SAC certainly has talent! Whether it’s in drama, music, or visual arts, our students and grads are constantly pushing boundaries. Take, for example, the front cover collage created by Steve McDonald ’88, an illustrator, author, and visual storyteller. He describes himself as an “old-school artist using new-school tools,” and his work truly showcases that blend of innovation and tradition.
On the cover of the Annual Report on Page 25, you’ll find a breathtaking piece by Tristan Dunlap Sanabria ’26. Despite never having painted in this medium before, Tristan’s portrayal of Memorial Chapel is nothing short of stunning. It’s hung in Memorial House, where Tristan lives as a boarder. You must see it in person to appreciate the full depth and beauty of his work.
And let’s not forget one of SAC’s most distinguished alums, Lawren Harris, Class of 1906, a renowned member of the Group of Seven. Famous for his iconic Canadian landscapes, Lawren also dabbled in portraiture, and one of his masterpieces is proudly displayed at SAC. You can see it on Page 36. Keep an eye out for an upcoming article on this painting, which was commissioned and presented to the school 100 years ago.
Julie Caspersen, Editor
The ANDREAN
Published by
St. Andrew’s College for Old Boys, parents, and friends of the school
Our commemorative 125th birthday cover features the mixed media artwork of Steve McDonald ’88
Back Cover
Remembrance Day 2024 on the Quad.
We belong to the following associations:
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.
O CANADA! Saints linebacker, Ethan St. Pierre ’26, belted out the national anthem before the Homecoming 2024 First Football game, and then proceeded to put on a defensive clinic on the field against Trinity College School. Ethan is in his first year at SAC and comes to us from Fredericton, N.B.
TTL Through The Lens
A selection of favourites from Creative Lead, Paul Mosey
Top: Cross-Country Run winners, Grayson Moore ’30 (centre) and Marek St. Croix ’26 (with Wallace Cup,) alongside faculty Michael Knox, left, and David Manning. Above: From left, Merek Husack ’27, motionball athlete, Fareed Champsi, Josh Morse ’27, and Upper School teacher, Will McHenry ’18, during the Saints Day motionball event. Top right: First Volleyball captain, Hank Heider ’25, mid-spike in the CISAA championship game. At right: Canoeing at the Grade 12 Beyond the Gates outing in September. Below: School of Rock cast and crew.
As we came together to celebrate the 125th birthday of St. Andrew’s College on September 10, I was reminded of the legacy that has shaped our school into the remarkable institution it is today. This milestone is a testament to our rich history and a powerful reminder of the unwavering commitment to our core values – boys, brotherhood, boarding, and tradition. These key differentiators have guided generations of young men through our halls, instilling in them the virtues of integrity, leadership, and service to others.
During our annual board retreat on September 29 and 30, I shared a photo with our governors, trustees, and Leadership Team taken at our 100th anniversary – some of them were in it! It was an iconic image, captured from the roof of Macdonald House, of our students and staff forming the number 100 (pictured below). At the time, this photograph was considered one of our finest. The entire room erupted with laughter as we reflected on how much things have changed. We used a drone when we recreated the photo on September 19 for our 125th birthday (pictured on page 7). The juxtaposition between these images highlights how time moves forward, yet our commitment to providing the best allboys education remains steadfast.
Our history is something we cherish, and it’s thanks to the people who have devoted their careers to this school, keeping records and preserving our traditions, that we can reflect on it so vividly. You’ll read about many of them in this issue. St. Andrew’s grows stronger with each passing year because our foundation is so strong. Our community is built on an unshakable belief in what we do here. Many of our staff members spend their entire careers at St. Andrew’s, which is evidence of the enduring sense of purpose and belonging that defines this place.
While we celebrate the past, we are also looking to the future, which is why we decided to hold back this fall issue when the Canada Post strike hit to include the centrepiece of our next chapter – the new strategic plan document, Forward. Boldly This vision outlines how St. Andrew’s will navigate the years ahead, preserving our history and traditions while embracing innovation.
The strategic plan focuses on transforming teaching and learning, exploring purpose and passion, nurturing wellness, inspiring citizenship, growing our community, and investing in people, places, and practices. This plan is not just about
THE HEAD’S UP
looking forward; it is about ensuring that our mission to develop “the complete man, the well-rounded citizen” continues to resonate for generations to come. You’ll find a centerspread in the strategic plan showcasing how St. Anne’s and St. Andrew’s are separate yet together, with single-gender academics complemented by partnered extracurricular opportunities – a unique model that enriches both communities and launches our Partnerhood.
Together, we’re forging a path that benefits all our students through shared activities like arts, events, and community projects. The Partnerhood ensures our schools remain connected while retaining their individual identities, creating the best of both worlds.
As you read through this issue and explore our new strategic plans, I encourage you to reflect on the values and traditions that have made St. Andrew’s what it is today and to envision the possibilities that lie ahead. The inclusion of Forward. Boldly., the St. Andrew’s College strategic framework, and In Flight, St. Anne’s first strategic plan, is a reminder that while we honour our past, we are boldly committed to shaping an extraordinary future, which will sustain our two institutions for generations to come. X
Kevin R. McHenry, Head of School
A Day for the History Books
By Nicolette Fleming
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: Jonathan Thomson ’07 holds a photo of the original Chestnut Park school building while standing on the original site in mid-town Toronto.
St. Andrew’s proudly marked a monumental moment – 125 years of shaping the minds, hearts, and futures of young men. On September 10, 2024, the celebrations kicked off in full swing, with the school commemorating its incredible journey from humble beginnings in Toronto to its sprawling 126-acre campus in Aurora. The day, filled with excitement and reflection, reminded everyone of the rich history and values that continue to define SAC.
What began in 1899 as a small schoolhouse in Chestnut Park with just 50 boys has blossomed into a vibrant international community. Today, 668 students from over 25 countries call St. Andrew’s home, engaging in academics, athletics, and the arts, all while upholding the values of brotherhood and tradition that have remained at the core of the school’s identity. The 125th birthday festivities were meticulously planned for over a year, and the excitement was palpable as the school community came together to mark the occasion. Students and staff proudly donned their specially designed 125 spirit wear, creating a sea of red, white, and black across the campus. The Parents Guild contributed commemorative 125 cookies, which were joyfully distributed to families
during morning drop-off, setting the tone for a morning filled with school spirit and community.
In Cole Hall, the students gathered for a special breakfast, followed by an inspiring assembly that took everyone on a journey through the school’s rich history. The assembly delved into SAC’s story – how it grew from modest beginnings to become a renowned, continuously evolving institution while staying true to its core mission of “developing the complete man, the well-rounded citizen.”
The festivities really began when students and staff lined the iconic Quadrangle for
a spirited, throwback-themed obstacle course. Hosted by the Prefects, the competition offered a nostalgic glimpse into our past, with challenges like kilting up teammates, hurdling, egg tossing, bobbing for apples, and a hilarious beanbag toss. The final challenge – spinning in circles before capturing Braveheart’s head –capped off the fun, with the victorious team earning the honour of wearing the coveted Braveheart mascot head and collecting valuable Clan points.
No birthday would be complete without a party, and SAC certainly didn’t disappoint. A massive cake and balloons made the day
A balloon arch above the Memorial Gates announced that September 10 was a special day in the school’s history; SAC staff greeters, Kylah Adams, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, and Marla Lambert, Associate Director of Advancement, giving out Parents Guild 125 cookies at the student drop-off circle.
even sweeter, while the Welcome Back to School Parent Reception featured a joyful sing-along of Happy Birthday that filled the Head of School’s house with camaraderie.
The celebrations didn’t stop there. On September 19, following the annual motionball day in support of the Special Olympics, students and staff gathered on Yuill Family Field for a symbolic formation. Standing proudly in the shape of “125!” with Upper School students from St. Anne’s School joining as the exclamation mark, this moment reflected both the energy of the moment and the strength of the unique partnership between the two schools. It was a day of unity, as everyone sported their red and white in a powerful display of school spirit.
Homecoming brought even more excitement. Special “125” cheer towels and tattoos, generously provided by the Parents Guild, were handed out to rally the crowd. But it wasn’t just about the celebrations; SAC’s commitment to environmental leadership also took centre stage. The Outdoor Education and Environmental teams
embraced the 125 theme with a challenge to plant 1,250 trees this school year. Thanks to their hard work and the collective efforts of the Andrean community, this ambitious goal surpassed 1,000 trees planted at Willow Farm trail and near the turf field scoreboard at the close of Homecoming weekend, a lasting tribute to the school’s dedication to sustainability and future generations.
As the year continues, the 125 celebrations will leave a memorable legacy. The Advancement Team’s commemorative paver stones campaign invites Andreans to leave their mark on the Quadrangle, with each engraved stone serving as a tribute to the school’s rich past and a step toward its bright future.
In 125 years, St. Andrew’s College has nurtured thousands of boys into complete men, instilling values of tradition, brotherhood, and leadership. As we mark this exceptional milestone, the future shines brighter than ever, with eyes set on the next chapter in our school’s history – a history filled with tradition, progress, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. X
Previous page, clockwise from top left: Head of School, Kevin McHenry, and Board Chair, Mark Etherington ’92, enjoying 125th birthday celebrations; The head of Braveheart awaits the victor of the Quad obstacle course; Hurdling on the Quad; Dave Stewart, Associate Director, Upper School, gives the students an historic overview in Ketchum Auditorium. This page: Above, a drone photograph of the student body on Yuill Family Field. Below, clockwise from top left: Homecoming football fans with a 125 cheer towel; Environmental Committee Head and faculty member, Matthew Jaekel, planting a tree with Braveheart beside Yuill Family Field; Peace-out for another 125 years!; Students and staff enjoyed 125th birthday cake in Cole Hall.
THE NAMESAKE: Saint Andrew SHORTS
There are countless people who have positively impacted, enhanced the quality, and advanced the progress of St. Andrew’s College. Leaders, donors, supporters, grads, teachers, parents, and friends have played pivotal roles in transforming the school from humble beginnings to the powerhouse of academic excellence, athletic achievement, and artistic expression it is today.
On these pages, we present a series of short profiles representing a small fraction of SAC movers and shakers, builders and boosters, innovators and inspirations from our 125-year history.
This list is far from exhaustive and may prompt responses like, “But what about ...” and “You forgot to include …” While the list of potential profiles is nearly limitless, our page count is not. Below is a selection of individuals who contributed to the St. Andrew’s story. I invite you to share (at theandrean@sac.on.ca) the names of people you believe could have been included, and perhaps we will feature them in a future edition of The Andrean
– Julie Caspersen
From the beginning, it was thought that the school should have a powerful name that symbolized its Presbyterian and Scottish heritage, a name that illustrated the strength of character the school sought to nurture.
George Dickson (principal at Upper Canada College from 1885 to 1895) was a friend and mentor to SAC’s founder, Rev. Dr. George Bruce, and had the idea of founding the new school. He proposed that it be named St. Andrew’s School for Boys. Saint Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland and exemplified the strength of character the school was attempting to emulate. He was born circa 5 AD and was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus who spread the message of love, compassion, and charity.
When Saint Andrew was executed, he said that he felt too inadequate to be crucified on the same kind of cross as Jesus had been, so he was killed on a saltire, a diagonal cross. The cross of Saint Andrew has been part of the Scottish royal seal since 1286 and is the central feature of our school crest.
THE LIVING TRADITION:
Rev. Dr. Donald Bruce Macdonald
The second and longest-serving Headmaster, D. Bruce Macdonald, was fittingly dubbed “a loyal, unflagging, living tradition” in the summer 1956 Review. That edition of the yearbook was dedicated to the man who led the school from 1900 to 1935 and remained connected throughout his life and is still evident in spirit today.
Dr. Macdonald became the principal of St. Andrew’s College at the age of 27, taking over for our ailing founder, Rev. Dr. George Bruce. Dr. Macdonald was adored – and feared – by the boys who knew his stern exterior hid his underlying goodwill and integrity. Upon his retirement as Headmaster, it was noted that St. Andrew’s had “risen from a very small beginning to an assured position under his leadership.”
Here are some of the ways this “living tradition” has left his mark on the school he loved:
Dr. Macdonald led St. Andrew’s to become one of the leading independent schools in the country. He believed in the school and was its most tireless salesperson.
He authored a collection of sermons, Sunday Evenings at St. Andrew’s College
As an accomplished athlete, he was a strong advocate of physical fitness and wellness:
One of his first tasks was to convert the barn at Chestnut Park into a gymnasium.
He was a member of the 1894 Ontario Rugby Football Union and the 1895 Canadian Rugby Union champion team.
He was inducted into the University of Toronto’s Sports Hall of Fame in the Builder category.
He was one of the three initial members of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Nearly 3,000 boys spent their formative years at SAC under Dr. Macdonald’s leadership.
Macdonald House was constructed on the Aurora campus and opened in 1930. It was the result of a generous donation (one of many) from Sir Joseph Flavelle, namesake of another house. It initially housed Lower School boys, and Flavelle housed those in Middle School.
Dr. Macdonald received a medal during the 1935 Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of George V as King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions. The medals were awarded to selected officers of state, ministers, mayors, public servants, and members of the navy, army, air force, and police in Britain and her colonies.
The prestigious Macdonald Medal is awarded to a graduating student. It was given by the Old Boys Association in 1936 to honour the student exhibiting the most distinguished combination of character, leadership, academic success, and athletic accomplishment.
Dr. Macdonald’s first wife, Theresa, took a keen interest in school activities, cheering at sports matches, attending Cadet dances, and sending parcels to Old Boys serving in the First World War.
The Mrs. Macdonald House Cup was first awarded in 1929 and given out until 1948, the year after Dr. Macdonald retired from the Board of Governors.
Dr. Macdonald chaired the SAC Board of Governors from 1938 to 1947.
The inaugural Founders Day was held in February 1956 to coincide with Dr. Macdonald’s birthday. It continued to be celebrated until at least 1964, but there is no mention of it in our archival documents after this.
Dr. Macdonald’s father, J. K. Macdonald, contributed to the school, too. He was elected chair of the school’s first Board of Governors in August 1899 and served in this capacity until 1922.
Dr. Macdonald circa 1933 (left) and 1901.
THE SUPPORT STAFF: Bessie and Daisy Brookes
Bessie Bennett Brookes worked at St. Andrew’s from 1909 to 1940 as the Bursar’s Assistant. Born in England, she came to Canada as a child and later joined St. Andrew’s while it was in Rosedale. She moved with the school to Aurora and was known as a happy, loveable woman who was friends with all the boys. A chalice once located in Memorial Chapel used for the celebration of the Eucharist in a Christian mass is dedicated to her.
Bessie’s sister, Daisy, was the Head’s Secretary from 1906 to 1943 and was known to be a friend and counsellor to generations of students. She supported Dr. Macdonald through the initial year at the Rosedale campus, the First World War, the move to Knox College, and the transition to Aurora. She was then secretary to Dr. Kenneth Ketchum from 1935 until her retirement. Daisy had a knack for remembering the names of all Old Boys and details of their lives, a valuable sentiment when they visited. She was also made an honorary lifetime member of the Ladies Guild. After her retirement, Daisy remained connected through her work with the Old Boys Association.
In a tribute to the sisters upon the death of Daisy in 1947, The Review noted: “The traditions of St. Andrew’s have been enriched by the lives of these two devoted women.”
When plans were being made to build on the Aurora campus, the winning architectural firm was Marani and Paisley. The board wanted an Old Boy involved and James Ernest Harris “E. H.” Paisley had attended SAC from 1908 to 1910.
He had been Head Prefect, Captain of First Rugby, and played goalie for First Hockey. Nicknamed “Ginger,” E. H. was thought of as one of the best and faultless sports captains the school had ever seen (this was in 1909).
After SAC, E. H. attended McGill University. While there, he was known as “Pep,” a football hero who introduced the phrase “more pep” to the campus. He was injured playing football “as many times as there are freckles on his face.” E. H. also starred in McGill’s first vaudeville show, and his comedy “shocked the elite.” He graduated from the Department of Architecture in 1915.
E. H. served with the Royal Canadian Engineers during the First World War, then became chief designer in the architectural department of the Toronto Board of Education from 1921 to 1922. In 1924, he was invited by Col. Ferdinand H. Marani to form a partnership, and they collaborated on several distinctive Georgian Revival institutional buildings, including St. Andrew’s College in Aurora and Ridley College in St. Catharines.
At St. Andrew’s, the architects built the structures in the later Georgian style of ashen brick with doorways, sills, medallions of Tyndall stone, and roofs of green slate. The Quadrangle consisted of four main buildings, Dunlap Hall being the most central; there was also Flavelle House, Memorial House, and the head’s house. The gym inside Dunlap had a glass ceiling, apparently the only one of its kind in Ontario at the time, which made it fairly hot. The pool also had a glass roof. Their work earned the architects a medal for what was deemed a major contribution to the architecture of Ontario.
The chapel, intended as a memorial to Andreans killed in the First World War, was next to be built, but the firm of Marani and Paisley had split up, so it was solely E. H.’s design in the Georgian style with a twisted red brick steeple 94 feet high. A portico with heavy stone pillars stands at the west front, the entrance framed in plain stone with the Jesuit motto, Ad maioram Dei gloriam (For the greater glory of God), above the door. The foundation was laid in March 1930, and it was consecrated on Sunday, May 10, 1931.
E. H. opened his own office in Toronto, then moved to England in 1936, where he designed hospital buildings and hostels for the Ministry of Supply during the Second World War. In 1951, he joined Marani’s firm in Toronto, then two years later moved to his hometown of Ottawa, where he died in 1955.
THE ARCHITECT: E.H. Paisley, Class of 1910
Daisy Brookes (left) and the chalice from Memorial Chapel dedicated to Bessie Brookes, which currently resides in the SAC archives.
James E. H. Paisley, Class of 1910, pictured during the 1908-1909 school year.
THE HERO: Colonel Frederick A. Tilston VC
Colonel Frederick A. Tilston merited The Victoria Cross, the highest military honour of the British Commonwealth, for his courage under fire during the Second World War. His connection to SAC was made through the Canadian Legion Aurora Branch, which now bears his name, through a war veteran, Norm Stewart, who was the school’s Director of Food Services. Former Director of Development, Jim Hamilton ’33, included Frederick as a member of the SAC Association. Frederick struck up a friendship with long-time board member, Kingsley Ward Sr., who created and endowed The Tilston Award.
In Frederick’s words, this award is “to honour the boys in each form who…have set the best example for effort, persistency, tenacity in their studies and all other activities.” Academic strength is not an issue; effort is the determining factor.
Students who receive this award should be aware that Frederick served in the Essex Scottish Regiment in an administrative role. During the Battle of the Rhineland, he volunteered to lead an infantry company in an attack on German positions in the Hochwald Forest just west of the Rhine River. On March 1, 1945, near Uedem, Germany, he led C Company in a 500yard attack across muddy terrain through barbed wire and enemy automatic weapons fire. During the operation, he was wounded three times, personally destroyed an enemy machine gun position with a hand grenade, engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and, despite his injuries, refused medical attention and organized his men for defence against German counterattacks, emphasizing the necessity of holding the position at all costs.
KINGSLEY WARD
Kingsley Ward Sr. was a Governor of St. Andrew’s College for 28 years, starting in 1983, when his son, King ’83, graduated.
King was a loyal and significant supporter of the school, never missing a board meeting, providing unwavering leadership on numerous committees, and graciously giving his time and experience.
He demonstrated his respect for men and women who died for the freedom of Canadian citizens in the First and Second World Wars by recording data from battle sites, cemeteries, and memorials in Europe, South America, and Asia. He was a great supporter of SAC’s student tour of the Battlefields of France program.
Above: Col. Tilston just after the end of the Second World War still recovering from his wounds.
Left: Col. Tilston presenting the eponymous award for the first time at Prize Day, 1985.
THE THESPIAN: Donald Davis ’46
In his five years at St. Andrew’s, Donald Davis ’46 was a Prefect, Editor-in-Chief of The Review, President of the Literary Society, and a talented actor who regularly appeared in school plays. He became determined to go professional in the third form after he was roundly applauded for playing the title role in Henry VIII, a play which Ken Ives, drama coach and assistant housemaster of Macdonald House, wrote especially for him.
After SAC, Donald studied theatre at the University of Toronto. While at U of T, Donald founded the Straw Hat Players in Toronto, which predated Stratford as Canada’s only professional theatre festival. Six years later, he and his brother, Murray, and sister, Barbara, created the Crest Theatre, hailed as one of the best repertory companies in North America. It gave a generation of Canadian actors and directors opportunities for fulltime professional work and staged the works of many Canadian playwrights.
Considered to be one of the finest actors of his generation, Donald acted for Sir Tyrone Guthrie in the early years at Stratford, starred on Broadway, in London’s West End, and at the Edinburgh Festival, and performed in every major theatre in North America. He co-starred with such screen legends as Katharine Hepburn, James Mason, and Peter Ustinov. In 1961, he was one of eight actors chosen to represent the American Shakespearean Festival at a gala performance for then-president, John F. Kennedy, at the White House.
He paid tribute to his SAC drama coach: “Ken Ives was responsible for the course my life has taken.”
In his honour, the school opened the Donald Davis Theatre in May 2008, ten years after his death, in what was formerly the Science Lecture Hall in the McLaughlin wing, which was absorbed into the new science and tech wing opened in 2021.
From a 12-year-old new boy to Editor-in-Chief of The Review to Editor “extraordinaire” of The Andrean and SAC’s Director of Advancement, Jim Herder ’64 has been keeping track of school goings-on one way or another for 66 years and counting.
Born in Newfoundland, Jim is the grandson of W. J. Herder, who founded the province’s first daily newspaper, The Evening Telegram, in 1879. During Jim’s six years at SAC, Jim’s father was publisher of the paper. These were years full of athletic accomplishments in First Soccer, First Basketball, and First Cricket, and school involvement that continues today.
Jim’s love for the written word is evident at the end of every school year when The Jim Herder Review Prize is handed out on Prize Day to the student who has contributed most significantly to the school yearbook. It was handed out as The Review Prize before Jim enrolled at SAC but wasn’t given out in his graduating year due to a lack of endowment. He was the only Review editor not to receive it since it was first handed out in 1935, so, in 1965, Jim stepped up to endow the prize, and it’s been handed out ever since.
After graduation, he worked for many years in the family newspaper business (on the accounting side) and remained connected to St. Andrew’s through volunteerism. In 1973, at the request of Jim Hamilton ’33, Executive Director of the St. Andrew’s College Foundation and SecretaryTreasurer of the St. Andrew’s College Association, Jim became a member of the SAC Association Council and served as its president from 1979 to 1982. He was a member of the Board of Governors from 1979 to 1985. In 1985, Jim Hamilton retired, and Jim Herder succeeded him as Director of Advancement and President of the SAC Foundation, serving in those roles until 2008.
One of his roles was editor of The Andrean. He started his workdays pouring over the births and obituary sections of The Globe and Mail, seeking any SAC tidbits. Even today, not a week goes by without Jim shooting an email to current Executive Director of Advancement, Nicholas Weedon ’02, with the sad news of an Andrean passing away, a story of an Old Boy visiting the Herder cottage in Newfoundland, or a lead on an interesting class note for another alum.
Jim heads a truly Andrean family. His wife, Gail, was by his side at hundreds of functions and accompanied him on many advancement trips; his son, Jim ’90, is a regular at many SAC events, including the Old Boys Golf Tournament; his twin grandsons, Ben and Andrew Douglas, are in their second year at SAC and will graduate in 2027; and his daughter, Karen, is a donor to The Herder Scholarship, among other funds.
The Herder Scholarship was established by Jim and Gail in 1990 to support a boarding student from Newfoundland & Labrador. In a 2008 Andrean article about his legacy, Jim stated that every endowment and every fund tells a story of the people who believe in a St. Andrew’s education. Every student, staff member, leader, and parent who has contributed to the success of the school has a story, and Jim is a living encyclopedia of dates, names, and facts about many of them.
He is still active at the school, spending many afternoons this past spring naming the people in sepia-tinged archival photos, identifying artifacts, and telling the stories that will keep the spirit of St. Andrew’s alive for the next generations.
THE COACH: Gord Ackerman
Gord Ackerman came to St. Andrew’s from the Toronto Argonauts in 1973, coaching First Football for 21 years, bringing a new sense of spirit and unity (along with new helmets and uniforms) to the team.
Gary West, former Athletic Director, once said Gord was one of the most knowledgeable football coaches in the country, whose greatest strength was being able to observe every single player on the field on every play. He also coached First Basketball, helped with the Track & Field team, and umpired softball.
On his retirement in 1994, a scoreboard was erected in his memory on the lower field, fittingly renamed The Gordon Ackerman Field.
Gord Ackerman in a photo that appeared in the fall 1993 Andrean
THE TRADITIONALIST:
Lloyd MacPherson
Although he was Canadian-born, Lloyd MacPherson was passionate about all things Scottish, intent on preserving the school’s traditions, and a huge supporter of the Cadet Corps. He was Assistant to the Headmaster from 1957 until he retired in 1982 – a quarter century devoted to St. Andrew’s in so many ways.
He was dubbed Mr. Everything. Upon his retirement, an article in the 1982 Review stated: “He has counted spats in the Cadet store, beakers in the science wing, beds in Fourth House, credits in the office, spotlights on stage, and boys everywhere. He has revealed the history of the school to 3,000 new boys on Day One. He has filled out thousands of timetables and university applications. He has curled; he has cheered on our teams. As the voice of SAC on the P.A. system and at Cadet Inspections, as Head of Science, as the first Housemaster of Fourth House, member of the Board of Governors, and Assistant Headmaster, he is St. Andrew’s.”
At age 40, it was said he discovered Scotland, embracing the culture, visiting the country, and becoming chair of the Clan MacPherson. This was around the time he came to SAC. Interested in ancestry and heraldry, Lloyd was responsible for the school gaining its legitimate coat of arms. He passionately researched the school’s history, with his work becoming
THE MUSIC MAN:
John Clements
John “The Count” Clements: organist, choral leader, musical director, gym teacher, and coach.
He joined the faculty in 1976 as Assistant to the Director of Music, Aubrey Foy, taking over the position from 1993 to 2001. In addition to music, he taught physical education for his first decade at SAC and Latin until it was removed from the curriculum. John is responsible for amalgamating the Pipes & Drums into the music program as a credit course in 1998.
a valuable resource to future archivists. In 1980, he became one of the two first faculty members nominated to sit on the Board of Governors.
Our annual hockey extravaganza is named to honour his dedicated service. The inaugural Lloyd C. MacPherson Hockey Tournament was held in 1984, when a near-capacity crowd turned out at the Aurora Community Centre to witness the Pipes & Drums at the opening ceremonies and, ultimately, SAC win in overtime. (However, we did not win the tournament.)
Since the start, the Saints have hosted some of the finest contests in high school hockey. More than a tournament, it is a gathering of teams and friends from North America and, recently, Germany, and a special event enjoyed with enthusiasm and spirit by students, staff, parents, and Old Boys.
Clements conducting the student
John and his wife, Lee, directed school musicals for more than 22 years. In the 1980s, the couple revitalized the music program and staged many popular Broadway musicals, among them Guys and Dolls, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma!, and Grease
Under the leadership of John, Lee, and Aubrey, drama at SAC flourished, especially after the arrival of William Scoular as Head of Drama in 1987.
Upon his retirement in 2002, John became a member of the “25-year club” but added to his count after returning in 2010 as organist for morning chapel gatherings, a choral arranger, and a coach.
Countless students continue to pay tribute to John in their grad comments, referring to him as a great teacher, an inspiration, an extractor of musical talents, and a respected rugby, soccer, and cricket coach.
Aubrey once described John as “a somewhat mysterious blend of Epicurean, athlete, artist, and raving fan. This sometimes-Latin declensionist and oneperson orchestra intrigued those numerous Andreans who arrived at our gates from less-than-eclectic backgrounds. They discovered, through John, that it is perfectly OK to enjoy blood sport and Bach, oysters Rockefeller and Camelot, good jazz and a driving version of that hair-raising theme of Dorset Carol as heard from the loudest pew in Christendom.”
It should be noted (forgive the pun!) that he continues to share his musical acumen in the chapel and during special events like An Andrean Christmas, where he orchestrates Dorset Carol as enthusiastically as when he introduced it to SAC nearly 50 years ago. Bravo!
John
body at the 2012 Carol Service.
Lloyd MacPherson at Prize Day in 1971.
THE AUTHOR: William Scoular
He dazzles. He inspires. He transforms. He kicks ass.
Hailing from Glasgow with an Oxford education, William Scoular has enticed many a student to the St. Andrew’s stage. As Head of Drama & Film and an English teacher, William has imprinted his theatrical style on the school. Anyone who’s witnessed a “Scoular production” knows these are no typical high school plays.
In 1990, three years after coming to SAC, William launched the Focus Festival of the Arts, providing students to this day with their first genuine artistic experiences and tastes of success in drama, film, music, and literary arts. While many associate William with drama, he is also an acclaimed writer, a true visionary of both stage and page.
William is the author of Not An Ordinary Place, a history of the first 100 years of St. Andrew’s College. The book, praised for its thorough research and captivating narrative, features 11 chapters covering the founder, the pranks, the benefactors, the campuses, the faculty, and the school’s progress. Through hundreds of hours of documentary research and interviews, William captured the triumphs and challenges of the school’s first century. He is currently working on follow-up chapters to cover the years since 1999, which will launch as Volume 2 in the not-too-distant future.
Beyond his contributions to school history, William co-wrote A Question of Guilt: The Murder of Nancy Eaton, a Canadian bestseller, and adapted it into a screenplay for the 2003 CTV production, The Death and Life of Nancy Eaton. He also penned Secret Agent: The Life of Harry Sommers
His directorial prowess is evident in the promotional videos for St. Andrew’s College and St. Anne’s School, which convey the excitement and pride of being a student. Check them out on the schools’ websites.
William has also made his mark in the film industry. He wrote the screenplay (adapted from his best-selling book) for the award-winning movie, Deadly Friends, and he produced and directed the 2019 thriller, Survival Box. His latest film, a comedy titled Northbound, is in production, starring Bruce Dern, Graham Greene, and Julia Fox. He is the creator and producer of the upcoming six-part limited series, Blood Money, based on the whistleblower, Dr. Nancy Olivieri, whose extraordinary story was the inspiration for John le Carré’s The Constant Gardener
Whether on stage, page, or screen, William Scoular continues to inspire, transform, and educate, using his many talents to capture the essence of SAC and SAS. X
LEADING THE CRIMSON:
Jack Bar ’20 named captain of Harvard Men’s Hockey
By Sean Maillet
Jack Bar ’20 has added another impressive milestone to his hockey career: being named captain of the Harvard Men’s Ice Hockey team for the 2024-2025 season. Jack, a native of Newmarket, Ont., has been a key figure in Harvard’s defensive unit for the past three seasons and has stepped into a leadership role that reflects his growth as a player and a person. His journey from St. Andrew’s College to Ivy League captaincy showcases his abilities on the ice and the leadership skills he developed while at SAC.
“Leadership is one area we take special pride in celebrating,” says David Manning, Head Coach of the First Hockey team. “To be recognized as a leader in such a storied institution as Harvard is certainly a special achievement.
“We are very proud of Jack. I hope it motivates the current and future players to aspire for such an honour.”
Jack becomes the 139th captain in Harvard Men’s Hockey history, joining Zakary Karpa and Ian Moore in a three-headed leadership trio. This is a rare distinction in the program’s 126-year history, marking only the third time that three players will share the honour of wearing the “C.” Known for his two-way play and ability to inspire his teammates, Jack seamlessly carries his strong leadership qualities from his time as First Hockey Captain at SAC into his senior year at Harvard.
“Jack is a passionate and focused person motivated by an internal drive to achieve his best,” says Manning. “He was a leader throughout his minor hockey career with York Simcoe, and that extended into his time with us. I think it speaks volumes that his teammates were inspired by this passion, and he helped lead our team as a senior at SAC.”
Over the course of 92 games for the Crimson, Jack has contributed two goals and 15 assists and earned recognition beyond the stat sheet. He was recently awarded the Ralph “Cooney” Weiland Award, given to players who embody spirited and selfless play, emphasizing his commitment to team success.
At 6’2 and a right-shot defenseman, Jack’s skill and presence on the ice are an appealing package at the professional level. The Dallas Stars selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, and he has participated in Dallas’ development camps each year since.
Jack’s journey from St. Andrew’s to Harvard underscores the impact of the SAC hockey program, which is renowned for producing not only talented athletes but also well-rounded, mature individuals ready to excel at the next level. As Jack gears up for his final collegiate season, his future is bright. For now, though, he remains focused on leading Harvard through another competitive season, always carrying the lessons of St. Andrew’s with him. X
Below: Jack in his Grade 12 year at St. Andrew’s
WALDEN POOL REFRESH
Walden Pool underwent a cosmetic refresh in the summer of 2024, when seven large action photos were hung on the south wall. Creative Lead, Paul Mosey, pulled some favourite photos from his archives, and also captured some new images using an underwater housing protecting his gear. Lifeguards were on hand, but not needed, as the waterlogged creative guy made it out safely. Further decorative embellishments are planned for the summer of 2025.
Top to bottom, left to right: William Deo ’17, James Stevenson ’16, Tiger Wu ’24, Tyler Chan ’20, Nixon Ball ’25, Paul Mosey ready to shoot, SAS swimmers Claire Thorne ’26, and Onna Okeke ’26.
SPORTS ROUNDUP
By Sean Maillet
SPRING 2024
LACROSSE
The First Lacrosse team reached the championship game, falling 9-6 to St. Michael’s College School to earn a CISAA silver.
GOLF
SAC’s golf team won the OFSAA Boys’ Golf Championship for the second time in three years, with James McNair ’24 earning individual bronze.
BADMINTON
The U16 Badminton team tied with Crescent School in total points, with all seven players contributing to the CISAA championship win.
FALL 2024
FOOTBALL
The First Football team won the CISAA championship in a thrilling 29-7 victory against Upper Canada College, capping off an impressive 8-1 season. This marked the third consecutive championship for the First Football team.
The U14 Flag Football team made an impressive debut, securing CISAA bronze with a strong 6-1 record in league play. Meanwhile, the U16 Football team showcased resilience and skill throughout the season, earning a well-fought CISAA silver medal.
SOCCER
The First Soccer team achieved the “cup double” for the first time in a decade, capping off a stellar 20-win season. SAC secured the CISAA crown with a 3-0 win at Appleby College. On home soil at the CAIS National Championship, the Saints outscored opponents 15-3 over six games, avenging last year’s final loss with a 2-1 victory over Crescent School.
The JV Soccer team had an outstanding season, securing CISAA silver with a strong 6-2-2 record in league play, and the U14A Soccer team capped off a competitive season with a bronze medal, finishing with a 6-5 record.
VOLLEYBALL
The First Volleyball team won the CISAA championship with a thrilling 3-0 victory over St. Michael’s College School. This hard-fought win (27-25; 25-20; 25-19) marks their first championship since 1987. The team also won back-to-back tournaments at Trent University and Maxwell Heights Secondary School.
The U14 Volleyball team capped off an undefeated season, not dropping a single set, with big wins over Toronto French School in the semi-final and Upper Canada College in the championship game to earn CISAA gold.
The U16 Volleyball team also had a strong season, earning CISAA silver after finishing league play 4-3 and posting an overall record of 7-6-1.
CROSS-COUNTRY
The Novice Cross-Country team had a strong season, consistently earning second-place finishes, including a silver medal at the CISAA championship. Their performance secured them a spot at OFSAA in Ottawa.
The Middle School Cross-Country team had an outstanding season, securing podium finishes at every event, including the CISAA championships. Both the U12 and U13 teams delivered strong performances throughout the year. SAC also hosted its largest event outside of the championships, welcoming 822 runners from over 20 schools to campus. X
First Soccer with CAIS trophy; U14 Flag Football in action
SASSAW ’24 Postcard from Morocco
By Angus Murray Outdoor & Experiential Education Coordinator
SASSAW ’24 was nothing short of an epic adventure, as 15 intrepid students explored the vibrant land of Morocco for a thrilling two-week journey in August.
SASSAW, which stands for St. Andrew’s Society for Service Around the World, is an international expedition that has been shaping students’ lives for decades, starting with transformative trips to Nepal. This year, it was Morocco’s turn to amaze.
I was joined by faculty members, Pauline Kashtelyan and Jacinta Sarfo, and our adventure kicked off in Rabat, Morocco’s coastal capital. Picture Ottawa, but with a splash of Moroccan flair: bustling souks and an abundance of street cats. The students plunged into the vibrant local culture, navigating the maze-like medina and savouring their first taste of tagine, the Moroccan culinary masterpiece. My beef tagine with prunes and cardamom was a delightful explosion of flavours, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of spice.
We would eat many amazing meals over the trip, in restaurants, in homes, and on the trail. Meals would not be complete without some mint tea poured from a great height to aerate it. For comparison purposes (and perhaps for comfort), we ate at McDonald’s twice to see the differences between North American and Moroccan outlets.
Our service project was nothing short of impactful: revamping a youth centre that had been neglected during the pandemic. The team rolled up their sleeves, scrubbing, painting, and weeding with relentless energy. By the end of three days, the centre was reborn, and in a gesture of thanks, we were gifted beautifully calligraphed name cards and a commemorative plate.
Next, we journeyed to Marrakesh, where the temperature soared to a blistering 43 C under the sun. But the heat did not dampen our spirits. Our adventure began with a camel ride through the desert, followed by an exploration of the famed Central Medina. The plaza was a sensory overload of dancing cobras, cheeky monkeys that loved taking selfies, and vibrant stalls overflowing with exotic goods. We were joined by swirling crowds of Moroccan families on summer holidays who were taking in the sights of their country.
Our trek continued to the Atlas Mountains, where the cooler air provided a welcome relief. We aimed to conquer Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 metres. Over five gruelling days, we faced thinning air, stubborn mules, and dehydration. But the summit was within reach, and our perseverance paid off. Reaching the top, we were greeted by an unexpected entourage of sheep. When asked if sheep frequently visit the summit, our guide simply said, “Never.” It was just another odd detail for us to record on our journey.
After our mountain triumph, we returned to Rabat for a final day of market haggling, another delectable meal, and a soccer game.
Reflective journals from the 15 students reveal the deep impact of this journey. SASSAW is more than just a school trip; it’s a year-long odyssey of cultural exploration, selfdiscovery, and breaking barriers while earning a Grade 11 geography credit focusing on tourism and its impacts.
The anticipation builds for SASSAW ’25, which promises to be another thrilling adventure as we set our sights on Peru. Stay tuned for the next chapter of our global exploration. X
ROBOCUP update
By Benjamin Lawrence
With suitcases bursting with spare parts, student-designed PCBs, extra batteries, and soldering irons, a team of students journeyed to Eindhoven, The Netherlands, in July to compete in the World Championships of RoboCup.
was a test of problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork. The students continually improved their robots throughout the competition, facing real-time challenges with creativity and persistence.
This global competition in autonomous robotics, engineering, and programming spans every continent and focuses on university-level participants who design robots for tasks like playing soccer and automating industrial processes.
Among the SAC team of eight students were three graduates from the Class of 2024, guided by their mentors, Meera Balendran, Maker Educator Specialist, and Benjamin Lawrence, an Upper School Computer Science teacher.
SAC students competed in the Junior Division, tackling Rescue Maze and Light-Weight Soccer challenges. In the Rescue Maze event, students built robots to navigate complex mazes, simulating rescue operations by locating “victims.” In the LightWeight Soccer event, they built Roomba-sized robots to compete in fast-paced, two-on-two soccer matches.
One of the greatest aspects of the RoboCup experience was the exposure to groundbreaking technology. Students marvelled at robots that could play soccer against humans, walk on two legs, automate complex tasks, and create art and music. They also learned from university teams and robotics companies showcasing the latest autonomous systems and artificial intelligence innovations.
The competition was intense, with teams from around the world vying for top honours. SAC students held their own, ranking a remarkable 17th in the Rescue Maze event and 21st in Light-Weight Soccer. But beyond the rankings, RoboCup
RoboCup wasn’t just a competition – it was a unique learning environment that challenged students to apply classroom knowledge in a global setting. Through their participation, the SAC team honed advanced skills in robotics, engineering, and programming while collaborating with teams from across the world. The connections they built with teams from Germany, Japan, Egypt, and Australia added to the rich experience as they exchanged ideas and strategies.
The team’s success at RoboCup followed a year of hard work and dedication, during which they earned their place in the World Championships through victories in regional competitions, in Quebec, and hosted on their home turf.
This accomplishment was supported by their computer engineering courses, co-curricular activities, and Meera’s markerspace program, which provided them with the resources and time to develop their robots.
After the competition, students returned home with renewed excitement and ideas for improving in future RoboCup events. The recent graduates were already discussing how they could support SAC’s next RoboCup team, offering advice and planning visits to the makerspace to mentor the competitors.
Outside of the competition, the trip provided students with opportunities for cultural exploration and bonding. During a 24-hour layover in Amsterdam, they explored the city’s historic canals, visited the Rijksmuseum, reflected at the Anne Frank House, and sampled local foods. Travelling to Eindhoven by train, they admired the Dutch countryside of windmills, fields, and cows.
Amid their busy competition schedule, they also connected with international teams at social events, including a junior party where they exchanged small tokens from their respective countries, including key chains made in the SAC makerspace, stickers, and Canadian flags, and received cultural items from around the world in return.
The RoboCup competition was a thrilling and transformative experience for the SAC team, blending academic rigour with real-world application and cultural immersion, all while building friendships and international connections that will last well beyond their school years. X
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
2024 Class reunions, family fun, old friends, and sports galore
REUNIONS 2024
Class of ’89
Class of ’99
Class of ’79
1979 classmates, Bill Cathers, Andy Beckwith, and Gary Hatt
2019 classmates, Andrew Boland and Adam Boston
1984 classmates, Larry Biricz, Stefano Lizzola, Chris Jeppesen, and David Mahr
1994 classmates, Tito Sealy and Rob Simon
1989 classmates, Bill McClocklin and David Bradfield
1999 classmates, Gene Chiba and Leslie Wong
By Michael Paluch
Few Andreans have left as indelible a mark on the St. Andrew’s community as Greg Reid. Arriving on campus as the Athletic Director in 2000, Greg quickly earned a reputation as a stellar teacher, coach, and school administrator. Those who know him well acknowledge that while he held high expectations and remained firm in his core beliefs, he was also an open-minded, caring leader who could hold more than one point of view in balance.
Following the retirement of John Walden ’71 in 2012, Greg took on the position of Assistant Headmaster, Student Life, where he made good use of his formal military training, superb knowledge of organizational principles, and deep understanding of the principles of justice. A talented and passionate coach, Greg carried much more than administrative duties within his portfolio: he elevated the First Lacrosse program, all the while acting as teacher, advisor, Flavelle House duty lead, and parent of Bowen ’15 and Brady ’18
Greg took on the role of Executive Director of Advancement and President of the SAC Foundation with the retirement of Scott Hayter in 2018, leveraging his outstanding interpersonal skills and deep interest in school development to set the stage for the Legacy Campaign, which has seen the school close in on $100 million in combined endowment, life insurance, and bequest assets. Certainly, Greg’s capacity to dive into the details of complicated short- and long-range plans alongside his experience with the development of myriad facilities, including
Yuill Gymnasium, La Brier Family Arena, the Yuill Family Athletic Complex, the Gate House, and the St. Anne’s turf field project, served him well in this forward-thinking role.
But it was Greg’s strength at building thoughtful relationships with Old Boys, parents, governors, and trustees that really carried the day. He could always be found sharing stories and good humour with many Andreans as he added his special flair to the ethos of philanthropy at the college.
With changes to the administrative body in early 2023, Greg found himself being called back to the administration offices, this time as Deputy Head of School. It was in this capacity he sought to mentor the next generation of Andrean school leaders. One of Greg’s key objectives was to ensure that the work being done in so many areas of school life was not dependent on the character strengths or skills of one or two individuals—rather, Greg was committed to ensuring that the policies, programs, and cultural aspects of the school were documented and formalized such that incoming generations could sustain them.
through any and every challenge he faced. While his warmth of personality, outrageous sense of humour, and unfailing commitment to all things St. Andrew’s have been sorely missed following his retirement in June, we are pleased that Greg continues to coach hockey and lacrosse at St. Andrew’s.
As a community, we are deeply indebted to Greg for his steady, unselfish service and his polymathic capacity to embrace and work
Greg Reid SAC 2000-2024
Greg addressing the Prize Day 2024 audience in Ketchum Auditorium. Below: Greg and his wife, Chryssi, at the Cadet Formal.
By Julie Caspersen
Joanne Stock has been dressing St. Andrew’s students since 1995. At first, it was just one, her oldest son, Graydon ’02; now it’s 668 – plus another 243 students at our partner school, St. Anne’s.
How did a parent volunteer transform into the driving force behind two thriving campus stores, managing multiple employees, scheduling uniform fittings, designing branded merchandise, and attending school events—all while practicing yoga, pursuing a passion for wellness and becoming a certified nutritionist, and spending time with her nine grandchildren?
During this time, former Headmaster, Ted Staunton, envisioned a bright future for the campus, including an enclosed atrium that would serve as the heart of St. Andrew’s. This plan meant bidding farewell to the Tuck Shop and welcoming the Campus Shop, where Joanne was offered the position of full-time store manager.
For nearly 30 years, Joanne has immersed herself in the vibrant life of the school, embodying the Andrean spirit in every role she embraced. As a dedicated member of the Ladies Guild (now the Parents Guild), she volunteered three days a week from 1999 to 2002 in the Guild Shop, a small store under Cole Hall that offered a limited selection of apparel, including the beloved track pants emblazoned with “SAC” across the backside.
“Ted had faith in me, and that motivated me to excel,” recalls Joanne, who enlisted the help of parent helpers, her sons, Graydon, Jarryd ’03, and Darryl ’04, and even her mother, Anne, to lend a hand when needed.
The busy shop in Staunton Gallery was soon a vibrant hub of activity, filled with the lively energy of students bustling between classes. It required consistent help, and Joanne’s first hire was Wendy Coates, who remains at the school as Associate Director of Admission. Over the years, Joanne hired numerous staff, expanded the store’s offerings, and took on increasing responsibilities. She retired at the end of October, leaving a legacy as the Associate Director of Retail Operations for the Campus Shop at SAC and the newly established Cygnets Shop at St. Anne’s School.
Inheriting the St. Andrew’s colour palette of crimson and white, Joanne eagerly embarked on a new chapter for the St. Anne’s uniform. With their striking red blazers, she meticulously sought the perfect coordinating plaid and is thrilled with the Stewart tartan.
“I have always wanted something more and something different for the store,” she shares. This sentiment also reflects her approach to life. She is excited to embrace new adventures, with a yoga course booked in California, followed by a yoga retreat in India and a trek in the Himalayas.
This winter, she is relaxing in Florida with her husband, Dan, who has also been an involved member of the St. Andrew’s community, serving on the Board of Governors from 2006 to 2022 and as Chair for his last six years.
“Because our boys attended this school, I have an incredible passion for this place,” Joanne expresses, noting that her pride extends beyond her three sons to encompass the entire Andrean community.
“We are all part of this big, happy machine.” X
Joanne Stock SAC 2007-2024
Joanne outside the Campus Shop leaning against a quilt wall-hanging her mother created. Below with her husband, Dan, at a Red & White Gala.
From the desk of the Executive Director
of Advancement
This year, even more so than usual, the St. Andrew’s College campus is bustling with a heightened sense of history, tradition, and (for me) nostalgia. Our 125th birthday in September provided an opportunity to reflect on our unique history while reaffirming our vision for the future and a cause for celebration. It is essential for our current students to connect the past with the present. This sentiment resonates with me as I recall celebrating the school’s centennial 25 years ago as a student.
Fittingly, the focus in our world of fundraising and advancement has been on our Legacy Campaign, aimed at strengthening the SAC endowment and foundation assets. Throughout this campaign, we have honoured the legacies of our Andrean role models by establishing and growing endowed scholarships, bursaries, awards, and programs while securing our future through commitments of planned gifts. A detailed campaign progress report can be found in this year’s Annual Report.
We are deeply grateful to our community for your unwavering support and commitment to St. Andrew’s. Last year alone, we added over $1.5 million in donations to the endowment, which, combined with a strong year in the markets, stood at $47.3 million at year-end on June 30. While this exciting period of growth places us in good stead for the next 125 years, the immediate impact is also significant via an increasing annual disbursement. Essential to the SAC experience is cultivating a diverse, multinational population of day and boarding students; a strong endowment is integral to maintaining this balance.
To further celebrate our 125th, we have launched a campus recognition opportunity: the SAC 125 Paver Stones. These stones that line the pathway between the Quad and the boarding houses may be dedicated to creating a permanent naming in a prominent place on campus while supporting the Legacy Campaign.
Our team is eager to bring the celebration to you. We have already had several great visits this year to Fredericton, Halifax, Bermuda, Los Angeles, and the U.K. Please check our events calendar on the SAC website to see where we will be in 2025. As always, I invite you to visit us on campus or reach out to our Advancement Team at any time. We welcome the opportunity to connect with you.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Weedon ’02 Executive Director of Advancement
SAC Foundation - Statement of Operations
Endowment Fund Summary
LEGACY CAMPAIGN UPDATE
LEADERSHIP ADDITIONS 2024
NEW GOVERNOR INTRODUCTIONS
NEW GOVERNORS:
1KRISTINA ISLIC serves as the President of the Parents Guild Executive (PGE) and has been a dedicated member since 2022, previously holding the positions of Boarding Life Chair and Vice-President.
Raised in the Niagara Region, Kristina pursued her education at the University of Waterloo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chartered Accountancy studies. A CA/CPA since 2001, she began her professional journey at KPMG in Waterloo, specializing in the insurance sector. During her time there, she had the privilege of an international secondment and played a pivotal role as the project manager for launching the KPMG Enterprise Brand, which involved developing a comprehensive three-day course for entrepreneurs in collaboration with the Ivey School of Business.
After her tenure in public accounting, Kristina spent two years as an independent consultant before being recruited by Frito Lay Canada to join their controls team. Since her start at Frito Lay Canada in 2004, she has progressed through various finance roles, encompassing planning and forecasting, customer development, and financial reporting. Notably, she led multiple transformation projects, including the significant integration of Quaker Canada and Frito Lay Canada into PepsiCo Foods Canada.
In 2015, Kristina was appointed as the controller for PepsiCo Foods Canada, where she has received recognition for her leadership in transformation, productivity, and team development. Additionally, she serves as the treasurer for the PepsiCo Canada Foundation.
Kristina resides in Guelph with her husband, Robert, and their three children: Nathan ’24, Evan ’27, and Ava.
2MICHAEL PALUCH joined the faculty at SAC in the fall of 2006 as the Head of English and has subsequently held the positions of Director of Academics and Assistant Head of School and is currently Deputy Head of School.
In his current role, Michael is responsible for the school’s academic program, oversees school operations, and leads the professional development and growth program for faculty. Through his time at the college, Michael has leveraged his portfolio as the academic lead to refresh and strengthen the school’s Professional Growth Plan (PGP) process for faculty, implement a robust professional development committee structure, increase the availability of and refine the school’s approach to academic support, hire the very best faculty and staff, and contribute to the many dimensions of school operations and administration, including the strategic planning processes.
Following the completion of his Doctoral degree in 2019, Michael cofounded the school’s first inclusion committee, dubbed MEDIC. Michael brought AP English to St. Andrew’s and has subsequently taught AP Language through his administrative roles.
Additionally, Michael, father to Henry ’22, has served as swim coach and debate coach and currently supports the canoe building and restoration initiative offered in our Arts/Co-Curricular Plus program. A 26-year CAIS teacher, Michael holds a Phd, a CAIS Diploma in Leadership, and is the Chair of the Board of the E-Learning Consortium Canada (ELCC). X
SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES C DONOR PROFILE
By John Sandham ’13
St. Andrew’s College seemed an unlikely destination for Nicholas Chretien ’11 prior to 2008.
Growing up over 2,000 kilometres away in Mount Pearl, Nfld., Nicholas credits First Hockey Coach, David Manning, and his wife, Nicole, for encouraging him to take the leap and apply to St. Andrew’s.
David had been Nicholas’s soccer coach before he left his home province to join the faculty at SAC in 2006, but despite the distance, the two kept in contact, and David was instrumental in organizing Nicholas’s admission interview.
Admitting his prior focus revolved primarily around athletics, Nicholas candidly acknowledges, “I wasn’t a highly motivated academic student before arriving at St. Andrew’s.” However, his parents perceived St. Andrew’s as an ideal environment to nurture their son’s academic side while allowing him to pursue his athletic interests.
During his three years at SAC, Nicholas excelled on the First Soccer and Basketball teams but also realized his true ability in the classroom. He highlighted his Grade 11 year as academically groundbreaking, stating he had never done better.
“St. Andrew’s really opened my eyes that you could put forth this effort and dedication in more ways than one. And that can open a lot more doors than I previously thought.”
However, his opportunity at St. Andrew’s might never have materialized if not for the Frank Moores Scholarship, specifically designated for a student from Newfoundland and Labrador. The scholarship is named after Frank Moores ’51, former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, who passed away in 2005. The fund was created shortly after through contributions from his family and friends, as well as Frank’s estate.
Nicholas was the first recipient of the award, and during his time at SAC, he was fortunate to have connected with Frank’s wife, Beth. They began exchanging letters, a practice that continued after Nicholas graduated. Eventually, the two lost contact until Nicholas uncovered one of her letters. >
Nicholas at a Chelsea FC match in London, U.K.
“
I hope I can continue to contribute in larger ways so that the scholarship fund lives on and offers the same experience and opportunity for future Newfoundlanders to attend the school.
– Nicholas Chretien ’11
“After five or six years of not speaking, we got on the phone and had an hour-long conversation about life in general. That really helped me self-reflect on the opportunity that had opened up for me,” he says. “I often look back and think where I am today would not have been attainable and realistic had I not gotten the opportunity at St. Andrew’s.”
Nicholas parlayed his time at St. Andrew’s into a “very generous” academic scholarship to St. Lawrence College in upstate New York. He now lives in New York City, where he works as an investment analyst.
“I’ve known Nicholas since he was 10 years old. He was always a talented athlete, and I knew this place would be an amazing platform for him to grow as a student and athlete,” says David.
“As a fellow Newfoundlander, I’m proud of our connection to my home, and we couldn’t have asked for a better first recipient for the Frank Moores Scholarship than Nick. To see him succeeding now makes me really proud.”
In 2020, Nicholas decided to give back by financially supporting the very fund that helped him attend St. Andrew’s.
“I hope I can continue to contribute in larger ways so that the scholarship fund lives on and offers the same experience and opportunity for future Newfoundlanders to attend the school,” he says.
Nicholas reflects on his time at St. Andrew’s as “an incredible experience” that shaped so much of what he’s done since.
“There’s nothing I would change.” X
Above: Nicholas, his wife, Daisy, and newborn daughter, Cecilia, enjoying a fall day in New York City’s Central Park. Below: Nicholas on the soccer pitch during his St. Andrew’s playing days.
is in Grade 11 and offered to take on the creation of the Annual Report cover art during the summer break. Here is what he has to say about the process:
This painting celebrates the 125th birthday of my school. The road into the night represents the journey we all take, our steps into the unknown future. Along the way, Memorial Chapel and Dunlap Hall stand as timeless markers, telling the story of where we’ve been. The puddles scattered across the pathway symbolize moments in time, reflecting our memories and the journey we continue to take together.
Working with acrylic paint revealed a new level of expression, far beyond the limitations of the pencil crayons I once relied on. Acrylic is fluid and versatile, allowing for layers and textures that change with every brushstroke, offering a deeper way to convey emotion and meaning.
Initially, I was hesitant, my brush trembling as I approached the canvas for the first time. But once I began, I couldn’t stop. Each stroke became a journey of discovery, not just of technique but of the possibilities that unfolded before me.
Tristan Dunlap Sanabria
125 Cool Things Explained
1.
SAC Crest
Our early crest displayed a St. Andrew’s Cross dividing a shield, with a maple leaf in the top quadrant, a thistle in the lower quadrant, and a book in the centre. It was topped with a representation of Saint Andrew standing in a half wreath of thistles and maple leaves, and under the crest is the motto, “Quit ye like men, be strong,” written in Greek within a ribbon. These elements were used in our circular crest, which first appeared on the cover of the 1919 memorial issue of The Review. The “Est. 1899” was added in2013.
2. School Song
3.
Dunlap Hall Cornerstone
This was laid during the dedication of the school in Aurora in the spring of 1926 when the buildings were nearing completion for the opening in September of that year.
4. International
St. Andrew’s has welcomed boys from around the globe since nearly the beginning. For instance, in 1909, we enrolled students from Bermuda, Chile, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, and the United States. This year, students from 19 countries and eight Canadian provinces are attending.
5. Boarding
Our first school hymn was Fight the Good Fight. Students also sang For All the Saints, Who From Their Labor Rest in the first few decades, followed by Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Gates of Brass, as our third school hymn. Our new school song, Brothers United, was unveiled in 2023 after a collaborative process to create an inclusive school song. Students revel in singing Dorset Carol and Amazing Grace at An Andrean Christmas
St. Andrew’s was founded as a boarding and day school. It opened on Sept. 10, 1899, with 35 day boys and 15 or so boarding students. This year, we enrolled 408 day students and 260 boarders.
6.
Gangwa School Cheer
Who’s going to win today? We are! And who says so? Everybody! And who is everybody?
Gangwa, Gangwa, Gangwa, Wa Saints, Saints, rah, rah, rah Maple leaf, thistle leaf Cross on white Saints, Saints, fight, fight, fight!
(If any readers have insight about the origins of the cheer, please let us know!)
7.
Great Hall Chairs
Since 1963, Andreans have had the opportunity to donate dining hall chairs engraved with the names of Old Boys, faculty members, and governors. In return, donors contribute to the St. Andrew’s College Foundation and provide a lasting reminder of their support.
8.
SAC Shrubs
Always perfectly manicured by our grounds crew, the initials SAC are spelled out in lush green, greeting all who enter the campus.
9.
Clan System
The purpose is two-fold: to generate interschool competition that encourages students to get points for their clan to win the coveted Housser Trophy and to inspire school spirit.
10.
House System
When St. Andrew’s College moved to Aurora in 1926, the tradition of houses complete with house names, coats of arms, and later clans was created for the students as a way to bolster school spirit and encourage healthy competition. The first of these houses were Flavelle (named after Sir Joseph Flavelle, a generous friend of the school who funded multiple projects) and Memorial, named after the Fallen Andreans of the First and then the Second World War. Macdonald House followed in 1931 and was named after our second Headmaster, Dr. D. Bruce Macdonald. It was primarily used as the site for the Lower School. The next house for boarders was Fourth House in 1955, renamed Sifton House after the Sifton family in 1984. For the day boys, the houses Ramsey (1972), Laidlaw (1983), Smith (1998), and Perrier (2012) were created in honour of faculty members who made a significant impact on the school and its students.
11.
Prefects
St. Andrew’s has used a Prefect system of student leadership since the first year.
12.
Motto: Quit ye like men, be strong
This is a call to participate in a good fight, a call to arms for the great conflict that all must wage in everyday life. It is used by Paul in the 13th verse of the 16th chapter of 1st Corinthians, where the apostle urged those to whom he writes to renewed vigour and steadfastness in the conflict for the faith against evil.
13.
Andy (the Statue)
Saint Andrew was standing on his pedestal over the door at the Rosedale campus near the start of the 1905 school year. Old Boys donated the statue, which has resided for nearly a century on the side of the driveway, greeting those who enter our Aurora campus.
14.
Wallace Cup
This trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual Cross-Country Run, staged since 1903, and is the oldest trophy in the school’s history.
15.
Macdonald Bible
This Bible was used starting in 1902, mainly during sermons led by Dr. Macdonald on Sundays and Christian holidays. It is one of the oldest items in our Archives.
16.
Lawren Harris Painting
On April 8, 1925, a portrait of Headmaster Macdonald, commissioned by staff and students, was unveiled. The artist, Lawren Harris, Class of 1906, who attended SAC from 1899 to 1903, was a member of the Group of Seven.
17.
The Quadrangle
The Quad has been used for athletics, sporting days, Cadet Inspections, and Prize Day celebrations. A tradition revived by this year’s Prefects is that you do not use the green space as a shortcut. It can be used for game playing, but it is to be recognized as a sacred space.
18.
Old Boy Crest
It was designed by Roy Lowndes, Class of 1912, who represented the SAC Old Boys Association on the Board of Governors from 1946 to 1950.
19.
Uniform
Initially, boys wore suits or grey flannels, jackets, and ties to class. Today, the Upper and Middle School dress code is a blue blazer, grey pants, an appropriate school tie (First Dress), a branded golf shirt, and grey dress pants (Warm Weather Dress). Upper School has a Second Dress option, which includes a conservative sports jacket, tailored pants, and an appropriate school tie. Kilted First Dress for Upper School students came into effect in 2012. Cadets wear scarlet tunics and Gordon tartan kilts.
20.
Old Boy Tie
This was also designed by Roy Lowndes, Class of 1912, and was first donned at the Grade 12 graduation dinner and worn by graduates at Prize Day. It appears it was first worn in the late 1940s.
21.
Caps
25.
Cadets
The Cadet Corps materialized in 1905 under the captaincy of Mr. Grant Cooper. About 70 boys signed the roll, and the government granted rifles and sidearms. The Company was equipped with the Highland uniform and Gordon tartan.
26.
Bagpipes
In the early years, senior boys wore a Christy’s stiff black felt hat in autumn and winter and, from 1905, a straw boater in spring, while the younger boys wore crimson beanies: closefitting caps with a school crest above the bill. By the late 1930s, hats were abandoned altogether, although beanies worn by the Lower and Middle School and all new boys, regardless of age, persisted until the early 1960s.
22.
Sweater Coats, Gradigans, and Patches
Since the 1930s, the school cardigan and patches (also called bars) were a way for students to display their achievements and as a source of nostalgia and pride after graduation. Nowadays, only grads can wear sweater coats, hence the name “gradigans.”
23.
Dr. Macdonald’s Hats
Dr. Macdonald wore three main types of hats during his 35-year tenure as Headmaster. For formal occasions, he wore a black silk top hat. He also wore a bowler hat and a homburg. These black felt hats were worn for less formal events or everyday use.
24.
Championship Red Leather Jacket
It was introduced in the 1970s to celebrate championship teams. Customization of the jackets was commonplace, just like with school cardigans.
St. Andrew’s confirmed its commitment to its Highland roots by adding bagpiping to the curriculum in 1999. Piping and drumming had been part of the extracurricular Cadet program since 1915, but piping became a credit course during our centennial year. St. Andrew’s became the only school in Canada where students could earn a high school credit on this instrument.
27.
Drums
Our drumming program teaches pipe band snare drum and introduces students to competition-style marches and drum fanfares. Drumming students are expected to be part of the Drum Corps.
28.
Officers’ Swords
Donated in 1998 by Major John Stewart ’78, the swords are carried by Cadet officers and are engraved with the names of the 153 St. Andrew’s Old Boys who died in the First and Second World Wars.
29.
Jaguar Skin
In 1941, Gordon Hewitt, Class of 1919, and his wife, Nita, gave the school a jaguar skin to be worn by the bass drummer. It debuted that year with the band at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto at the Victory Loan Demonstration. The cat had been shot years before in India by Col. Theodore Roosevelt, the former President of the United States, who had given it to Mrs. Hewitt’s father. The skin was still used when the Cadet Corps turned 100 in 2005. Because of its age, it is no longer able to be worn.
30.
The Gordons
This Highland Scottish clan has more than 150 main branches. Clan Gordon has several recognized tartans, including the one used for the SAC kilts.
31.
Chapel Cross
This staff, topped with a saltire, is used to commence and conclude chapel services.
32.
Drum Major Mace
The Drum Major carries this ceremonial mace that allows him to be visible to the band. With his signals, he controls the movements of the band. The current ceremonial mace was donated by the von Diergardt family: Geza ’74 and his son, Daniel ’04
33.
The 48th Highlanders
St. Andrew’s is affiliated with the 48th Highlanders and uses the Gordon tartan. The Pipes & Drums ties are identical to the Gordon Highlanders Officer ties; we got special permission to use the pattern.
34.
Beyond the Gates
Every September, Middle School students pack their bags and hop on a bus for a multi-day outdoor educational experience designed to challenge them, allow them to connect with nature, and meet friends. This is complemented by the band and leadership camps in Upper School to kick off these courses and the Cadet year.
35.
Weekend Classes
Because many sports teams played on Wednesdays, Saturday morning classes were introduced to make up for the lost academic time. These Saturday classes, considered regular school days, included morning chapel. For a long time, Saturday was simply another school day at St. Andrew’s. It wasn’t until the 2003 school year that Saturday classes were discontinued as most sports teams transitioned to playing on weekends.
36.
Arts/Co-curricular Plus
ACPlus is a unique program integrated into the school schedule. It allows Upper School students to voluntarily explore their interests, develop their passions, and expand their experiences in various activities, from art and music to communication and coding, and even building canoes.
37.
Laptops
Planning for the laptop program took nearly six years. Teachers were first issued laptops for teaching tools, and then 535 laptops were issued to students in September 2003. A helpdesk was set up for technical support and on-the-fly battery swaps. Communication between teachers, students, and parents improved tremendously. Originally seen as an ambitious undertaking, it turned out that St. Andrew’s was ahead of the curve.
38.
SAC TODAY
SAC TODAY is the student news show produced by the Broadcast Journalism program.
39. Music
40.
Visual Arts
Review yearbooks from the early days contain many student sketches and paintings. Our current curriculum boasts a robust offering of arts programs for all grades, with boys exploring a variety of artistic opportunities, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design, digital media, and more.
41. McEwen Leadership
This specialized business program was launched in 2007 for Grades 11 and 12 students and is modelled after the vision of Rob McEwen ’69, widely recognized as one of the most innovative Canadian entrepreneurs.
42. Debate
Debating has been a curriculum staple for decades, with the Best Senior Debater awarded the Brooks Cup, which started in 1969.
43.
Literary Society
We offer diverse music options for students at all grade levels, including curricular instrumental band classes, regimental piping and drumming, and extracurricular options like strings and jazz. Our Pipes & Drums program has been in existence since 1915.
The group was organized in January 1900 to host an “At Home.” The school was decorated, and guests included students from “ladies’ colleges of the city.”
44.
Community Service
Lending a helping hand has been part of the SAC philosophy for decades and was solidified when the community involvement graduation requirement was introduced in Ontario in 1999. Middle School boys have designated afternoons where they plant trees, help at food banks, visit seniors, etc. In the Upper School, the student-led Community Service Council offers leadership opportunities.
45.
Andrean Voices
Andrean Voices is a dynamic vocal collective representing the talent and passion of student singers. The ensemble brings together performers of all levels to work on diverse repertoire, from musical theatre to Celtic classics. It is in the second year of its existence, premiering in 2023 at An Andrean Christmas at Roy Thomson Hall. Song has always been part of school life. There were singing contests in the Junior School and a Glee Club in the early 1930s. In the fall of 1956, a group called the Trebles journeyed to New York to perform at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. In recent years, we have offered a capella sessions in the afterschool co-curricular program, students raise their voices at the Celtic Concert, and boys shine in the spotlight in school musical productions.
46.
Health and Wellness
We are dedicated to the total well-being of our students and staff, enabling them to attain and maintain the highest levels of wellness physically, emotionally, and physiologically.
47.
Project-Based Learning
This teaching method is utilized in the Middle School, allowing boys to actively explore real-world challenges and problems, thereby gaining deeper knowledge.
48.
Athletic Crest
The overlapping S-A-C crest, known as the 1903 crest, first appeared on athletic jerseys in 1903. It continued to be used sparingly until the 1950s when it appeared to have fallen out of favour. The 1903 crest was reborn in 2019 when the original design was cleaned up and placed in a shield. It is now used widely on athletic uniforms and helmets.
49.
Hockey
The First Hockey club was organized in the opening year of the college, 1899, and the First Hockey team was defeated rather often. In the second year, success followed success, and it was not long before St. Andrew’s began to be known in the hockey world.
50.
Cricket
This was one of the first sports to be played at SAC. Headmaster Rev. Dr. D. Bruce Macdonald referred to the sport as “the king of games.” Sadly, it is no longer offered.
51.
Football
As the first sport played in the school’s inaugural year, the team did not see much success. In 1900, with new boys attending from other places and other schools, the prospect of a better season looked brighter (although our players lost to Harbord Collegiate, UCC, and Ridley).
52.
Wrestling
Wrestling was a sport at St. Andrew’s as early as 1904. Its popularity surged through the early 1900s, declining in the mid-1930s. The sport made sporadic revivals over the years but never regained its original prominence. It remained a beloved activity, popping up again and again, though often in informal and unofficial capacities.
53.
Boxing
Boxing was popular at St. Andrew’s for its first 50 years. The Toronto and Aurora campuses featured boxing rings, with competitions in various weight classes. The sport provided an outlet for athleticism, discipline, and friendly rivalry, becoming an integral part of early school life.
54.
Fencing
The sport of fencing, with its emphasis on skill, discipline, and athleticism, has long held a place at St. Andrew’s. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed over the years, yet it remains one of the school’s oldest sports.
55.
Aurora Community Centre
The ACC was the home of the Saints hockey teams and the MacPherson Hockey Tournament Friday night game before the opening of La Brier Family Arena on campus in 2014. The yellow seats are still a familiar sight for many students and parents; SAC retains a dressing room at the ACC as some of our teams hold practices at this nearby rink.
56.
Athletic A
This is awarded to elite graduating studentathletes. Eligibility is determined based on the accumulation of athletic points in the student’s final three years. Points are awarded for making a first team, being named Captain, or winning MVP or MIP awards.
57.
Memorial Chapel
Memorial Chapel was consecrated in 1931 and prevails as a welcoming symbol. It honours the Old Boys who gave their lives during the First World War and later the Second World War.
58.
Lower Fields
Maurice (Mike) Malone, Class of 1913, was killed in the First World War. During Mike’s days at the school, 1907-1913, he had an outstanding career as an athlete, winning all his first team colours. He carried his enthusiasm to the field of battle. He was shot through the heart by an enemy bullet on June 3, 1916. The large playing fields below the chapel hill were under-tiled, levelled, and put in order by E.T. Malone in memory of his son, whose athletic career at the college had been outstanding.
59.
Andrew (Cadet Bronze Statue)
The Ladies Guild (now called the Parents Guild) gifted a bronze statue of a Cadet to the school in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Cadet Corps. It was presented at the May 7, 2005, inspection and installed in the Bennet Memorial Garden near Cole Hall.
60. Arches
62.
Willow Farm and Outdoor Education
In 2016, the school purchased an adjacent 14.5-acre property, Willow Farm, at the corner of Yonge Street and St. John’s Sideroad. It’s where many Upper School outdoor activities and leadership lessons are based, as well as part of the Middle School outdoor experiential program.
63.
Staff Housing
The Flavelle Foundation’s gift of $20,000 to the 50th Anniversary Fund enabled the building, in 1954, of a new housemaster’s residence at the north-west corner of Memorial House and two additional masters’ houses situated south of the upper football field. Sifton House, formerly Fourth House, has served many purposes, from the school’s dining hall to its infirmary and housing for staff. Faculty apartments were introduced during Dr. Ken Ketchum’s tenure as Headmaster. Offering housing on campus was a strategic move to attract and retain talented teachers while ensuring faculty were close by for afterhours responsibilities, fostering a tight-knit community.
64.
Tuck Shop
The architecture features an arch theme throughout the original buildings, designed in the Georgian Revival style.
61.
High Ropes Course
The ropes course was built on the upper fields in 2003 and is used in the interactive program set out for students in the Cadet Corps and for use in athletics for team building and camaraderie.
When the school moved to Rosedale, there was no shop nearby, but an enterprising neighbour, Mrs. Moebus, started making sandwiches for the day boy lunches. She extended her wares to include buns, cakes, candies, and pop and began to attract
customers from boarders as well. Her little shop developed into a grocery store for the neighbourhood. In 1907, the school opened its own tuck shop, constructed as a Georgian Bay cottage-like building, to be managed by the boys and operated for their benefit. It became one of the most popular amenities of the school and was included in plans for the Aurora campus. During a major expansion in 1962, the shop was relocated north of Dunlap Hall. The shop was demolished in 2002 as part of the Middle School construction. “Tuck” is still available, along with school supplies and SAC clothing, at the Campus Shop in Staunton Gallery.
65.
Old Gym
Built in 1926 alongside Dunlap Hall, the old gym – which had a unique glass roof – was used for sports and Cadet practices until 2003, when it was converted into what we now know as Wirth Arts Centre.
66.
Old Pool
The first pool was given in 1926 by Lady Eaton in memory of her husband, Sir John Craig Eaton, who served as a governor from 1913 until he passed away in 1922. It was situated to the east of where Wirth Arts Centre is today.
67.
Mac House Triangle
This grass area outside Macdonald House provides a place for students to let off steam, mix and mingle, and share the togetherness of a game of shinny hockey or football.
68.
Health Centre
Once known as the infirmary, the school has always had a place for those needing care. It was once where Sifton House is now, and then it moved to underneath Cole Hall. Now attached to Macdonald House, the Health Centre provides students with comprehensive medical care and counselling.
69.
Sewing Centre
The Sewing Centre staff not only hem pants, sew on buttons, and repair the odd rip in a school uniform, they are experts in preparing the Cadet uniforms from head to toe, all from their headquarters in the basement of Macdonald House.
70.
Driveway
The first drive up the scenic driveway at SAC is an eye-opening experience. The winding portion that crosses Shad Creek is flanked by rows of red-topped white posts, affectionately dubbed “lipsticks.” The driveway is lit by lamp posts from which our banners hang.
71.
Flagpole
The flagpole has been part of the Aurora campus landscape since the start. It’s located beside the Memorial Chapel and was installed before the chapel was built. It looks like a ship’s mast, but nothing in our records indicates its origins.
72. Bleachers
Phase 1 of the Campus Master Plan saw a rebuild of the upper fields and the unveiling in 2012 of Yuill Family Athletic Complex, including our “Home of the Saints” bleachers, complete with a play-by-play booth.
73.
Memorial Gates and Bronze Lions
The driveway on Yonge Street is flanked by gates presented to the school by Headmaster Dr. Macdonald and his brother, Charles, in memory of their father, J.K. Macdonald. The central brick pillars on either side support a bronze lion statue.
74.
Apple Orchard
The large apple orchard on the original Toronto campus contained all varieties of apples, from Northern Spy to Russet. It was a great source of pleasure for the boys, supplying the school with applesauce for the winter.
75.
Chestnut Park
The first campus grounds were beautified by scores of large chestnut trees interspersed by maples, pines, firs, and beeches. The house was a large, old-fashioned brick building with projecting wings, wide balconies and verandas, numerous gables, and a large glass conservatory running out from the side.
76.
Rosedale Campus
The second campus of St. Andrew’s College (1905 to 1926) was designed to accommodate 150 boarders and up to 300 day boys, along with nine teachers. It was expropriated as a military hospital for two years during the First World War.
77.
Knox College
When the Rosedale campus was requisitioned as a military hospital from 1918 to 1920, St. Andrew’s College was temporarily housed at Knox College, a Presbyterian theological college affiliated with the University of Toronto.
78.
Smoking on Campus
One of the first references to smoking was the 1923 Old Boys’ Smoker, a social event that invited grads back for a concert in the Assembly Hall, where the tables contained a supply of corn-cob pipes and tobacco. In 1988, it was decreed that smoking was forbidden.
79.
Towers Library
In 1962, all the library facilities scattered through the boarding houses and the head’s residence were brought together with proper shelving, tables, and a card catalogue as the Assembly Hall was converted into a library. At that time, the library extended the length of four of the large windows. In 1971, a two-level addition tripled the size of the library. In 1994, the Towers name became associated when the widow of Graham Towers, Class of 1913, passed away and bequeathed the majority of her estate, $1.2 million, to the school.
80.
The Class of 1954 Archives
St. Andrew’s College has accumulated an extensive collection of photographs, documents, and videos about the school from 1899 to the present day. Starting as a humble storage closet in the basement of Dunlap Hall, archival materials were moved in 2004 to the larger space under Towers Library, which was named the Class of 1954 Archives in honour of their 50th reunion and generous help in relocating the collection.
81.
Staunton Gallery
This central space on campus connects several key buildings and serves as a gathering space for day boys. Formerly an outdoor courtyard, the gallery was named in honour of SAC’s seventh Headmaster, Ted Staunton, upon his retirement in 2009. It retains the original outdoor brickwork on one wall and houses a clock donated by the Class of 2006.
82.
The Chapel Crypt
The underground room below Memorial Chapel was one of the unconventional locations where plays were staged for the Focus Festival of the Arts. “The Crypt” has often been mentioned in grad notes, particularly in the 1980s and ’90s, as a memorable place, described as “creepy,” “claustrophobic,” and “haunted.” These days, the room stores donations for our Holiday Hero program that supports young people in the care of the York Region Children’s Aid Society.
83. Trails
The system of trails through the forest that makes up most of our 126 acres has been improved and expanded in recent years. They are used for cross-country running, mountain biking, mindfulness walks, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and outdoor leadership activities such as hiking, mapping, and shelter-making.
84.
Chicken Run
This trail is part of the Cross-Country Run course and the route ambulances use to get to the lower fields. It is accessed at Masters Row near the Munro Family Tennis Courts and most likely got its name in the time of a faculty member, hired in 1994, who lived on campus and raised prize-winning chickens.
85.
Makerspace
Our two-storey makerspace was unveiled in 2021 and allows students to bring their ideas to life, especially in the disciplines of science, robotics, and engineering.
86.
Skating
Ice skating has long been a tradition, with hockey teams practicing at community rinks and playing shinny on campus outdoor rinks when the Quad and Mac House Triangle are flooded. In 2014, the NHL-sized rink in the La Brier Family Arena was unveiled.
87.
Exploding Chicken
This is the term used by many students to refer to the stuffed chicken breast served in Cole Hall. The piping hot filling has been known to spray (or “explode”) if cut into too quickly or haphazardly.
88.
Buns
These tasty projectiles were once a delicious accompaniment to meals served at lunches or formal dinners. Now, they are banned from being set at tables in the dining hall. All it took was for a single bun to sail through the air to erupt chaos! It became especially tumultuous at Old Boy reunion dinners, where they were often used as ammunition to get the attention of classmates or to boo speakers. However, many Old Boys recall buns being a delicious part of the menu.
89.
Cheese on Toast
The origins are unknown, but its reputation long precedes it: Welsh Rarebit, Cheese Au Gratin, or simply Cheese on Toast was a dining hall staple to be endured and suffered through. It was said to have built character and provided sustenance for the body, mind, and nightmares. It may or may not have had cheese in it. Nevertheless, this indelible edible, though long gone now, certainly left its mark on a generation of Old Boys.
90.
Caesar Salad
Without fail, every Wednesday, our dining hall staff provides a heaping platter of beloved caesar salad for students and staff in Cole Hall. It is the only lunch menu item that is repeated weekly.
91.
Chocolate Milk Machine
All-you-can-drink chocolate milk is a popular feature in Cole Hall for students (and staff).
92.
Haggis
First celebrated in 1934, the St. Andrew’s Day tradition strengthened ties to the school’s Scottish heritage. The haggis is piped into Cole Hall before the reading of Robbie Burns’ Address to a Haggis. The event has largely remained the same since its inception. Fun fact: diners eat up to 200 pounds of the “delicacy” every year at this event.
93.
MacPherson Hockey Tournament
An annual tournament hosted by St. Andrew’s features the First Hockey Saints. Since its creation in 1984 by former First Team coach, Al Dunford, the tournament has drawn competition from across the country, as well as from schools located in the U.S. and overseas. Named after Lloyd MacPherson, Assistant to the Headmaster from 1957 to 1982, the tournament divisions are also named after prominent members of the Andrean community: Jim Hamilton ’33, the school’s first Development Officer (19651985), and Bob Meagher, Academic Head of the Lower School from 1972 to 1987. The Saints have won the tournament 11 times.
94.
Gary West Tournament
First held in 2017 and named in honour of Gary West, SAC’s former Athletic Director, the tourney features the U18AAA Hockey team and is hosted at the La Brier Family Arena. Similar to the MacPherson Tournament, teams are split into two groups during preliminary round play: The Kinney and Foy Divisions, named after longtime faculty members, Ron Kinney and Aubrey Foy.
95.
Parade Season
Three Cadet parades occur in late April and early May, beginning with the Church Parade, then the Head of School Parade, and ending with the annual Cadet Inspection.
96. Homecoming
Held in late September or early October, this is one of the busiest days at St. Andrew’s College each year. Thousands of students, parents, alumni parents, and Old Boys flock to campus to cheer on the Saints as all of SAC’s fall sports teams play home games on Homecoming Saturday.
97.
An Andrean Christmas /Carol Service
For most Andreans, the Christmas Carol Service was the highlight of the year. Due to the size of the congregation, it had to be accommodated elsewhere – at nearby Aurora United Church or in Toronto at the Cathedral Church of St. James, St. Paul’s Church, and Yorkminster Park Baptist Church and now at Roy Thomson Hall.
98. Drama
A Dramatic Society was founded in 1921 when it presented scenes from a Shakespearean play. At the Aurora campus, Mac House plays became a method of student theatrical expression, performed in the basement of Dunlap Hall. The construction of a permanent stage in 1943 ushered in a new era in St. Andrew’s dramatics. An exciting development was the introduction of the Focus Festival of the Arts in 1990. Full-scale theatrical productions in Wirth Theatre, which opened in 2015, continue to unleash the on-stage and backstage talents of our students.
99.
Red & White Gala
In 1967, Canada’s centennial was celebrated with a ball put on by the Ladies Guild in conjunction with the St. Andrew’s College Foundation. In the years after, it was named the June Ball until approximately 1982, when it became the Red & White Ball. It has evolved into an elegant gala hosted since 2018 in the La Brier Family Arena and is considered the social highlight of the year.
100.
From Mayfest to SpringSmash
The introduction of Mayfest on May 10, 1975, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the school with games and food. It became an annual event that morphed into what we now call SpringSmash, a half-day of organized sport and festival activities led by Grade 12 students in the McEwen Leadership program. The event raises awareness and support for underprivileged kids and provides them the opportunity to participate in sport.
101.
Highland Games
The official Highland Games is a competitive strength sport event held every spring and summer in Scotland and other countries with a large Scottish diaspora to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture. Off and on since the mid1990s, St. Andrew’s has participated in this tradition by holding an inter-clan Highland Games in the spring, complete with a truck pull, caber toss, jousting, weight throw, and tug of war.
102.
Prize Day
This end-of-year ceremony recognizes student achievement in and out of the classroom. For many years, Prize Day was held on the Quad, but recently, it has moved to Ketchum Auditorium and Wirth Theatre.
103.
SASSAW
This stands for “St. Andrew’s Society for Service Around the World,” an annual voluntary experience for students that has taken groups on trips to places like Peru, Morocco, and India. Each trip consists of multiple components, including an expedition and service in the local community. It evolved from SASSIN (St. Andrew’s Society for Service in Nepal).
104.
Battlefield Tour
The first St. Andrew’s College Battlefield Tour happened in 2003. Since then, SAC has sent hundreds of students to the Battlefields of France and Belgium for a historical and educational experience.
105.
Geodetic Survey Marker
A permanent marker was installed in the stone on the south wall of Dunlap Hall, 3.76 metres from the southeast corner of the building. The Geodetic Survey of Canada set up benchmarks for the use of local surveyors. The exact latitude, longitude, and elevation of the benchmark are recorded, allowing surveyors to start from that spot when doing land surveys, construction surveys, etc.
106.
Shad Creek Race
This annual tradition takes place on the Friday before Homecoming. Representatives from each house race down a portion of Shad Creek on the lower fields in inflatable “boats” while the rest of the student population cheer them on along the route. Students refer to the creek as Shad, possibly naming it after Shadrach Lundy, who once occupied the land north of the creek, as shown on an 1870s map.
107.
Andy (the Polar Bear)
A regular feature of SAC games during the early 1960s was the team mascot, Andy, a near-life-size polar bear who, on his first appearance in 1961, caused two or three nearcar accidents in the main street of Aurora. He was, alas, later stolen.
108.
Vimy Oaks
Two oak trees planted in 2017 near Memorial Chapel are descendants of the original oaks that grew on the battlefields of Vimy Ridge. In 1917, a Canadian soldier brought home a few acorns as souvenirs from the First World War and planted them on his farm in Ontario. A century later, the non-profit Vimy Oaks Legacy Corporation worked to repatriate 100 descendants of the original trees back to Vimy, where no oaks survived the battle. At the same time, they made saplings available, also from the original oaks, for distribution across Canada, including the two on campus.
109.
Pendulum
Our Foucault Pendulum in the science and tech wing demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. It was donated in 1971 by Cam ’45 and Dolly Dobbin in memory of their son, Peter ’73
110.
Braveheart (the Mascot Who is Not Named Andy)
This brawny Scotsman mascot was donated by the Class of 2003.
111.
1899 Beer
The 1899 beer is brewed by Red Thread Brewing Co. exclusively for the SAC community. Red Thread is based in York Region and owned by Carl Milroy ’92
The beer is produced with local ingredients, and a portion of the sales goes toward the Old Boys Bursary, which financially supports the sons of Old Boys at St. Andrew’s.
112.
Barber on Campus
113.
“Lake SAC”
Portions of the lower fields are susceptible to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. The resulting “lake” effect tends to linger for a while after the rain has dissipated.
114.
SAC Gold
Middle School students tap the sugar maples on the Quad and Willow Farm and use this “SAC Gold” to make maple syrup to enjoy with pancakes in the spring.
115.
St. Anne’s School
A barbershop was one of the campus amenities, built in the basement when the Great Hall was constructed in 1962. Many a boy referred to the barbers as “butchers” who were tasked with making every student look the same. Our Archives don’t mention when this service was discontinued.
Our all-girls partner school opened a kilometre to the north in 2022.
116.
Parents Guild
The Ladies’ Guild was founded in 1934 and has been vital to the St. Andrew’s community for 90 years. It was renamed the Parents Guild in 2009.
117.
The Review
The first edition of the yearbook, published in June 1901, was to encourage the boys in literary work, give them a business education, and improve the minds of the readers. The first “boy editor” was W. J. Lea, Class of 1901, who, by 1905, became secretary of the Old Boys Association.
118.
The Andrean
Founded in 1956, The Andrean was a newsletter offering accounts of the leading events in the college’s year, listing preferments and deaths of Old Boys. In the mid-1980s, the alumni magazine was expanded to a new format with colour photographs and an eye-catching design.
119.
Old Boy Events
There have been Old Boy gatherings since there were grads. Pub nights, reunions, sports matches, Ceilidh, and golf tournaments (the first one was in 1935) have been keeping our alumni engaged since the start.
120.
Sifton House Handprints
The tradition of Siftonians adding their painted handprints to the basement walls of the boarding house started in 2007.
121.
Not An Ordinary Place
This book, written by Head of Drama & Film, William Scoular, details the school’s century from its founding in 1899 until the centennial celebration in 1999. William is working on new chapters detailing the next 25 years.
122.
Discipline, Gatings, ERs, & EBs
Since there have been students, there have been detentions. When asked, many Old Boys recall suffering through ERs, an early run three times around the Quad or the Mac House Triangle for minor offences; gatings: losing the ability to leave campus or being banned from a particular activity (currently a half-day detention on a weekend); and EBs, early breakfasts.
123.
Rivalry with Upper Canada College
124.
Middle School Waiters at Sit-Down Lunches
There was a time when lunch was a sit-down meal every day until the student population grew too large for daily formal sit-down lunches, and the practice was discontinued. However, former Director of Middle School, Mike Hanson, arranged it so the Middle School carries on the tradition one day a week.
125.
Senior Privilege
Graduating students enjoy special privileges, including the wearing of “gradigans,” priority dismissal from assemblies and chapel, and exclusive use of the elevated seating area in Cole Hall. X
SAC has been competing with UCC since the very start, and to this day, our players refer to this Toronto school as our archrival. As recent as 2014, the UCC fans still taunt us as being the school from the boonies.
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From the ARCHIVES...
By Gabby Jackowski Archivist
1961 classmates, Doug Rowan and Dan Routledge, proudly show off their sweater coats and patches.
ANDREAN
St. Andrew’s College is rich with symbols that resonate with its students and Old Boys, from Memorial Chapel, the Andy statue, our Braveheart mascot, and more. Along with these cherished emblems, one stands out as a symbol of seniority (and warmth!) – the sweater coat, dubbed a “gradigan” in recent years.
The sweater coat was a staple of the St. Andrew’s uniform a century ago. Early iterations can be seen in photographs from the early 1920s when the style was quite popular in collegiate circles.
The St. Andrew’s sweaters became a source of pride for its students. Patches, called “bars” or “colours,” were sewn onto the sweaters to indicate the sports a student played, with red bars awarded to outstanding players and white bars given to varsity team members. Additional bars followed, recognizing MVPs, MIPs, trophy winners, and even the student’s house affiliation.
While red sweater coats were available to all students, the coveted white ones were reserved for those who played on two varsity teams.
Dan Routledge ’61 recalls proudly receiving an Athletic A patch. “It signified that anyone awarded the A had excellence and earned First Team Colours in the then three major sports.”
The Athletic A is still given out, though now in the form of a plaque.
Doug Rowan ’61 remembers being awarded a bar for his participation on the Lower School’s First Hockey team. “At the dinner, the colours were presented to us by two Toronto Maple Leafs, Bob Pulford and Bob Nevin, who were invited to the school for the evening event. I remember noticing how nervous they were undertaking their duties but equally how proud I was receiving my hockey colours from them.”
Today, the St. Andrew’s archival collection boasts more than 30 sweater coats dating from the early 1930s to the 1990s. Each is unique to the Old
Boy who wore it, telling a story of dedication and hard work.
However, the cardigan fell out of favour until Kelsey Boland ’12 lobbied for their return in his graduating year, and the sweater coats were once again available in the Campus Shop as part of casual dress.
John Joseph Mitchell ’13 went a step further the following year, pitching the idea of a red sweater coat option as an alternative to Second Dress blazers for students in their graduating year, hence the nickname “gradigan.”
The practice of earning bars has faded over the past decade, so sweaters remain unadorned. “These patches are a really cool part of St. Andrew’s history that most current students and parents don’t know much about,” says Ethan Fleming ’25, Head Prefect, who would like to see the return of badges that indicate the sweater owner’s achievements.
He points out that visitors to the school can see plenty of patches on archival photos as they walk through the buildings.
“As you walk down the Dunlap Hall corridor toward Towers Library, the walls are covered with photos of St. Andrew’s students over the years. Many of these photos show students in sweaters with patches on them. Outside of Bedard Gym, there is also a sweater with many patches on display,” Ethan says.
“St. Andrew’s already has an amazing tie and pin culture, with boys getting to wear ties showing off their house and pins showcasing clubs and councils that they are a part of. At SAC, an athlete is a musician, or an actor is an incredible student in the classroom. No one does just one thing, and the sweater patches were a great opportunity for the boys to show off the variety of activities that they participated in.” X
A selection of sweater coats from the Archives collection laid out on Yuill Family Field and photographed using a drone. There are others proudly on display throughout the school.
ALF WIRTH & NICOLAS POURAZIM: TWO
ANDREANS, ONE SHARED EXPERIENCE
Alf Wirth ’59 attended SAC from 1957 to 1959 and was Head Boy in his graduating year. Sixty-five years later, his grandson, Nicolas Pourazim ’24, graduated from SAC. The two spoke with SAC Alumni Relations and Major Gifts Officer, John Sandham ’13, to share stories of their tenures as students.
JS = John Sandham ’13
AW = Alf Wirth ’59
NP = Nicolas Pourazim ’24
JS: What were some of your favourite things about St. Andrew’s?
AW : I loved the introduction it provided to as many things as possible. The idea is to get a broad measure of skill, and St. Andrew’s was really very good at that.
NP : My favourite class was economics. I really came to enjoy that and had a great teacher as well. My favourite dining hall food wasn’t served often, but it was the classic grilled cheese.
AW : If you’re including food, this is very different. In my day, there was no choice. We had a whole lot of dreadful and some reasonable things, but we had Dixie Cups that contained vanilla ice cream every day. Because so many guys didn’t like it, I used to end up with two or three! I learned some things I thought were awful weren’t because you had to eat it anyway.
JS: Are you referring to haggis?
AW : No, because that only came once a year. The excess was portioned out after; there was no waste of food.
JS: What about your favourite place on campus?
AW : School went through Saturday morning, but the afternoon and Sunday were days off. On those days, the orchard on both sides was important because you could do nothing, goof off, or read a book.
NP : I think the Quad sits at number one for me. The tradition and history it has is significant, and in the later afternoon or evening, going out and tossing a football with your buddies is a nice experience to have.
JS: What did you know about St. Andrew’s before your time here as a student?
NP : I feel like I knew a lot, but at the same time, I didn’t really know anything. While a lot of things said by my grandfather were true, once I came, it was a totally different experience than I had expected, but better than I thought it would be.
JS: Alf, I suppose you didn’t have the same kind of prior knowledge.
AW : One day, my dad said, “You can’t grow up here in Sault Ste. Marie and not know a few things about Canada in general and the bigger society. So, you’re going to SAC next year.” I took a train back and forth, which was a 12-hour trip. It was a totally new experience.
JS: When it comes to the more established SAC traditions, what would you like to see maintained?
AW : Teaching people about dress, behaviour, mealtime etiquette, and so on. I think it was quite valuable, as was, in a sense, the morning chapel service. It’s not just a function of faith, but it’s a function of culture.
NP : I really enjoyed the banquets we had, such as the annual Wellington Dinner, when the entire house would get nice and dressed up in their uniforms, and we all got piped out to Cole Hall in a formal setting. And then you got to sit with your buddies and enjoy a nice meal.
JS: Tell me about a memorable interaction you had with a faculty member.
AW : [Hugh] Warburton was a free thinker. I wrote a variety of essays, one called “To Hell with Marriage,” which I don’t think ended up being published in The Andrean, but Warburton gave it an A+! So, I was shocked when it turned out he got married about five years later.
NP : In Grade 9, I got quarantined quite a lot during the pandemic. One time, my
entire class had to go into quarantine for two weeks. I was in the Health Centre because I couldn’t go home. During the first couple of hours, Assistant Head of Memorial House, Kevin Gate, came by with a PlayStation 4, saying my housemates decided I could have it. But then he realized I didn’t have a TV. A couple of hours later he came back with a TV; I found out later it was his own!
JS: What is something you learned at SAC that has stuck with you?
NP : In Grade 11, Head Prefect, Tinaye Ngorima ’23, gave a speech for the new boys, and he urged us to “always say yes.” I tried, especially in my last year, to make that happen. I joined the play and tried out for football, two things I had never done before. I believe that I should always try to have that attitude, to seize the day and take the opportunities that come my way.
AW : The most outstanding thing was the companionship. There are guys you might not have spent much time with at SAC, but you’d run into them 5, 10, 15 years later, and they’d run across the street and say, “How’s it going? What have you been doing?” There is, and was, a community, a bond.
JS: Last thing: I’ll ask you to reflect on what you’ve heard about the other’s experiences at SAC.
NP : It was interesting to see how the school has had to adapt over time. I think some of the changes made are beneficial and necessary. It’s interesting to see how a couple of decades can differentiate someone’s experience.
AW : I was thrilled to see Nicolas seize various opportunities. I’m intensely proud. St. Andrew’s has moved with the times and, I think, done it well. X
OLD BOYS NEWS
1951
Chris Smith happened to be in Bermuda to swim in an open water event in Harrington Sound and was able to attend the SAC reception on Oct. 10 hosted by Associate Director of Admission, Bruce Keyes, and attended by Head of School, Kevin McHenry, and his wife, Karan. Chris, his son, Tomas ’79, and his granddaughter, Kyla, swam the two-kilometre course in the “Round the Sound” competition. Chris, 92, said the next oldest swimmer in the race was 80. Chris lives in Toronto and continues to swim competitively, having participated in over 40 competitions in the last seven years, winning more than 200 medals, all of them gold.
Above: Chris Smith ’51 with Head of School, Kevin McHenry, at the Bermuda gathering. Below, from left: Mark Robinson ’02, Karan McHenry, Buddy Rego ’74, Ibou Barry ’98, Adam Hawley ’81, Daniel and Karen Bordage, parents of Alex ’19, David Madeiros, father of current students, Sebastian ’25 and Michael ’27, Bob Richards ’66, Kelly Madeiros, Chris Smith ’51, Victor Richards ’97, Tomas Smith ’79, Head of School, Kevin McHenry, and Bruce Keyes, Associate Director of Admission.
1956
John Swinden has just completed a two-year term as volunteer treasurer of St. Clement’s Anglican Church in Toronto.
1957
Jim Wyse hosted Scott Nirenberski ’83, his wife Andra Martens, along with their sons, Carson ’17 and Logan ’23, in August at his Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, B.C. The family got a tour of the facilities from Jim and stayed at the on-site guest house. The experience was an auction item donated to the 2024 Red & White Gala.
1959
Julian Payne is in his 15th year as president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in
Andra Martens and Scott Nirenberski ’83 with Jim Wyse ’57 and their sons, Carson ’17 and Logan ’23
Manila. He reports that he is still playing and competing in online solo piping competitions with mixed results!
Bill Snyder visited Ron Pickering ’58 at the Red Roof Gallery near Picton, Ont., in June. Bill recalls that Ron was across the hall in Flavelle House one early spring night when he and his roommate, Jock Coulson ’59, were caught sneaking out after curfew. (Bill, who went to see a young lady at the University of Toronto, says their stuffed beds did not fool the “steely-eyed and suspicious” master on duty.) The next morning, the two were at attention in front of Headmaster Kenneth Ketchum, who gave them three hours to vacate the property. Bill enjoyed catching up with Ron and says he and his wife, Lynn, were very gracious even though Bill showed up unannounced! Bill purchased two “very fine” floral watercolours from Ron, which will have a place of honour at his home in Nanaimo, B.C., where he lives with his wife, Carole.
1965
Michael Perley was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in June. Michael was recognized for his decades of work addressing environmental and health challenges, including in his role as director of the Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, which successfully advocated for tighter laws reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure in the province. Michael previously worked with coalitions on acid rain and air pollution, leading to legislative changes in Canada and the U.S.
1967
David More
launched his eighth and ninth books in June. Loyal Watermen is the culmination of ten years of research and describes the critical importance of French-Canadian inland sailors to the survival of British North America in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Dark Watershed, an action-filled speculative fiction, explores near-future relations between the United States and Canada. David is an avid student of Canadian and European history whose work has been featured in professional journals and newspapers, including The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the Montreal Gazette. David lives in Kingston, Ont., and several of his previous books are available in Towers Library.
1969
Gordon Henderson recently sold his Toronto-based television production company, 90th Parallel, to his son, Stuart, a historian, filmmaker, and musician. He is focusing on writing historical fiction. His second novel, Out of the Shadows, published by At Bay Press, is built around the Riel Resistance in 1869-1870 and is co-written with Métis writer/ educator, David Bouchard.
1970
Tom Stephens
donated a Ken Ives painting of the Memorial Chapel when he visited campus on June 5. He toured Towers Library and Macdonald House, where he boarded for his first year at the school. Tom recalls witnessing Ken, who taught art and history at SAC, standing outside the chapel dressed in a white frock, palette in hand, and his artwork on an easel. Years later, Tom found and acquired the painting with Ken’s signature style at an auction in Snelgrove, Ont. The painting now returns “home.” Tom and his wife, Deb, live in southwest Florida and made the trip to Ontario to attend the Manhattan Open, an annual golf tournament played in honour of classmate, Charlie Edwards
1974
Buddy Rego and his wife, Jenny, travelled from their home in Bermuda to attend the Class of ’74 reunion dinner on April 26. Buddy caught up with classmates, Russ Frith and Richard van der Jagt, for brunch the following day and took a tour of campus. Buddy works with his son, Ben, at the
family real estate company, which is celebrating 75 years in business.
1976
Neil Hendrickson visited campus with his siblings on April 25. Neil took a photo in front of Flavelle House, where he was a boarder after a move from Macdonald House. Neil lives in Kingston, Jamaica, and stays connected with classmates, including Peter Dupuch, whom Neil visited in Nassau, The Bahamas, before travelling to Ontario.
1974 classmates, Russ Frith, Buddy Rego, and Richard van der Jagt
Tom Stephens ’70 displays a painting by Ken Ives in the SAC Archives.
1981
Ken Marshall travelled to Jamaica in April to meet up with classmates, Brian Eby, Adam Hawley, George Jackson, David Lawrence, Scott Smith (who organized the visit), and Warren Stoddart. Ken stopped by the school shortly before departing to pick up a St. Andrew’s flag that the Old Boys raised at The Tryall Club golf course and resort during their trip. The group outing celebrated being born in 1962 and turning 62 years old.
1983
Andrew Simpson and his wife, Tracey, are enjoying life in Barbados. The family recently hosted Andrew’s classmate, Jeff Tiemens, and his wife, Toni, at their home, which was built during the pandemic. Jeff also saw classmate, Robert Harvey-Read, who also lives in Barbados, for the first time since graduation. The Simpsons were in Canada this fall for the wedding of their son, Luke ’14
1984
Max Gundy was elected a life member of the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club in Longueville, Australia. Max is a two-time commodore of the club and during his second term, steered the club through the pandemic and a rebuild after a 2018 structure fire. During a special ceremony in April, Max was recognized for the many roles he played in getting the club’s Western Boathouse and Storage Facility built and opened in late 2021.
1987
Mark Davidson is a Medical Officer with the Royal Canadian Medical Service. He is the Brigade Surgeon for the 38 Canadian Brigade Group as well as the Acting Wing Surgeon for the 17 Wing at the 23 CF Health Services Clinic.
1990
Alex Stein has decided to hang up the whistle after coaching professional ice hockey in eight countries for over 23 years. Alex moved to Nantes, France, last year with his partner, Audrey, and launched The Elite Mindset Coaching, a company that specializes in executive business teams and leadership development and is accredited by the EMCC and International Coaching Federation. Alex says he is enjoying the transition from the locker room to the boardroom, where he coaches executive teams and their leaders worldwide. He
invites Andreans to connect via LinkedIn or to book a “cup of coffee” on his website.
Shane Stewart attended the Scrubs in the City fundraiser at Evergreen Brick Works to benefit Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children alongside classmates, Mike Hiscox and Mike Mills, and fellow Old Boys, Robert Hiscox ’88 and Mark Atkins ’89. The June 6 event raised $1.4 million for SickKids in support of essential equipment upgrades.
Tim Stuempel hosted members of the SAC Advancement Team at Ottawa Fire Station 24 during their visit to the city in March, where Tim works as a Captain with the Ottawa Fire Services. The group also caught up with Fire Captain, Ian Thomson ’85, and Lucas Prud’homme ’25, whose father, Tony, is a Lieutenant with Ottawa Fire Services.
From left: Tim Stuempel ’90, Ian Thomson ’85, Lucas Prud’homme ’25, John Sandham ’13, Alumni Relations and Major Gifts Officer, Jeremy Slessor ’06, Major Gifts and Stewardship Officer, and Nicholas Weedon ’02, Executive Director of Advancement.
1991
Jamie Inglis has been promoted to Assistant Head of School, Community, effective Aug. 1. Jamie has served as Bands Officer, Department Head,
1981 classmates, from left: Warren Stoddart , Brian Eby, George Jackson, Ken Marshall, Scott Smith, Adam Hawley, and David Lawrence
Mark Davidson ’87 earned his “wings.”
From left: Edward Rogers (a friend), Mark Atkins ’89, Robert Hiscox ’88, Shane Stewart ’90, Mike Mills ’90, and Mike Hiscox ’90
Day Head of House, Boarding Head of House, and Associate Director of Upper School, Student Life throughout his 24 years of service at St. Andrew’s College.
1992
Jim Dennis enjoyed dinner at Stock Bar in Toronto in April with classmates, Gene Cheung, Mark Etherington, Dave Kim, Lester Liang, Ian Michael, Albert Poon, Stuart Smith, and Richard Ting. The group gathered as Albert was visiting Toronto on business from Hong Kong. Jim notes none of them have aged a day since graduation! He looks forward to future reunions and staying in touch.
1993
Jeffrey Wong enjoyed a reunion trip in Hokkaido, Japan, in February with Arnold Lee ’93, Gilbert Lee ’93, and Arthur Yeung ’94. He said they had a blast enjoying the powdery snow conditions and great food. They aim to make this an annual tradition and hope more friends from SAC will join. Arnold, Gilbert, and Arthur live in Hong Kong, Jeffrey resides in Shanghai, and they all welcome Andreans in the region to connect.
1995
Mark Etherington and classmates, Mike DeAngelis, Jon Ginou, Carl Milroy, Darcy Montgomery, Dan Nelles, Brent Riopelle, Mark Shillum, and Stuart Smith, celebrated their 50th birthdays with a trip to Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Mark, who is Chair of the SAC and SAS Board of Governors, says they are a pretty lucky group to have remained great friends since their days at SAC.
Ronald Chu visited SAC on May 22 with Randy Yeung ’95 and Raphael Choi ’96. Ronald lives in Singapore and made a stop in Ontario in between work trips; this was his first time on campus since graduation. The group got together with other Old Boys in Waterloo and Toronto, including Vincent Chan ’96, Howard Cheng ’96, Angus Cheung ’96, Billy Chu ’96, and King Fu ’97.
in 2024, Hanwha Aviation is headquartered in Singapore, with operational hubs in Seoul, Dublin, and Boca Raton. Jeff assumes the role of CEO and joins the board of directors, steering Hanwha Aviation through a robust growth strategy. His brother, Owen ’26 is focused on a career in aviation, obtaining his pilot’s license this summer. Jeff’s connections with the Old Boy network remain strong, where lifelong friendships with Kai Brown ’95, Matthew Thorne ’96, and other Andreans endure. Jeff is also an advisor to the ownership and executive team at the Florida Panthers, and this summer celebrated the Stanley Cup championship with the team. Despite his busy schedule, Jeff continues to pilot his private aircraft between Boca Raton and his seasonal residence in Collingwood, Ont., always eager to engage with fellow Andreans.
Jonathan Parker
attended the Ottawa Old Boys reception on March 22, where he met Chris Brand ’60, who was in the same class as his father, Rob. Jonathan, a Commander with the Royal Canadian Navy, notes that Chris’s father, Eric, was the Director of Naval Intelligence for the RCN in 1939, on loan from the Royal Navy. “It was like shaking hands with history,” he says.
Jeff Lewis has embarked on a new venture in the aviation sector, supported by Korea’s Hanwha Group. The Fortune Global 500 conglomerate has backed the launch of Hanwha Aviation, marking its entry into aircraft engine leasing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. Established earlier
1992 classmates, from left: Jim Dennis, Mark Etherington, Ian Michael, Richard Ting , Lester Liang , Stuart Smith, Albert Poon, Gene Cheung , and Dave Kim
Standing, from left: Stuart Smith, Mark Etherington, Mark Shillum, Dan Nelles, Mike DeAngelis, and Brent Riopelle. Kneeling, from left: Carl Milroy, Darcy Montgomery, and Jon Ginou. They are all from the Class of 1992.
From left: Ronald Chu ’95, Raphael Choi ’96, Head of Art, Stephen Kimmerer, and Randy Yeung ’95
Jeff Lewis ’95 with the Stanley Cup.
Chris Brand ’60 and Jonathan Parker ’95
From left: Jeffrey Wong ’93, Arthur Yeung ’94, Arnold Lee ’93, and Gilbert Lee ’93
Michael Young is Director of IT Operations at the University of Toronto and a professor at Centennial College, teaching business and information technologyrelated courses. Michael, his wife Diane, and their 10-year-old daughter, August, recently moved back to his childhood home in Stouffville.
1996
Andrew Ipekian hosted classmate, David Brannon, at the National Bank Open quarterfinals on Aug. 10. Andrew donated the box seats as a live auction prize for the Red & White Gala held in April. Andrew will be the platinum sponsor for the second year in a row at the 2025 gala.
2000
Rodrigo Costa visited campus with his family on July 23. They enjoyed seeing the lower fields where Rodrigo spent time playing soccer during his year at the school, as well as Rodrigo’s old boarding room. Rodrigo also met up with his classmate, Rodrigo De Saro, in Montreal a couple of days later. Rodrigo, his wife, Margarita, and their two children live in Colima, Mexico, where he works at Colegio Campoverde, a school started by his family in 1978, which now offers education at four campuses.
2001
Jason Wong visited St. Andrew’s with his wife, Pohchin, son, Jacob, 8, and daughter, Ava, 5, on April 12. He had not been back to SAC in almost 20 years and was amazed at the changes, including the new science and technology wing in McLaughlin Hall and the La Brier Family Arena, as Jacob is learning to play hockey. The family also toured St. Anne’s School. Jason met up with Jacob Marcinkowski ’00, Chris Bibby ’01, and Mike Craig ’01 during the visit to Ontario. The Wong family lives in Hong Kong. They welcome any Andreans passing through the region to catch up.
2004
Tim Birkett visited Nassau, The Bahamas, over the Family Day weekend in February 2024 with classmates, Daniel von Diergardt and Matthew Gnyp, and met up with Matt Whiteland ’05 and Karl McCartney ’06. Matt and Karl took the group on a trip to nearby Rose Island and showed them around Nassau.
Greg Jongsma is curator of zoology at the New Brunswick Museum. He has studied ecology, evolution, and conservation in Central Africa over the past decade. Greg launched a capacity-building project with the School of Water and Forestry in Gabon this year to train the next generation of researchers and equip them with the skills to tackle pressing issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.
2005
Robert Mackay and his wife, Alexandra, welcomed Lorenzo on April 2, a brother for Leo, 2. Robert is president of Robert John Inc., a talent agency representing top athletes and media personalities. He attended the Paris Olympics, supporting his clients competing at the Games: decathlete, Damian Warner, sailor, Sarah Douglas, and silvermedalist in beach volleyball, Melissa HumanaParedes.
Andrew Ipekian ’96, left, with, David Brannon ’96
Rodrigo De Saro ’00 and Rodrigo Costa ’00
From left: Jacob Marcinkowski ’00, Chris Bibby ’01, Jason Wong ’01, and Mike Craig ’01
Matthew Whiteland ’05, Daniel von Diergardt’04, Matthew Gnyp ’04, Tim Birkett ’04, and Karl McCartney ’06
Greg Jongsma ’04 is second from left.
Sohaib Siddiqui and his wife, Nadia, welcomed Liyana, in February 2024, a sister for Ayla, 3. The family lives in Toronto.
2006
Matthew Eaton-Kent and his wife, Laura, welcomed their son, River, on July 30, 2023, and he reports that parenthood has been a wonderful experience because of River’s joyous and funny personality. River has had a busy first year of life, travelling to St. Lucia, Spain, France, Scotland, and Coachella.
2007
Cameron Healy and his wife, Layla, welcomed Bodhi Skye on Feb. 25, 2024. Cameron reports that both mom and baby are healthy and doing well. Cameron opened a lounge called Isabelle’s, featuring exciting cocktails and curated music complemented by an art-driven design in downtown Toronto’s King West neighbourhood. He has also created an annual event property called
Golf Fest, an immersive celebration of the new generation of golf culture and style that takes place during Masters weekend. Cameron advises and invests in startups, with his most recent one being Rondah AI, an AI receptionist for dental practices.
Christian Kieller
and Laura Mills were married on June 15 at Oviinbyrd Golf Club in Muskoka, Ont. In attendance were classmates, Dylan Edminson, Cameron Healy, and Matthew Munro
Adel Ratansi
decided to pivot his career into something he is extremely passionate about: sports. After 10 years of working in the Toronto tech industry, Adel enrolled in the FIFA Masters program, graduating in 2023 with a degree in sports management and sports law. Adel says this life-changing experience allowed him to study in England, Italy, and Switzerland for a year, teaching him about the complexity and opportunities within the global sports industry while visiting leading
organizations such as Manchester United, Inter Milan, FIFA, UEFA, FIBA, and the International Olympic Committee. Since graduating, Adel has relocated to London, England, where he works for LIV Golf on the global sponsorship team after a brief experience working at the British Triathlon Federation. He is training for his next endurance event after having run the London Marathon in April.
2009
Ryan Ball and his wife, Genevieve, welcomed Mathias Charles on Aug. 23.
Ryan Cathers and his wife, Meagan, welcomed a daughter, Scarlett, in June. The family lives in King City, Ont.
AJ Masson
earned his JD from the York University Osgoode Hall Law School and moved to Ottawa to begin articling at MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP in early July. AJ also holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto. He returned to campus to play in the Old Boys lacrosse game on May 25 along with his brother, Zac ’14
Class of 2007 friends at the Toronto Marathon: Leke Akinyele, Taylor Walker, Neil Osien, Adel Ratansi, and Ladi Onayemi
Joel Hurren and his wife, Kara, welcomed their first child, Sophie, on Aug. 19, 2023. Joel is an investor and partner with Langdon Equity Partners in Toronto, and the family lives in Port Credit.
Vincent Pulla and his wife, Christina, welcomed their daughter, Ava, on April 20. The couple was married in August 2020. Vincent is an account manager with Johnvince Foods, overseeing the company’s larger Canadian customers, including Walmart, Loblaw, and Metro. The family business specializes in manufacturing and developing unique bulk food programs for retailers.
Bowman Webster and Kendra Sadlo were married on July 20 at Calamus Estate Winery in Jordan, Ont. Classmates, Ryley Begg, Luke MacLeod, James Mildon, Tyler Sikura, and Ashton Waters, along with Matthew Sovereign ’11, were groomsmen. Also in attendance were Jordan Tripp ’10 and Leland de Langley ’11
2011
Dan Barker and KerriLee Mackinnon were married on July 20 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Hayden Neuman ’12 was best man, and classmates, Adam Moody, Richard Occhipinti, and Craig Johnson, were groomsmen.
Grant Pollock takes his art full-time under the alias “Exspira.” His signature daisies, imbued with meaning and emotion, explore themes of vitality and mortality through high-contrast imagery and vibrant colours. Grant’s compositions feature thoughtful narratives urging viewers to live life with purpose and passion, motivated by complications following prophylactic cancer surgery that nearly took his life in 2019. Grant celebrated his first solo exhibit, Have a Nice Daisy, in September at Deco Gallery in Toronto.
Palmieri; and John Lee ’12. Connor recently moved to Reno, Nev., to join Redwood Materials within their corporate development and investor relations team. Redwood is focused on creating a circular battery supply chain, specializing in recycling lithium-ion batteries and producing materials for new electric vehicle batteries. It was recently named one of the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024. He encourages any Old Boys visiting Lake Tahoe or northern Nevada to reach out.
2012
Jamal Kett has been a firefighter for the Hamilton Fire Department in Hamilton, Ont., since 2022.
Connor Pugliese and Caroline Ambler were married at La Palma in Toronto on May 4. Old Boys in attendance included his father, Jason ’85; best man and brother, Austin ’13; classmates, Andrew Carr, Alex Harris, Dylan Hewko, Christopher Ho, Brendan MacDonald, Matt Mardini, and Jordan
SUBMIT
deadline: March 15, 2025
Jamal Kett ’12 at his firefighter graduation in June 2022 with his wife, Talya.
Jon Knowles and Kaleigh Sedgewick were married at the Toronto Golf Club on June 22. Kaleigh is the daughter of John Sedgewick ’80. The wedding party included classmates, Mark Denton, Cameron Kearley, Andrew Papousek, and Stephen Townsend as the best man. Mike Mildon served as emcee.
From left: Evelyn Sifton ’12, Mark Denton ’12, Cameron Kearley ’12, Mike Mildon ’12, Stephen Townsend ’12, Jon Knowles ’12, John Sedgewick ’80, David Tredgett ’82, and Andrew Papousek ’12
2013
Peter Godber is in his second year as an offensive lineman with the Saskatchewan Roughriders after four seasons with the BC Lions. He opened the 2024 CFL exhibition season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and fellow Old Boys, Gabe Wallace ’18 and Ethan Kalra ’19.
Andrew Keenleyside is manager of projects supporting the boiler replacement project as part of the Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. He previously managed the primary moisture separator replacement project at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Andrew was recently nominated by OPG senior management for a OneOPG Individual
Emerging Leader Award, recognizing outstanding leadership and fostering an environment of collaboration.
2014
Alex Auger was the guest speaker at the annual Church Parade on April 21. Alex spent seven years with the Canadian Armed Forces and is studying urban planning at Toronto Metropolitan University. He remains connected to SAC as an instructor for the Master Cadet Program.
Warren Foegele
signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings in July. He appeared in all 82 regular season games for the Edmonton Oilers last season, putting up a career-best 41 points. Warren also added eight points in the postseason to help the Oilers to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.
2015
Joseph Shields
was posted to the Canadian Forces Joint Signals Regiment (Kingston) in May 2023. Joseph’s unit employs the high readiness/deployable personnel and assets that provide all manner of signals support to the CAF and the Government of Canada anywhere, anytime. He deployed (attached to three Canadian support units) to Latvia for three months at the start of 2024 on a technical assistance visit in support of Operation REASSURANCE. The task was to assist with the implementation of Canada’s expansion commitment of an overseas brigade-level capability. Joseph returned to Canada in May and is preparing for the next round of deployment rotations.
Joseph Shields ’15, second from right, received the Special Service Medal (NATO) at his home unit - the Canadian Forces Joint Signals Regiment (Kingston)for his deployment to Latvia.
Fraser Sopik
signed with the Toronto Argonauts for the 2024 CFL season. He played 12 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023 after three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. During his college career with the Western Mustangs, Fraser won the U SPORTS and OUA Stand-Up Defensive Player in 2018 and was named Defensive MVP of the Vanier Cup in 2017.
2016
Drake Porter
was named assistant coach of the Rutgers University men’s lacrosse program. He will assist with day-to-day operations and work with team specialists, including goalkeepers and faceoff players. Drake was previously the defensive coordinator and goalkeeper coach for Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and played professionally with the New York Atlas of the Premier Lacrosse League in 2023.
2018
Tyler Black made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on April 30, collecting two hits in four at-bats. The 33rd selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, Tyler is
Peter Godber ’13, Gabe Wallace ’18, Ethan Kalra ’19
the reigning Brewers’ minor league player of the year, posting a .284 average last season with the Brewers’ AA and AAA affiliates.
2019
Matthew Stienburg
made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in their game against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 16. Drafted by the Avalanche in the third round in 2019, Matthew has been steadily advancing his hockey career, most recently playing with the AHL Colorado Eagles after graduating from Cornell University, where he was a standout player. His strong start to the season with the Eagles, including a goal and an assist in his first two games, earned him this call-up.
David Coverdale hosted a banquet on Aug. 27, where he released his debut piano album. David showcased a handful of his favourite songs for friends, family, and some SAC staff, who David says helped him discover his strength during his time at St. Andrew’s. The album was to be released in late 2024 and features contributions from bass player, Jack Davies ’18.
Kevin Kuan
graduated in May from the University of Edinburgh with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery. He matched into the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Program at the University of Toronto, which began in July.
Will McHenry joined SAC this school year as a faculty member and Assistant Head of Memorial House, teaching French and business. Will is a graduate of Western University’s Faculty of Education and worked at SAC Summer Camp for over half a decade.
Gabe Wallace
signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in May after being selected 17th overall in the 2024 CFL Draft. Gabe was a three-year starter for the University at Buffalo, and during his senior year, his play at left guard helped the Bulls rank top five in their league in total offence.
2020
Carter Beswick
has spent the past four summers running a corn stand near campus on Bathurst Street, just north of St. John’s Sideroad. During the season, Carter and his team pick corn each morning and sell it by the bag. He recently completed his studies at Western University and works in landscaping and car detailing.
Christopher Marton
worked as an intern over the summer with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) at the U.S. Consulate General Montreal. The FCS sector is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and functions as a global network connecting American exporters with foreign business opportunities. Within the framework of the Consulate General Montreal, they help to promote American exports across Canada and operate as Quebec trade specialists. In his role, Christopher helped colleagues in various sectors, with key areas being environmental technologies and medical technologies, aiding American small- to mid-sized companies to make entrance into the Canadian markets and drafting policy and industry reports to inform American business strategy.
2021
David Kurp started his senior year at Rice University, majoring in Political Science with minors in Business and Politics, Law, and Social Thought. Over the summer, he spent three weeks in Paris as part of a university program in architecture and history. He then did a month-long internship at the DC Bar Foundation in Washington, D.C., to get hands-on experience as he considers pursuing a law degree after graduation. In May, he got the opportunity to spend time with classmate, Jinkai Wu, in New York City for a
Faculty member and First Baseball Coach, Chris Papalia, met up with Tyler Black ’18 in July in Nashville, Tenn.
Anne Marie Page, a teacher at the St. Andrew’s College Academy of Music; SAC Director of Bands, Garry Page; David Coverdale ’20; Sandi Chasson, former Head of Music; Christopher Seguin Bianchi ’20; his mother, Patricia; Ryan Johnston, SAC and SAS music teacher; Thomas Todd ’20; Brian McCue, Commanding Officer of the #142 St. Andrew’s College Cadet Corps; and Dave Stewart, Associate Director, Upper School.
long weekend. He also met up with classmate, Ren Motegi, in Austin, Texas, for the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October 2023.
Lochlan McTeague
spent the summer as the play-by-play voice for the Brooks Bombers baseball team in Brooks, Alta. He was also involved with community engagement initiatives, sponsorships, and writing for the local newspaper, in addition to running the team’s social media accounts. Lochlan is studying sports journalism at Arizona State University.
JulyAnh Nguyen
completed his LLB with Magna Cum Laude at the University of Exeter. After receiving offers from UCLA, LMU, and UC Berkeley, JulyAnh chose to continue his studies at the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law to expand his network in California within the Andrean and Trojan communities. JulyAnh is pursuing a Master of Laws degree specializing in privacy law and cybersecurity.
Paul Petrozza
worked over the summer in Toronto at Sunnybrook Hospital’s research department studying a rare form of pancreatic cancer called PanNETs, a cancer that targets insulin-producing cells. Paul’s projects were focused on understanding changes in the nervous system during tumour development and organizing data from
Sunnybrook patients over the last decade while looking for trends. He is in his fourth year at McGill University, expecting to graduate with Honours in Immunology in 2025, and is applying to medical schools in Canada. Paul says he has been lucky to travel to the University of Notre Dame twice to visit his great friend and classmate, Gordie McDonell
2022
Ethan Mitchell and classmates, Kade Hennessy and Wyatt Savage, as well as Matthew Lyons ’23, won this year’s Old Boys Golf Tournament in June at Angus Glen Golf Club with a score of 16 under par to claim the Jim Hamilton Trophy.
2023
Jonathan Castagna
hosted the First Lacrosse team at Cornell University in April (pictured below), a team he captained for two seasons before graduating. He now plays NCAA Division I hockey for Cornell, posting 25 points in 35 games during the 20232024 season. His breakout rookie season saw
Jonathan named to the league’s All-Rookie Team, earned him a Second Team All-Ivy selection, and ECAC Hockey’s Most Outstanding Player honours. A third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Jonathan took part in the Utah Hockey Club prospect camp this summer.
Francesco Dell’Elce joined the University of Massachusetts hockey program for the 2024-2025 season. He spent last season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, putting up 38 points in the regular season and another eight points over 22 postseason contests. A defenceman, Francesco was named to the BCHL All-Rookie Team and was a 20232024 Second Team All-Star.
Tinaye Ngorima
spent eight weeks in the summer in Christchurch, New Zealand, taking part in the Crusaders International Academy, a full immersion program hosted by the multi-championship-winning rugby union team. Tinaye is entering his second year at Harvard University, studying economics and computer science. He is a centre for the Harvard Rugby Football Club.
Dave Stewart, Associate Director, Upper School, is centre with, from left, Gordie McDonell, Ty White, Alex Ventin, and Paul Petrozza, all from the Class of 2021. They were at a fundraising social in June in support of the Red & White Gala.
From left, Kade Hennessy ’22, Matthew Lyons ’23, Wyatt Savage ’22, and Ethan Mitchell ’22
Jack Pridham
was selected in the third round, 92nd overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Jack spent the 2023-2024 season playing for the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL, where he tallied 49 points over 54 regular season games. He averaged over a point per game during the postseason. He has committed to play for Boston University in 2025-2026.
2024
Rory Gilmour
signed with the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League in August. Rory posted 35 points in 53 games last season with the Saints and has committed to play for the University of Maine in 2025-2026.
Dean Letourneau
was selected in the first round, 25th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. He posted 127 points in 56 games with the Saints in 2023-2024 and led the Prep Hockey Conference with 25 points in 14 games. The Saints’ highestever NHL draft pick, Dean will play the 20242025 season at Boston College.
Matthew Virgilio
was acquired by the Niagara IceDogs in early June. A defenceman, Matthew is entering his third season in the OHL, having played for the Soo Greyhounds since 2022. He is coming off back-to-back 15-point seasons, reaching the second round of the playoffs in 2023-2024. X
Dean Letourneau ’24 reacts on the big screen after being selected by the Boston Bruins in the NHL Draft held at The Sphere in Las Vegas in June.
OBITUARIES
1949
Austin Clarkson passed away on March 13, 2021, in Barrie, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1945 to 1949, played football, cricket, and hockey, and was Literary Editor and Editorin-Chief of The Review. Austin attended the University of Toronto and earned a Bachelor of Science while exploring his love for music, leading him to pursue music studies at the Eastman School of Music two years later. He studied musicology at Columbia University, specializing in contemporary music. He was the founding editor of the Current Musicology journal and received a Canada Council pre-doctoral award in 1958 before he attained his PhD from Columbia University. Austin spent his career sharing his enthusiasm for music across multiple universities in North America, beginning at Yale University and becoming chair of the music department at York University, teaching Canadian music with a focus on Indigenous music. He took his interest in music education outside of the classroom by creating Exploring Creativity in Depth (ECiD), an artist-teacher-led experience to help young people explore their creative potential through exploratory art, discussion groups, and visioning exercises. After he retired, Austin established a version of ECiD for elementary schools in Simcoe County and assisted Georgian College with its Indigenous Studies Program. Austin is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons, Dan and Nik; and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Max ’40, William ’43, Geoffrey ’52, John, Stephen, and Lillian.
Peter Lewis passed away on Aug. 10, 2024, in Brockville, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1940 to 1949 and was a Prefect, played First Football, First Cricket, and Second Hockey, and contributed to the sports section of The Review. Peter attended Queen’s University and started his career at Montreal Trust Company in Montreal, then moved to his hometown of Brockville, serving as an alderman and then as the city’s mayor from 1981 to 1982. He was also president of the Rotary Club, president of the Leeds and Grenville Liberal Party, and a member of the school board and Brockville General Hospital. He moved to Victoria, B.C., where he completed his 40-year career in banking as well as serving on the boards of St. Michael’s University School, Victoria Art Gallery, and the Victoria Airport Authority. Peter is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Cathie, Christopher, Heather, Stephanie, and Pamela; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald ’54 ; his sister, Lee; and his first wife, Francis.
1952
John Robertson passed away on Sept. 25, 2023, in Grand Island, N.Y. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1949 to 1951. He played First Football and First Basketball. John is survived by his children, Tracey, Jonathan, Sarah, Mark, and David; 12 grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn.
1954
Fred Leslie passed away on Aug. 6, 2024. He lived in Toronto. Fred attended St. Andrew’s from 1948 to 1951. He was a Pipe Lance Corporal in the Cadet Corps, played football, and had a part in the school play, The Man Who Came to Dinner. After SAC, Fred worked at his family’s trucking business, Canada Cartage, acquiring the company from his father, Rodger, in 1973 and transforming it into a leader in the Canadian trucking industry. Fred gave back to his community through his church, Islington United, where he volunteered for the church’s Mabelle Food Program until he was in his 80s. As a 25year Rotarian, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honour within Rotary. He is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Rodger ’82, Heather, Kimberley, and Susan; eight grandchildren, including Brennan ’11 and Kevin ’14 ; two greatgrandchildren; and his brother, Bob ’56.
1956
Charles Hope-Gill passed away on May 2, 2023, in Winter Springs, Fla. He attended St. Andrew’s College from 1954 to 1956. He was a Lance Corporal in the Cadet Corps, and was on the First Football and First Swimming teams. He attended the University of Toronto and earned a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Applied Science. He worked at Bell Aerospace in New Orleans and moved to Florida to take a job with Martin Marietta, where he remained until retirement. Charles is survived by his children, Heather and Lance, and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Karen.
1957
Andrew (Andy) Milne passed away on Sept. 11, 2024, in Fort Langley, B.C. He attended St. Andrew’s College from 1951 to 1957. Andy was Second in Command of the Cadet Corps, President of the Debating Society, a Librarian, Chapel Boy, School News Editor Assistant for The Review, a member of the Literary Society Executive, Assistant Coach of First Soccer, and produced and acted in the school production of The Middle Watch. After St. Andrew’s, Andy studied at MIT, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia, acquiring a BA in architecture and an MBA in business. He was self-employed as an architectural and
planning consultant. He served as an alderman in Langley District from 1971 to 1972. From 1989 to 1993, Andy served on the Parole Board of Canada. In the 1990s, he was board chair of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Andy was also involved with the West Coast fishing industry for over 40 years and helped to establish what is now the Underwater Harvesters Association. He is survived by his sisters, Nancy and Shiela, and was predeceased by his father, Don ’30
1959
Paul Filotas passed away on Aug. 16, 2024, in Ottawa, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1955 to 1959. He was the Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps, a member of the tennis and curling teams, a life-saving instructor, and Advertising Editor of The Review. After SAC, Paul attended officer training school at Camp Borden. He earned an Honours BA in modern languages and literature at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Library Sciences at the University of Toronto. During his university years, Paul was a Commissioned Officer in The Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment, Canadian Army (1963-1966). He taught French and Latin at Bishop’s College before starting a nearly 40-year career at Carleton University Library, retiring in 2005. Paul is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, his brother, Les ’60, and another brother and sister.
1961
David Rogers passed away on July 20, 2024, in Cobourg, Ont. He attended SAC from 1955 to 1961 and was a Prefect, a Lieutenant in the Cadet Corps, Macdonald House Editor for The Review, and President of the Debating Society. He played First Football and was on the Track & Field team. David attended St. Peter’s College at the University of Oxford, receiving a degree in economics, followed by a long career working at Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) in Montreal and the Bank of Montreal in Toronto. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; daughters, Emily and Jennifer; and three grandchildren.
1962
John Bell passed away on Jan. 4, 2024, in Orillia, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s College from 1957 to 1958. He pursued a drafting and architecture degree at Toronto Metropolitan University (then Ryerson University) and purchased a small custom furniture business, Pioneer Handcraft, in Severn Bridge, Ont. In nearby Orillia, John fought to save and preserve the now iconic Orillia Opera House. He served as lead on the city’s heritage committee several times. He is survived by his sons, Scott and Andrew; four grandchildren; his brother, David; and his partner, Susanne.
1966
Richard Weston passed away on July 28, 2024, in Ajax, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1963 to 1966 and played First Football, First Basketball, and rugger. Richard was a Cadet Captain, Choir Boy, and a member of the Rifle team. He had several careers in restaurant management before receiving an MBA from Western University and joining Hydro One in management training and human resources. After retiring from Hydro One, Richard started a consulting company, Weston Management Resources, and taught at Fanshawe College and the University of Guelph. Richard is survived by his wife, Gaye; sons, Graham and Stephen; three grandchildren; and his brother, Don ’63. He was predeceased by his brother, Dave.
1971
Mark Jurychuk passed away on July 16, 2024, in Toronto. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1967 to 1971 and played First Football, was on the fencing team, and contributed to The Review. He was awarded the Headmaster’s Medal, the H.E. Goodman Prize for Chemistry, and the Old Boys’ Medal in Mathematics. Mark studied arts and science at the University of Toronto and later received an Executive MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. His career began in advertising in the publishing field and continued in senior sales and marketing positions at DuPont Canada and Invista. Mark is survived by his wife, Helen, and daughter, Christine.
1985
Andrew DePiero passed away on July 14, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1980 to 1985 and was a Prefect, played First Basketball and First Soccer, and was a member of the Debate Society. Andrew attended Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Pennsylvania and received his MD in 1995. He spent his career as a pediatric emergency physician, completing the bulk of his practice at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Florida. Andrew is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughters, Lauren, Rebecca, and Lindsey; and his brother, Steven ’88
2015
Mark Mackey passed away on Aug. 3, 2024, in Ottawa, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s College from 2011 to 2015. He was a Prefect and played First Soccer, First Squash (Captain), and First Rugby. He was a member of the Outreach Committee, an SLG member, and received the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Mark attended the University of Waterloo, where he earned a Bachelor of Applied Science with an Honours in Mechatronics Engineering and played on the university’s soccer team. He had a successful career as a software development engineer at Thales. He continued to play soccer with the Ottawa Falcons. Mark is survived by his parents, Cindy and Glenn; his stepfather, Barry; and his sisters, Stephanie and Jennifer.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Barbara Houlding passed away on Sept. 17, 2024. She lived in Aurora. Barbara was the first female Governor of St. Andrew’s College, serving on the Board from October 1983 until June 1998. She served for several years as the Chair of the Board’s Student Life Committee. Her charitable work started in Newfoundland during the Second World War and continued through her life. She played a founding role in establishing Hospice King and Hill House Hospice, along with serving on the boards of several charities. Barbara is survived by her children, Pam, Scott ’67, Brian ’69, and John ’71 Marshall; 12 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 23 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her son, Stephen, her first husband, Bill Marshall, and her second husband, John Houlding. 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.
