Welcome New Staff
One of the most important tasks a Head of School undertakes is hiring, since if the right people are in front of the classroom, a good result is almost sure to follow. Along with the talented incumbents at the school, with a sense of excitement and pride, I am excited to welcome the new faculty members who will join the school in September.
I am also delighted to tell you that there will be no split classes this fall and here is where our returning faculty will be lining up:
Early Years: Michelle Houseman
JK: Kim Dorken
SK: Liz Miller
Grade 1: Olivia Poirier
Grades 2, 3, 4, 5: please read below about our new teachers!
Grade 6: Rebecca Moss
Grade 7: Olivia Garside
Grade 8: Alanna Stinson
Music: Anne Forgie
French: Darlene Eggleton
PE: Dylan VanDeCappelle
Resource: Alisha VanHaeren
Before & After School: Marnie Bowcott
Administration: Yvonne Mallinson
Custodial: Perry Forgie
Uppermost in families’ minds will be details of how we plan to accommodate the best public health advice around the coronavirus. I am encouraged that the recommendations of the University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children have been adopted by the Ministry of Education, and the cap of 15 students per class matches school policy anyway. We are also fortunate that the square footage of our classrooms, hallways, Oxford Hall and a nine-acre campus give us plenty of space. I will be speaking with colleagues at similar sized independent and public schools over the summer to brainstorm ideas, and as we confirm policies and protocols, we will communicate that in turn.
All of this is to say that we do plan on opening the school on Tuesday, September 8 and running all programming across the board, subject to any modifications we need to make to ensure health and safety of everyone in the building. As a faculty we will be in the school beforehand working on teambuilding, professional development, and health and safety protocols.
I officially take over on August 1, but the school is contactable by phone and email throughout summer so don’t hesitate to reach out; I will be delighted to meet you, since building trust and serving your wonderful children is at the heart of my job.
Best,
Adam de Pencier
Incoming Head of School
New Faculty:
Cristina Wedow: Grade 2
Cristina is a versatile teacher who, plunged into a French Immersion school, taught herself French so that she could in turn teach her students! She has worked in the TVDSB, Hamilton Wentworth Catholic School Board, and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. As well as working across several elementary grades, Cristina has served as a tutor for grades 9-10 at Sir Thomas More in Hamilton as well as a mathematics tutor in grade 3 at St. David’s Elementary School, also in Hamilton.
Cristina graduated from Brock University with a B.A. (Honours) in Child and Youth Studies from Brock University as well as her B.Ed., also from Brock. Cristina’s references cited her creative approach in the classroom, as well has high standards of deportment.
Over the past eight years as an educator, Cristina has enjoyed learning just as much as teaching: working out, running, and dabbling in various types of cooking and baking towards healthy eating are all important to her. Cristina is a strong believer in the mind body connection and encourages mindfulness and movement throughout her teaching days. Cristina is also family oriented and has dedicated herself to her two children over the past three years.
Along with Cristina, we look forward to welcoming her three- year old daughter Cecilia in September to our Early Years.
Bailey Thibodeau: Grade 3
Woodstock native Bailey Thibodeau will be our grade 3 teacher this fall. A graduate of Woodstock Collegiate Institute, Bailey has worked for Theatre Woodstock for the past four years as a choreographer, all while teaching full time at Mooredale Preschool in Toronto, an excellent independent school in the downtown. Bailey graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from York University, and completed her B.Ed. at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology with distinction, graduating in the top 10% of her class.
A teacher of both ballet and modern dance, Bailey also has wide range of experience as a program director for children from ages 4-12 and has been counted on for many details in her present school. Bailey has a love for crafts, learning, kindness, and her sweet French Bulldog, Pickle. She is thrilled to be joining the Oxford School family this fall.
Bailey’s references were effusive about her intelligence, empathy and indefatigable work ethic; our families will see the same this coming school year.
Molly Harrington: Grade 4
A native New Yorker, Molly attended The Hewitt School in Manhattan, one of the leading schools in the city. From there she moved to Montreal, which she now calls home, and graduated from McGill University with an Honours B.A. in history. Last month, Molly completed teachers’ college with an M.A. in teaching from Boston University.
Molly worked for a year at Saint Albans School, also in Manhattan, and was offered a full time position afterwards which she declined in order to pursue her teacher training; the Headmaster at this excellent elementary school said that Molly was a compelling teacher across all grades, and took on after school activities including all art in the school and producing a grade 4-8 production of Romeo and Juliet.
Molly is also a decorated scholar and served as TA for a masters level research course where she regularly graded up to three hundred student papers.
Molly is an avid reader and especially likes books on history. She also likes to travel and visit the places she reads about. Molly plays squash and once played in the longest match in her high school leagues history.
Brett Profit: Grade 5
Brett Profit joins the school this fall as our new Grade 5 teacher; no stranger to the school, Brett was our "go-to” supply teacher on several occasions, and delighted his students and colleagues alike with his meticulous preparation, warm and engaging personality, and cheerful approach in the classroom. Brett grew up in Canora, Saskatchewan and after high school moved further West for University, graduating from the University of Victoria in 2018 with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in physical and health education and social studies. An elite athlete, Brett played for the University of Victoria Vikes hockey team.
After some years in the Oil and Gas industry in Saskatchewan, Brett has been working as an independent contractor for online education in China as well as working in schools both in the Woodstock and Victoria, BC area. Brett has a commitment to giving back to the communities he has been a part of, including Ronald McDonald House in London and volunteering as a hockey and basketball coach in SK and BC.
Brett is engaged to be married to Melissa this fall, and looks forward to beginning his Oxford School career.