A History that Lives in the Heart of Our Community
For more than a century, Lakefield was a boys’ school — yet women have always been at the heart of The Grove.
Long before girls walked our pathways, women shaped the culture, spirit, and direction of Lakefield College School. They taught, mentored, nurtured, led, and held the rhythms of daily life together. They modelled compassion, courage, and service — and passed those values on to generations of students.
Since becoming fully co-ed in 1989, Lakefield has continued to be strengthened by the leadership and contributions of countless remarkable women. Their stories live in every corner of our campus and in the lives of alumni around the world.
What follows is a small tribute to the women whose gifts of time, talent, and spirit helped build The Grove — and continue to move it forward.
Sue Hadden
Beloved Advisor and Grove Matriarch
Sue Hadden
Beloved Advisor and Grove Matriarch
Sue Guest
Teacher, Theatre Enthusiast, and Early Grove Trailblazer
Sue Guest
Teacher, Theatre Enthusiast, and Early Grove Trailblazer
Janet Ryder Watson
Alumni Parent and Member of a Legacy Family
Janet Ryder Watson
Alumni Parent and Member of a Legacy Family
Dr. Heather Avery
Educator, Leader, and Builder of Community
Dr. Heather Avery
Educator, Leader, and Builder of Community
Florence Gill Mackenzie Ryder
A Grove Legacy
Florence Gill Mackenzie Ryder
A Grove Legacy
Sarah McMahon
First Female Head of School
Sarah McMahon
First Female Head of School
Jan Matthews
First Female Head of House – Susanna Moodie House
Vera Wilcox
A Beacon of Leadership and Compassion at Lakefield College School
Vera Wilcox
A Beacon of Leadership and Compassion at Lakefield College School
Nancy Smith
A Strategic Visionary and Dedicated Advocate for Lakefield College School
Nancy Smith
A Strategic Visionary and Dedicated Advocate for Lakefield College School
Gretchen Ross
A Lifelong Advocate for Lakefield College School and The Arts
Gretchen Ross
A Lifelong Advocate for Lakefield College School and The Arts
Gretchen Ross
A Dedication of Service to Lakefield College School
Gretchen Ross
A Dedication of Service to Lakefield College School
Sherife Macdonald
School’s Co-Founder
Sherife Macdonald
School’s Co-Founder
Helen Mackenzie
Wife of Headmaster A.W. Mackenzie
Helen Mackenzie
Wife of Headmaster A.W. Mackenzie
Miss Olive M. Perry
Matron (“The Boss”)
Miss Olive M. Perry
Matron (“The Boss”)
Helen Winifred Lampman
Lakefield Preparatory School’s “First Co-Ed Student”
Helen Winifred Lampman
Lakefield Preparatory School’s “First Co-Ed Student”
Jean Ketchum
Schoolmaster’s Wife
Jean Ketchum
Schoolmaster’s Wife
Goodith Heeney
Community Leader
Goodith Heeney
Community Leader
Katie Brown
Teacher, Mentor to The Grove’s First Female Students; LCS Community Organizer
Katie Brown
Teacher, Mentor to The Grove’s First Female Students; LCS Community Organizer
Dr. Rosalind Barker
Teacher of the First Rank, Mentor and Role Model for Students and Colleagues Alike
Dr. Rosalind Barker
Teacher of the First Rank, Mentor and Role Model for Students and Colleagues Alike
Marilynn Booth
First Female Board Chair
Marilynn Booth
First Female Board Chair
Our Rhodes Scholar Alumnae
Four Lakefield alumnae have earned Rhodes Scholarships — one of the world’s most prestigious international academic honours.
Dr. Allie Binnie '93
Dr. Allie Binnie '93
During her two years at Lakefield College School, Allie Binnie '93 was recognized as a gifted athlete, a champion debater, an accomplished actress, and an outstanding student. Upon graduation, she received a prestigious scholarship from the University of Toronto where she completed her four-year undergraduate degree in the Department of Immunology specialist program. After becoming a Rhodes Scholar in 1997, she completed a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology.
Dr. Hélène Deacon ’95
Dr. Hélène Deacon ’95
An energetic leader, Hélène made tremendous contributions to The Grove in academics, sports, co-curricular activities, and through community service. She pursued the sciences at the University of King’s College and Dalhousie, completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Prince Edward Island. With her 1999 Rhodes Scholarship, Hélène completed her doctoral degree in Experimental Psychology.
Erin Freeland Ballantyne ’99
Erin Freeland Ballantyne ’99
Student trustee, competitive Nordic skier, documentary filmmaker, and community activist, Erin filled the halls of The Grove with her energy and enthusiasm. She continued on to McGill University to complete an honours degree in international development studies and medical anthropology. Upon receiving the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in 2005, Erin pursued a Masters of Science in Nature, Society, and Environmental Policy and has been a pioneer in transformational land-based education in the North.
Dr. Kim Rutherford '01
Dr. Kim Rutherford '01
Kim spent five years at Lakefield College School distinguishing herself as a top scholar, keen athlete, and committed community volunteer. She completed her undergraduate career at Dalhousie University with an honours degree in microbiology/immunology and mathematics, and received the University Medal for the highest academic standing in her major. After applying for her Rhodes Scholarship in 2006 towards the Global Health Sciences Masters Program, Kim attended medical school at McMaster University.
