Introducing Our Spirit Mark - The Pride of Saint Andrew's

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is pleased to announce that as part of its updated branding efforts the school has included something special for students. The school has launched a special logo called a spirit mark to inspire pride and loyalty in non-academic contexts. 


Our new spirit mark is called The Pride of Saint Andrew’s and is represented by a lion with a wholehearted mane. 


The spirit mark will be used on a wide range of informal materials for student groups, alumni activities, athletics, and merchandise to communicate and express school enthusiasm. The spirit mark symbolizes, promotes, and honors our individual and collective pride in being part of the Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School community. It is a visual representation of what we believe to the best part of the school.


During the 2018-2019 school year and then again earlier this school year, the school shared the mark and how it would/could be used with the school’s student council officers and representatives. The response to both the Pride name and the lion mark was overwhelmingly positive. The most frequently asked question was, “When can we start using it?”


Why a lion? 


The image of a lion is often associated with organizations known as Saint Andrew’s, whether they be schools, universities, hospitals, or hotels. It’s a somewhat labyrinthine connection that starts in Scotland. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. The unofficial flag of Scotland, or Royal Banner of Scotland, often called the Lion Rampant, is frequently presented at sporting events involving a Scottish team. It displays a roaring lion ready for battle. This connection to Scottish sporting events inspired the lion as a mascot for many St. Andrew’s organizations. (Another Scotland - Saint Andrew’s connection is that it’s national flag, the Saltire or St. Andrew's Cross was incorporated into our church’s identity in its early years and was subsequently included in the school’s previous logo as well.)


The lion was actually first proposed as a ‘mascot’ for Saint Andrew’s nearly 10 years ago by a group of eighth grade students and their advisors. They presented to the then Head of School that among its several definitions, Pride means both:

  • a group of lions forming a social unit.
  • a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.

They described how having a lion as a mascot worked on both levels for our students as they work together in social units in classes and teams, and how they felt a deep satisfaction being part of the school.


The design of the lion is met to evoke a sense of strength, dignity, and leadership. 



We will work over the summer and in the year ahead to update items to feature The Pride of Saint Andrew’s.


What about Saints?


While the school’s sports teams have competed as Saints for many years, the name was never expanded for use beyond that and no accompanying visual symbol was ever developed.


A lion is also a distinct mark among teams in the Diocese of San Jose Athletic League (DSJCAL) Central Division, many of whom include the word Saint in the school’s name.

 

St. Lucy Lightning

St. Martin of Tours Bengals

St. Clare Wildcats

St. Mary’s of Los Gatos Cougars

St. Justin Knights

Canyon Heights Academy Cardinals

Queen of Apostles Eagles

Sacred Heart Stallions

 

Comments