Teachers and Administrative Staff at Shawnigan

Andy teaches a full course load of History and Social Studies at Shawnigan as well as coaching. He is the assistant in Copeman’s House and when asked what characterizes Andy’s involvement, David Hyde-Lay, House Director says, “Andy proves his commitment to the boys in the House the old fashioned way—by spending a lot of time in their company; it’s that simple. Andy’s interest in their development and general well being is genuine.

Originally from Alberta, Cari began her university studies in Waterloo, Ontario and finished them at the University of Victoria. While doing her practicum at Quamichan High School in Duncan in 1993, Cari was invited to a workshop at Brentwood College. This was a particularly worthwhile workshop as Brentwood was looking for an English teacher at the time and Cari suitably impressed them and was able to apply. Cari subsequently started her professional teaching career with, as our Headmaster likes to say, “Our Friends and neighbours down the road.”

Shawnigan Lake School has expanded its Admissions Department, welcoming Chad Holtum in the new position of Director of Enrollment and Marketing. Holtum moves from Queen Margaret’s School (QMS) in Duncan where he was Deputy Head with responsibility for admissions, advancement, marketing and communications. In Holtum’s tenure there, just shy of six years, the school realized a 50% increase in enrollment. Prior to that he was Vice Principal and Director of Admissions for two years at Lakeside Prep School in Shawnigan Lake, a small International Boarding school for grades 7-12.

Claire’s first degree is in science with a major in Chemistry and Astrophysics. Before earning her teaching certificate from the University of Victoria, she worked as an organic chemist in Calgary and in the Okanagan Valley. Claire felt that it was important to gain industry experience before moving into the classroom so that she could give her lessons real-world significance.

As a life-long athlete himself, Darrin is ideally suited to his involvement with the Shawnigan sports program. While Darrin hopes that his Shawnigan teams will all enjoy winning records, he is equally committed to instilling in our students a love of athletics that will inspire active and healthy lives. Darrin and his family (wife Wendy and son Matt, now studying at Waterloo), lived on campus for many years, where Darrin served as both House Director and Assistant House Director, most recently in Duxbury House. He also teaches math and science and coaches basketball and tennis.

The greatest myth in the educational system in the last fifty years is that schooling is 'only about the classroom.' In a boarding environment, we are ideally placed to mine all the possibilities that exist within a student and the community. - David Robertson, May 2008

Don Rolston, Director of Fine Arts, has been at Shawnigan since 1981. In fact, three of the five Rolstons are currently at Shawnigan. Don’s wife, Lynn, is the Archivist and his eldest daughter, Jenny (Class of ‘01), is an Assistant House Director at Shawnigan. Katie (Class of ’03) has graduated from the University of British Columbia, and youngest daughter, Dana (Class of 07), is studying at UVic.

Erica received her degree in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) from UBC after attending high school in Northern Ontario. She is continuing her studies at Malaspina University in teacher’s training. Her busy schedule as Assistant House Director of Kaye’s, Jr. Girls’ rowing coach, and her duties in the Learning Centre, make the trips to University three times a week a real challenge!

Galen began his teaching career at Shawnigan in 2003. A member of the Socials Department, he combines his passion for outdoors and travelling with teaching, drawing on his own personal experience as well as that of his students to enrich the physical and cultural studies of many countries. Two of Galen’s favourite countries are Germany and Korea, where he spent a year as an exchange student and taught ESL, respectively.

Gaynor Samuel was brought up in a tiny coal-mining village in Wales. It was here, at the foot of the Black Mountain in Brynaman, where she learned the strong family values and mores that make her such a natural for Shawnigan Lake School.

Georg teaches Entrepreneurship 12 and Commerce 10, runs the Stag Café, does duty in Groves’ House and coaches rugby and squash. Originally from South Africa, Georg completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree and worked in the business world as an auditor, accountant, and bank manager before being recruited by the South African Department of Trade and Industry.

A former student of Shawnigan Lake School, Graham Anderson began teaching at the School in 1957. Currently, he is the longest serving staff member at Shawnigan, where he holds the title of Senior Master Emeritus. As a Housemaster for 29 years, the caretaker of our chapel organ, and as a teacher of everything from history to yearbook to riflery skills, his contribution to the School is difficult to measure or to match.

Harley was born in Ocean Falls, BC, but grew up in the Cowichan Valley. He attended University of Victoria and then opened a video store called “Now Showing” (still in operation!) that specializes in classics, hard-to-find, and foreign films. At just 20 years old, he was heavily involved in the local Chamber of Commerce, was vice-president of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, was on the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation board, and had run for Duncan city council twice—losing by less than 40 votes each time.

(by Taylor T.)

Known for her ready smile and friendly laughter, Heidi Brewer was born in Australia and raised in Calgary. She works as a lab assistant in the Shaw Centre for Science and is the Health-Centre Secretary.

Heidi attended college, traveled, and worked with autistic children for eight years before finding this position by chance.

Jarrett Wilke is known for his quiet, quirky sense of humour in the classroom and in the staffroom! Jarrett was raised down the road in Mill Bay and attended Brentwood College School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics (with a minor in math) and a bachelor’s of education from UBC, before going on to earn his master’s in mathematics education from SFU. While studying for his master’s, Jarrett also taught in the public school system in Abbotsford.

Jay Connolly is a remarkable writer, interviewer and essayist, which makes the preparation of his staff profile a rather daunting task. So, to begin, we will let students from the class of 2009 speak first:

Mr. Connolly's greatest teaching strength is his ability to make his students think for themselves. He presents his opinion on the subject matter, but always leaves it open to interpretation and discussion. Speaking of discussion, he is always available for a quick chat and really makes his students feel as if he cares about them. – Brendan Downey

(by Taylor T.)

Jim Kingstone and his wife, Jo-Anne (Shawnigan's Deputy Head), and their two children Ben and Sarah, came to Shawnigan from California in 2005. Although finding a 24/7 environment for four unique individuals to reasonably live, learn, work and excel in together, would seem to pose an intricate challenge, the family has adapted with an immense openness of will, and at the same time enjoyed the change from an urban to rural a environment.

Chaucer and Facebook are worlds apart, but John Sarsfield mentions each as contributors to his ongoing enthusiasm for teaching after more than 30 years in the profession. “I’ve been teaching English Literature for about 20 years and I never lose the passion for it because the kids are so interested and involved. They are so eager and they keep the material fresh,” John says, citing a recent vigorous classroom debate about Chaucer. “Every year I learn something new from them.”

How do we describe Lynn Robertson without referring to her as “the Headmaster’s wife?” Although the Head, himself, will describe her as his “better half through more than 30 years of marriage,” those of us who work with her at Shawnigan know that she is a dynamic individual, quite aside from her partnership role.

As Associate Director of Admissions Margot is kept busy identifying suitable students for Shawnigan life and introducing their families to the ways of Shawnigan.

If you haven’t ever seen him on stage, you wouldn’t guess that our own self-professed “quiet-guy,” Morgan McLeod, was the least bit dramatic! Students at Shawnigan know that other side though, as Morgan admits, “My junior math classes might get a bit more theatrical flair in their teaching than one expects in a math class.” He enjoys teaching math though and finds it a break from the turbulence of a drama class, “I can tell them to sit still and to do some work.”

Paul Morris enjoys the busy life of a Shawnigan teacher. He teaches math and science, coaches squash and ice hockey, and is Assistant House Director of Lonsdale’s House where he and his wife, Alison Dewis (Associate Director of Admissions) are enjoying the community of boys.

Paul began his teaching career here at Shawnigan in the mid 1990s and was here for three years before moving to nearby Lakeside Preparatory Academy where he worked as a House Parent and teacher.

(by Thandi F.)

The impressive music and teaching background of Mr. Ralph Fraser, is not easy to summarize. With over twenty-five years experience, he’s taught everything from Senior Band to French, Geography, PE, Social Studies and English.

Active in the local music scene, Mr. Fraser is a member of the Cowichan Valley Concert Band, the Cowichan Valley Consort-Orchestra (groups which he has introduced numerous students to over the years) and also the Devon Bailey Big Band, which played at Shawnigan’s semi-formal holiday dance.

....or, as we call him, Enviroman!

Scott Noble (Shawnigan graduate of 1975) began teaching at the School in 1983. Shawnigan Lake School's "Enviroman" is a science teacher and as well as educating the School in the three R's (re-duce, re-use, and re-cycle) he contributes to the School and to the community of Shawnigan Lake and the Province through his environmental action.

In June of 2002, veteran Shawnigan math and calculus teacher Stephen Cox received Canada's highest official teaching honour—the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.

After graduating from Shawnigan, Steve went to the University of British Columbia where he earned an Arts degree. He worked his way through university by logging and salmon seining in the summers like a true West Coaster.

After graduating from UBC Steve travelled in South America for a year. He then continued his education at Carleton University where he earned an Honours degree in Journalism. Steve then embarked on an exciting career in broadcasting that took him to four provinces and even to the Arctic.

Originally from Manchester, England, Sue Newns completed her teacher training in Durban, South Africa, and went on to teach art and art history at a large public school in that city. Sue came to Shawnigan in 1990 to begin an eleven-year stint as School and then Groves’ House Director, and to teach in the English, Socials and Art departments. After stepping out of the House Director role, Sue joined Beth Hall’s team to do duty in School and then Strathcona School House. Sue’s two children - Sarah (’93) and Michael (’96) -both graduated from Shawnigan.

Tim Murdy grew up in North Vancouver. He attended Carson Graham Secondary School and it was there that his passion for the game of rugby was born. After high school, Tim travelled and played rugby in Australia and New Zealand. “A varsity rugby coach at UBC, Barry Legh, talked me into coming back to Canada and playing for the university. While there, I also did volunteer coaching at Carson Graham and at Capilano Rugby Club. I finished both my Physical Education degree and Education degree at UBC.”

Vito is House Director of Lake’s, Sr. Boys Basketball Coach, and teaches Socials 9 and 10. Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, Vito was recruited to play basketball at the University of Victoria where he earned a B.A. in Geography. His successful university team won three National Championships, narrowly missing a fourth. (With this kind of experience under his belt, it is no surprise that Vito is an award-winning basketball coach.)