The ANDREAN - Spring 2026

Spring 2026: volume 70, number 1

Spring 2026

volume 70, number 1

Welcome to The Andrean, your alumni magazine since 1956.

What a joy it was to put this issue together. I had the chance to meet the six amazing Iwai brothers, and I can confirm their mom is right – they do look you in the eye when they shake your hand! I also had the pleasure of sitting in on an inspiring presentation given by Chris Egi ’14, who effortlessly engages a room with both his humour and his earnestness. I was also lucky to catch several demos of the school’s new brain-computer interface. How fortunate our students are to be exposed to such leading-edge technology. And finally, we continue to have a seemingly endless supply of Old Boys to profile; in this issue, we expanded the section to include five. I hope you enjoy their stories as much as we enjoyed chatting with them. If you know an Old Boy with a great tale to share, please let us know.

Julie Caspersen, Editor

FRONT COVER

All the Iwai

BACK COVER

Dunlap Hall taken from the rink on the Quad in January.

We belong to the following associations:

Brian

Melissa

Telephone 905-727-3178, ext. 333

Email admission@sac.on.ca oldboys@sac.on.ca theandrean@sac.on.ca

Website www.sac.on.ca

The Andrean magazine supports the St. Andrew’s College mission: “developing the complete man, the well-rounded citizen,” connects Old Boys and parents to the school, and reflects St. Andrew’s College’s enduring value to the constituents it serves.

TTL

Through The Lens

A

beloved friend takes a final bow.

THE HEAD’S UP

There is a strong sense of clarity and momentum at St. Andrew’s College. Across campus, there is a shared understanding of who we are, what we value, and where we are headed. That sense of purpose is visible in classrooms, in co-curricular life, and in the many ways our community gathers and celebrates together.

Much of this energy comes from the way our adults continue to learn alongside our boys. Faculty and staff remain deeply committed to professional growth and align their work with the priorities outlined in our Forward. Boldly. strategic plan and our Framework for Teaching and Learning. Whether exploring new instructional approaches, deepening their understanding of student well-being, or considering the role of emerging technologies in education, this work is thoughtful and intentional. At St. Andrew’s, strategy does not live only in documents. It is visible in classrooms, in conversations, and in the daily experiences of our students. Our Year 1 strategic plan report card on page 16 offers a snapshot of the progress we have made over the past 12 months, along with a reflection on the work that continues to guide us.

The impact of this work is evident in the student experience. Andreans are encouraged to think critically, communicate with confidence, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Literacy, in its broadest sense, remains central to that work. We see it in thoughtful writing, compelling storytelling, respectful dialogue, and a growing awareness of the responsibilities that come with citizenship and leadership. These skills prepare boys for academic success and for the complex and interconnected world they will help shape.

Well-being also remains a defining part of life at the college. Rather than existing as a single program or initiative, wellness is woven into the school’s culture for students and adults alike. Connection, balance, joy, and

resilience are actively encouraged, reinforcing the belief that boys learn best when they feel supported, known, and valued.

One of the most rewarding developments this year has been the number of Old Boys who have returned to campus to share their expertise and experiences with current students. Whether speaking in classrooms, mentoring young Andreans, or offering professional insight from their fields, these alumni remind our students that the Andrean experience does not end at graduation. It evolves into a lifelong connection to St. Andrew’s and to one another.

That spirit of connection is beautifully reflected in this issue’s feature story on the Iwai family. Over 17 years and six sons, their experience illustrates something many families come to discover at St. Andrew’s: what begins as a school relationship often grows into something much deeper. The friendships, mentorship, and shared traditions that define life here extend well beyond the classroom and endure long after a student’s final day on campus.

As this issue of The Andrean reflects, St. Andrew’s is a community that honours its past, engages fully with the present, and looks ahead with confidence. It’s a privilege to work alongside such dedicated employees, supportive families, engaged Old Boys, and, most importantly, the thoughtful and capable young men who bring this community to life each day. X

Kevin R. McHenry, Head of School

an epic journey

SIX BROTHERS, 17 YEARS – THE IWAI FAMILY’S CLASSIC TALE OF ANDREAN COMMITTMENT, BROTHERHOOD, AND LEGACY COMES TO A CLOSE

By Julie Caspersen

When Tyler Iwai graduates in June, he won’t just be earning a diploma; he’ll be closing a 17-year chapter in St. Andrew’s College history written by one family and six brothers.

“Having all of us come through the same school is pretty rare, and it kind of made our family part of the place,” said Tyler ’26, the youngest of the six Iwai brothers.

When the boys’ parents, Kelly and Dean, came to campus for the first time in 2009, they had no idea they were beginning a journey that would shape their sons’ lives and forever link their family to the school’s long, proud tradition.

Kelly, who grew up in Aurora, was aware of the St. Andrew’s reputation: strong academics, competitive athletics, and an emphasis on character. But it wasn’t until she brought their firstborn, Darren ’15, to an open house, encouraged by his hockey coach, Dave Galajda, who was SAC’s Director of Boarding at the time, that the Iwais felt something click.

“Darren looked at me right away and said, ‘This is where I want to go to school!’” Kelly recalled.

That declaration set the course for the entire family.

What first struck Kelly and Dean was the sense of community. “We felt very welcomed and connected and could see the interactions between the students, teachers, and parents right away,” Kelly said.

“The focus of being well-rounded was appealing. It’s not always about the grades. Integrity, resilience, and how others are treated are strong family values, which the school instills as well,” Kelly added.

Darren thrived immediately in Grade 7, growing not only academically but in confidence and independence. And as the years unfolded, each Iwai boy walked the same path: Connor ’18 in Grade 6, Jake ’20 entering in 2012 as part of the first Grade 5 class, and Daniel ’22, Christian ’24, and Tyler becoming proud Andreans.

Even with six boys walking the same halls and wearing the same uniform, the Iwais never felt like their sons were just part of a pack. Teachers and coaches made sure each boy was seen for who he truly was.

A major influence through the years was Joe Foote, Director of Athletics, who served as advisor to all six brothers. Kelly

said Joe guided each of her sons with the same genuine attention, never comparing brothers and always honouring their individuality.

“My relationship with the Iwai family has been one of the greatest privileges of my role at SAC. Each boy brought his own unique personality, abilities, and spirit to our community. Yet all shared the same thread of being kind, respected, and influential leaders among their peers,” said Joe.

What began as a traditional parent-school relationship grew into something much deeper. From coffee meetups to teacher interviews to Old Boy pub nights, SAC became an extended community, and the family realized SAC wasn’t simply educating their boys; it was expanding their world.

“St. Andrew’s gave me a sense of community that I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. Meeting new people at school in the U.S. has shown me just how much the people you surround yourself with shape who you become,” Christian said.

“Being separated from my SAC friends has been a much greater challenge than I expected, and it’s made me realize how

special the relationships at St. Andrew’s truly are. There aren’t many places that offer a community like that, and I didn’t realize how rare it was until I left.”

Connor agreed. “Whether it’s in the classroom, locker room, or hours on the bus going to games, you go through a lot, side by side. Those moments turn into real, lasting friendships, and when you see somebody again after a while, these memories come right back, and it feels like no time has passed.”

The relationships haven’t been limited to classmates and teachers. Head of School, Kevin McHenry, who began his role in 2009 when Darren arrived, became a close family friend. The Iwais have watched the school flourish under his leadership and know that his retirement next year will be deeply felt across the community.

“For 17 remarkable years, the Iwai family has been an integral and deeply cherished part of the St. Andrew’s College story. With six sons attending between 2009 and 2026, their legacy at SAC is truly extraordinary and reflects a profound commitment to the life and values of the college,” Kevin said.

“It has been a genuine privilege to witness firsthand the many ways they have

enriched our community,” he continued. “Each boy brought his own strengths and personality to the school, while collectively embodying the character, generosity, and kindness that define St. Andrew’s.”

Beyond the school gates, the relationship grew into a lasting friendship. Kevin and his wife, Karan, developed a close bond with Kelly and Dean that extends well beyond their roles at the school. The McHenrys were honoured to be invited to the 2024 wedding of the couple’s daughter, Ali, to Matt Thom ’16, and look forward to spending more time with the family that Kevin said represents the very best of St. Andrew’s: “Amazingly talented, generous, and genuinely kind people.”

Still, Dean jokes that the upside of their friendship is obvious: Kevin might finally have enough free time for golf, when Dean insisted he’ll “win back at least a little of that tuition.”

Through the years, SAC helped shape each Iwai son. They have grown confident

in conversation, look others in the eye, and shake hands with conviction. “We get many compliments on all the kids’ character and maturity, and believe SAC has had a major impact in developing these areas,” Kelly said.

“SAC offered so many opportunities to find their passions, from sports to theatre and beyond. My kids learned quickly that music wasn’t a strength, but they never gave up. And at one point, they turned their nose up at drama, and the next thing we are watching them in a Focus Festival of the Arts play with a huge smile on their face. The opportunities are endless!”

Sports – hockey, lacrosse, golf, volleyball – forged many of their closest friendships each season, with the bonds strengthening through teamwork and shared experiences.

The Iwai home was a revolving door of visiting boarding students, always welcome, always respectful…always hungry!

And then there are the stories that are now family folklore:

` The famous Mercedes Sprinter “hockey bus” that transported boys and their mountains of gear.

` The hectic evenings spent dividing and conquering simultaneous volleyball games.

` The now-legendary phone call from then-Director of Student Life, Greg Reid, during the Beyond the Gates trip, when Jake and a few tired classmates opted to skip part of their hike and call an Uber instead, proudly pretending they had finished the route.

And through it all, one tradition stood above the rest. The Carol Service, now An Andrean Christmas, is a family favourite that captures everything they love about SAC: the music, the reverence, the sense of community.

“When you’re in Middle School or just starting at SAC, it can just feel like another school tradition. But by the time you reach your graduating year, you begin to appreciate how many memories are tied to it and how many years you’ve shared the experience of singing Amazing Grace and the Dorset Carol alongside friends of up to seven years,” Connor said.

Now that Tyler is preparing to graduate, the family feels a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. SAC has been part of their everyday life for 17 years. But there is joy, too. Their sons have left SAC equipped with confidence, accountability, resilience, and a brotherhood that extends beyond the family.

“Even though I’m the last Iwai here for now, it doesn’t feel like the end. My sister just had a baby boy, so I would say the legacy may be done for a while, but it’s just the beginning,” Tyler shared.

Kelly and Dean are already looking ahead to the next generation with their grandson, Liam, born to Ali and Matt in December. >

Countless SAC moments, from chapel mornings to road trips and championships, the Iwai boys have shared a school experience unlike any other. This photo spread looks back at their time at SAC, alongside candid reflections, some thoughtful, some playful, on the memories that shaped them.

darren

What’s something you didn’t realize the importance of until after graduation?

I didn’t appreciate morning chapel, but now I realize it helped me to always be on time.

The long days at SAC definitely prepare you more than the average school. Most days, I would be on campus from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., which is longer than the average workday.

connor

Advice for your younger self?

Take advantage of every opportunity the school has to offer. Try new sports, join clubs, and take on leadership roles. Anything that helps you grow, meet people, and make the most of your time there, because it goes by faster than you think.

Best uniform style?

Darren or I, because we would get new suits that fit us, and the rest would get the hand-me-downs. I still don’t think Jake and Tyler can properly tie a tie after eight years at the school.

jake

Biggest troublemaker?

I’ll take the title. I was the first in the family to get gated, and I added a few more after that.

Best uniform style?

I definitely looked the best in the uniform. I kept it neat and put together.

What’s a memory that stands out to you?

My earliest memory is my first day at the opening assembly. I was called to the front for a photo with Chris Egi ’14 because he was the tallest in the school, and I was the shortest. I barely knew anyone yet, and suddenly I was standing in front of the whole school. After that, people kept coming up to me for months, laughing about it. It actually made starting at the school easier because it gave people a reason to talk to me right away.

daniel

Favourite sports moments?

Winning the CISAA championship for lacrosse in the rain. Playing on the hockey and lacrosse teams made my experience better through new friends and road trips.

christian

Any advice to your younger self?

Slow down and truly appreciate every moment there. You don’t realize at the time how rare it is to be surrounded by that many close friends with whom you share great memories every day. I’d remind myself that those relationships won’t always be so easy to come by, and that the time spent together is something you’re going to miss more than you expect. Looking back, there’s no environment like SAC, so try to understand how lucky you are to be there.

What will you miss most?

What I’ll miss most after graduation is just being around my friends every day. After eight years at SAC, these people aren’t just classmates, they’re basically family. I’ll miss the little things, like hanging out in the halls, joking around before class, and knowing I can walk anywhere on campus and see someone I know.

SAC has been a big part of my life for so long that it’s hard to imagine not being here. Leaving is exciting, but it’s also tough because this place shaped who I am.

Literacy as the Foundation for Learning and Citizenship

AT ST. ANDREW’S, LITERACY IS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING AND A KEY FOCUS OF PILLAR 1 OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN: TRANSFORMING TEACHING & LEARNING. ACROSS THE SCHOOL, THIS WORK IS COMING TO LIFE IN MEANINGFUL AND EVOLVING WAYS.

WE ASKED THREE TEACHERS ON THE FRONTLINES TO SHARE HOW LITERACY IS BEING STRENGTHENED IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND ACROSS THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. TOGETHER, THEIR PERSPECTIVES REFLECT A SHARED COMMITMENT TO BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS, FOSTERING A CULTURE OF READING, AND HELPING STUDENTS FIND AND USE THEIR VOICE.

SHORING UP LITERACY FOUNDATIONS

By Matthew Trevisan, Head of English, Middle School Literacy Coach

To bring the new Ontario language curriculum into our Middle School program, we’ve broadened our approach, so students experience literacy as a foundation for real-world thinking, problem-solving, and responsible citizenship.

The updated provincial curriculum, introduced in 2023, emphasizes essential reading and writing skills, digital media literacy, transferable skills, and critical thinking. These priorities are now woven throughout our units and everyday classroom practices.

The curriculum “is designed to support students in developing the language and literacy knowledge and skills they need to succeed in education and in life, and to encourage students to experience the joy and possibility that literacy learning can ignite,” according to the Government of Ontario.

To support this new language curriculum in the Middle School, particularly as it pertains to digital media literacy, St. Andrew’s has launched several initiatives, including:

ӧ Adding more non-fiction and digital media literacy to our courses.

ӧ A Grade 7 unit about stress management that helps boys see literacy as a means to healthy citizenship.

ӧ A Grade 8 unit about how the video game industry captures – and monetizes –students’ attention.

These initiatives help students see literacy not just as a school subject, but as a toolkit for making informed decisions, understanding persuasive techniques, and becoming thoughtful, responsible citizens.

With the curriculum’s renewed focus on foundational knowledge and skills, such as decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, schools are encouraged to use evidence-based approaches to identify students’ strengths and needs.

In my expanded position as Middle School Literacy Coach, I am collaborating with Middle School language teachers to:

ӧ Implement research-supported reading screeners aligned with the new expectations.

ӧ Gather detailed data on reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

ӧ Identify students’ instructional needs, especially for those joining SAC from diverse educational backgrounds worldwide and at various grade levels.

With a clearer picture of each boy’s strengths and needs, teachers can plan targeted instruction so that every student can grow as a reader throughout their academic years at St. Andrew’s.

Over the past two years, SAC teachers serving on the Standing Committee for Excellence in Teaching and Learning have also embraced

the vital idea that every teacher is a literacy teacher. They have explored a teaching method commonly known as explicit instruction: a systematic, structured, and direct way to help students build the vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills necessary to make sense of any subject area. This whole-school commitment ensures that literacy is not confined to language class; it’s part of how students learn throughout the school.

From Grades 5 through 12, the English Department is fundamentally trying to help students develop the literacy skills to function in a healthy democracy, developing critical habits of the mind and the heart required to see the world both for what it is and what it could become.

Whether they are evaluating a digital advertisement, interpreting a historical speech, or crafting their own narratives, students are developing compassion and cultural awareness, the ability to question and evaluate information, and the skills to imagine how the world could be improved.

These habits of mind and heart are central to the mission of the new curriculum and to our work at St. Andrew’s.

BUILDING A READING CULTURE FOR BOYS

By Melissa Ramon, Head Librarian, Middle School History Teacher

At St. Andrew’s, building a vibrant reading culture is not about one-off initiatives or posters on a bulletin board. It’s about weaving reading into the daily rhythms of school life: shaping daily habits, transforming spaces, and nurturing relationships around books.

Research on boys’ literacy consistently highlights four pillars that spark and sustain engagement with reading: strong male role models, protected time and space to read, abundant choice, and social reading experiences. Across Middle and Upper School, we are intentionally bringing these pillars to life.

Boys are far more likely to see reading as relevant when they see men around them doing it. Studies suggest that boys’ reading identities are shaped by how reading fits into the masculine spaces they encounter. At SAC, teachers play an active role in directing reading programs during sustained

reading blocks, sharing what they are reading and guiding whole-class read-alouds. Library staff strengthen this culture by offering book talks that make adult reading visible and relatable. The message is clear: reading isn’t just an academic requirement; it’s part of a fulfilling life.

Reading thrives when it is built into the rhythm of the school day. This year, the Middle School timetable has doubled its number of sustained reading periods, carving out reliable, protected time for boys to read. During these blocks, students might enjoy a read-aloud, dive into a high-interest newspaper article, borrow from Towers Library, or browse the popular book cart in Rogers Hall. Research shows that giving students time for voluntary reading at school boosts both motivation and reading volume, particularly for reluctant readers.

Choice is one of the strongest drivers of reading engagement for boys. When they can select texts that match their interests (sports stories, fantasy worlds, nonfiction deep dives, graphic novels), they are more likely to persist and see themselves as readers. Monthly Middle School book talks in Ketchum Auditorium expose students to a wide range of genres and formats, while satellite libraries set up before long weekends remove barriers to access at exactly the moments students need books most.

Boys read more when it feels social, not solitary. Read-a-thons in both the Middle and Upper Schools bring students to the library on Friday nights for shared quiet reading, along with literature-themed trivia games and LEGO challenges. Library Advisory Councils in both divisions design Freedom to Read Week activities, Human Library sessions during the Focus Festival of the Arts, and other student-led initiatives that frame reading as participatory and community-driven.

CELEBRATION OF LITERATURE

By Amanpreet Sawhney, Upper School English Teacher

The idea behind launching the Upper School’s first Literature Festival was simple yet ambitious: to build a culture that celebrates reading, writing, and the power of personal voice. We wanted students to experience what it feels like to step into a conference: rooms buzzing with ideas, experts sharing their craft, and participants discovering new ways to express themselves.

Held in February, the inaugural festival brought together all Grade 11 students, along with select participants from Grades 9, 10, and 12. This year’s theme – citizenship through writing and other visual media – couldn’t have been more timely. In a world where global systems are shifting and artificial

intelligence is reshaping how we communicate, the festival invited students to think deeply about what it means to speak with integrity and to use their voices responsibly.

The festival unfolded over a full day, giving students the chance to attend a keynote address and choose four workshops led by Old Boys and professional authors, each offering a different lens on communication, storytelling, and citizenship.

The lineup featured a powerful mix of Old Boys voices:

ӧ Vito Pilieci ’96, Senior Communications Advisor at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, shared how technology has transformed our understanding of privacy in an age of constant surveillance.

ӧ Arya Ashoori ’13, a public speaking coach and lecturer at George Brown Polytechnic, guided students through crafting the perfect elevator pitch and demonstrating why strong communication skills matter more than ever.

ӧ Robert Williams ’12, a photojournalist and feature writer with the Waterloo Region Record, led a compelling workshop on fact-checking, an essential skill at a time when deep fakes, misinformation, and viral content are part of everyday life.

ӧ Joshua Irwandi ’10, a photojournalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist (2021), joined live from Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss what it means to document truth during the pandemic, sharing photos that capture moments of crisis with empathy and courage.

The keynote speaker, author Andrew F. Sullivan, opened with a candid conversation about the creative journey, its triumphs, failures, and the importance of staying true to one’s principles. He reminded students that integrity is not optional; it’s a compass they will return to throughout their lives. Andrew also led a workshop on “writing your monsters” and crafting compelling scenes, a session that pushed students to confront their fears on the page, turn them into art, reinvent popular monsters, and to evaluate their narrative modes to create a compelling scene.

Other workshop highlights:

ӧ Adam Shoalts, a professional explorer and one of Canada’s bestselling authors, spoke on the craft of adventure writing.

ӧ Shane Peacock, Canadian novelist, playwright, journalist, and television screenwriter who is best known for his Boy Sherlock Holmes series, dissected the power of strong openings and showed how writers pull readers in from the very first line.

ӧ Yueh (Evelyn) Yang is a Canadian author who published her debut YA Novel, The Omen Girl. Her workshop on creating fantasy languages showcased how imagination can expand the boundaries of storytelling.

What made the day especially meaningful was how seamlessly it tied into the Grade 11 English curriculum. Students were not only honing criticalthinking and literacy skills but also exploring the ethical, emotional, and intellectual implications of how they participate in society.

The event empowered students to trust their inner compass, apply reason, question responsibly, and step into the world as informed, empathetic young citizens. Every student walked away reminded that their voice has the power to create positive change, and that learning to wield it is both a responsibility and a joy. X

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper

Jeff Kinney

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Lauren Tarshis

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess

Jeff Kinney

Spy School Book 1

Stuart Gibbs

I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944

Lauren Tarshis

I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001

Lauren Tarshis

What if? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Randall Munroe

Minecraft: Guide to Enchantments & Potions

Mojang AB, The Official Minecraft Team

I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916

Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 most popular resources this year

I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919

` The Towers Library collection comprises 6,402 books that circulate to students and staff.

` As of mid-March, 3,163 books have been circulated to community members, a jump from 2020, when 1,191 were circulated, and from 2015, when 1,082 were circulated.

` Middle School students are the most frequent visitors, responsible for 59 per cent of books checked out this year, as of March 17.

` The most popular books are the I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis, The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, Spy School by Stuart Gibbs, and The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu.

` Series that have remained popular over the years include Wings of Fire, Alex Rider, and The Hunger Games

A STRATEGIC PLAN YOU CAN FEEL

Year 1 Report Card

By Nicolette Fleming

Pillar 1: Transforming Teaching & Learning

At the heart of the plan is a shift in how students learn and how teachers teach. Alongside a renewed focus on literacy, a cornerstone of the school’s Framework for Teaching and Learning, St. Andrew’s is sharpening how students think, read, and interpret information across disciplines (see page 12). Literacy is not confined to English class; it is increasingly understood as the foundation for learning itself.

This work is supported by a more intentional approach to professional learning. Faculty in science and Canadian & World Studies engaged in professional learning with Ben Marshall, an Indigenous graduation coach, focused on Indigenous teaching and learning, intentional course design, cultural competency, and teacher leadership.

“The most meaningful takeaway was how [Ben] made Indigenous ways of knowing tangible and practical,” says Jeff LaForge, Canadian & World Studies Department Head. “He showed us concrete ways to weave these perspectives into daily instruction, helping students engage with content through relational, land-based, and holistic approaches.”

It is a shift grounded in the understanding that these perspectives are not additions, but essential to a more complete and holistic approach to learning.

Faculty also engaged in professional learning with Canadian writer and University of Toronto professor, Randy Boyagoda, focused on civil discourse and the respectful exchange of ideas. This work reinforces

It doesn’t always announce itself. Not in a headline. Not in a single initiative. Not even in a major milestone. Instead, it shows up in quieter ways: in how a lesson is framed, in what gets celebrated at assembly, in the conversations students are having about who they are and who they’re becoming.

Over the last 12 months at St. Andrew’s, the Forward. Boldly. strategic plan has begun to move beyond a document and into something more tangible. Something lived. And if you look closely, you can see it everywhere.

Drawing on input from Old Boys, parents, students, and staff, the school established a clear set of strategies and tactics and then assigned responsibility across the community.

“As a complex school with many community members, meaningful progress depends on shared ownership,” says Melissa Tackaberry, Associate Director of School Improvement. “Bringing multiple voices into the work ensures a more thoughtful, forward-looking program for our students.”

That shared ownership has allowed the plan to take hold. It is no longer aspirational; it is operational.

dialogue as a core academic skill, helping students engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives and contribute meaningfully to complex conversations.

At the same time, the school’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee is advancing thinking around emerging technologies, prompting deeper reflection on the future of learning and assessment.

“The committee work has pushed us to think seriously about what skills and dispositions our students will actually need, and whether our current program is preparing them for that reality,” says Keegan Cahill, co-lead of the AI Committee.

Perhaps most significantly, this work is reshaping how assessment is approached. “The core principle driving this shift,” Keegan notes, “is that detection is not the answer. Design is.”

Pillar 2: Exploring Purpose & Passion

Perhaps nowhere is the plan more visible to students than in the shift from academic assemblies to mission assemblies.

“The move was an attempt to align the assemblies with the mission of the school,” says Trevor Biasi, Assistant Head of School, Program. “Too often we championed involvement in all areas of school life, but then only recognized academic achievement in our assemblies.”

Recognition now reflects the full breadth of student life, including music, art, robotics, debate, DECA, leadership, and contribution. What is being redefined is not what success looks like, but what the school chooses to value.

Pillar 3: Inspiring Citizenship

If there is a unifying thread across the school year, it is a more intentional focus on who students are becoming. Character education has become a consistent presence across assemblies, chapel, and advisory, with monthly themes guiding reflection and discussion.

At the same time, belonging has taken on a more expansive meaning. The continued growth of the Student Support Network (SSN), a collection of student-led societies representing the diverse cultural and religious identities within our community, is increasing awareness, strengthening identity, and fostering connection among students and staff.

“Students have a growing sense of pride and confidence in their identities,” says Tomika Fraser-McIntosh, SSN faculty lead. “Through their networks, students feel supported in their efforts and are excited to share the stories that unify them and the school, but also allow them to share, explore, and navigate their uniqueness.”

Pillar 4: Nurturing Wellness

A growing focus on wellness is shaping both student experience and staff understanding.

The school partnered with Southlake Regional Health Care Centre to host a Wellness Fair, helping staff deepen their understanding of child and adolescent mental health. At the same time, wellness initiatives such as mindfulness, yoga, and pilates have been integrated into the daily rhythm of school life, most intentionally through the Arts Co-curricular Plus (ACPlus) program.

A visible expression of this commitment is The Spot, a dedicated space where students can participate in guided meditation during the school day. Led by a staff member, it has quickly become a well-used and valued part of the student experience.

This work is reinforced through professional learning. Sessions on neurodiversity, along with in-house expertise from the Health Centre team on trauma-informed approaches to education, are equipping staff with the tools to better support students in a complex and evolving environment.

Pillar 5: Growing Community

Beyond the classroom, learning is becoming more deliberately connected to life beyond SAC.

Experiential opportunities are expanding, including an Upper School career day featuring Old Boys in business, engineering, law, and medicine, as well as the launch of a 10-week summer internship partnership with FGF Brands.

“Given our focus on citizenship, we are called to ensure our curriculum, programs, and assessments are authentic,” says Michael Paluch, Deputy Head of School. Authenticity, in this context, means relevance. It ensures that what students experience here prepares them for the complexity of what comes next.

Community-building is also evolving in meaningful ways. Increased opportunities for interaction between Middle and Upper School students are strengthening connections across grades. At the same time, a growing focus on belonging through boarding initiatives and our Partnerhood with St. Anne’s is shaping how students experience the school, creating more intentional pathways for deeper engagement in campus life.

Admissions strategies are also evolving to support this work. The Andrean Campus Experience (ACE) Award creates a clear pathway for day students to transition into boarding, offering 15 annual awards of $15,000 beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. More than financial support, the ACE Award encourages students to take ownership of their readiness for a more immersive experience, reinforcing the role of boarding as a meaningful extension of community and belonging.

Environmental stewardship is also taking shape across the school in visible and practical ways. Student-led and community-driven initiatives are helping to build awareness and action, from The Green Desk, a video series led by the Environmental Council and supported by faculty that highlights sustainability initiatives, shares practical strategies, and raises awareness about environmental issues, to simple but impactful measures such as bird-safe window treatments to reduce collisions.

Daily habits are also shifting. The Golden Plate initiative, designed to promote mindful consumption and reduce food waste in Cole Hall, and the introduction of composting in the boarding houses are encouraging more responsible practices, while tree-planting efforts are extending this work beyond campus by inviting students to plant and care for their own saplings at home. On campus, the installation of a pollinator garden along Shad Creek supports local biodiversity and serves as a living-learning environment for students.

This work is reinforced by institutional decisions. The evolution of the Campus Shop, including partnerships with environmentally conscious suppliers and more intentional material choices, reflects the growing consideration of sustainability in how the school operates.

The strategic plan may have started on paper. But now, it lives in the everyday.

Pillar 6: Investing in Us

Behind each of these shifts is a deliberate investment in the people and systems that make them possible.

Professional learning at St. Andrew’s has evolved into a more intentional and inclusive model. A move toward conference-based professional development has expanded access beyond faculty to include all staff, creating shared opportunities for growth across the institution.

“Broadening professional development opportunities beyond teaching staff ensures we encourage growth and excellence, building internal capacity across all dimensions of school operations,” says Shannon Kelly, Director of Human Resources. “The investment in employees is an employee engagement strategy that leads to higher satisfaction results and increased retention. Fair access to PD is also an equity and inclusion initiative.”

Leadership development is also gaining momentum. Through a pilot partnership with HatchPath, a professional learning platform that combines individualized coaching with cohort-based development, staff are strengthening leadership capacity across the school.

Operational alignment continues to support this work. Professional learning focused on boundaries and practices reinforces consistency across roles, while changes, such as updated staff uniforms, reflect a broader commitment to equity and inclusion.

Together, these efforts reflect a clear understanding that a strategic plan is only as strong as the people who bring it to life.

The work is ongoing. Timelines are being refined, resources are being aligned, and ideas continue to emerge. But what is most striking is not what is coming, but what is already here: a shift in what is valued, how students learn, and how a community defines success. X

REPORT CARD TRACKING SPREADSHEET

OUTTAKES

What happens when you sit down with some of our most compelling Andreans and press record? Beyond the Gates, the school’s new monthly podcast hosted by John Sandham ’13, SAC’s Alumni Relations & Major Gifts Officer, captures the insightful, surprising, and often unexpectedly funny conversations. Here, we’re sharing a few standout outtakes from the first few episodes, offering an inside look at the stories and personalities behind the mic.

OUTTAKESOUTTAKES

EPISODE 1:

“The Head’s Up,” with Head of School, Kevin McHenry

John: How much St. Andrew’s clothing have you accumulated throughout the years?

Kevin: Lots! *laughs* Our eldest is Will [Class of 2018]; he is teaching economics, business, and French, and is an Assistant Head of House in Memorial. He also coaches U18 Non-Contact Hockey. As I saw him leave the boarding house today, he was wearing a tracksuit that I wore when coaching JV Hockey…it’s about 18 years old. The red’s always good, and I’ve got lots of it.

EPISODE 2:

“From Stage to Stardom,” with Stephen Amell ’00

Stephen: Mr. Bedard was the Headmaster in my first year, before Mr. Staunton came in for my Grade 11 year. I took AP American History with Mr. Staunton that year; we loved it, because he would routinely have to miss class because he was the Head! One day, he came to class 10 minutes late; he walked in and said, “Sorry, gents, I’ve been making a presentation for the Board…would you like to see what it is?” It was the 20- or 25-year Campus Master Plan for the school. All the things that are at the school now, I’m almost positive, almost all of them were in the plan.

EPISODE 3:

“A Pair of ’02s, Part 1,” with Donnovan Bennett ’02

John: I’ll ask, because he brought it up: were you responsible for bringing Michael Faulds ’02 [head football coach at Western University] back to Canada?

Donnovan: In terms of playing football in university, yeah. I was at Western; Mike was at Toledo. Our quarterback graduated, and we had a QB in waiting, but there were rumours in these online football chat rooms saying, “Mike Faulds is going to Western.” I kept hearing so much about it

that I called him, and then we started talking about it. Obviously, I was selling him because I knew what he was capable of, and I guess I was a good salesman; he came up to London to tour around, and the rest is history.

EPISODE 3:

“A Pair of ’02s, Part 2,” with Michael Faulds ’02

John: What do you remember about playing games on Ackerman Field, specifically on Homecoming Saturday?

Michael: My dad is Scottish, so being led down that staircase to the Lower Fields, with the piper, was quite emotional for me, and I didn’t hide it. With Homecoming, there was an added level of excitement; on a beautiful sunny day, you would see that field lined about four or five people deep with their lawn chairs, standing room only. I do find anytime I’m near a wet grass field, it reminds me of my time here at SAC, playing football during those training camps and Homecomings.

EPISODE 4:

“Tales from the Memorial Chapel,” with John Clements, former Head of Music and current organist

John Clements: During Expansion Week in 19761977, Head of Geography, Dick Gibb, decided to organize a “desert island survival” trip, and I tagged along. We went to an island about two miles off the coast of Nassau called Johnny’s Cay. It was a comical island, really; it was about 300 yards long and about 75 or so yards across, and it had one palm tree stuck in the middle. It was like a cartoon. We were right beside a shark channel. [Dick] put a hook in the water the first night we were there; when we looked in the morning, there was no chain or hook there at all! X

BRAINIAC CENTRAL

In the blink of an eye, a classroom in McLaughlin Hall has become a laboratory for the future.

By Julie Caspersen

Utilizing a brain-computer interface (BCI), a team of three Grade 12 Computer Engineering students has learned how to communicate with computers not by typing or tapping, but by harnessing the faint electrical signals produced by their own brains. Driven by curiosity, code, and a willingness to experiment, Tristan Alfaro Sanabria ’26, Usmaan Aslam ’26, and Albert Dai ’26 are tackling the frontier of neuroscience – one neuron at a time.

In their first trials, the BCI was programmed to detect muscle signals from blinking, using electrodes placed on the forehead, secured with a headband.

“We’re basically using blinking to type Morse code, so every time you blink there’s a dot or a dash,” explained Albert. “The right eye was a dot, the left eye was a dash.”

That early setup allowed the students to spell out full words and sentences using only their eyes, marking a critical proof of concept. During a demonstration in late February, Tristan slipped on the headband-style device and explained how it works. Using surface electrodes, the BCI monitors electrical activity, specifically electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, from outside the skull. The sensors detect eye movements, while custom software identifies voluntary blinks and translates them into the dots and dashes of Morse code, which are then displayed as letters on a screen.

The students were able to create full words using only the power of their eyes.

Behind the scenes, each student plays a distinct role. Usmaan focuses on refining

the algorithms and developing the strategy that translates neural activity into Morse code. Tristan handles most of the programming and hardware integration, while Albert oversees product testing and performance.

But blinking was only the beginning. Eager to push the technology further, the team set its sights on direct brain-to-text communication by typing without any physical movement. Their goal was to generate Morse code signals by deliberately shifting mental states, such as relaxing versus concentrating.

By late March, Tristan put on another demo, this time with his hair cut short to improve signal clarity. Instead of blinking, he focused on imagining physical actions, such as making a fist or banging his hand on a table, to produce distinct brainwave patterns. By alternating between concentration and relaxation, he managed to type a short message – “HELLO” – in just under three minutes, a time they are aiming to reduce to under 30 seconds.

“Where we’re at right now, it’s a lot harder to get the results that you want purely from your brain,” said Usmaan, adding that they need to get quicker, more stable and reliable results before presenting to the class in May.

For the students, the implications reach beyond the classroom. “It’s for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to do this task because they are limited in their motor capacity,” Albert said.

The students are gearing their hand-free, thought-based prototype toward people for whom it would be impossible to control a

computer through touch, such as those with ALS, spinal cord injuries, or paralysis.

Along the way, the project has reshaped how they see the brain itself. “I always saw the brain as something a bit more magical. Realizing that the brain literally functions like a computer, and we can directly translate our brain communication to binary, just like computers do, was really surprising,” Usmaan reflected.

Tristan shared a similar shift in perspective. “Going into the project, I knew that the brain was not some black box machine; it is something that we can determine and predict,” he said. “The struggle was convincing others that we could actually make it work.”

Albert credits the school environment for making that leap possible. “I think SAC is extraordinary in the way that they give us an opportunity that most people would not even think of. The average high school student is not doing something like this.”

And now that the ground has been broken, others are eager to build on it. With a brain-computer interface now part of the Computer Engineering repertoire, a new group of Grade 11 students is already lining up, ready to take the next step forward. X

CHRIS EGI ’14 SHARES POWERFUL MESSAGE ON THE COMPLETE MAN

A St. Andrew’s College graduate returned home on Jan. 19, delivering a reflective address on gratitude, growth, and the lifelong influence of community.

“It feels so good to be home,” began Chris Egi ’14, as he greeted the full school in Ketchum Auditorium, noting it was his first visit back to campus since 2019. From the start, his remarks blended humour – jokingly apologizing to former coaches for “never letting them win a staffstudent basketball game” –with reflections on identity and responsibility.

Chris shared that the school’s mission statement echoed in his mind while preparing his speech: “the development of the complete man, the wellrounded citizen.”

“Who is the complete man? What makes a citizen well-rounded? How do you develop either?” he asked. “In today’s world, it’s an incredibly worthy mission, not in spite of its complexities, but because of them. It’s really confusing to know what it means to be Andrean.” >>

He explained that St. Andrew’s didn’t deliver a single definition. Instead, it offered countless moments, people, and lessons that shaped him over time.

“Inside the gates of St. Andrew’s, I started to piece together parts of my answer; not a final definition, but fragments that would matter later for the rest of my life,” Chris said. “And perhaps my first answer came in Adam Kowaltschuk’s Middle School geography class. One of the first things he quoted every year was, ‘Good enough is only good enough for the garbage can.’” The line earned knowing chuckles from the audience.

Chris said he came to understand that the phrase wasn’t about perfection, but about effort. Sometimes, he joked, your best really is only good enough for the garbage can, something he discovered in Randi Berman’s art class.

“Art was always my worst class. I could not draw. I could not paint. You name a type of art, it was not happening,” Chris revealed. But with extra time and guidance, he kept at it.

“Working hard doesn’t always guarantee beautiful paintings or drawings, but it does guarantee something else,” he said. “When I finally got my art grade high enough to make the Head of School’s Honour Roll, it wasn’t the fact that my paintings were beautiful that mattered to me. It was the fact that I worked for something. I didn’t give up just because it was hard. And no one can take that away from you.”

Looking back, Chris notes there was no secret, perfect, manbuilding curriculum at SAC. “There was no single class where someone stood in the front of the room, stood on a chair, and said, ‘This is how you become the complete man.’ What there was, instead, were a lot of teachers who cared, who believed in you, and did those things with enough love that you believed you could be something special.”

He spoke about several faculty members who made a lasting impact:

ANN PERRIER, HIS MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVISOR, made him feel at home during his first Beyond the Gates trip to Muskoka, even though he’d never been camping before.

DAVID KYLE, HIS FIRST DEBATE COACH AND ENGLISH TEACHER, challenged his writing and thinking, treating his voice like it mattered. “I still wonder, would you be proud, because one day, after all that pushing, all that work, I would have the opportunity to give the [valedictory] speech at my Harvard graduation.”

MUSIC TEACHER, JOHN RICHARDSON, let him “stumble through” La Bamba and Blackbird during his music exam, sparking a lifelong love of music.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, WHITNEY ELLIOTT, saved a French assignment in which he wrote about playing in the NBA. “I thought I was just a silly kid talking about my dreams and aspirations. But to her, it was something more serious. She saw something in me that I hadn’t even quite seen in myself yet.”

DAVID “JUICE” JOSSELYN, BASKETBALL COACH, pulled him aside in Grade 8 and said firmly, “Never say that again,” when Chris expressed doubts that he’d ever play college basketball. Eventually, Chris became captain of both the Harvard men’s basketball team and the Canadian Junior Men’s National Basketball team.

BOB PERRIER AND SEAN LUDWIG believed in him as an awkward, 14-year-old, 6-foot-5 student learning to dribble two basketballs at once. “They saw a potential I didn’t even see in myself.

“None of these people gave me this final definition of a man,” Chris said. “What they did was something quieter and more important. They cared, they believed, they challenged, they encouraged.” It was through all those small moments that a sense of the complete man began to take shape.

He reminded Upper School students that younger boys are constantly watching them. “I wish you knew just how cool you are to the younger students,” he said, sharing memories of idolizing varsity athletes and Prefects. Those impressions shaped his understanding of leadership and character.

He also shared moments of friendship, from spraying cologne before a dance with Bruno Buitano ’14 and Diego Castillo Velasco ’14, to friends, Blair Xu ’15 and Malcolm Castell ’16, cheering him on as he tried (and succeeded) to dunk for the first time. “It wasn’t just my moment; it was our moment.”

Chris acknowledged mistakes, too: teasing peers, laughing at differences, or staying silent in moments that needed kindness. He shared a story from university about a roommate whose plea for support went unnoticed. “What we thought was funny was actually a cry for help,” he said, yet that same roommate comforted him after his father passed away.

“Manhood is messy, complex,” he said, “but it’s something you make, not alone, but with other people.”

Chris spoke openly about hardships: moving to Florida for Grade 12 to pursue elite basketball, not feeling good enough on the Harvard team, watching his NBA dreams fade, and losing his father to cancer. Through it all, his community remained his anchor.

“It’s your friends who believe in you when you don’t,” he said. “It’s your coach flying across the country to support your family. It’s choosing to show up.”

In closing, Chris encouraged students to dedicate themselves to one another and quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in honour of the U.S. holiday that fell on the day of his visit: “We are in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

“Look around you,” he said. “These aren’t just classmates, they’re your family. And together, we are the well-rounded man, the complete citizen. Do not let each other down.”

Following his address, Chris spent the day on campus, sharing lunch with the Leadership Team, touring campus with the Prefects, sitting in on a meeting with the Black Student Alliance, and checking out the mural featuring him from his days on the First Basketball team. >>

Q&A WITH CHRIS & STEW

David Stewart, Associate Director, Citizenship and Character, chatted with Chris Egi ’14 during his campus visit on Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, about his journey from SAC to Harvard University, asking Chris to reflect on his commitment to social justice, leadership, and service, and how these values continue to shape his personal and professional path.

DS: Can you tell us about the social justice work you spearheaded during your time at Harvard University?

CE: In 2013, I left the comforts of my home in Markham and moved to Florida just one month after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the murder of Trayvon Martin. It was impossible not to be deeply aware of my race, especially knowing that Trayvon was a Black kid my age who had been killed senselessly by a vigilante, and that justice had not been served. At the time, it felt like a singular moment. But it became clear very quickly that it was not.

I became involved in a range of student-led social justice efforts focused on storytelling, community building, and racial equity. I helped launch Harvard’s #BlackIs, an initiative where students shared what being Black meant to them, grounded in the idea that Blackness is not a monolith and cannot be reduced to stereotypes. I also helped pilot the Harvard #ThankYouBlackWomen campaign, which began as a video message from Black men at Harvard expressing gratitude to Black women on campus and beyond.

Today at Harvard Law School, my social justice work has evolved into a focus on legal advocacy and systems change. I’m involved in Harvard Defenders, and I’ve served as a Youth Advocacy and Policy Fellow, working with young people impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline and supporting policy efforts aimed at structural reform.

DS : How does your father’s legacy continue to shape your life’s journey?

CE: I’m constantly saying that my goal is to have an incredible story to tell him when I see him again. One of the last things he told me was to do service for the people. That mindset of generosity is something I carry with me every day. When I gave the speech at my Harvard commencement as an undergraduate, no one was prouder of me than my dad. And when I cross the graduation stage this May, I’ll be carrying him with me.

DS : Character education is important at SAC. Which character traits best describe you and why?

CE : First, empathy. In my life, I have had moments where I did not feel like I fit in or where I was the butt of the joke. Growing up, my mother always pushed me to be the person who befriended the student sitting alone. That stayed with me. I try to understand people who feel excluded or misunderstood, and to show up for them in a way that makes them feel seen and valued.

Second, optimism. I try to see the best in people, even when it is easier to be cynical. When I was at SAC, I even had a quote from Anne Frank in my email signature: “In spite of everything, I still believe people are good at heart.” It continues to guide how I treat others, how I lead, and how I move through challenging moments. For me, optimism is not ignoring reality. It is choosing hope and integrity anyway.

Finally, competitiveness. I have always wanted to be the best and, more importantly, to be my best. I love the discipline of striving, whether it is in sports, academics, or even a game of cards. I enjoy going up against others at their best and, win or lose, being able to say I gave my best effort. That competitive drive pushes me toward excellence, and it has always been most meaningful to me when it is paired with humility and respect for others.

DS : What is one quote that helps to guide you?

CE : It’s not necessarily a quote, but a principle I try to live by: “If you can help, help.” X

By Julie Caspersen

A DIVE INTO OUR ARCHIVES

from half a century ago reveals something remarkable: while time inevitably reshapes a school, certain traditions and quirks have a way of enduring.

Flipping through the 1976 Reviews and Andreans, we uncovered five fascinating snapshots from life at SAC, paired with a look at how each has transformed (or stayed surprisingly the same!) in 2026.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

THEN:

The Service Committee, under the “dynamic chairmanship of Scott Sillcox ’77, enjoyed a significant year of caring for people beyond the walls of St. Andrew’s College.” Student donations during chapel helped educate four boys at Dr. Graham’s Home in India. The committee also organized a “starvathon” in aid of Pueblito Canada, a children’s village in Costa Rica, raising $2,000.

NOW:

Community giving at St. Andrew’s College is an active, hands-on part of the student experience. Throughout the year, Middle and Upper School students participate in Community Giving Days, heading beyond the gates to serve a wide range of local organizations.

For example, students in Grades 5 through 12 volunteer at food banks and food distribution centres, where they sort donations, pack food hampers, organize shelves, and prepare items for families in need. They support senior living residences and long-term care communities by leading games, assisting with activities, engaging in conversation, and helping staff with event setup or seasonal projects.

Boys also serve at community health and support organizations, women’s centres, shelters, and youth-focused charities. In these settings, they help assemble care packages, organize donated clothing and supplies, prepare materials for programs, and assist with facility upkeep. Service extends to historical

and cultural sites, where students contribute through grounds maintenance, cleanup projects, and event preparation.

In addition, students partner with organizations that support individuals with developmental disabilities, assisting with day programs and participating in shared activities that build understanding and empathy.

The Upper School Community Involvement Council also runs the Yellow Brick House Break the Silence, Step in My Shoes Walk on campus in November, helping the organization raise over $100,000 to provide emergency shelter and life-saving services for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

THEN:

Fifty years ago, the Menu Committee, headed by Mike Kalmar ’76, made several changes: they offered choice during the supper meal (which was discontinued the same year), added peanut butter to the breakfast menu, and launched juice dispensers, which proved to be a major success since it was an unlimited supply.

The daily menus at St. Andrew’s College are designed with a thoughtful, nutrition-focused approach, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted local partners. Our team of culinary professionals plans each breakfast, lunch, and dinner to balance appealing flavours with the nutritional needs of growing students, and allergy-friendly options are prepared with meticulous care. To reflect the school’s diverse boarding community, select meals take on an international flair, offering students a taste of home and expanding their palates.

While the days of the Menu Committee have faded, the juice dispensers remain incredibly popular, along with unlimited chocolate milk.

As students become increasingly mindful of their consumption habits and the impact of food waste, the Food Services team partnered with the Environmental Committee to introduce the Golden Plate initiative that rewards responsible waste management during lunch. The winning students earn the opportunity to select an entrée of their choice, which is then featured on the menu for the following week.

POTTERY CLASS

THEN:

There was a pottery class at SAC 50 years ago, used by the Pottery Club. The Review contained details of a special pottery week enjoyed by club members: the students went on field trips to places such as Georgian College in Barrie and Walsh Pottery in Mount Albert, and welcomed members from the Potters’ Guild on Avenue Road in Toronto. They capped off the week working on their creations, inspired by the examples they’d seen earlier in the week.

NOW:

When Head of Art, Randi Berman, started teaching at SAC in 2000, there was no pottery program. Over time, the vision of a dedicated pottery studio began to take shape, and we gradually invested in the equipment needed to build a strong and sustainable program.

Today, we are proud to have 10 pottery wheels, two kilns, an extruder, a pugmill, a slab roller, and, most importantly, a fulltime pottery specialist, Pam Pritchard. All visual art students complete a pottery unit each year. The Pottery ACPlus program has become popular, and our Middle School artists spend time in the studio through after-school arts programming. It has been incredible to see how this space has grown into such a vibrant and essential part of our arts community.

TUCK SHOP

NOW:

We decided to have a bit of fun and see what an AI tool came up with when asked to write an updated Tuck Shop prayer based on current offerings in the Campus Shop.

Today’s CAMPUS SHOP

If you visit the Campus Shop these days, you won’t find the sugary offerings from decades past. In their place is a curated selection of healthier snacks, protein shakes, and options that reflect changing tastes and priorities.

The shop has also evolved beyond food and drink altogether. Much of the space is now dedicated to wearable items, from cozy hoodies and branded apparel to practical accessories, as well as a range of giftware.

Whether students are looking for school spirit essentials, practical everyday items, or thoughtful keepsakes, the Campus Shop has become a multifunctional space that caters to the daily needs of students and staff.

THEN:

The 1975-1976 Review contained a Tuck Shop Prayer written by students:

Dear Mabel, who runs the Tuck Shop Tasty be thy food

Thy sucrose come, in bars or gum. In pop as it is in milkshakes. Give us this day our daily sweets, And contribute to our masses, As we attempt to remove gases in us.

Lead us not to starvation, But deliver us from hunger, For thine is the Tuck Shop.

The sugar and the starches, Forever and ever,

Your men.

O Benevolent Spirit of the Campus Shop, Enchanter of Snacks and Keeper of Cheer, we gather before your stocked shelves in joyful anticipation.

May your counter be forever festooned with treasures both sweet and savoury: crackling bags, shimmering bottles, and shakes that whirl like tiny galaxies.

Bless our Saltos with effortless swipes, each tap a small miracle of modern life, unlocking delights we didn’t know we needed until the very moment we saw them.

Guide us through your isle of abundance, where Goldfish swim in cheerful packs, pepperoni sticks stand proudly at attention, and little treats wait patiently to brighten an ordinary school day.

Fill our pockets with surprises, our backpacks with joy, and our hearts with the simple wonder of discovering the perfect snack at precisely the perfect time.

And may the Campus Shop remain always a haven of comfort, a spark of delight, and a faithful companion on our daily journey through learning.

In gratitude and good munching, Your ever enthusiastic students.

THEN:

NOW:

St. Andrew’s offers a comprehensive system of academic supports designed to help students develop strong learning habits and achieve their full potential. Central to this system is the Guided Learning Centre (GLC), where students can access individualized organizational coaching, time management strategies, and structured study support.

Through the GLC, students can utilize the Math Den and Writing Centre, staffed by knowledgeable faculty who provide targeted assistance to students seeking to strengthen subject-specific skills or refine their written work. Boarding students attend structured evening study Monday through Thursday, which is supervised by four boarding staff and six faculty members each night. The Math Den offers a dedicated space during study hours where boarders can access math help in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Student-Led Groups (SLG), in which senior students volunteer to provide peer tutoring and mentorship, help to build a collaborative academic culture that empowers younger students and fosters leadership within the school community. X

SAINTS SCORECARD

By Nicolette Fleming

2025 FALL SEASON

Crowded podiums, hardware galore

The fall season set an impressive tone for your Saints, with teams across the program delivering championship performances and memorable moments. On the gridiron, First Football captured its fourth consecutive CISAA championship, continuing one of the most dominant runs in program history. On the pitch, First Soccer completed an undefeated CISAA season and secured a second straight regional title, adding to their growing national reputation with back-to-back CISAA and CAIS championships – an extraordinary “double double.”

Volleyball also delivered thrilling performances, highlighted by the U14 team’s dramatic five-set reverse sweep over St. Michael’s College School to capture CISAA gold, while U16 Volleyball reclaimed the CISAA championship.

From the field to the courts to the trails, our athletes demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and competitive spirit throughout a season filled with podium finishes.

2025-2026 WINTER SEASON

CISAA pride, OFSAA glory

The winter term continued the momentum, with teams excelling across the ice, the courts, the pool, and the snow-covered hills. U18 AAA Hockey captured the CISAA championship on home ice, defeating Appleby College in a high-energy final, while U18 Non-Contact (NC) Hockey added another CISAA title with a determined playoff run. Strong hockey performances continued across the program, with U14 and U12 Hockey claiming CISAA gold and U12 Hockey bringing home the David Cude Memorial Elementary Hockey Tournament championship from Montreal.

On the court, U14 Basketball secured the CISAA championship, finishing the season on an impressive eight-game winning streak. Athletes also excelled across several programs, with D1 Curling, Nordic Skiing, and U16 Squash all capturing CISAA gold. The swimming program continued its dominance, with Sr. Swimming earning CISAA gold and then taking OFSAA gold, while Jr. Swimming captured an impressive OFSAA Bronze. X

OFSAA

Sr. Swimming GOLD

Jr. Swimming BRONZE

GOLD

First Football

First Soccer

US Cross Country

U16 Football

U16 Volleyball

U14 Volleyball

U13 Soccer

Silver

First Volleyball

U16B Soccer

Bronze

U14 Flag Football

U14A Soccer

Sr. Swimming

GOLD

U18 AAA Hockey

U18 NC Hockey

Sr. Swimming

Sr. Nordic Skiing

Curling D1

U16 Squash

U14 Hockey

U14 Basketball

U12 Hockey

SILVER

Jr. Swimming

U16 Hockey

U14 Swimming

Bronze

Sr. Alpine Skiing

1st Squash

U14 Red Squash

U12 Swimming

By Brian McCue and Sean Maillet

St. Andrew’s College Celebrates 48th Highlanders Day

More than 120 years of shared history came together on the ice in February as St. Andrew’s College celebrated its inaugural 48th Highlanders Day in conjunction with the final First Hockey home game of the season. The day was long in planning, with students and staff working together to bring it to life.

The 48th Highlanders of Canada has been an integral part of the legacy of the #142 St. Andrew’s College Highland Cadet Corps since its founding in 1905. In those days, a well-rounded education for boys was understood to include academics, athletics, and military training, and

many schools were formally connected to local militia units. With its Scottish Presbyterian roots and original Rosedale location, it was a natural fit for St. Andrew’s College to be affiliated with a Highland regiment located in Toronto.

Over the decades, the regiment has provided uniform accoutrements, training staff, equipment, support for field exercises, ceremonial drill instruction, and much more. The bond has extended well beyond the campus. Graduates of St. Andrew’s served with the 15th Battalion of the 48th Highlanders in major battles of the First World War, including Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. During

the Second World War, Old Boys again answered the call, serving with the regiment during the Italian Campaign. In the years since, several SAC Cadets have gone on to command the regiment, further strengthening this enduring connection.

The regimental motto, Dileas Gu Brath –Faithful Forever, is familiar to every Cadet. Through their training, Cadets receive lessons in military history that emphasize leadership, loyalty, and valour.

Every two years, the Battlefield Tour conducts a pilgrimage to the Canadian

battlefields of the First and Second World Wars in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, allowing young men to see firsthand the living history of war.

Today, the Dileas spirit thrives not only within the Cadet Corps, but across campus, particularly on the athletic fields and the ice rinks on our Aurora campus, which became home 100 years ago.

So, last November, when First Hockey Head Coach, David Manning, suggested a 48th Highlanders Appreciation Day, the answer was an enthusiastic “Yes!” David explained that, over the years, the regimental motto has become increasingly meaningful to the players on our elite hockey teams. It represents spirit, fight, and determination while also connecting the students with those who serve today and those who have served in the past to protect our freedoms.

“Being a part of this longstanding connection is very important as a connection to a tradition of service for over 120 years, as well as a connection to leadership that extends beyond the SAC community,” said Cadet LieutenantColonel Jason Roy-DiClemente ’26.

The 48th Highlanders Day was celebrated on Feb. 28, coinciding with the First Hockey team’s final home game of the season against the Bishop Kearney Selects from Rochester, New York.

The timing was particularly significant. In addition to celebrating the 121-year affiliation between the regiment and the #142 SAC Cadet Corps, September 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of St. Andrew’s College’s move to Aurora, as well as the 135th anniversary of the 48th Highlanders of Canada.

A planning committee consisting of Senior Cadets and key members of staff collaborated on a plan that would capture the spirit of the occasion for current students, Old Boys, Andrean families, and the broader community.

On the morning of the event, the 48th recruiting team, led by Sergeant Patrick Navarro, arrived on campus to set up an elaborate Highlanders display in the lobby of the La Brier Family Arena.

Throughout the day, the recruiting team engaged with Cadets, families, and visitors, sharing stories and introducing many to the regiment for the first time. Master Warrant Officer Thanuja Rukman was also on hand, providing guidance and support as the day unfolded.

Prior to the game start, David invited Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Sasha Darling, Lieutenant-Colonel Tyler Wentzell (Commanding Officer, 48th Highlanders), and Major Brian McCue (Commanding Officer, #142 SAC Cadets) into the team dressing room. The First Hockey players looked glorious in their 48th Highlander game jerseys, which were adorned with a large 48th Highlander cap badge across the chest, the #142 SAC cap badge on the arm, and Dileas Gu Brath scripted across the back shoulders. David gave a heartfelt tribute to the regiment, and the team presented one of the special edition jerseys to LCol Wentzell. The Commanding Officer’s inspirational speech to the team set the tone for a spirited hockey game.

The afternoon’s proceedings began with an on-ice performance by the combined 48th Highlanders Pipes and Drums and the #142 SAC Pipes & Drums. This tradition builds on the 48th Pipes and Drums opening every Toronto Maple Leafs season since 1931, and SAC’s Pipes &

Drums opening the annual MacPherson Hockey Tournament. Special thanks are due to Highlanders’ Pipe Major, Alexander Brown ’12, for coordinating this outstanding musical performance.

“It is incredibly meaningful to have this opportunity. Throughout my career as a military piper, I’ve had the privilege of playing at significant events globally, but performing on home turf with the current generation of pipers and drummers was uniquely moving,” Alexander reflected. “It rekindles a special bond between the 48th Highlanders and St. Andrew’s College that has endured since the founding of the program by my predecessor, Pipe Major James Fraser, over a century ago.” (James Fraser was Pipe Major of the 48th Highlanders’ regimental pipe band in Toronto from 1913 until 1952, and one of his duties was teaching the school’s pipers, starting in 1915 both in Toronto and at the campus in Aurora.

The ceremonial puck drop was conducted by LCol Wentzell, Aurora Mayor, Tom Mrakas, Head of School, Kevin McHenry, and Cadet LieutenantColonel Jason Roy-DiClemente ’26. Following a moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen and the playing of the national anthems, the game officially got underway.

During the first intermission, LCol Wentzell and Major McCue had the honour of promoting 15 Senior Cadets, including team captain, Finn Kearns ’26, who was appointed Company Sergeant Major for Memorial Company.

The First Hockey team gave their full effort for a solid three periods, bringing the game to a 3-3 tie, then to an overtime 3-on-3 period. The game ended in a draw, one that the Saints were pleased to share with the Selects. The afternoon concluded with a reception in the Yuill Andrean Room for members of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, VIPs, and guests.

“Overall, the event made me proud of the college and the piping program that helped shape me into the man I have become. I would happily encourage any of the graduating class to consider playing with the 48th Pipes and Drums if they find themselves in the GTA after graduation. I’d love to see some of them sporting Davidson or Stewart of Fingask kilts with the 48th for a Toronto Maple Leafs home opener at Scotiabank Arena,” Alexander said.

The 48th Highlanders Day at St. Andrew’s College was a monumental success. It proved to be an outstanding way to bring

LCol Wentzell

the first intermission

ceremony; cermonial face-off; LCol Wentzell in front

Highlanders board wrap; Saints player, Ryan Murray ’27, celebrating a goal.

the #142 SAC Cadets together with the regiment in celebration, and it was a wonderful day to share with our Aurora community. As the guests departed, many asked whether we would do this again next year. Perhaps this is the start of a new tradition. X

FROM ADVERSITY TO PURPOSE:

Kaleb Dahlgren’s Inspirational Message

By Nicolette Fleming

Kaleb Dahlgren, a former elite hockey player, advocate, author, speaker, chiropractor, and survivor of the devastating Humboldt bus crash in Saskatchewan, shared a story of hardship, healing, purpose, and perspective, offered with honesty, humour, and generosity.

He spoke candidly at an April 13 assembly about the challenges that shaped him long before the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy in 2018, including being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of four, losing important people in his life, moving away from home as a teenager, and learning, over time, what resilience truly requires.

For Kaleb, resilience is not about pretending life is easy. It is about choosing how to respond when life is not. That message came into sharp focus as he reflected on April 6, 2018, the day of the bus crash. Kaleb was one of 13 survivors. Sixteen people lost their lives. Most of the deceased and injured were players from the Humboldt Broncos junior ice hockey team. In sharing that experience, he did not dwell on tragedy for its own sake. Instead, he spoke about what followed: the long and painful work of recovery, the weight of survivor’s guilt, and the conscious decision to live a life that would honour those who were no longer here to live theirs.

Kaleb encouraged students to perform one good deed each day, reminding them that even the smallest gesture can alter the course of someone’s day, and sometimes much more than that. In the middle of the assembly, he asked students and staff to turn to those around them and share one positive thing about that person. The energy in the room shifted immediately.

Kaleb also spoke openly about acceptance and forgiveness as a path to peace, a way of laying down the anger and weight that can quietly shape a life if left unaddressed. It was one of the most mature and powerful elements of his message, and one that resonated strongly with the audience.

Following the presentation, Kaleb joined members of the First Hockey team for lunch, where the conversation continued with thoughtful discussion about hockey, leadership, and the passions that drive students forward on and off the ice. To mark the visit, First Hockey Captain, Finn Kearns ’26, presented Kaleb with a Saints jersey, which he accepted with pride. X

RETIREMENTS

By Julie Caspersen

Michael Groves SAC 1987-2025

Oct. 24, 2025, marked Michael Groves’ 38th year as a valued member of the SAC custodial team.

When Michael joined SAC in 1987, the campus looked very different, and the custodial team was significantly smaller. Over the decades, Michael, affectionately known to many as “Mikey,” became a beloved presence, known for his friendly disposition, good-natured jokes, and ever-helpful attitude.

He fondly recalls the early days when mopping the floor in Cole Hall meant actually using a mop. Today, modern machines make the job easier, but with SAC’s growth and new facilities, Michael jokes that there’s a lot more walking involved. Through every change, his dedication and positivity have remained constant.

“It’s a great school to work at,” he says, a sentiment that speaks volumes about his love for the SAC community.

Michael’s contributions go far beyond keeping the campus spotless. His commitment, teamwork, and upbeat spirit have left a lasting impression on colleagues and students alike.

“In addition to being a dedicated employee, Michael serves as a goodwill ambassador and a welcoming committee all in one,” says Janitorial Supervisor, Kim Parry. “He takes the time to enquire about people’s lives and families and openly shares stories about his own.”

On December 18, Michael officially retired, ready to embrace a well-deserved next chapter. His plans include travelling to the East Coast and the U.S. to visit family, volunteering at a seniors’ residence near his Aurora home, and simply enjoying some time to relax and recharge.

Of course, Michael won’t be a stranger. Living close to campus, he jokes that he’ll pop in for lunch on days when his favourite meals are served (gourmet grilled cheese and mac and cheese), a perfect excuse to reconnect with the many friends he’s made over his remarkable 38year journey. X

BROTHERS

Portraits of Partnerhood

Some expressions of Partnerhood are found in signature programs and shared experiences. Others begin around the family table. Photographed separately on each campus on April 22 and 23, students with siblings across St. Andrew’s College and St. Anne’s School offer a compelling reflection of those family ties: 81 crossover families in all, representing 14% of the SAC student body and 29% of students at SAS. Together, the portraits capture something distinctive about these two schools: a partnership strengthened not only by design, but by family.

Mutwale ’30, Wyatt Shouldice ’28, Kai Al-Joundi ’27, Daniel Chow ’27, Matheson Davies ’26, Joseph Fata ’29, Carter Sutton ’30, Isa Salyani ’31, Jack Kelson ’30, Jake Tavares ’30 ROW 3 (L-R): Howard Lin ’30, Joon Lee ’30, Everett Steedman ’30, Ethan Huynh ’27, Aiden Lam ’30, Diyako Rezaei ’30, Owen Liu ’30, Ward Reginald ’29, Austin Clouatre ’29, Ethan Lo ’29, Jackson Yin ’29, Anthony Jackson ’29, Cassius Martin ’29, Bailey Davies ’29, Suleiman Ahmad ’27, Artin Rezaei ’28, Eddie Duicu ’28, Jeffery Yin ’29, Keaton Davey ’29 ROW 4 (L-R): Noah Khaliq ’30, Luke Shouldice ’31, Kevin Huang ’26, Massimo Fusco ’29, Logan Whitelaw ’27, Michael Wang ’27, Lucas Chan ’29, Ben Passmore ’27, Jack Qiu ’27 ROW 5 (L-R): Carter Gilroy ’31, Rocky Wendt ’30, Fuzz Pirie ’31, Toby Okeke ’28, Noah Barone ’28, Ty Pirie ’28, Jake McNair ’28, Joseph Corsetti ’28, Brian McGrath ’29, John Ventresca ’28, Roman Bona ’28, Philip Malkhassian ’28, Tristan Simpson ’29, Richard Wang ’26 MISSING FROM THE PHOTO: Ben Aiken ’28, Sehaj Bawa ’27, Chris Greaves ’26, Nick Greaves ’29, Eze Ihediohanma ’32, David Ilelji ’27, Jason Roy-DiClemente ’26, Blake Wallen ’26

Emma Sutton ’28, Mackenzie Whitelaw ’29, Claudia Sandru ’28, Arianna Basile ’28, Isabella Gilroy ’28, Zahra Ahmad ’27, Raaina Salyani ’27, McKenna Reid ’27, Clara Wang ’27, Michelle Yin ’27, Isla Zareian ’30, Tiffany He ’30, Alice Yu ’26, Gabriella Magnotta ’27, Alexa Clouatre ’30, Mia Berwick ’30, Catherine Malkhassian ’30, Nia Mutwale ’32 MISSING FROM THE PHOTO: Aggam Bawa ’26, Rebecca Duicu ’26, Mia Jackson ’28, Suri Chen ’26, Anya Lin ’30, Jenny Qiu ’29, Maya Roy-DiClemente ’30, Kendal Wallen ’28

OLD BOYS PROFILES

& NEWS

This edition’s PROFILES:

LES FILOTAS ’60

JOSHUA IRWANDI ’10

MARK BROOKS ’75

PETER WINFIELD ’85

BOB MACKENDRICK ’56

LES FILOTAS ’60 FREQUENT FLYER

By Amanda Persico

“F ortunate” is how Les Filotas’60 describes his career as an aeronautical engineer, prominently crediting his years at St. Andrew’s. “A lot of my life’s work, I owe to good fortune,” he said, “though it wasn’t a completely straight path.”

The Filotas family fled war-torn Hungary in the late 1940s, landing in small-town Aurora, where Les’s father worked at the local tannery. “We were just a middle-class family,” Les reports from his Ottawa home, where he lives with his wife, Judith.

Les started at St. Andrew’s in 1956, a year after his brother, Paul ’59. He credits this to encouragement from his family’s neighbour, St. Andrews English teacher, Bill Garstang.

Les excelled academically, especially in math and science. He didn’t share his brother’s enthusiasm for the Cadet program. “I think everyone knew my position on Cadets because I was the only one in the graduating class who was just a plain private.”

Paul, in contrast, embraced the military tradition wholeheartedly. He served as Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps and later as a Commissioned Officer in the Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment in the Canadian Army during the mid-1960s.

“He loved the getup, the uniforms, and kilts,” Les recalls of his brother, who passed away in 2024. “I didn’t go for the kilts and all the Scottish business. Paul and I were quite different, but we always truly got along.”

Athletics came naturally to Paul, but Les’s own athletic path shifted after he tore a ligament during football tryouts, a setback that required surgery. He channelled his energy into gymnastics, debate, and science, ultimately earning the Donald Cooper Medal in Science, the Old Boys’ Medal in Mathematics, and the Lieutenant-Governor’s Silver Medal.

After graduating from SAC, Les pursued engineering physics, earning a PhD from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies. His career began at de Havilland Canada and later expanded into teaching graduate aeronautics at the University of Maryland and Carleton University in Ottawa. He eventually joined Transport

Canada and was ultimately promoted to Director of Research and Engineering Development for Civil Aviation. His expertise later led to an appointment with the Canadian Aviation Safety Board (now the Transportation Safety Board of Canada). There, he was responsible for reviewing the investigators’ report on the December 1985 Arrow Air crash, an explosion shortly after takeoff in Gander, Newfoundland, claiming the lives of approximately 250 American peacekeeping troops. It remains the worst aviation disaster in Canadian history.

The official report attributed the tragedy to ice on the wings. Les, given his experience designing and testing aircraft wings, was unconvinced. “I well knew it couldn’t have been ice on the wings,” he said. “It had to be some kind of sudden failure shortly after takeoff.”

Challenging the report’s conclusions, Les ultimately chronicled the

investigation in his successful book, Improbable Cause: Deceit and Dissent in the Investigation of America’s Worst Military Air Disaster. “This is unquestionably my most substantial achievement. I could not let the patently incorrect cause of the worst ever disaster in Canadian aviation history be left on the records.”

Les maintains fond memories of SAC friends, including Jim Wyse ’57, Chris Brand ’60, John Morse ’60, Ron Walker ’60, and Dan Routledge ’61. At his 50-year reunion, he was struck by how deeply his education at SAC had shaped his life. While classmates swapped stories about sports and extracurricular memories, Les was reminded of the faculty members who left a profound impact, especially English teacher, Bill Garstang, and math teacher, Hugh Warburton.

“That’s what helped me,” he said. “The peerless education at St. Andrew’s launched a tremendous life.” X

Joshua Irwandi ’10 has a knack for storytelling that carried him from the Lower Fields at St. Andrew’s, where he once stalked seagulls and Canada geese with a pocket camera, to frontline assignments on climate, public health, and community resilience across Southeast Asia.

His path from Indonesia to Aurora began with a campus visit to check out the school his older brother, Johan ’04, attended for three years. Encouraged by his father, Dr. Erwin Irwandi, who prioritized access to the best possible education, Joshua met with Aubrey Foy, the former Director of Admission. That experience convinced him that SAC was the right place.

Joshua enrolled in Grade 10 and, during his three years, threw himself into campus life: the Photography Club under Mark Burton’s leadership; documenting performances at the

JOSHUA IRWANDI ’10 PICTURE PERFECT

By Julie Caspersen

Focus Festival of the Arts; joining the Christian Fellowship and the Muslim prayer groups; and brief stints in fencing and cross-country skiing. Along the way, he formed friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation, including Andrew Pitkin ’10 and Firas Bugshan ’10.

He fondly remembers the late Ann Perrier, the beloved Co-Head of Memorial House, who was a welcoming presence for international boarders. “Mrs. Perrier was a mother figure to all of us. It meant so much to have someone like her while we were so far from home,” Joshua said. But that distance, he reflected, was carried most quietly by his own mother, Valentina Bun, whose steadfast patience made it possible for her two sons to live away from home for over a decade.

His philosophy teacher, Steve Rush, is another role model who comes to

mind. “I was brought up in Indonesia, where reading is not part of the culture. Then suddenly I was given The Republic by Plato to read,” Joshua recalled. “I had the toughest time. Then Mr. Rush encouraged me. ‘You’re from Indonesia, you’re 10,000 miles away from your family, and you’re here on your own. I think you’re brave.”

He also found guidance in the library and the classroom, crediting then librarian, Maria Pilieci, and his former English teacher, Robert Costanzo as lasting influences. He remains in touch with both.

Even his days spent helping former Head of Art, Stephen Kimmerer, with the yearbook still echo. “We were editing some spreads and layouts, and he’d say, ‘Go big or go home.’” What was originally design advice turned out to be life advice.

“One of the most underrated elements at St. Andrew’s is that there are so many good role models that students can look up to.”

The lessons learned during his Cadet years remain foundational. “The leadership capacity and navigating where you are on the field – having that as a base, I feel like that helped me,” he said.

After St. Andrew’s, Joshua studied English literature at the University of Exeter, followed by a year at the University of the Arts, London College of Communication, imagining he’d be a writer. But there was always an interest in taking pictures. He covered theatre, sports, and fashion, and discovered that access often belongs to those who ask for it.

When King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales) visited Exeter Cathedral, Joshua emailed Clarence House for permission to attend. The reply, to his astonishment, was yes, earning him a spot on the Royal Rota. “For me, as a university kid from Indonesia, that was special,” he said. He later photographed the funeral of former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for the university paper.

During the early days of the pandemic, he photographed in emergency wards where medical staff fought to

save lives. These stories “change your perspective…on what it is to be human,” he said. “I try to be human first and a journalist second.”

His image, The Human Cost of COVID-19, part of National Geographic’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund project, later sparked controversy in Indonesia after he shared it on Instagram. “I became the number one trending topic in Indonesia…I was accused of setting up the photo to spread fear. I received threats and online abuse,” he wrote.

Joshua is also a National Geographic Explorer and, as such, receives funding and support to “illuminate and protect our world through their work in science, exploration, education, and storytelling,” according to the society’s website. He recently finished his National Geographic grant project in Asmat, South Papua. He said he is not political in his approach but believes in purposeful storytelling. “You want a sense of activism in your work, because otherwise, we’re just note-takers, just taking minutes of a meeting.”

Joshua is now an award-winning photojournalist working across Indonesia and the region, filing photographs and story pitches to international outlets. His work has been featured in National Geographic, NHK, The Times, The Globe and Mail,

CNN, TIME, and The Guardian. He’s a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a World Press Photo second-place winner, and a Picture of the Year Asia recipient in the COVID-19 category.

“At St. Andrew’s, I learned to be a well-rounded citizen,” he said. “That meant being curious, being brave, and being responsible to your community. I’m still trying to live up to that.” X

MARK BROOKS ’75 THE SOIL WHISPERER

By Amanda Persico

Adusty agriculture book initially dismissed by Mark Brooks ’75 as an unremarkable graduation prize would one day rescue his farm and help transform Jamaica’s national approach to soil health.

It all started with an old hardcover book, its pages peppered with black-and-white sketches, awarded to him on Prize Day 41 years ago, when he received an Upper School General Proficiency Prize for high achievement. The gift, An Agricultural Testament by Sir Albert Howard, felt like a baffling choice for a teenager expecting something more thrilling.

“What piece of crap bookstore did someone get this book from, and why would anyone want this as a prize?” Mark recalled his reaction to the book, especially since his previous year’s high-achievement prize was an autobiography of a racecar driver, which was more in tune with Mark’s interests at the time.

But Mark is a book guy.

“My bookshelf is running out of space,” laughed the farmer and agriculturist who resides in Jamaica. “Books are my thing. I keep books. Maybe if it were a paperback, I would have left it at SAC.”

The book, inscribed with his name and embossed with the school emblem, covered topics like root rot, crop problems, and the role of composting in naturally rebuilding soil health – subjects he had absolutely no use for at the time.

Farming and agriculture, let alone sifting through soil and learning about soil health, were not part of his plans upon graduation from SAC. Mark hoped to pursue mechanical engineering at McMaster University. But shortly after graduation, tragedy struck. His father died in a plane crash, leaving Richmond Estate, the family farm, without direction. So, Mark uprooted and returned home to St. Ann, Jamaica, to manage the property.

“I didn’t have any knowledge of crops or farming or irrigation. I had to put myself there

and learn it all,” he said. “My only strength was my mechanical aptitude, which helped a lot with the farm machinery.”

Over the years, Mark learned about agriculture, cultivating sugarcane, coconuts, bananas, and beef cattle. He got married and raised three sons, with the eldest two attending SAC: John ’02, Steven ’04, and Timothy.

From the late 1980s, crop yields were constantly falling, and it was thought the cause was a lack of water, whether rainfall or irrigation.

In late 1998, back surgery prevented him from driving. Instead, he was chauffeured around the farm, which gave him a new and detailed perspective. Sugarcane leaves were drying up despite the persistent rain.

“Then, I remembered I had this book. Twenty-four years later, I read it. I double-read it,” Mark said, admitting he’d never actually opened the book until faced with a soil disaster on his St. Ann farm.

The long-ignored Prize Day book became his turning point. It led him straight into the soil, where he analyzed dry leaves and decaying roots. He discovered, through both Howard’s work and online research, that poor soil health was causing widespread root rot on farms across Jamaica and was also affecting nearly a third of the world’s soil.

Determined to act, he lobbied, wrote briefs, and presented his findings to the Jamaican Ministry of Agriculture. Eventually, the Ministry established a Soil Health Committee to address the matter, and, luckily, in 2009, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations launched the Global Soil Partnership in response to worldwide declines in soil health.

While championing degrading soil “is not sexy,” Mark said, addressing the issue proved essential to strengthening Jamaica’s agricultural sector and improving national food security. In 2013, he was called out in the Jamaican Parliament by the then-Minister of

Agriculture for his efforts on soil health when the government announced its participation in the United Nations declaration of 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS2015).

“Perhaps SAC knew something about me I didn’t know then,” he said. “I was ordained to do something about this.”

Mark credits his St. Andrew’s teachers, Fred Hiltz (Head of Physics), Derek Inglis (Head of Mathematics), Geoff Smith (Head of Chemistry), and Peter Stuart (Assistant Headmaster and math teacher), for instilling and fostering his critical-thinking skills.

In his graduating year, after five years as a boarder, Mark played First Football and was a key member of the Senior Debating Society, which won the Fulford Trophy. In his earlier years, he played cricket, football, and basketball and was part of the backstage crew of the St. Andrew’s College Players. X

PETER WINFIELD ’85 A LABYRINTHINE JOURNEYMAN

By Julie Caspersen

When Peter Winfield ’85 arrived at St. Andrew’s College as a teenager, he carried far more than a suitcase into Memorial House. He brought with him a private heaviness that he wouldn’t fully understand for decades.

Even now, reflecting on his three years at SAC, he describes that time as a mix of difficulty and discovery, yet what he clearly remembers are the friendships that grounded him, the teachers who saw him, and an unexpected spark that would eventually shift his life: art.

One teacher in particular, Tino Paolini, opened that door. Tino’s art room

became a haven where creativity, curiosity, and teenage mischief blended. Peter and a small circle of fellow art lovers spent countless hours there (sometimes with permission, sometimes sneaking in after hours) experimenting with landscapes, Arthurian legends, and pop-culture portraits.

“I still paint,” he said, gesturing to canvases behind him on the wall of his Ottawa home. “That began at SAC.”

Yet art, for many years, faded into the background as life pulled Peter in a different direction. An injury pushed him from football into weightlifting; discipline led him into the Cadets.

After SAC, Peter attended Carleton University, then joined the Army Reserves, not because it was his dream, but because it felt familiar.

It was during a training accident in 1987, when a close friend drowned during an exercise, that trauma first took hold. Peter swam out to try to save him, but couldn’t overcome the weight of the gear they wore. “At the time, I didn’t know that I was struggling with trauma,” he said.

He would carry that memory, and many more, into ten years of military service, including a 1994-1995 deployment to Bosnia, a mission marked by hostage-takings, genocide, and the constant volatility of a war zone. He returned home and left the army, only to re-enlist three years later, unable to adjust to civilian life. This time, he transitioned to the Communications Security Establishment, where he worked in counterterrorism in Afghanistan and Libya.

It wasn’t until returning to Canada in 2011 that the weight finally became impossible to ignore. Peter walked into an operational stress injury clinic and was formally diagnosed with PTSD, a moment he describes as both humbling and lifesaving. What followed was a long, committed journey inward. Treatment helped. Reflection helped. But art, unexpectedly, became the compass.

One day, tormented by the memory of his friend’s drowning, Peter picked up his brushes. What emerged was an image of himself underwater, looking up toward a burst of sunlight.

“There’s this juxtaposition of death and beauty and light in the same image. That started to shift things for me,” Peter said. “It was less about actual painting and more about tuning in to find a place where I felt free. Free to express, but also free from other things like anger, free from judgment, and guilt, or shame.”

The quiet focus of painting became a refuge. Writing soon followed. Peter is nearing completion of an MFA in creative nonfiction writing at the

University of King’s College, Halifax and putting the final touches on a memoir, Cartography of the Soul, billed as the “story of a boy who wanted to become an artist, who became a soldier, who became a spy, who became injured, and who discovered to heal he must become an artist.”

Another unexpected source of healing has been the labyrinth. Peter first walked one during a 2017 trauma-support retreat for veterans. Soon, he began noticing labyrinths everywhere and eventually became a certified labyrinth facilitator through an organization called Veriditas.

In 2024, he made a pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral in France, home to one of the world’s most famous labyrinths, and found a calm he hadn’t felt in years. His partner, Jennifer, joined him on the trip, and they got engaged there.

Today, Peter speaks openly about PTSD, masculinity, and the emotional silence many men are raised to maintain. His message is simple, and he hopes young Andreans will hear it clearly: you don’t need to experience a catastrophic event to justify asking for help.

“Don’t be afraid to talk about it with a good friend,” he said. “You don’t have to have it all figured out.” X

There’s this juxtaposition of death and beauty and light in the same image. That started to shift things for me.

– Peter Winfield ’85

BOB MACKENDRICK ’56 TAILOR TO THE STARS

By Amanda Persico

Bob MacKendrick ’56 holds something few people on Earth can claim: a piece of outer space history, along with several space suit patents to his name.

The retired Milford, Connecticut, resident was awarded one of NASA’s most coveted honours, the Silver Snoopy pin, for his work designing key components of the spacesuits used throughout NASA’s Earth-to-Orbit Space Shuttle program. Spanning more than 30 years, the program relied on the precision and ingenuity of engineers like Bob to keep astronauts safe and mobile in orbit.

Each Silver Snoopy pin is worn in space by a NASA astronaut before being presented to a select few aerospace professionals for exceptional dedication to flight safety and mission success. It’s a tribute passed directly from those whose lives depend on the technology.

Bob’s journey to that achievement began far from NASA’s launch pads. Originally from New York, he followed in the

footsteps of his brothers, John ’53 and Peter ’54, to St. Andrew’s College. Their family connection to SAC ran deep: his mother had been a school friend of Esther Ketchum, wife of then-Headmaster Kenneth Ketchum.

Arriving at SAC in 1953, Bob quickly distinguished himself in the sciences.

After graduating in 1956, he joined the United States Air Force and began pilot training until an unexpected discovery changed the course of his life.

“My eyes were not great. I thought I just needed glasses. But I was told I had too many floaters in my eye and would never be able to fly,” he said. “That’s the best thing to happen to me.”

Grounded from flying, Bob pivoted toward engineering at the University

This page: Bob MacKendrick ’56 receiving The Silver Snoopy award from NASA astronauts. The Silver Snoopy award is given personally by NASA astronauts to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. The award depicts Snoopy, a character from the Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz. Following page: Bob at the helm of his beloved vintage steamboat in Muskoka with his grandson, Peter, by his side.

of Alabama, plunging into a world that ranged from jet-engine vibration analysis to the design of NASA spacesuits.

His early career took him to AVCO Lycoming as a senior development engineer, analyzing vibrations in helicopter engines. By the 1970s, he had become chief engineer at Air-Lock Inc., the Connecticut-based company responsible for designing and engineering essential spacesuit components for the Space Shuttle program.

There, Bob invented and patented a series of aluminum rings – flexible, latch-together mechanisms that fit inside a spacesuit and allow it to be

perfectly sized to an astronaut’s body. Like a durable, adjustable aluminum duct, the ring system made the rigid suits far more adaptable. He also designed low-torque stainless-steel bearings that revolutionized how astronauts could move in space.

“When pressurized, the spacesuit becomes very hard, like a football,” Bob explained. The bearings allowed astronauts to bend and rotate their shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles, he added.

When Air-Lock’s sizing system was used for the first time in a shuttle mission, a group of engineers piled into a camper and headed to Florida to witness the launch. Bob, however, stayed home in

Arriving at SAC in 1953, Bob quickly distinguished himself in the sciences. After graduating in 1956, he joined the United States Air Force and began pilot training until an unexpected discovery changed the course of his life.

Connecticut, on call in case anything went wrong.

“I’m glad I didn’t get a call. The spacesuit worked fine,” he said. “Oh, was it exciting to watch astronauts outside the shuttle in the suits!”

In August 1991, Bob was formally recognized when NASA astronaut Jerome (Jay) Apt III presented him with the Silver Snoopy pin shortly after completing his first Space Shuttle flight and spacewalk.

“That was a proud moment.”

Today, Bob continues to build, restore, and create. A grandfather of five, he spends winters volunteering as a machinist at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, restoring antique marine engines, and crafting model steam engines. He spends his summers in Muskoka at the family cottage near Lake Rosseau, where he dedicates himself to a particularly ambitious project: restoring a hundred-year-old steamboat.

From SAC classrooms to the cutting edge of human spaceflight, Bob’s inventive mind has left its mark far beyond Earth’s atmosphere. X

OLD BOYS NEWS

AND NOW FOR THE

1951

Fichi Tamm Bredee is retired and travelling during the first half of 2026. In March, Fichi, who lives in Mexico, visited his daughter in Cozumel. In May, he’s flying to Germany to attend the famous Al Shira’aa German Jumping & Dressage Derby, a prestigious event that combines top-level show jumping and dressage. On June 5, he will attend the wedding of his granddaughter, Ana, in Munich. Fichi shares that his great-granddaughter was born on March 18, 2025, in Chicago.

1957

Jim Wyse hosted Head of School, Kevin McHenry, Chair of the Board of Governors, Mark Etherington ’92, and Head of St. Anne’s School, Sabrina D’Angelo, in October 2025 at Burrowing Owl Vineyards in B.C. Jim says a lunch, also attended by their spouses, Midge Wyse, Karan McHenry, Katie Etherington, and Gian D’Angelo, as well as Jim’s SAC roommate, Bill Yuill ’57, and his wife Liz, was great fun.

Front row, from left: Liz Yuill, Karan McHenry, Bill Yuill ’57, Sabrina D’Angelo, Gian D’Angelo. Back row, from left: Katie Etherington, Mark Etherington ’92, Jim Wyse ’57, Midge Wyse, and Kevin McHenry.

1961

Carl Ingwalson

organized a Class of 1961 reunion over Zoom on Dec. 8, 2025. On the call were classmates, Brian Armstrong, Carsten Moser, Nick Oundjian, Doug Rowan, and Barry Thomson. The group’s next virtual reunion is set for Dec. 7, 2026. Carl invites others from their class year (and friends from a year or two ahead or behind) to join.

1973

Rick Reininger was named Citizen of the Year for 2025 by the Town of Newmarket. The award was presented to Rick for his decades of service with and investment in Southlake Health. The Southlake Health Foundation notes that Rick’s work as a hospital fundraiser and supporter has inspired others in the community to get involved, and his service on committees has raised millions of dollars for programs such as diagnostic imaging and hospice care.

1974

Richard van der Jagt retired from Health Canada, but is working in research as an adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa. He is working alongside colleagues from across Canada to develop a funding institute focused on research on environments, health, and societal well-being. Richard continues to publish articles on the effects of climate change on health, biodiversity, and the economy in The Hill Times and Canada’s National Observer. He enjoys swimming three times a week, cross-country skiing, and walking.

1975

Andy Kilpatrick was invited to speak to Upper School students during Pride Week in October about his experiences as a gay man attending St. Andrew’s College in the 1970s. Andy’s message to today’s young people, straight, gay, or transgender, is: “Listen to one another. Put aside preconceived stereotypes. As in all things, understand, support, and learn from one another. You will be a better man for it.” Andy was a member of the debating team that won the Fulford Cup in 1975. He was also a Prefect, Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps, and a member of the school’s first representative curling team under the watchful eye of Lloyd MacPherson, then-Assistant to the Headmaster. Andy was also one of the key creators behind Mayfest, an event now known as SpringSmash. He has been happily married to his husband, Wayne, for 40 years.

1976

John Gray

reports he is ready for the next chapter of life as he prepares for retirement after a long and stimulating career of global travel, working for an equipment supplier to the power industry. John lives in Västerås, Sweden, and has been happily remarried since 2019.

1978

Andrew Dalton

and his wife, Julie, enjoyed a skiing trip in March 2025 to the Dolomites in Northern Italy, then headed to Megève, France. Andrew is the CEO of The Dalton Company, a third-generation professional building services firm. The company marked its 85th anniversary last year with a gala celebration at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, a venue it restored. One of their daughters, Kelly, lives in Los Angeles and has written her first feature film after an eight-year tenure as Senior Director of Talent Relations & Awards at Netflix. Kelly started her own production company, Higher Altitude Productions, and works with her sister, Holly, who lives in St. Catharines, Ont., with her husband, Zac, and their three children.

Their son, Blake ’05, lives in Hinsdale, Ill. He and his wife, Erica, have three children: Kennedy, 5, Jake, 2, and Campbell, who was born on Aug. 28, 2025. Blake was recently promoted to Director of Sales at U.S. P&C Brokerage Insurance at ServiceNow, based in Chicago.

REUNION REMINDER

Class of ’81 Oct. 2, 2026

1981

Rolf

Fox

45

YEAR

and his classmate, Greg Hiltz, reconnected with their SAC Nordic ski coach, Jo Lunn, at the Canmore Nordic Centre in Alberta. They had a great ski together and reminisced about training, racing, and travelling during their SAC days. All three are still actively involved in the sport, either through competition or organizing Nordic ski events. Jo taught at SAC from 1978 to 1982.

Above, Jo Lunn, Greg Hiltz ’81, and Rolf Fox ’81 Below, Greg and Rolf are standing in the centre of the back row in this photo from the 1978-1979 school year.

1982

Steve Ardill

reports that after two years of semiretirement, providing senior advisory services to organizations in the Middle East, he was approached by one of his clients, North Highland Consulting, to lead their growth in the region. Steve finds himself back in the ranks of the fully employed and, once again, planning for the day he actually hangs up his laptop and cashes in his frequent-flyer miles.

Doug Cooper took on the role of Executive Director for the Jaguar Land Rover Dealer Council in January. He previously worked at Nissan Canada, most recently as National Sales and Field Manager for INFINITI Canada.

1984

Will Zeiger married his longtime partner, Mark Michaud, on Sept. 20, 2025, at the Liberty Grand in Toronto. In attendance were classmates, Paul Ashworth, Stuart Campbell, Phillip Lovell, and Peter Smith

1985

Iftikhar Barrie

is working with CIBC as a Senior Infrastructure Engineer, focusing on automating Solaris and Red Hat Linux systems using UNIX shell scripting and Red Hat’s Ansible Automation Platform. His youngest daughter, Nada, married Ashkar on Christmas Day at the Hilton Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Shawn Omstead

surprised his classmate, Bill Gaskey, on the morning of his 60th birthday. Bill and his wife, Amanda, were in France, and she secretly

planned a rendezvous at breakfast at their hotel on his birthday in January. Needless to say, Shawn and his wife, Janet, were happy to hop on a plane and surprise his friend. The two couples enjoyed touring Paris for the next few days, especially a jaunt to the Champagne Region. “Omer” and “Billy” met in Grade 8 at SAC, became fast friends and roommates, and are still celebrating 47 years later.

1986

Garth Hadley

successfully exited his reforestation business, Coast Range Contracting Ltd., in the fall of 2024 after 36 years in the industry. He is halfway through the Cornell-Queen’s Executive MBA Americas program and co-founded Simple Excellence Consulting. Garth notes that he is still curious to “figure out what I want to do when I grow up!”

1987

Jim Plouffe

caught up for a meal with fellow former Cadet Commanding Officer, Drew Eide ’86, in Brisbane,

Australia. Both have lived in Australia for decades but had not found an opportunity to connect. The Andrean, which takes months to make it Down Under, was the impetus for the meeting when both Jim and Drew saw class note updates about each other. The pair shared stories about their lives after SAC as well as tales about school life, including an infamous Homecoming party in Aurora.

1988

Scott Kelly attended Game 7 of the 2025 World Series in Toronto with Ron Kopas ’90, days after watching the Blue Jays defeat Los Angeles in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.

1989

Duran Bodasing

was a young man in Macdonald House in 1984 searching for knowledge, friendship, and a sense of who he was becoming. He says St. Andrew’s College played a major role in shaping that journey, giving him confidence, discipline, and the belief that he could build something meaningful in life. Today, he is known as Chef Duran and hosts The Dome Cooking Show

The series is about fun and delicious culinary experiences that showcase the best of British Columbia’s local ingredients. About 12 years ago,

Duran was tracked down by his classmate, Matt McPherson, and invited to meet up with his SAC friends. The Andrean brothers have reunited twice since then. Reigniting those friendships brought back powerful memories and reminded him just how special the school is. He remains deeply grateful to know these men twice in this lifetime and is a proud Old Boy. To him, St. Andrew’s will always be a dream factory, a temple for wisdom, passion, and lifelong brotherhood.

Will Hill Jr.

is teaching a graduate-level course in sports management, called Ethics and Legal Issues in Sport, at the Humber Polytechnic Longo Faculty of Business. After two years running the Canadian Lottery Coalition as its National Executive Director, Will says the change in profession was inspired by his late father, Bill ’53, who always said he would make an excellent author and teacher. On Feb. 13, Will’s two dozen graduate students welcomed his SAC classmate and friend, Jake Bullen, as a special guest lecturer. Will notes Jake is one of Canada’s foremost leaders in sports law, working with Toronto-based firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Will presented Jake with a St. Andrew’s hoodie as a thank-you for his appearance.

1991

Michael Hung responded to the article on marksmanship in the fall 2025 Andrean. Michael says that while he was aware of the marksmanship program during his time at SAC (1989-1990), his focus during that year was on the swim team, where he served as Captain. After Michael’s university years, shooting sports became his primary focus outside his professional engineering career. He is an SFC IB-certified and Comp-Dev-trained pistol coach with an ISSF D license and is

pursuing his C license. Michael had the privilege last year of serving as one of two Ontario junior team coaches at the SFC Junior Nationals in Saskatoon, Sask.

Bruce Lopez visited campus with his wife, Summer, on Oct. 7, 2025. The couple travelled to Ontario from their home in Jamaica for a family wedding. Bruce had not been back to St. Andrew’s in three decades. During the visit, Bruce saw his old room in Flavelle House, which has since been converted into a kitchen space. Bruce notes he was one of the athletes who swam a lap during the opening of the Walden Pool in 1990. He was also involved in cricket, squash, and football.

1995

Jeff Lewis was recognized as the CEO/Industry Leader of the Year at the 2025 Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards hosted by Airline Economics in Singapore. Jeff says he hopes up-and-coming leaders in the industry understand the key role relationships play in the business. Jeff is CEO of Hanwha Aviation and Hanwha AeroTechnix, both backed by Hanwha Group, a Fortune Global 500 conglomerate with headquarters in Korea. He lives in Boca Raton, Fla.

REUNION REMINDER

Class of ’96 Oct. 2, 2026 30 YEAR

1998

Andrew Malloy

and his partner, Vania, welcomed a son, ArcherDouglas, on July 16, 2025. The family lives in Kitchener, Ont. Andrew is the Sales Team Lead at Spotter Security Inc., a company that custom designs and installs video surveillance, access control, and construction site video monitoring systems for businesses and construction sites across North America. In fact, Andrew is currently working with St. Andrew’s College and St. Anne’s School to increase security across both campuses.

2000

Stephen

Amell

will play a lead role in Fox’s Baywatch reboot. Stephen has been cast as Hobie Buchannon,

a character from the original series, the son of Mitch, who was portrayed by David Hasselhoff. Executive producer, Matt Nix, says Stephen brings “heart, intensity, and that undeniable hero energy” to the new chapter of Baywatch, set for release this fall.

REUNION REMINDER

Class of ’01 Oct. 2, 2026

2001

Matt Fullerton

25 YEAR

visited campus from his home in Bermuda for a reunion of the 2000-2001 Varsity Hockey Saints held during the 2026 MacPherson Tournament (Jan. 30-Feb. 1). Matt served as manager for the team that broke an 18-year CISAA championship drought with a 2-1 win against Upper Canada College. A few days after the reunion, Matt toured campus and enjoyed lunch with teammate and Executive Director of Advancement, Nicholas Weedon ’02. Matt plans to attend his 25-year class reunion dinner in October and looks forward to catching up with more of his fellow Andreans.

John Lyons

and his wife, Susan, welcomed their second son in July. John continues to manage the design and construction of some of Canada’s largest buildings and infrastructure projects through his consulting company, Crimson Oak.

Paul Perrier

was appointed Chief Sport Officer of Golf Canada in December. From 2019 to 2025, Paul served as Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director/ Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Southern California, supporting 600 athletes and 23 varsity programs. In his new role, Paul will oversee Golf Canada’s sport portfolio as a member of the organization’s executive team, with responsibility for athlete development, grassroots programs, and the National Amateur Championships.

2002

Sergio Colin de la Rosa has been living in Florida since 2022. He and his wife, Mercedes, have a 1-year-old son, Andrés, a brother for their 5-year-old daughter, Mercedes. Sergio works as the Operations Lead for KFC in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Michael Faulds was named Head Football Coach at Western University in January 2026. Michael held the same position at Wilfrid Laurier University for 13 years, leading that team to a Vanier Cup appearance in 2024. Michael also won U SPORTS Football Coach of the Year three times, including in 2024 and 2025. He played for Western from 2005 to 2009, leading the team to two Yates Cup championships and retiring as the all-time passing leader in Canadian university football.

2003

Ryan Hiscox won his age group at last summer’s Ironman 70.3 Muskoka in July and Canada-Ottawa in August, qualifying for both Ironman World Championships. Ryan was named a Master Long Course Triathlete of the Year by Triathlon Ontario. He also placed second overall at the Sulphur

Springs Trail Race 50-mile ultramarathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:53 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Ryan is the co-founder of Wabi Sabi Athletics, offering personalized coaching for endurance athletes competing in Ironman and ultra-distance events.

Diego Sierra Laris

visited campus with his wife, Tatiana, on Nov. 7, 2025. It was Diego’s first time back on campus since his year as a student living in Macdonald House from 1996 to 1997. After visiting campus, the couple travelled to Montreal to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Diego is still in contact with many Andreans in the Mexico City area, where the couple lives with their three sons.

2004

Darrin Henein joined Owner.com as its Chief Design Officer in November 2025 after a decade leading design at Shopify. Owner is an all-in-one, AI-driven restaurant management and marketing platform that helps independent restaurants increase online orders and reduce reliance on highcommission third-party delivery apps.

Taylor Irving announced his 2025 acquisition of Biederman Enterprises, a manufacturer of plastic cartridges. The business also expanded with the addition of a new Tennessee location, increasing capacity and adding custom plastic extrusion capabilities.

2005

Scott Fullerton recently joined Manulife Wealth as an investment advisor after 12 years on the fund distribution side of the business. He and his wife, Sarah, along with their two boys, William, 5, and Noah, 3, welcomed their third child, Violet, in October 2025.

REUNION

REMINDER

Class of ’06 Oct. 2, 2026

2006

20 YEAR

Matthew Eaton-Kent and his wife, Laura, welcomed a baby boy, Lakeland, in July 2025, a brother for River. Lakeland has been a sweet addition to their very busy household. Matthew is balancing fatherhood with his growing criminal defence and child protection practice in Ontario and Nunavut.

Tyler Ehler and Angéline Buck were married on Aug. 11, 2025, at the Domaine du Mont Leuze in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. Their wedding weekend included a welcome party at Plage de Passable and a rehearsal lunch at Château Eza in Èze. The festivities brought together 108 guests, including classmates, Tyler Munro and Mike McIntosh, and Thijs Spoor ’90

Logan Hurst and his wife, Nikki, welcomed their second child, a daughter, Isabella, in September 2025.

2007

Alex Sung and his wife, Louise, announced the birth of their son, Wesley, on Nov. 28, 2025, in Toronto.

Jonathan Thomson recently took the leap to launch a commercial mortgage brokerage with two partners, after seven years at KingSett Capital. As of January, the firm is FSRA-approved and fully operational. Jonathan focuses on construction and bridge financing in Ontario and British Columbia, areas where he has specialized for the past 13 years, completing hundreds of transactions totalling several billion dollars.

2008

James Hogg and his wife, Ffeon, announced the birth of their son, Thomas, on Dec. 7, 2025.

Scott Munro is working in downtown Toronto for Q Residential, a property management firm that owns and serves apartment complexes and seniors residential properties across the Golden Horseshoe. He has been promoted to Senior Technology Specialist.

Radissen Ramoutar said “I do” to his partner, Allan Baniña, on Sept. 6, 2025, at a joy-filled wedding at Donalda Club in Toronto. Rev. Bruce Roffey officiated the ceremony, and classmates, Kenneth Chu, Hidetaka Ishii, Jeffrey Ho, Abhinav Raina, and Jonathan Si, as well as Christian Julien ’10, were in attendance.

2010

Michael Zhang travelled to Italy in October 2025, where he visited St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Amalfi. Michael says the experience was very moving, given the historical context and the school’s historical lineage to the patron saint.

REUNION REMINDER

Class of ’11

Oct. 2, 2026

2011

15 YEAR

Dylan Hewko and his wife, Olivia, welcomed their second child, Maximilian, on May 23, 2025. Older sister, Leonore, has happily embraced her promotion

to big sister and enjoys having a little brother around. Dylan is Senior Vice-President, Finance and Administration at Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment, and the family lives in Burlington, Ont.

Andrew Nelson proposed to his girlfriend, Anika, last year on the highest mountain in Thailand, and they found themselves at the altar on Jan. 9, four years to the day they began dating. They were married in Scottsdale, Ariz., where they live. They plan to have their honeymoon in Bali after spending time in Malaysia. Andrew is working as a school therapist, an experience that has deepened his respect for those working at SAC, as he now sees their work from the other side.

Bryan Tang and his wife, Michelle, stopped by campus on Sept. 22, 2025. Bryan was on the swim and fencing teams and resided in Memorial House. During their visit, they took a photo in front of the C. Anthony Myrans Social Sciences Prize, which Bryan won in his graduating year. The couple lives in Hong Kong but met while

attending different universities in New York state. Classmate, Godwin Chen, was the best man at their wedding. Bryan and Michelle welcomed a son, Adrian, in July 2025.

2013

visited campus on Oct. 27, 2025, and had lunch in Cole Hall with classmates and SAC employees, John Sandham, Alumni Relations & Major Gifts Officer, and Alex Seto, Mental Health Counsellor and Piping Instructor. Buban attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and lived in Ireland for more than a decade. After moving back to Canada in August, he returned to campus earlier in October for Homecoming and noted that many areas of the school had been completely transformed since his last visit. He has since opened a family practice in Vaughan, Ont.

couple of area museums. At the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, a display pays tribute to J.A.D. McCurdy, Class of 1903, the designer and pilot of the Silver Dart, the first powered aircraft to fly in Canada. John was also happy to see several works by Group of Seven artist, Lawren Harris, Class of 1906, on display at the National Gallery of Canada, including North Shore, Lake Superior, shown in the accompanying photograph. John is in his third year with the Alumni & Advancement Office at SAC.

Lyndon Zhao and Sheryl Sun were married on Dec. 25, 2025, in Hong Kong. Acting as groomsmen were classmate, Jackie Wong, and Sheryl’s brother, Yancy Sun ’27, while Angus Lee ’13 and Cedric Lau ’15 were in attendance.

2014

John Sandham

visited Ottawa with his family in October and was pleased to see Andrean representation in a

James Cornwell is working toward completing his degree in Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design. James is preparing to write and direct his senior thesis, a feature narrative film he plans to enter into film festivals and the Student Academy Awards. Highlights from James’s time in the program so far include attending a master class with Wicked director, Jon M. Chu, travelling

to New York with his mentor, Hezues R, founder of S.I.C. (Social Impact Content) Film School, and working as cinematographer and producer on a short film, titled Only a Matter of Time

Warren Foegele and Alexandra Servos were married on July 19, 2025, at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. His brother, Reese ’13, was the best man, and his classmate, Adam Ashby, served as a groomsman. Other Old Boys in attendance were Paul Tennyson ’80; Warren’s classmates, Jeff Banwell, Zachary Petrachek, and Jin Yu; and Dylan Sikura ’13. In March, at the NHL trade deadline, Warren was traded from the LA Kings to the Ottawa Senators.

2015

Griffin James and Connor Cherrie were married on Sept. 13, 2025, at his family cottage in Muskoka. Classmates, Quen Campbell, Darren Iwai, Justin McNamara, and Adam Sinclair were in the

wedding party, while Adam Boston ’19, Justin Fregona ’15, Matthew Iezzi ’15, Jacob La Brier ’15, Fraser Sopik ’15, and Devon Walters ’15 were in attendance.

At left, Connor and Griffin James ’15

Below, from left: Darren Iwai ’15, Quen Campbell ’15, Justin McNamara ’15, Griffin, Tyler Boston (friend), Matt Doty (friend), Adam Sinclair ’15

Patrick Taylor and Monica Morrison were married on Jan. 3, at his parents’ home in Barbados. In attendance were classmates, David Browne, Rayyan Dawood, and Evan Forth.

REUNION REMINDER

Class of ’16

Oct. 2, 2026

2016

YEAR

Jamie Finlay is living in Australia and studying law at Bond University on the Gold Coast. He is midway through his JD, and says it’s been a great mix of challenge and adventure. Jamie is planning to return to Toronto after graduating and practicing law in Brisbane. He is hoping to build a career in commercial and tech law, combining his business background with his interest in AI and emerging technologies.

Alex MacDonald played junior hockey in B.C. after graduating from St. Andrew’s, then attended The Royal Military College of Canada to pursue a degree in economics. Following this, Alex played professional hockey in Toulouse, France; Sydney, Australia; and Nijmegen, the Netherlands from 2022 to 2025. He is now back in Halifax working as a golf professional after turning pro last year. He works at Hole9Golf, a high-performance golf and simulator training facility.

2017

Cooper Scullion-Smeenk will compete in the Race to Alaska this summer with his father, Richard Smeenk, and teammate David Gauci. Cooper notes the R2AK is the “Iditarod of sailing,” a 750-mile journey from Port Townsend, Wash., to Ketchikan, Alaska. The race is split into two parts: a 40-mile “proving ground” race from Port Townsend to Victoria, B.C., across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, followed by the remaining 710 miles from Victoria to

Ketchikan, which has just two checkpoints through Seymour Narrows and Bella Bella. The three-man crew of “Team Agile Racing” will sail on a 24-foot boat against everything from kayaks to catamarans.

Will Sirman and his brother, Thomas ’22, met up with John Sandham ’13 at the Carr-Harris Cup in Kingston, Ont., on Feb. 7. The Carr-Harris Cup is an annual hockey game between the Queen’s University Gaels and the Royal Military College Paladins that has been contested for 140 years. Will is a Queen’s alum, currently an articling student with Renno & Co LLP, while Thomas is in his first year in the Politics, Philosophy and Economics program at Queen’s. John works in SAC’s Advancement Office as Alumni Relations Officer.

2018

Ryan Collis returned to campus as a guest speaker during the school’s Pride Week activities in October 2025, where he shared his SAC experience and spoke to the importance of initiatives like Pride Week. His visit coincided with a week of meaningful student conversations focused on inclusion and belonging. Ryan is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying).

2020

James Morrison joined BDO Canada, where he works as an accountant, after graduating from Western University in 2024. James recently completed his final accounting exams and has become a Chartered Professional Accountant. Outside of work, he is an avid golfer and hockey player and continues to enjoy time with his SAC friends.

Blake Phillips

has been building a career as an actor and filmmaker since graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University in August 2025. Blake recently wrote, directed, and acted in Pastanoia, a short film about a dinner with friends that turns violent when a betrayal is revealed, alongside Quest Rodin ’18 and Nolan Rush ’21. Blake says it was fun to work with the two actors again after first meeting them on the Wirth Theatre stage. The Old Boy film network is strong in Toronto, and Blake would enjoy connecting with other actors, directors, and producers in the city.

undergraduate studies and continues in the role during his master’s program.

David Kurp started a new role as a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru. He is serving in the youth development sector, based in a town in the Ancash region. David’s work involves collaborating with the local municipality on several initiatives, as well as co-teaching and facilitating student clubs and organizations at high schools. David invites any Andreans passing through Peru in the next couple of years to reach out.

Ian Morrison began his career as an analyst with Dig Insights following graduation from the Ivey Business School in 2025. He is excited to contribute to the company’s market research and strategy work. Outside of his professional pursuits, Ian enjoys golf and hockey and has stayed connected with his SAC friends.

2021

Roy Huang competed at the 2025 European Pipe Band Championships with the Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums, where they placed second, and at the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships, where they placed fifth. The band competes at a Grade 3 level. Roy was the Pipe Sergeant of the band during his

2023

Cole Brown

met with SAC’s U18 AAA Hockey team and toured them around the University of Notre Dame hockey facilities on Nov. 16, 2025. The Saints were playing in a tournament at the university and watched the Fighting Irish play Michigan State the evening prior. Cole is a freshman at Notre Dame. He spent the previous four seasons with the Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL.

Jonathan Castagna was traded from the Utah Mammoth to the Calgary Flames and signed a three-year, entrylevel NHL contract with the Flames, beginning in the 2026-2027 season. At Cornell University, Castagna served as an alternate captain this season and finished with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) in 34 games, totalling 74 points (31 goals, 43 assists) in 101 career games with the Big Red.

Jack Cordingley

assembled his first mechanical watch in his second-floor boarding room in Memorial House when he was in Grade 12. What began as a quiet curiosity, learning how gears, springs, and balance wheels worked together, quickly became a passion. At the time, he could not have imagined that a small project on a dorm room desk would eventually grow into Atlas Watches. Jack donated a custom watch to the SAC Red & White Gala. Created exclusively for the event, the one-of-a-kind timepiece is a tribute to the place where his journey began and was available for auction at the April 25 gala. The watch’s most distinctive element is the dial: laser-etched and hand-

painted, incorporating the SAC crest within a classic Roman numeral layout.

Sydney Wambua

appeared on an episode of Family Feud Canada that aired on Dec. 11, 2025, on CBC. Competing alongside his parents and his cousins, Maxwell and Christopher, Sydney says a funny moment was when Christopher told the host, Gerry Dee, he “didn’t know Family Feud was still happening” before he received an invite to audition. Although the family lost in the sudden-death round, a highlight for Sydney was when his mother, Eileen, sent their team to the final showdown with the No. 1 answer (a glass item) to the question, “Name something most people have broken at least once in their life.” X

graduations, career highlights, weddings, babies, vacations, meetups with other OId Boys: SHARE YOUR NEWS

Andreans Act Up

Head of Drama and Film, William Scoular, directed a TV pilot for M-Town, centred on a family doctor, played by Adam Moryto ’09, who opens a methadone clinic to battle the opioid crisis, but his saviour complex, gambling addiction, and mounting scandals threaten his family, license, and patients’ lives.

Mike Ligeti ’07 plays a former anesthetist who struggled with addiction and lost everything.

Other Andreans were also involved. Jarryd Stock ’03, Lucas La Brier ’18, and Greg Reid (retired Deputy Head of School) are terrific as OPP investigators, and David Joiner (retired Head of Geography) nails it as the pharmacist. David Stewart, Associate Director, Citizenship and Character, plays a town councillor who leads a meeting discussing the pros and cons of establishing a methadone clinic.

Other Old Boys who have roles in the pilot are Daniel von Diergardt ’04, Callum Murphy ’17, Callum Buckley ’22, and Kyle Murphy ’22

Parents of Old Boys involved are Rod Black, father of Tyler ’18, and George Tsvetanov, whose son, Tristan ’16, produced the pilot and kept the whole machine humming.

Taylor Campbell ’06 was the behind-the-scenes documentarian who supplied the photos.

OBITUARIES

1948

Ian Wishart passed away on Feb. 25, 2026, in St. John’s, Nfld. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1946 to 1948. Nicknamed “The Wish,” Ian was Managing Editor of The Review, a member of the Debating Society, and a Librarian. He earned the Old Boys’ Medal in Mathematics and tied for the Governor General’s Medal for highest standing in the Upper Sixth final examinations. Ian served as a minister to congregations in Ontario and Saskatchewan before moving to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (The Kirk) in St. John’s in 1972. He retired from The Kirk in 1998 but served as the interim moderator of St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church of Grand Falls for many years. Ian was associated with the Canadian Armed Forces from his time as a Naval Cadet at Royal Roads Military College through his days at HMCS Queen, the 48th Highlanders, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and the Newfoundland Militia District. Subsequently, he has been the Chaplain to Branch 56 Royal Canadian Legion and to the Royal Canadian Legion Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Command. Ian is survived by his children, Janet and David ’83; and his siblings, David and Alison. Former Head of School, Ted Staunton, is his cousin. Ian was predeceased by his wife, Jean. His father, David Edmund Staunton Wishart , was a member of the Class of 1906.

1952

Gerald “Jake” Omstead passed away on Oct. 3, 2025. He lived in Wheatley, Ont. Jake attended St. Andrew’s from 1946 to 1952. He was a Prefect, President of the Athletic Society, Vice-Captain of First Football, Manager of the Second Hockey team, and a boxing champion. After graduation, Jake attended McGill University and then joined the family business as Personnel Manager of Omstead Foods Limited. In 1956, he served one year as an Officer Cadet with the Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment of the Canadian Army Militia. He was a volunteer firefighter in Wheatley during the 1960s. Jake returned to campus many times to attend Cadet Inspections and was a supporter of the Pipes & Drums. He was also a founding member of the Dick Gibb Scholarship Fund at SAC. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his brothers, Leonard ’51 and Frederick ’66; his children, Laurie, Leslie, John ’77, Tom ’79, Shannon, and Stacey; his grandchildren, Jay, Colleen, Greg Meuser ’98, Emily, Houston Meuser ’10, Brittany, Tara, Everett, Andrew Omstead ’16, Michaela, Cheyne, Anna, Kaitlyn, Nick DeNiro ’14, Rory, and Alexa; and nine great-grandchildren. Jake was predeceased by his son, Fred ’81, and by his former wife, Maeve.

1953

Peter Gordon passed away on Nov. 29, 2025, in Orangeville, Ont. He was a student at St. Andrew’s from 1946 to 1953. He was Head Prefect and played First Hockey, First Football, First Cricket, and tennis. Peter served on the SAC Board of Governors from 1965 to 1972 and was a Foundation Trustee in 1966-1967. Peter attended the University of Toronto for one year before leaving to take a position at the investment firm, Nesbitt Thomson. He went on to build a successful 45-year career in the business, later co-founding firms, Foyston, Gordon & Payne, Vantage Investment Counsel, and Nexus Investment Management, before retiring in 2000. Peter is survived by his partner, JoAnn Moysey; six children, shared with his former wife, Mary: Andrea, Gil, Grant, Martha, Jeffrey, and Heather; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Gerry ’58, and his father, Grant , Class of 1919, who was also Head Prefect in his graduating year.

1963

Randy Saylor passed away on Feb. 19, 2025. He lived in Toronto. Randy attended St. Andrew’s from 1957 to 1963. He was a Prefect and played First Football and First Hockey. He attended Queen’s University and earned a B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering. Randy worked for a couple of years at a steel mill in Pittsburgh before attending the Ontario College of Education. He was employed by the Toronto District School Board for over 30 years, first as a physics teacher, then in adult education, and ultimately as the principal of Western Technical School. His athletic side continued after retirement, as he took up cycling and enjoyed curling and golf. Randy is survived by his wife, Janet, his sons, Cameron and Gregory, and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, John ’46

1976

Craig Farrow passed away on Dec. 16, 2025. He lived in the Town of Blue Mountains, Ont. He attended SAC from 1974 to 1976. Craig played First Football, participated in First Skiing, and was President of the Senior Debating Society. He attended Western University and then established himself in global tech and mobile sales for companies such as Motorola and BlackBerry. Craig is survived by his wife, Susan; children, Scott, Emily, and Katie; his grandchildren; and an extended family that includes his brother-in-law, Andrew Dalton ’78

2014

Edward Essue passed away on March 6, 2026, in Barrie, Ont. He attended SAC from 2008 to 2014. Edward was a Prefect and played First Football, First Squash, and First Rugby. He was also a member of the Community Service Council (accruing 243 community service hours), the Music Council, and the Wind Ensemble. After graduation, Edward attended Queen’s University. He is survived by his parents, Edward and Donna, four siblings, and a daughter.

STAFF

Garry Page passed away on Feb. 7, 2026, in Toronto. He officially joined St. Andrew’s College as a faculty member in the Music Department in 2017, after ten years supporting the music program by conducting ensembles, sharing his expertise, and stepping in whenever an experienced, trusted musician was needed. Garry served as a music teacher in the Upper and Middle Schools, as Director of Bands, and as Director of the St. Andrew’s and St. Anne’s Academy of Music. Garry was also a freelance trumpet player, adjudicator, and clinician. He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie; children, Alice Irene (Nik) and Imogen (Kassem); and grandchildren, Annaliese, Julian, Ciarán, Orion, and May. X

The Andrean staff and all those who work at St. Andrew’s College extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those mentioned in our obituary section. Please email us at theandrean@sac.on.ca if you wish to share news of an Old Boy who has passed away for inclusion in the next Andrean

St. Andrew’s College 15800 Yonge Street Aurora, ON L4G 3H7 Canada

x.com/standrews1899

facebook.com/StAndrewsCollege

youtube.com/StAndrews1899

@StAndrewsCollege1899