Connect with Admissions

List of 6 members.

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  Gaynor Samuel 

  Director of Admissions

  250-743-6297

  Bio

  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 traditions that make her such a natural for Shawnigan Lake School. Following her childhood dream, to become a teacher, Gaynor received a bachelor’s degree and teacher’s certificate from Cardiff University and took her first job as a biology and math teacher in North Wales in a town called Mold.
  
  After two years, she moved back to Cardiff and Glantaff School where she taught science for ten years. Gaynor was recognized early in her career as a leader, and was appointed Head of the Glantaff Middle School after several years of teaching.
  
  During this time, Gaynor married Rhodri Samuel. Rhod was working in Canada at St. Michael’s University School in Victoria, so Gaynor made the move to SMUS as Head of Girls’ Boarding. After a couple of years, Rhodri and Gaynor moved back to Wales to start a family and worked at Christ College, Brecon.
  
  Two years, and two children later, the Samuel family heard of an opportunity at Shawnigan Lake School. Rhodri was appointed Head of Ripley’s and Gaynor settled into her role as “House Mother” and relished the opportunity to spend time with her own growing children in the comfortable setting of Shawnigan.
  
  In 2006, Gaynor left teaching to become an Admissions Associate, taking over the role of Admissions Director in 2008. When not at work, Gaynor is a keen interior designer and is highly sought after to assist in the decorations of houses on campus.
• 

  Julia Pollock 

  Admissions Associate, International Students

  250-743-6216

  Bio

  Julia Pollock grew up in Nuremberg, Germany, and spent five years working at a German television station following high school. She met husband, former pro-hockey player and current House Director Lonsdale's House Jame Pollock, when she interviewed him following a hockey game. After a move to Mannheim and then to Munich to complete her university education in linguistics, education and phonetics, the couple then relocated to Vancouver Island with their two young children in late 2014. Julia began working at Shawnigan in 2015 and found a home in Admissions where she enjoys the positive experience of helping great young people find their place at Shawnigan. When she’s not busy in the office or on the road connecting with prospective families, Julia enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin on the lake.
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  Suzanne Rourke 

  Admissions Associate - Canada/ US

  250-743-6207

  Bio

  Suzanne Rourke came to Vancouver Island for a new adventure after her family of five had experienced 12 wonderful years of living in Smithers, BC. Originally a Cape Bretoner, she graduated from Dalhousie University (BSc Kinesiology) and the University of Western Ontario (BSc Physiotherapy). She has worked in Vancouver, BC; Private Practice in Smithers, BC; Sports Medicine Clinic in Houston, Texas; Polytrauma in Calgary, Alberta; and Sports Medicine in Calgary. Suzanne has also felt driven to volunteer in roles as a BC minor hockey president, and with BC Hockey and Hockey Canada. This, along with other volunteerism, has led her to understand the importance of giving back, connecting with community, caring for others, and showing respect for people who are strong stewards in their domains. Suzanne came to the Shawnigan Admissions Department keen to be part of an energetic, positive team. Drawing from her daughter's experience as a Shawnigan boarding student (who now attends University in the US playing NCAA ice hockey) and son’s experience as a current student, she can relate to prospective parents through the eyes of a parent living the Shawnigan life every day. 
• 

  Sarah Sinclair 

  Admissions Coordinator

  250-743-6285

  Bio

  As a member of the graduating class of 1990, Sarah Sinclair was one of the first female “School House” students at Shawnigan. Following her time at Shawnigan she went on to UVic where she completed a BSc in Geography and subsequently spent several years working as a GIS specialist in the forestry industry. She moved back to Vancouver Island with her family to pursue a change of lifestyle and is the proud mom of a Shawnigan graduate and a current Shawnigan student. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys rowing, hiking and gardening.
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  Rhodri Samuel 

  Director of Alumni Relations

  250-743-6229

  Bio

  Originally from a coal mining village in Wales, Rhodri completed his undergraduate degree at Cardiff University, Wales, and his post graduate teaching degree at Exeter University, England. He taught biology and chemistry in England and in Wales before emigrating to Canada in 1984. His first eight years in Canada were at St Michael's University School, Victoria, where he was a housemaster and a science teacher. Rhod and his family came to Shawnigan in 1993 where he very happily ran Ripley's House for 17 years. During his tenure at Ripley's, he taught science and ran the rugby program. After house directing he moved into administration where he oversaw tone and discipline at the school. Rhod is now involved with the gap and intern program, Alumni Relations and Admissions. He is married to his childhood sweetheart Gaynor, who runs the Admissions team at the school. They have two sons, Dafydd (Ripley's '08) and Owain (Ripley's '09). In his spare time, Rhod enjoys hiking and pottering around the garden.
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  Colin Whitney 

  Admissions Associate, Professional Coach