Community News

Shannon Kelly Chris Papalia

has been appointed Director of Human Resources. She came to St. Andrew’s in October 2020 from Pickering College, where she was the human resources manager, a position she held for 14 years. Shannon is a Western University graduate. She has also completed a post-graduate program in human resource management and holds the CHRL designation. Shannon is very familiar with SAC as she was married to Rob ’94 in Memorial Chapel.

Matt MacIsaac

has assumed the reigns of SAC’s Summer School. Chris, who began at SAC in 2012, regularly teaches AP Statistics and Data Management classes. It was also announced this spring that Chris would be taking over as Head of Memorial House in August. He has been Head of Laidlaw House since 2014 and before that was Assistant Head of Sifton House. Chris coaches First Squash and First Baseball, formerly coached First Hockey, co-facilitates the Social Justice Council, and runs the R for Data Visualization Club.

Director of Piping, is in a traditional group, Beòlach, which has been nominated for a JUNO Award in the traditional roots category for its 2020 album, All Hands. The JUNO Awards are Canada’s homegrown version of the Grammy Awards, and the winners will be announced on May 16. The group was also nominated for four East Coast Music Awards (to be announced May 5) and two Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning Instrumental Group of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year. Beòlach is based out of Nova Scotia, where the other three members live, and has been in existence since 1999. Matt plays guitar, pipes, and whistle, and two fiddlers and a keyboardist round out the mix. Matt first learned pipes in 1990 at age 10, developing his piping through various pipe bands in the Maritimes. His guitar playing, in particular, opened musical doors, and he toured with Cape Breton fiddler, Natalie MacMaster, from 2001 to 2009 then from 2013 to 2017, separated by a stint in the military. He began occasionally teaching at St. Andrew’s in 2016 and joined the School full time in the fall of 2019. Though not common knowledge in the School, insiders in the piping world consider Matt one of the best and most talented pipers globally. Though his focus was on the traditional music scene more than the competition circuit, he has achieved and continues to achieve great success when he competes.

By Beth Carter

Sherrill Knight officially began her career at St. Andrew’s College on May 1, 1986.

The previous summer, she spent three weeks in what was then called the Bursar’s Office, helping prepare the annual audit. It was not long after this that the Bursar, Col. Howard Tetlock, offered her the job to begin the following spring.

Sherrill took on her role as the Business Office Manager with the same dedication and work ethic as though it was her own enterprise. In the first half of her career with the School, she had lots of contact with students, arranging their pocket money, transportation needs, and healthcare coverage.

For many years, the Business Office and human resource functions were combined, so Sherrill handled payroll, hiring contracts, benefits, and oversight on financial reporting. She was always intuitive and interested in people, helping employees and supervisors navigate the complicated world of pension, benefits, and performance. She was an early adopter of technology and introduced an innovative financial management system to the School.

I arrived as the Director of Finance in 1998 to a well-oiled machine, with all credit to Sherrill. She became a trusted business associate and a friend who was worthy of everyone’s respect for how she took care of the organization and its people, along with her warm and caring personality.

Her professionalism and strength in dealing with difficult situations were impressive, and she always had time for anyone who needed her assistance and counsel. Many past employees returned to visit, and their first stop was always

to say hello to Sherrill and let her know how they and their families were doing.

Sherrill took on the role of the Director of Human Resources in 2005. In preparation for this expanded role, she obtained her human resources credentials through Seneca College. She was already a natural in dealing compassionately with employees, and she blossomed in her new role while still maintaining many of her finance manager responsibilities.

Sherrill’s job evolved a great deal over the years as St. Andrew’s grew and the Business Office and HR role expanded. A common theme in sentiments shared by employees on her retirement in November 2020 was the patience and genuine care she expressed during their hiring or when they sought help. She was always a true professional with a strong work ethic, and it was my privilege and honour to work with her for many years.

Employees past and present wish Sherrill all the best in retirement and thank her for her friendship, counsel, and insight. >>

Matt, far left, performing with his band in Glasgow, Scotland. Sherrill with her partner, Ian.

By Julie Caspersen

David Kyle left St. Andrew’s College with a colourful lei around his neck and wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt under his winter coat, a taste of the sunny days to come. David was a fixture in the Middle School since 1999. He came to St. Andrew’s as the homeroom teacher for the inaugural Grade 6 class, leaving his teaching job at the Toronto District School Board. Thursday, March 11, was declared David Kyle Day, and the School sent him off in tropical flair; even the Canadian weather cooperated by offering a balmy 19-degree afternoon. The morning chapel gathering was devoted to recounting moments in David’s career at SAC where he was an academic leader, an athlete, a beloved coach, and a true friend. Fellow Middle School teacher, Claudia Rose-Donahoe, referred to David as a “Renaissance man” who served as her mentor during her first days at SAC, straight out of teachers college. “He taught the boys manners, respect, and how to conduct themselves with class and dignity. He pushed for teaching about mental health issues long before it became trendy to do so. He taught about important issues such as poverty and racism in America. David fully understood the role of the English teacher in using the right novel as a platform to teach social justice issues and to generate rich discussion about these important topics,” Claudia says. David coached three teams each year: soccer, basketball, and First Cricket, which won five championships under his leadership, after having only won twice since 1899, as one of the few original team sports at the School. Ben van Eeden ’19 benefitted from the many afternoons, evenings, and weekends he spent with David on the cricket pitch and in the classroom. “He encouraged many of my friends and me to step outside our comfort zones, go for leadership positions, and learn how to motivate ourselves and others – in other words, to grow up,” Ben says. Ryan Cole ’09 recalls the influence David had on him as a student and in his life following St. Andrew’s. “When I first joined the debate team in Grade 6, it was a small group of a half dozen boys. We weren’t very good. But by the time I graduated, Mr. Kyle had grown that small team into a 40-member-strong, unstoppable powerhouse,” Ryan says. “He taught me how to argue and, most importantly, win any argument, much to the dismay of my parents and sister, but a skill that has shaped my life and my career in politics. There is not a day that goes by that I do not use the skills Mr. Kyle taught me.” Ryan described his teacher as “always kind and encouraging” but never hesitating to push his students to do better. Ben agrees: “Mr. Kyle was someone who I came to depend on at SAC, and also a very good friend.” David’s appreciation for music is no secret. Fellow teacher, Scott Lewis, recalls being at David’s house for a birthday party and David sitting down at his piano initiating a sing-along. “He was playing so well that I felt like I was at a concert.” He added that David often played beautifully during services and gatherings in Memorial Chapel and would often perch at the grand piano in Staunton Gallery to the delight of passersby. David is also revered for his composition of Brotherhood of Man, which has become a standard at An Andrean Christmas.

“Rogers Hall will not be the same without our colleague and friend, David Kyle,” says Sabrina D’Angelo, Assistant Head of School, Director of Middle School, Diversity & Inclusion. “His fierce attention to the needs of his students, his ability to push their curiosity and expand their knowledge, and his calm and steady presence will be missed.” X

Ben van Eeden ’19 with David at halloween.