblies take place once a month for students in grades one through five. A monthly theme, dealing with such as issues as bullying to Teacher Appreciation Week and more, is the topic of discussion led by the Dean of Students. In addition, students are recognized for positive behavior through the apple pin system.
Middle School: Community Meetings typically take place once a month and allow for speakers and a time to recognize various accomplishments and exemplary behavior. The current Advisory structure allows for students to meet weekly in small groups and to remain with a consistent group of students and advisor for their duration of Middle School. Advisors help students achieve Goal Action Plans (GAPS) for academics and personal ambitions. In addition, advisory time is spent participating in various team-building activities and discussions. 
All School:
-Grandparents and Special Friend Day, which takes place the last day of school before Thanksgiving, is an important day for many. Grandparents and special friends have the opportunity to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and spend the morning with their grandchildren or special friend.
-Shrove Tuesday is the English equivalent of Mardi Gras. It is the day before Lent when all "indulgent" foods should be removed from the menu. Eggs, sugar, and other foods that might focus believers' minds on their stomachs rather than their salvation were to be used up and only plain fare be prepared during Lent. English pancakes (very similar to the French crepe) are a traditional meal for Shrove Tuesday. St. Richard's students and teachers enjoy puppets, parades, pancake races, and a special meal with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.
-The Service of Lessons and Carols: Lessons and Carols performed by the students at Christmas in Trinity Church. This beautiful service involves students alternately reading selections from Scripture and singing traditional Christmas carols while the first graders enter in stages to portray the Holy Family and the Nativity scene.
-Award's Day Presentation, which takes place the final week of school, is a unique time in which students in various grades are recognized for academics, citizenship, scholarships, and more.
-The Talent Show, which takes place the final week of school, is an opportunity for students and staff to celebrate their special abilities and talents with the entire school.
-Friday Assemblies, which take place during second period every week, are an opportunity for students and staff to come together as a community. Speakers are often invited to the school to discuss topics ranging from celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month to making positive choices. In addition, individual classes and grades are responsible for presenting at one assembly per year. New to St. Richard's School, the Dragon Award is given out every Friday to a classroom nominated by a staff member. The winning class is recognized in front of the entire school and hosts the stuffed dragon in their classroom for the week.
-Dragon Power, a newly introduced program led by the Dean of Students, allows for small groups of students to meet on a consistent basis for a short period of time. Depending on students' needs, a series of Dragon Power groups are offered and focus on topics dealing from anger management to improving self-esteem.
-Movie Night, offered two Friday evenings during the year, allows students to come together with a sleeping bag and pillow (or stuffed animal) and enjoy a movie, popcorn, and beverage. Students meet in the Dragon Café for pizza and then head to the Fortune Room to watch a film on the big-screen. This is an event that should not be missed, and parents are required to enjoy a night on the town!
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