Introducing: New Faculty and Staff for 2022-23

As we begin a new school year at St. Michael’s College School (SMCS), we welcome each of our new faculty and staff members to the SMCS community.

New Faculty

	Pat Daly – Principal Mr. Daly joins SMCS as its 31st principal, bringing with him 33 years as a Catholic educator, with more than 22 years of diverse leadership experience. He began his career in 1989 as a secondary school teacher with Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB), and for the next 25 years, he was promoted to a variety of roles of progressive responsibility, including department head, secondary school vice principal, and secondary school principal. In 2015, Mr. Daly was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Education for Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, and in 2018 returned to the HCDSB as Director of Education.
	Patrick Gamble – Religion Teacher With his commitment to Catholic education and Catholic social teachings, Mr. Gamble is resolved to teach and coach youth in a school like SMCS. Mr. Gamble has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. He has taught with the HCDSB and assisted co-curricular programmes of lacrosse, volleyball, and student council. Leading up to becoming a teacher, Mr. Gamble worked with various camps in the towns of Milton and Oakville, coordinating inclusion programmes for campers who need assistance with behaviour management plans.
	Andrew Kos – Civics and Core English Teacher Mr. Kos completed his Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology and his Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto. He was a guest teacher at SMCS last year and completed one of his practicum requirements with the school. Among other accomplishments, on the volleyball court, he was the head coach of the Junior National Team with Volleyball Canada in 2021, and is looking forward to teaching and coaching SMCS students.

New Staff

	Chantal Da Cruz – Administrative Assistant – Main Office Ms. Da Cruz started in her role as Administrative Assistant in the Main Office in February 2022.
	Neal Sukhraj – Employee Relations Advisor Mr. Sukhraj has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Guelph, completed his Human Resources Management certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University, and has his Canadian Certified Logistics Professional Designation. Prior to this role, Mr. Sukhraj worked in the human resources field for over nine years in the distribution and auto sectors. He practices martial arts and enjoys spending time with his family.
	Romil Thakkar – IT Helpdesk Support Mr. Thakkar started with the school in September 2021 and became employed in his current role as IT Helpdesk Support in November 2021.
	Salahuddin Ahmed – IT Department Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed joined the IT Department in September 2022 on a short-term basis to assist the team with IT information systems and security.
	Abhishek Kaira – Staff Accountant Mr. Kaira joined the Finance Department as the new Staff Accountant. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Delhi University and two graduate certificates from Seneca College; one in Global Hospitality Operations and another in International Business Management. He has worked in accounting for more than five years, in hospitality and manufacturing.
	Angie Venosa – Administrative Assistant – Main Office Ms. Venosa will be joining the Main Office team as an Administrative Assistant at the end of September. She has a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a Law Clerk Diploma from Seneca College. She worked for over nine years with a law firm in Toronto as a Clerk, and then as a Legal Administrative Assistant. You will find her working alongside Ms. Da Cruz in the Main Office.
	Sergio Baksh – Arena Operator Mr. Baksh has joined the Arena team to continue to keep the operation of the arena running as smoothly as possible. Mr. Baksh has a background working in several arenas over his career and has also worked in the Toronto film industry as well.

Returning Faculty

	Liat Benzacar – Student Wellness Officer Ms. Benzacar returns from her maternity leave to her role as the school’s Student Wellness Officer.
	Samantha McDonald – Art and Core Teacher Mrs. McDonald returns from her maternity leave to teach Visual Art and Core.

Current Staff with New Roles

	Annette Agbontaen – Mporium Manager and Buyer Ms. Agbontaen moved to her new role as the Mporium Manager and Buyer in July 2022. She has worked for the school since 2018 as an Administrative Assistant in the Main Office.
	Claudio Cordoni – IT and Innovation Manager After three and a half years serving the SMCS IT team as the IT Systems Administrator, Mr. Cordoni has been promoted to the position of IT and Innovation Manager.
	Shane Scott – Arena Manager With 22 years as part of the school’s arena staff, Mr. Scott takes over for the long-serving Rob Tunney ’81 as Arena Manager.
	Daniel Blaik – Vice Principal-Dean of Students During the summer of 2022, Mr. Blaik assumed the title of Vice Principal – Dean of Students.
	Deacon Robert Tunney ’81 Rob Tunney will be assisting Andrew Kiel, Coordinator of Spiritual Life on a part-time basis to assist with Masses and other Spiritual Life activities.