Lakefield Grads Just Keep Coming Back!

Every year in June, we welcome another group of students into the Lakefield College School alumni community. For some, their connection to The Grove remains (physically) closer than others. We are so lucky to have 17 alumni on staff this year to share their love and passion for The Grove with our 425 students.

Our favourite part about having so many alumni on staff? The joy they express when they experience longstanding Lakefield traditions from a different point of view. It’s also amazing to see and hear about the friendships they formed in Grades 9 through 12 continuing to flourish years—sometimes decades—after graduation. 

Here are a few of their favourite things about LCS:

Devon Cole ’14, Associate Faculty: Ondaatje House

Elliott Exton ’11, Head of Rashleigh House, Science Teacher

Brendan Fell ’04, Guidance Administrator

Jess Hart ’97, Associate Director of Admissions: Day Students, Advisor
“I only had one year here as a student and knew right away I needed more LCS in my life. I came back because I knew being a student was just the beginning of a lifelong love of LCS.”

Rhiannon Gilbart ’12, Director of Houses, Associate Faculty Team Leader, Advisor

Janice Greenshields ’03, Assistant Head: Sustainability

Jen Horrigan ’99, Coordinator of International Students and Travel
“My favourite thing about LCS is the traditions. Whether it is favourite songs in the chapel or favourite days like Ted Pope Day or Regatta Day, the fact that there are favourites that get passed on from senior students to new students and even between generations of students is special. These are the things that when you get together at alumni events, everyone shares stories about. My favourite part of being back at LCS as a staff member is getting to experience these traditions all over again and watch as new ones are created knowing that the memories our students are creating will last forever.”

Andrew Johnston ’95, Outdoor Education Teacher, Advisor

Ryan Lind ’15, Associate Faculty: Cooper House
“My favourite thing about LCS is connecting with nature. Our beautiful campus is surrounded by forests and I feel closely connected with nature living here. I love forest bathing and spending time in the woods, and this year I have spent most of my days on the water either in a coach boat/pontoon boat or a canoe, and I couldn’t be happier about it!”

Sarah Mayo ’16, Associate Faculty: Grove House
"My favorite thing about returning to LCS is how welcoming and helpful the returning staff have been in my transition to becoming an Associate Faculty member. The care they had for me as a student has carried on even though it has been so many years, and it comes naturally for them to go above and beyond for others. This is something that makes Lakefield truly special."

Mary-Anne Reid ’04, Director: LCS Summer Academy
“My favourite part about returning to LCS as a staff member is getting to be a part of this wonderful and diverse community and, of course, being back on the beautiful LCS campus.”

Nicolas Small '18, Associate Faculty: Ryder House

Shane Smyth ’96, Associate Head: Strategy
"As an alumnus, it's incredibly satisfying to have the opportunity to work for a cause that I care about so deeply. The school played an instrumental role in shaping me into the person I am today, and so it's such a privilege to be able to contribute to the school's continued advancement as a member of staff." 

Maggie Thompson ’16, Associate Faculty: Parent House
“I am so humbled and excited to be welcomed back to The Grove, this time as an Associate Faculty member! I am happy to say my time as a student here shaped me greatly in ways that allow me to appreciate the outdoors, build lasting confidence, and life-long friendships. I am grateful to pass forward these sentiments of the Grove.”

Sarah Thompson ’06, English and Modern Languages Teacher, Advisor

Leslie Vander Doelen ’06, Associate Director of Admissions