







Ashbury College acknowledges that its campus is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinàbe Omàmìwininì Algonquin Nation, whose presence here dates back to time immemorial.
Nous reconnaissons les membres de la Nation Algonquine Anishinàbe Omàmìwininì comme gardiens et défenseurs traditionnels du bassin hydrographique de la rivière des Outaouais et de ses affluents. Nous rendons hommage à leur longue tradition et à leur constante protection de cette terre, ainsi qu’à leur rôle dans la sauvegarde de ce beau territoire.
Nigìkenindànànàn kìbi ànimiziwàdj kaye kì mino pagidinigewàdj ogog kakina Màyàmindji Nitam Pemàdizidjig, Àbitawizìg, kaye Àshkìmeg eyediwehì enigokwàg iyo Mikinàk Minitig. Niga pàjigwàdizimin kidji kikenindamokìyàng kàbi Awakàzodjig ogog kà abidjig kikinàmàdinànikàng, ashidj niga mino wìdjikiwemànànig ogog Màyàmindji Nitam Pemàdizidjig ondaje wàkàhì.
In 1891, the same year Ashbury College was established, James Naismith invented the game of basketball. A native of Almonte in the Ottawa Valley, Naismith earned a degree in Physical Education from McGill University before taking a job at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. Winters in New England were not much warmer than those in Ottawa, and Naismith wanted to create an indoor sport that would help young people stay fit during the cold months. He established 13 rules and affixed peach baskets to the walls of a small gymnasium—thus, basketball was born.
Ashbury College has a rich history of sports, which dates back to the earliest years of the school. Sport and school life have always been intertwined at Ashbury, and many alumni fondly recount stories of championships won or victories narrowly missed. They remember the talent, grit, and effort of their teammates, as well as the character and sportsmanship displayed on and off the field. While our playing fields have been the site of many memorable moments, sports off-site—at pools, tracks, and trails—have also been important venues where Ashburians showcase their talents.
Our gymnasia also have a storied past. Before the First World War, the school’s gymnasium was a large, uninsulated room at the back of the building—quite similar to the space Naismith would have used, with peach baskets and all. After the war, the Memorial Gymnasium was built to honour those Ashburians who sacrificed their lives in the conflict. It was officially opened on June 11, 1924, by Governor General Baron Byng of Vimy, who had led the Canadian forces at Vimy Ridge. This gym served the school until September 1985, when what is now known as the Anderson Gym was opened. It is named after Mr. Ray Anderson, who served as athletic director for 38 years. Finally, in 2004, the double gymnasium was opened, and in 2021, it was named le Gymnase Benloulou in recognition of the generous support from M. Olivier Benloulou. His contribution ensured that our facilities remain stateof-the-art while honouring our athletic history.
Every day at Ashbury, sport seems to bookend the school day, and I am always delighted to see Ashburians take their athletic pursuits to new heights—whether at university, in clubs, professionally, or recreationally. They truly embody the spirit of “sport for life – le sport pour la vie.”
Probitas, Virtus, Comitas,
Norman Southward Head of School — Directeur
ASHBURY COLLEGE’S HISTORY OF SPORTING EXCELLENCE DATES TO ITS FOUNDING.
As one of the leading independent schools in Canada, Ashbury has consistently emphasized the importance of physical fitness and teamwork. From its early years to today, the school’s sporting legacy has left an indelible mark on the sports community, locally and beyond, and continues to inspire generations of athletes.
Since its founding in 1891, Ashbury College has placed a strong emphasis on fitness and physical activity; early athletic endeavours were limited only by the school’s physical location, not by lack of will or enthusiasm. Ashbury’s first iteration, “Mr. Woollcombe’s School”, of 17 boys from 8 to 14, was only a single room in Victoria Chambers on the corner of O’Connor and Wellington. Instruction focused on English, Classics, Mathematics, and French. Despite the lack of a schoolyard, physical activity was part of daily activity in games such as Leapfrog at recess in front of the West Block (German, 1991). The silver cup pictured here was awarded for egg and spoon races and recognized the commitment to physical activity. Young boys in their
blue and white caps racing with such precious cargo were the seed of athletics at Ashbury.
By 1894, with 47 students, the school had run out of space and moved nearby to 186 Wellington Street. With only a tiny backyard barely suited to calisthenics, the boys ran daily around Parliament Hill. Access to a skating rink on Sparks Street added to the physical fitness regime. Things started to change for Ashbury in 1900 when the school moved to a new
building on Argyle Street, complete with a gymnasium. From that point forward, Ashbury would be the home of athletes–hockey, cricket, football, gymnastics, and calisthenics would be part of the Ashbury experience (German, 1991). We had begun our rich history of interscholastic competition, a legacy that continues today, earning a reputation for skill, determination, and fair play.
In the fall of 1910, Ashbury moved to its present-day Rockcliffe home –a 10-acre property of unbounded athletic possibilities. By Christmas of that year, there were 115 students on this new campus, which included a gymnasium and an indoor rifle range. (German, 1991) The rifle range was a crucial resource for the Ashbury Cadet Corp, and they used it to develop skills that earned them national
recognition. Over many years, track and field competitions (known then as “athletics”), tennis, and baketball were added to fooball, hockey, and cricket. The Ashbury Cadet Corps was instrumental in physical training, and many of its members also competed in the annual gymnastics competitions and later became members of the school gymnastics teams. Displays of gymnastic “stunts” were part of annual Cadet inspections and closing events for many years. Ashbury students were even known to partake in ski jumping at the long-defunct Rockcliffe ski jump.
With the opening of the Memorial Wing and its new, more extensive gymnasium in the spring of 1924, the range of sporting activities open to students expanded even further. In the winter of 1924-1925, the community
of students, parents, and other notables was entertained in the new gym by a doubles badminton game played by athletes of some skill, including the Canadian Doubles Champions. From there, badminton became popular for students, and the wider Ashbury community was invited to use the gym (The Ashburian, Summer 1925). Opportunities continued to expand as winter hockey rinks and summer tennis courts proliferated on the grounds, and the school invited talented athletes from outside the school to coach some of their competitive teams. One such coach was C. B. “Tiny” Hermann, a celebrated Canadian athlete who played for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1933 to 1940 and coached the first (varsity) football team through several successful seasons in the 1950s.
Hermann was inducted into both the Nova Scotia and Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.
Schoolwide from 1923 until 1959, there was an active boxing club, and the annual year-end tournament was widely anticipated in the community. In the Ashburian, Summer of 1925 edition, it was reported that “…the school boxing, if remarkable rather for enthusiasm than for skill, has certainly improved”. The report continues by recounting the outcome of the senior heavyweight battles as follows: “The Senior Heavyweight, in contrast, was thoroughly strenuous and bloody. Fauquier beat Higgins, the bout being stopped when Higgins was nearly out, and MacLaren did the same to Mayburry, though in the first round, it was nearly the other way about...” In 1957, Stephen Woollcombe, captain
of the school that year, was the celebrated heavyweight champion. The sport had its detractors over the years, including the founder, G. P. Woollcombe, who had never liked it, and particularly parents and school doctors who had to treat the inevitable injuries. (German, 1991) Boxing was discontinued after 1959, though revived briefly in the Junior School in 1961.
Over the years, Ashbury College has produced many outstanding athletes who were honoured with school trophies and cups and went on to excel in post-secondary sports and other endeavours. One such notable was James Symington ’33, who was killed in action by a land mine on May 6, 1945. In a Montreal Star article published May 15, 1945, Symington’s athleticism was highlighted: “An outstanding athlete, he was a fine cricketer, having knocked up a ‘century’ at the wickets, and was a
footballer, hockey player and boxer. On graduation, he won 11 cups for his athletic prowess.” His achievements at Ashbury cover an entire page and include, among other awards, both the cricket batting and bowling trophies in his graduation year. The Ashburian published in 1947 is dedicated to him.
Some of Ashbury’s most distinguished alumni continue to make their mark in the world of sports. Bob Berry, class of ’55, was a standout in both football and hockey during his time at Ashbury. His impressive athletic journey led him to the NHL, where he showcased his skills as a left winger for eight seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings, from 1968 to 1977. Berry earned the honour of participating in two NHL All-Star Games, a tribute to his talent on the ice. Beyond his playing career, he transitioned to coaching, leading teams like the Kings, Canadiens,
Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues from 1978 to 1994. Now at 81, Bob remains an influential figure in hockey as a professional scout for the Chicago Blackhawks, adding to his scouting experience with the Kings, Blues, and Senators.
No survey of the history of sport at Ashbury College would be complete without a few words about former teacher and Cadet leader Ray Anderson, who was at Ashbury from 1954 until his retirement in 1991, for whom the Anderson Gym is named. His longtime dedication to the school embodied the spirit of sport at Ashbury and created a legacy of sportsmanship and excellence that persists today. From his arrival, Ray took on physical training for the entire school, immediately assuming the soccer coach position and gradually taking on the coaching role for many more school teams, including
basketball, boxing, gymnastics, tennis, and track and field. He coordinated all sports for the school, and under his guidance and leadership, the school’s “first” teams enjoyed some remarkable successes. On his departure from
Cadets in 1964, the Corps presented him with a commemorative silver platter, and on his retirement from teaching at the end of the school’s centennial year, he was honoured with a photographic collage documenting his time here. Ray has maintained his connection to Ashbury postretirement and most recently attended an Old Boys’ reception at the school in August 2024.
More recently, Ashbury continues to compete and achieve laudable results in a multitude of sports, including field hockey, football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross-country running, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, swimming, badminton, tennis, golf, alpine and Nordic skiing. Moreover, Ashbury continues its legacy of producing high-caliber athletes at the university, national, and professional levels. Recent examples of athletes who have gone on to compete at a high level postsecondary include Jean Pierre-Charles ’11 (basketball), Noah Kirkwood ’17 (basketball), Sharelle Samuel ’18 (track), Luke Allan ’21 (Nordic skiing), Emily Amano ’18 (soccer), and there are numerous others. The school has continually invested in its athletic facilities and coaching and athletics staff who have played a pivotal role in nurturing the talents of young athletes and instilling in them the values of discipline and sportsmanship.
The rich history of sports at Ashbury College is a testament to the enduring significance of athletics in shaping the school’s identity and fostering a strong sense of community. From its humble beginnings to its current standing as a key competitor in school sports across the city, provincially, and nationally through the CAIS network, Ashbury’s sporting legacy reflects its students’ and staff’s dedication, passion, and talent. As Ashbury College looks to the future, its commitment to sports remains unwavering. The school continues to prioritize physical education and fitness and maintains a robust athletics program that caters to a wide range of interests and skill levels. Whether through intramural leagues, competitive teams, or recreational activities, the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy competition permeates the school community, contributing to the holistic development of its students. Ashbury will undoubtedly continue to build on its legacy, inspiring future generations to embrace the values that have defined Ashbury’s athletic tradition for over a century.
OLYMPIC SPRINT KAYAK
GRADES AT ASHBURY: 4-12 (Lifer)
SPORTS PLAYED AT/FOR ASHBURY: discus, shot put, soccer, basketball, rugby, volleyball
SPORTS PLAYED OUTSIDE OF ASHBURY: sprint canoe, kayak
CURRENT UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION/OCCUPATION:
University of Ottawa Faculty of MedicineTranslational and Molecular Medicine
MAJOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS AT ASHBURY: OFSSA for discus 2 years in a row, finalist
MAJOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE OF ASHBURY: Olympian 2024, bronze medalist at the 2019 and 2021 Jr. World Championships and at the 2022 Sr. World Championships, silver medalist at Pan American Games 2023 Santiago, Chile
PRO RUGBY
GRADES AT ASHBURY: 11 & 12
SPORTS PLAYED AT/FOR ASHBURY: rugby, football, track & field (javelin)
SPORTS PLAYED OUTSIDE OF ASHBURY: volleyball, rugby, basketball, hockey
CURRENT UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION/OCCUPATION: graduated from McGill University ’22–Psychology and Sociology; currently playing professional rugby for the Vancouver Highlanders
GRADES AT ASHBURY: 4-12 (Lifer)
SPORTS PLAYED AT/FOR ASHBURY: field hockey, ice hockey, soccer, volleyball
SPORTS PLAYED OUTSIDE OF ASHBURY: golf, ice hockey, soccer
CURRENT UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION/OCCUPATION:
Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU)–Business Administration specializing in accounting
MAJOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS AT ASHBURY: captain of volleyball and field hockey, MVP of
MAJOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS AT ASHBURY: 2-time Rugby City Champions, back-to-back Alexander House wins (as prefect)
MAJOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE OF ASHBURY: getting signed to a professional rugby contract, Canadian national development team captain (Pacific Pride), 1st-team all-star with McGill (RSEQ), 2-time 2nd-team all-star with McGill (RSEQ), McGill intramural dodgeball champion ;)
volleyball, Ashbury Athlete Award for playing 3 terms of competitive sport for all 4 years of high school
MAJOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE OF
ASHBURY: provincial gold and bronze medalist, 4 individual tournament wins (3 this season), participated for Team Canada in the FISU World University Championship for Golf, 3-time Athlete of the Week at WLU, OUA 1st-team all-star twice
Can you tell us about your background and how you got into your sport?
I grew up in the Mooney’s Bay area, about two streets from the Rideau Canoe Club, the main canoe club in Ottawa. When I was about six years old, it was very easy for my parents to say, ‘You can bike there, you can walk there, you can scooter there!’ It was very easy and accessible. Both my parents worked. The club provided an awesome day program from the beginning of July until I started school in the fall. It was super easy. It’s there that I messed around the boats. I grew up doing many different sports like soccer, swimming, downhill skiing—anything you could imagine. A lot of that was from school. I went to Ashbury in Grade 4 and was there until Grade 12, where there were a lot of sports. It was in about Grade 8 that I stopped doing intense school sports, and I transitioned into full-time, allyear training at the Rideau Canoe Club.
I decided to do kayak because I got some really impressive provincial results. I had won the provincials that year in both canoe and kayak, but I decided I liked the kayak more and stayed with it. When I was 14, I won more medals at provincials—I think eight golds. We have so many events! I was still doing canoeing and kayaking at that time, but when I was 15, I made my first Team Canada appearance for a developmental regatta called Olympic Hopes. They created this regatta for anybody from 14 to
17 who is an Olympic hopeful. I competed in Poland in the fall of 2020, and the next year, I made Junior Worlds, which is for juniors under 18. I made it as a 16-year-old, which is an impressive feat. I was in the top five in the country in the 200-metre distance. Sprinting is my thing—I love it. But they took away that event from the Olympics, which really sucks!
In 2019, I won a medal in the Women’s K4-500 metres with one of the teammates I grew up with here and two other athletes, one from Ontario and the other from Nova Scotia. That was the first medal anybody from Team Canada had won in a junior women’s K4 race since probably the 70s. So, it was a huge deal for us to be Team Canada on the podium for women’s K4, which I ended up competing in at the Olympics this year.
Being online for school during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed me to train in Halifax at our National Training Centre, which was super helpful. I had access to a ton of resources and training out there, and my national team coach was there. I trained with the national team extensively, which helped integrate me into their program. It allowed me to work with a group of older athletes training at a higher level.
I started university in the fall of 2021, and in the spring of 2022, we were still fully online, so I could go away and train in California, now our designated training spot. I was
paired with one of our older athletes on the team. She’s 30 years old so we’re almost 11 years different in age. We won a medal in 2022 at the Senior Worlds and then went to the U23 Worlds right afterwards.
In 2023, we qualified the boat for Paris at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Duisburg, Germany. The qualification post is for the Olympics; you qualify for the spots in the boat, you don’t qualify yourself. Those spots qualified from September 2023 until this June. We didn’t know who was going to be in the boat. Last November, I competed at the Pan Am Games and came second in K4. I just continued training and spent January to April in California, doing school online as best I could while we waited to find out.
Tell us about your sports experience at Ashbury.
When I got into Senior School, Mr. Landon came up to me and said, ‘You’re good at throwing (in Junior School, for our track and field day, we threw a softball for one of our events, and he heard that I was good at it.) Can you throw a disc for me, please?’ (I started with the shot put, but I didn’t like it.) So, I started throwing a disc. I would spend my lunch hours on the field in the spring for two months, throwing a disc. I ended up going to OFFSA. It was just kind of nice to do something different, a little break. There was no performance pressure on it. Even though I didn’t get to compete for the school in my last two years (because I was training), I would just go in and say hi to the Phys. Ed. department— Mr. Landon and Ms. Holman are pretty awesome people. It was nice to be a part of that. Ashbury was so accommodating of my training. I would leave school early every single day. Thank you, Mr. Godkin, for letting that happen. The school also provided
me with support—the Bob Grey Memorial Bursary—for the last two years of my education, which was very helpful because while I was away training, those costs were high, as was my schooling.
How do you manage to balance school and training?
It’s going to teach you the skills that you are going to want (…) anywhere you want to go in school or life.”
I started university in Biomedical Science and just transitioned to Translational and Molecular Medicine, which is part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. It is a program for the last two years of your undergraduate degree where you transition into a research focus after two years of studying whatever science. There is a big lab component. So many people on my team did not continue their schooling when training for the Olympics. Many Olympians take eight years to finish their undergraduate degree. But I put a lot of emphasis on school. I think that’s because, at Ashbury, you’re expected to perform well academically but are also encouraged to do extracurricular activities. Balancing those competing priorities teaches you how to manage your time well, and you learn how important communication is.
What is the next step for you after the Olympics?
It’s a crazy spot to be in. I will 100% admit that. What do you do after coming back from something you have worked for your entire life, right? You do it, and you’re like, ‘OK, well, what’s next?’ I’m still a U23 athlete, so my goal for next season and the season after is to win medals at the U23 level. My goal is to have some more podium performances. I think it’s an opportunity to hone one event individually, not in a K4 like I have been.
What have been some of your most memorable moments during your athletic career?
I’ll preface my answer by saying that going to the Olympics was awesome! But the Olympics teaches you the value of the journey and all the steps it took to get there. The most memorable moment was in 2022 when I won a medal at the Senior Worlds because it was in Halifax, and I had all my friends and their families standing right in front of the podium. I was bawling because some of my closest friends, who I had grown up with and who had seen me through every achievement I’ve been a part of, were there. I think about the experience of winning that medal and what it meant for the team, what it meant for the people I had grown up with, and how they were there to support me..
What legacy do you want to leave for future Ashburians? What advice would you give them?
I would tell them to just go to the PE office and ask them to put you in a sport. Just pick one out of a hat. Doing a sport alongside your academics takes dedication. It takes a time commitment, but it’s going to teach you the skills that you are going to want in whatever career you pursue, whether it’s medicine, whether it’s communications, whether it’s business or entrepreneurship—anywhere you want to go in school or life, it teaches you so many fundamental skills about: one, being a good performer; two, being a good
academic; three, being a good person; and four, interpersonal skills. All of these are developed so greatly by being a part of a team; besides that, it’s really fun! It has been scientifically proven that it is good for you to get out of the classroom, get onto the field, get in a boat, ride a bike, go to the gym, throw a disc, whatever it is, whatever makes you happy. It’s going to make your day better. It’s going to offer you another community to be part of!
We’re seeking alumni athletes for the Ashbury Athletics Hall of Fame . If you or a classmate have excelled in sports—amateur, collegiate, or beyond—please send us your nominations, including the sport and level achieved. We would also love to see photos that capture our alumni’s athletic journey !
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How did you get into your sport?
My dad played rugby in college, and then I was lucky enough that in the small town that I grew up in, in the suburbs of the West Island of Montreal, a man named Keith Matthews started a junior program at the Beaconsfield Rugby Club. And so, unlike many people who play rugby, I started playing at the tender age of six. They usually join after high school or play rugby after they stop playing football; it’s not often that people play from such a young age.
I have played hockey since I was three—I could skate before I could walk—but rugby was always my summer sport. Hockey is a three-season sport, and I would play rugby in the summertime, and then I kept playing in high school. I went to Royal West Academy in Montreal West and had a great team there. Then, I went to Ashbury for two years— the two best years of high school in my life!
told Mr. Middleton that one of his rugby players did not know how to write an essay (and I thought I wrote a good essay, but I didn’t). He sat down with me after school for two weeks straight and taught me exactly how to write a university-level paper, and I never scored under an A minus, not even at McGill, on any paper I wrote, regardless of the subject. He also looked out for us outside of the rugby field and made us really feel like a family. He still reaches out to me anytime he sees an update on Facebook.
No matter how good you are and no matter how much weight you put on yourself, other people want to help you with that weight”
Mr. Beltran also influenced me outside and inside rugby—he influenced me to enjoy it and be happy. With the biggest smile, he let me know there is so much good in the world. I was already lucky because I was outside on a beautiful field, enjoying practice in Ottawa. He made me feel like everything was already going for me; anything else was just extra!
When I got to McGill, the team was pretty good, but I happened to show up with a couple of other rookie guys who were very good, and we took the program to new heights—four years later, we were the second-best team in Canada.
How did your Ashbury coaches and teammates influence your development as an athlete?
Mr. Middleton not only influenced my development as an athlete but as a person and as a student. When I arrived at Ashbury, I didn’t know how to write a proper essay. I didn’t know what a thesis was. I didn’t know that I had to create body paragraphs. We had a test in history, and Ms. Novick
There are just too many influential teammates to mention; some of my best friends are people I played sports with at Ashbury. I remember being at OFSSA; we had just won a game, and I was pretty sure one of my ribs was broken. I remember being on the bus, going home, and my good friend, Kaniz Williams ’18, just putting his arm around me. I just started crying because I was holding in all this pain, and I was trying to support the team and be a leader. He let me know that I wasn’t alone and that I could lean on him. That was a truly unforgettable moment in my life because it taught me that in team sports, no matter how good you are and no matter how much weight you put on yourself, other people want to help you with that weight,
and they want to share that burden, especially in rugby.
How did your experience as part of a high school team shape your relationships, teamwork, and leadership skills?
I was the captain of my Montreal high school team, but it wasn’t as significant. At Ashbury, when you were the team captain, there were expectations; they were real—duties you were responsible for—for the team’s well-being, and the coaches expected you to fulfill them. That allowed me to become much more vocal. I became much more of a leader. Confidence was something I was always lacking. I found it on the rugby field, even if I was still unsure of myself outside of rugby. I was a scrawny high schooler.
They gave me the chance to express myself, not just the chance; they almost demanded it. They said, ‘If we’re gonna name you captain in your Grade 11 year, we expect a lot from you.” There is a pressure to that. With their help and the help of my teammates, I learned to handle that pressure, so later, when McGill tapped my shoulder in the second half of my second year and said, ‘Karl, our team captain just left the team because he was dealing with personal issues. You’re going to be our captain,’ there wasn’t a second thought about it. It was just, ‘I’m ready for this. This is what I was made for. This is what Ashbury helped create.’
Ashbury gave me these responsibilities, and I took them and ran with them. I can proudly say that I was a great captain at McGill and for the Pacific Pride. I believe I was a great captain even this past summer with the Vancouver Highlanders, and that was a team full of incredible professional players. But there’s a certain know-how to being a great leader on the team, and I first learned that at Ashbury.
In what ways did your athletic experience help you manage the demands of academics in college?
At Ashbury, and especially in the IB, the demands were so high; there was so much homework to do, and they wouldn’t let me get out of it for the first time in my life. I remember going from school to boarding, studying, then
going to practice, or practicing right after school and then going to my room, and then we’d have study hall. Ashbury was very strict on its student-first, athlete-second approach. If you were on academic probation, you couldn’t play your sport, and the only thing scarier than that was my parents. The combination of athletic and academic excellence and the demand for it at Ashbury allowed me to continue being a successful student-athlete at McGill.
What advice would you give current Ashbury athletes?
Just keep going. If you really love something, keep pursuing it. Time is your friend, especially in high school. We don’t realize how much time we have ahead of us. Everyone says life is short, but life is really long in between. It may take you two or three years to reach a certain level, but if that’s where you want to be, do it. It may seem like a long time. But, you know, time flies quickly. And if you apply yourself and are disciplined, you can make something of it. I didn’t think I was going to be playing professional rugby ever in my life, and now I do it for a living. It’s incredible what hard work and dedication can do for somebody.
What legacy do you want to leave for future Ashburians?
I want to leave a legacy where Ashburians can talk about me in a good light and point to me as what an Ashburian can or should be. Hopefully, I represent the values that I was taught while I was at Ashbury and that I can achieve great things.
I want to leave a legacy of working hard, caring for others, and trying to achieve great things all at the same time.
UP NEXT
’21
How did you get into your sport?
I played competitive hockey right through my early and teen years until COVID hit, when my season was cancelled, and I was left with copious amounts of free time. I joined my dad on the golf course, and despite having to play with an old junior set of clubs that were too small for me because I am the only lefty in my family, I quickly fell in love with the sport. Fortunately for me, Mr. Holman, my math teacher and the golf coach at Ashbury, is also a lefty, and he let me borrow a set of clubs for the rest of that first summer. I quickly improved; the mastery aspect of golf, where, despite how well you play, you can always do better, really appeals to my competitive nature. As my scores started to drop, I realized that playing at university was a legitimate possibility, so when I was applying to universities, I researched their golf program to learn as much as possible. I wanted a program that would help me grow as a player, as competitive golf was brand new to me, unlike most university golfers who started playing when they were four or five and have been playing in tournaments for years. With the help and support of Ashbury’s Director of Athletics, Jon Landon, I was able to connect with Wilfrid Laurier’s coach, Jeff Colley. After my first conversation with him, I was convinced that becoming a Golden Hawk was my best choice, and I committed to WLU soon after.
Coach Colley also played for Laurier’s golf team when he was at university, so he knows first-hand the pressure of playing for yourself and your school. Since then, I have spent hours practicing with my team and throughout each summer despite carrying a full course load in the Business Administration program at Laurier and working full-time in the auditing department at Public Works Canada for the past two summers.
Is golf a passion for you now?
I owed it to myself, my coaches, and the team to show up and compete to my full ability. ”
Absolutely! I have gone from having fun trying to hit balls as far as I can on the driving range to trying to master every aspect of the game. There are so many different aspects to being able to perform at the highest level, and that is what I love about the game. There is the technical component which is critical for success. Developing a sound, repeatable swing is the ‘Holy Grail’ for every golfer. In addition to my Laurier coach, I have a coach in Ottawa who I work with. I love the practice; I love the grind of constantly trying to improve. Then, there is the situational aspect of golf. Each course is a little different; each type of fairway grass, bunker sand, and type of green has its own characteristics and must be played accordingly. And last, and arguably most importantly, there is the mental component. A round of golf in competition can last up to six hours, and you need to remain laser-focused to win. You cannot let a
bad break, like hitting a sprinkler head or landing in a divot, upset you. I want to master it all. When my TV is on, it is on the golf channel as I love to watch my favourite golfers in action; I try to learn from them. I watch all the tours, including the US college tournaments. In addition to watching golf on TV, most of my leisure reading focuses on some aspect of improving my golf game. I feel very fortunate to have found a passion that is so much fun.
What valuable skills or lessons did you take from high school sports that helped you succeed at the next level? So many!
Teamwork: By participating in multiple high school sports, I have learned how to work with a team and build lasting relationships.
Commitment: Even though there were days when I was super busy or not feeling 100%, I learned the importance of being committed to the team. I owed it to myself, my coaches, and the team to show up and compete to my full ability. Time management: With minimal free time in the day, it was very important to balance my time and be proactive with schoolwork, knowing that I may not have time the next day or that weekend to complete assignments.
Service: I understand the importance of giving back. Ashbury is involved in so many aspects of helping the community and seeing this has motivated me to continue giving back. This past summer, I volunteered with a program called First Tee, which helps introduce the sport of golf to underprivileged kids. I found it very rewarding. I also work parttime at WLU as a Peer Academic Coach in their Student Services department.
All these practices and skills are valuable and help me succeed at the university level. It is important that I show up and am able to balance my time effectively to succeed in all aspects.
How do you believe your high school athletic experience has shaped your identity and character today?
Winning is fun; however, not many of the Ashbury teams I was on had winning records. Most of my high school athletic experiences involved playing against teams from schools two or three times larger than us, which meant tough competition. Knowing that, we had to work that much harder to be competitive, and we were, and for that I would like to thank my coaches for the time they devoted to me and my teammates. Despite not having any pictures with trophies, much of my current success with golf, academics, and employment can be attributed to skills I learned through being involved in the Ashbury Athletics program: dedication and perseverance. When you are a member of a team, it is important to be at every practice, which means managing your time effectively and staying on top of your academic workload. At Laurier, our golf season is short but very busy for the first five weeks, so knowing how to manage my time and plan ahead is essential. Making a team is great, but earning a spot as a starter, especially when you are in Grade 9 on a varsity team, requires perseverance and commitment to working hard in every practice. In the OUA championship this year, I was four over through three holes—my worst start of the season, and I had to persevere and grind it out if I wanted to make it back to the podium. I played the next 15 holes in very windy conditions at three over par to finish in the top ten going into day two. On the final day, I battled my way back into third and earned my second OUA bronze medal.
What are your future goals in your sport or your professional life?
I would like to see my level of play after I complete all my schooling before deciding on golf. I plan to continue to devote as much time as possible to improving, and I plan to
compete in the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship next summer. Trying out for the Epson Tour in 2026 is not out of the question, and it would be a dream for me to compete at that level. I have birdied or eagled every single hole at my home course, so I know I have the potential to go low.
I am graduating in April 2025 and will enroll in a graduate diploma program next fall to help me fast-track the CPA process. Once I have received my designation, I hope to work as an accountant in the upcoming years. If all my dreams and goals were to align, I would use my accounting and business skills to work for a company involved with golf in some way.
What legacy do you hope to leave for future Ashbury athletes?
Dream big and work hard; it is never too late to try something new. I was in Grade 11 when I started playing golf. Since then, I have played in the Canadian Junior Championships, won three medals at the OUA, and represented Team Canada at the FISU World University Games. I would also like to stress that you can do well academically and play many competitive sports. Every year at Ashbury, I played three terms of competitive sport, outside rep hockey, and maintained an average of over 90%. One of the awards that I am most proud of, and one that Mr. Landon should be commended for creating, is the Ashbury Athlete Award. So many student-athletes will never be the captain or the MVP, yet they play a critical role in the team’s success. I want to encourage every Ashbury student to try to achieve this award. The skills they will learn along the way will serve them well at university and beyond.
Now in its fourth year, Ashbury’s Pluralism Project continues to reflect our deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community. This year, we’re taking exciting steps to lay a strong foundation for diversity, equity, and inclusion education in our community. We will also examine our art, architecture, landscape, and heritage to ensure they truly reflect the richness of all our voices.
We’re excited to invite our alumni to become a part of this important journey by joining the Pluralism Circle—a dynamic group that meets four times a
year to help guide the next phase of our work. Your involvement will play a crucial role in shaping the recommendations that will drive Ashbury’s Pluralism efforts forward, ensuring that our community remains a place where every individual feels a sense of belonging.
Be part of something meaningful. Together, we can continue to build a future that reflects the diversity and strength of our shared values. For more information, contact Ms. Padme Raina, Director of Partnerships and Programs at praina@ashbury.ca.
Cricket has a rich history at Ashbury College. As one of Canada’s oldest independent schools, Ashbury was influenced by British traditions and embraced cricket as an important part of its athletic program in the early years. The sport was particularly popular during the school’s formative decades, with students playing matches on the campus grounds during the spring and summer months.
For many years, cricket was a key component of Ashbury’s extracurricular program, offering students an opportunity to develop athletic skills while also learning the values of sportsmanship and teamwork. Students competed in both intramural matches and inter-scholastically to form rivalries with other schools in the Ottawa area, fostering a strong sense of community and tradition.
However, as time passed and cricket’s popularity declined across Canada in favour of other sports like hockey, soccer, and rugby, Ashbury gradually shifted its focus to these other athletic programs. By the early 1970s, cricket
had become less prominent at the school, and eventually, it was discontinued as an organized sport.
While cricket is no longer part of Ashbury’s athletic offerings, its history remains vital to its rich athletic tradition. The legacy of cricket at Ashbury reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to offering a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities, and the sport remains a nostalgic memory for alumni who were part of its heyday.
The team photo featured here is a cherished part of Ashbury’s rich history and traditions. Since the school’s founding, a photograph has been taken of every intercollegiate athletic team, capturing each group of athletes in their moment of pride. While these photos are now digitally archived, Ashbury’s Wilgress Archives remains a valuable repository of these historical images, preserving the legacy of athletes who once filled our gymnasia and fields with their dedication to sport.
The evolution of our change room project reflects a comprehensive approach to improving student safety, inclusivity, and overall well-being. The former change rooms were combined locker and changing spaces that some students had identified in surveys as areas where they did not feel comfortable or safe. Additionally, these spaces lacked security measures, such as cameras, and could not be supervised by adults, as they were designated for student changing. The boys’ half of the change rooms had remained largely unmodified for nearly 25 years, and the spaces themselves were allocated by binary genders, leaving non-binary students feeling uncomfortable in either space.
Student consultation began in 2021 to address these concerns, involving focus groups with the Student Life Council, Prefect/Captain Council, and the Committee for Identity Empowerment. Working with Dr. Lee Airton, Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen’s University, we developed insights on creating
safer, more inclusive change spaces. The goal was to make these areas cleaner, brighter, safer, and more welcoming, fostering a sense of belonging for all students.
The Joyce Wing locker space was renovated in the summer of 2023, opening the space, providing individual changing rooms, and installing cameras in the locker spaces for enhanced safety. In the summer of 2024, the locker space beneath the Anderson Gym was renovated, allowing for the expansion of the fitness centre and athletic therapy space. The renovation also transformed two athletic team rooms into three, which can now be allocated to all teams of all genders—ensuring that previously exclusive boys’ team rooms are now accessible to all teams. To further remove the gender bias in the spaces, the locker hallways were reallocated by grade: Grade 9 and 10 students now use the Joyce Wing, while Grade 11 and 12 students are assigned to the Anderson basement locker hallway. We are looking forward to student feedback on the improvements.
Barb Saville
Barb Saville has retired after nearly 18 years at Ashbury. She began her career at Ashbury in the Academic Office before transitioning to Admissions in 2007. In Admissions, she has been instrumental in evolving the student application process to ensure it is meaningful for applicants and aligned with our school motto of Honesty, Courage, Kindness. Beyond Admissions, Barb has shared her graphic design and art talents to create a variety of publications, advertisements, and projects for numerous school departments. Barb has always been an active contributor to the Ashbury community, whether accompanying a class to a museum, being an active member of the pluralism project, or teaching a Junior School art class.
Barb, a talented artist, has left her mark on various offices and spaces around the school with her beautiful works of art. Her creativity permeates everything she does and is long-standing. When asked what young Barb thought she would be when she grew up, she said, “I had planned to be a neurosurgeon owning a tiger!” Her dedication to her family, who share her passion for endurance sports like running, cycling, and skiing, is truly inspiring. Did you know Barb was the first female Canadian to finish the NYC Marathon in 1992? Her personal achievements are a testament to her determination and passion.
When asked what her favourite aspect of her job here at Ashbury has been, she said, “I have loved working with our financial assistance families. I loved being able to support kids with their wonderful dreams, which may not have been available to them in a previous situation.”
We are grateful for all Barb has done to shape Ashbury into the school it is today. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her dedication and wish her all the best in retirement.
This year marks the end of an era with the retirement of both Gary and Geri-Lee Godkin after 12 years here. Not only have they been integral parts of the Ashbury community, but their three daughters, Kara ’17, Kelly ’19, and Kristi ’21, were also active and involved students here, starting their Ashbury careers in Grades 8, 6, and 4, respectively.
Geri-Lee Godkin is retiring from her roles as a teacher and Head of Business and Technology. Her passion for teaching was evident from the start and amply demonstrated by her twenty-year career in the Toronto area prior to coming to Ashbury. Under her leadership, the business program doubled and then tripled in size as she promoted the importance of business and technology through numerous industry-leading guest speakers, vibrant in-class lessons, and engaging field trips. She said her greatest accomplishment has been “showing students the wonderful side of business and creating pathways for careers they didn’t know existed.”
Geri-Lee was also very active outside of the classroom. Several business-oriented clubs, including the Ashbury Investment, Entrepreneurship, and DECA clubs, grew significantly under her guidance. Her dedication to the department has inspired many of her students to pursue business programs at top universities worldwide. Geri-Lee’s love of sport was evident in her roles as a volleyball and badminton coach.
Reflecting on her career, Geri-Lee said, “I believe the best teachers always spend time with students in other areas such as coaching or clubs because it allows you to get to know the students in a different light. I know that teachers remember a lot of their students; even if we can’t recall your name later, we usually recognize the face. I have taught thousands of students in my career, and I really want them to reach their true potential. I hope they know this is why we do what we do.”
Gary Godkin served as our Interim Head of School from June 2013 to January 2014 before stepping into his position as Head of Senior School for the remainder of his time here. Gary also enjoyed his role as Teacher Advisor, mentoring and supporting four different groups of students through to graduation. Prior to joining Ashbury’s leadership team, he had a successful career in public education, in the private technology sector, and as a leader at St. Andrew’s College. He retires after a long and dedicated career in teaching and education leadership.
Gary is passionate about technology and shared his enthusiasm at Ashbury whenever possible, sometimes filling in as a classroom on-call teacher to cover a teacher’s absence. He also put his expertise in technology innovation to good use, advancing our use of technology to enhance teaching and learning and leading Ashbury’s seamless transition to online learning during the pandemic.
In addition to his Senior School academic duties, Gary was a passionate coach of badminton, both Junior and Senior, for all 12 years and Junior Girls’ volleyball for the past three years. Outside of Ashbury, he devoted much of his free time to coaching community sports —everything from volleyball to soccer to hockey, from Timbits to Midget A.
Perhaps not surprisingly, as the father of three daughters, Gary has been a significant motivator for promoting gender equality. “Despite it being 2024, women have not found equity, and wherever I have the chance to promote women in sports or STEM or within our faculty and school, I help however I can.” To that end, Gary has been involved with initiatives such as the launching of the robotics program at Ashbury, which was initially an all-girls team, and he helped as a volunteer to organize and run the Clarkson Cup for professional women’s hockey for the two years it was in Ottawa.
When asked what the favourite part of his job has been, he replied, “By far… the interactions that I got to have with students on a daily basis, and the students are
also what I will miss most about Ashbury. Whether working with my TAG, supporting the prefects leading the Academic Council, coaching in the gym, or just the casual conversations in the dining hall or CLC, I love(d) them all.”
As for the Godkin children, they have certainly developed their parents’ work ethic and determination. Kara ’17 finished her first degree in Kinesiology at Western, winning the Gold Medal for top student in Health Science, Nursing, and Kinesiology. She has just completed her final placement year at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and has begun full-time employment in Ottawa at Performance Sports. Kelly ’19 has graduated from Biomedical Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University. She is completing a Master’s in Applied Sciences to specialize in the study and design of tools and clothing specialized for the female body. Kristi ’21 is now in her fourth year of Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, where she plans to become an Accountant and continues to play on the WLU Varsity Golf team. Kristi has placed third individually in the province twice, won gold with her team last year, and has earned four university titles individually over the past two years. This past summer, she also represented Canada at the FISU World University Games in Finland.
We are grateful for Gary and Geri-Lee’s tireless work with our students and their lasting contributions to our school community. We are not convinced they know what retirement is, but we wish them the very best in their next chapter together.
2024)
Adventuresome and scholarly, Hugh’s zest for teaching, research, and the environment knew no bounds.”
Hugh Robertson, who passed away peacefully this spring, led a full and passionate life, always seeing opportunities from his early travels to his years of teaching, publishing and environmental activism. He was, in essence, a seeker of knowledge and innovative ideas. Equally, he was an influencer—a naturally gifted teacher, scholar, and environmentalist.
The eldest son of Noel and Mary Robertson, Hugh was born on the other side of the world in King William’s Town in Eastern Cape province, South Africa. He boarded at Queens College Boy’s High School in Queenstown, where he made lifelong friends. He went on to study at Paarl Teacher Training College in Western Cape and, after graduation, began his teaching career at Dale College in 1962.
With his mother’s encouragement to see the world beyond South Africa, Hugh set off with friends on a year of travel and work that took him to Europe and England. In 1964, he arrived in Canada for a six-month
teaching position at Dovercourt Public School in Toronto, where he met the love of his life, Jo-Ann Elton – then 21 and a kindergarten teacher.
An international courtship ensued when Hugh left to hitch-hike across the US to San Francisco where he hopped on a freighter to attend the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Jo-Ann joined Hugh in South Africa where they married in 1966. Jo-Ann worked at a travel agency while Hugh completed his BA at Rhodes University. After graduation, he applied for teaching jobs around the globe.
In 1968, Hugh was hired to teach at Ashbury College, where he enjoyed a successful 27-year career. There, he helped pioneer the introduction of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
Ottawa became home, with sons Mark joining the family in 1970 and Justin in 1972. The Robertsons first lived on Glasgow Cres. in Manor Park, then the Gatineau Hills, Ashbury’s campus, and the Glebe before set-
tling in 1989 in their current Cardinal Glen home.
Ever the learner, Hugh took a sabbatical from Ashbury to attend the University of Ottawa, graduating with his MA in history in 1983. His thesis on the Royal Canadian Dragoons’ role in the Second Boer War included on-site research that took the family back to South Africa. His sons were commissioned to survey South African cemeteries for Canadian military headstones, and Hugh spoke with one of the last surviving Canadian veterans of the Second Boer War.
During his time at Ashbury, Hugh authored several books to guide students in research, projects, and essays. His book, The Research Essay: A Guide to Essays and Papers, first published in 1985, was considered a vital student manual. He later authored The English Essay, The Project Book, and Research and Communication Skills Hugh was Head of the Social Studies Department when he retired in 1995 to dedicate time to publishing his books
through his own publishing house, Piperhill Publications.
Hugh’s concern and advocacy for the environment was not simply a hobbyist’s pursuit for trendiness’ sake. Back in 1990, before the world woke up to the reality of the garbage it was producing, Hugh became avidly committed to reducing, reusing, and recycling at home.
His environmental activism extended to the community. In a quest to embrace the Kyoto Challenge in the mid-2000s, his series of Kyoto Home Diary columns in the Manor Park Chronicle recounted his family’s journey to make their home as energy-efficient and greenhouse gas emission-free as possible.
He designed and installed a lattice-styled, steel front door to eliminate the need for air conditioning
and replaced their clothes dryer with a retractable wooden rack. The Robertson’s home was the first in the neighbourhood to measure electricity use with a Smart Meter.
Remarkably, from 2000 to 2003, they put out just one bag of garbage —mostly plastic ground-down by Hugh —receiving a recognition award from the City of Ottawa!
Early converts to lowering dependency on carbon fuels, the Robertsons traded in their Volvo for a Toyota Prius hybrid.
Hugh also wrote on environmental issues for the New Edinburgh News. He encouraged neighbours to ‘go green’ by co-founding Glenviro , Cardinal Glen’s environmental sustainability committee.
Hugh’s interests and hobbies were many. Gardening held a special
interest and supplied both family and friends with a bounty of organic vegetables. He cross-country skied, enjoyed Scottish country dancing, loved jazz and attending the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and being at Jo-Ann’s family cottage on Sand Lake, north of Huntsville, Ont.
In recent years, Hugh and Jo-Ann embraced hiking adventures. Trips included walking the 155 km of Scotland’s West Highland Way with friends (Hugh in bare feet to feel closer to the earth) and sections of the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Hugh’s life was well-lived and purposeful. His legacy, marked by the special imprint he left on family, friends, students, and the community, will have rippling effects for many years to come.
Navigating the Whitewater of Leadership at Ashbury
As I step into my new role as the Head of Senior School at Ashbury this year, I often find myself filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The world of independent school education offers unique challenges and opportunities for educators, and I am eager to embrace both as I embark on this new journey.
My career in education began after working in summer camps and outdoor education. I often think about the parallels between planning a backcountry canoe trip and working within a complex and pluralistic school community like ours at Ashbury. In keeping with this canoe trip metaphor, I will describe my approach and experience thus far as the Head of Senior School.
The first step in planning a canoe trip is to clearly under-
stand where you are going and why. The same has been true for me this year in my new role. As the Head of Senior School, I aim to help foster a supportive school culture for students and teachers that values the different professional and life experiences that people bring. The first step in doing this is to build relationships with our community. Going forward, I will seek to empower others to take leadership roles to lay the groundwork for the future success of Ashbury.
There are numerous challenges on the horizon for schools like Ashbury, which are reflective of the constantly changing world we live in. One example of this is the feat of finding and retaining excellent teachers in a tight labour market and amidst a teacher shortage. Ashbury has always been an outstanding workplace, but we are not immune
“…there is a big difference between being a traditional school and a school with traditions.”
from broader trends in education and society. Additionally, I must seek to balance tradition and innovation and explain planned changes in clear, focused terms that connect to Ashbury’s traditional principles and qualities. As someone once said to me, there is a big difference between being a traditional school and a school with traditions.
Before becoming Head of Senior School, I spent 14 years teaching chemistry and science, the last 13 at IB schools (including the past five years at Ashbury). As an IB educator, I believe in the program’s value for many students and see the IB Diploma as the cornerstone of Ashbury’s academic program. I have spent a great deal of time speaking with students and parents over the years about the value of taking IB courses, and this is an area in which I hope to continue to make progress at Ashbury in the coming years.
Every leader brings a unique philosophy and approach to their work; in this regard, I am no different. My leadership philosophy is based on building and maintaining solid relationships and a strong school culture while remembering the lessons I have learned from the many great leaders I have been fortunate to work with in my career. To quote Robert Evans, author of Leader, the best leaders do for the people around them what the best teachers do for their students: “[T]hey make it safe to try; they honour effort; and they celebrate mean ingful growth, small and large, whenever it occurs.”
The Ashbury Ball is Back! saturday February 8, 2025 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
WE WISH MR. MOYLE THE BEST OF LUCK ON THIS EXCITING JOURNEY!
out!
presented by
C A M P U S H A P P E N I N G S
REMEMBRANCE DAY
In 1982, a group of boys graduated from high school, unaware that their friendships would blossom into lifelong bonds. Over the decades, they have celebrated milestones together, supported each other through life’s challenges, and maintained the joy and connection that first ignited at Ashbury. Their bond is unbreakable.
Throughout the years, they have nurtured this connection in meaningful ways: a Class of ‘82 fridge magnet, a cherished jersey, heartfelt holiday cards, and a unique challenge coin—the list is endless.
In September 2022, many of the Last Man Standing class—the final group of boys before Ashbury transitioned to co-ed in 1983—returned to campus for Homecoming festivities. It became clear that one annual gathering wasn’t enough. New traditions emerged, including a spring event in Toronto, a summer meet-up in Montreal, and a fall return to campus for Homecoming, now including their partners.
Giving back to the school where it all began has been an important ongoing initiative for the class. They created the ‘Last Man Standing Fund,’ which has been invested in the Ashbury College Endowment. The Class of ‘82 continues to provide unwavering support for their fund. The specific use of the Class of ’82 fund remains undetermined. The last two remaining members will ultimately determine the designation of their fund—at a date that is hopefully far in the future.
We celebrate this group that reminds us of the importance of cherishing the people in our lives and the memories we create together. Cheers to the Class of 1982!
The Graduating Class Gift Program at Ashbury College creates enduring bonds through this long-held and impactful tradition. Every year, graduating students, under the inspiring leadership of the Grad Committee, unite to contribute to the school’s endowment in the form of a class bursary. The power of an endowment fund lies in its ability to provide long-term
financial stability and support: the capital is invested, and a portion of the returns is used to provide need-based student financial assistance annually and in perpetuity.
More than a financial boost, the program instills gratitude and responsibility in students, fostering a connection between their past and the school’s future. It’s a perpetual cycle
of giving; emphasizing the belief that education is a legacy to be passed on.
If you wish to contribute to or learn more about your class bursary, please contact Stephanie Young at stephanie.young@ashbury.ca. Your interest and engagement are vital to the success of the Graduating Class Gift Program.
For Rob Tamblyn ’82, the decision to include Ashbury College in his estate plans stems from a deep personal connection to the school, nurtured over six transformative years. His memories as both a Junior Boarder and Senior School student paint a vivid picture of a home away from home—an experience that continues to shape his life today.
His journey at Ashbury began in Grade 5 as a Junior Boarder alongside his brother David ’80, who was in Grade 7. Joining the Boarding program wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. “We had both been to boarding school in England previously, so it wasn’t that big a shock—going back to boarding school,” he recalls. What stands out most, however, are the weekend gatherings and warm hospitality extended
by fellow students’ families. “My fondest memories were fondues on the weekend with Mr. Humphreys and going to other students’ houses,” he says, reminiscing about visiting friends like Sean Murray ’82 and Andrew Kriegler ’82 for home-cooked meals.
“It is in his memory that we have included Ashbury in our estate plans”
As one of the 20 or so Junior Boarders moving to the Senior side of the school, he found new experiences and opportunities. “Better rooms and more people to hang out with,” he
notes, adding that working at the Tuck Shop was an early lesson in responsibility and teamwork.
The independence that boarding school fostered was pivotal in shaping his personal and professional life. “I remember being voted most independent in Grade 8 and feeling a bit confused by what that meant,” he shares. In hindsight, that indepedence became a key factor in his success, teaching him to navigate life’s challenges without relying on others to make decisions for him. “I think that’s the unique thing about boarding—you don’t have helicopter parents helping you with every decision. You make your own decisions and learn the lessons that come along with them.”
Beyond self-reliance, Ashbury’s diverse community taught him valu-
For more information about planned giving, please contact Stephanie Young, Director of Development, at stephanie.young@ashbury.ca
able lessons in understanding. “Learning how to get along with everyone, regardless of where they came from or what their views—we’re all from the human race,” he says, highlighting the importance of inclusivity that stays with him to this day.
Several teachers and mentors left a lasting impression. In Junior School, Mr. Humphreys lived with the students on the top floor above the Memorial Gym; he was larger than life. Mr. Niles was a similarly positive influence in Senior School, guiding him during pivotal years. Hockey games on the outdoor rink remain some of his favourite memories, with the camaraderie and fun adding another layer of joy to his time at Ashbury.
His decision to include Ashbury in his estate plans is rooted in these
meaningful experiences. “I spent six years of my life there—it was home,” he reflects. Compared to other schools he attended, Ashbury went above and beyond to create a sense of belonging. His brother, who passed away in 2022, also cherished his time at Ashbury, a place that ultimately inspired his career in teaching. “It is in his memory that we have included Ashbury in our estate plans,” he explains.
When asked how his planned gift reflects his values, he humbly downplays the idea of leaving a legacy. “I’m not overly concerned about my legacy, but I do believe in giving back, especially to places that made a lasting impact on my life,” he says.
Although he’s uncertain exactly how the funds will be used, he trusts that his contribution will make a dif-
“I spent six years of my life there —it was home”
ference in the lives of future students. Whether it enhances facilities or provides needs-based financial assistance, he is confident the school will put the gift to good use. “I know the students will benefit, and that’s all that matters.”
Through his planned gift, this Ashbury alumnus ensures that his connection to the school—and the values it instilled in him—will continue to impact future generations. For Rob Tamblyn, it’s not about recognition or legacy; it’s about giving back to a place that shaped him and honouring his brother’s memory in a meaningful way.
In supporting Ashbury College, he extends a hand to the next wave of students, ensuring they, too, can experience the sense of home and independence that defined his years at the school.
On October 23, Ashbury College hosted its annual Donor Appreciation Event to thank donors and supporters for their contributions to the school over the previous year. The evening brought together alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students in a warm and friendly setting to celebrate the generosity that helps make Ashbury such a vibrant community.
The students were the highlight of the night. The Senior Choir performed beautifully, and the newly unveiled Ashbury Student Art Gallery, made possible thanks to the support of the Ashbury Guild and lead donors, showcased an impressive collection of student artwork. A Grade 12 student also shared personal stories and spoke passionately about the opportunities made possible by the generosity of donors.
Clearly, this event was about more than financial contributions—it was about saying thank you for making a difference.
The night left everyone with a shared sense of appreciation and pride in being part of the Ashbury community.
THIS YEAR, THANKS TO OUR PARENT COMMUNITY’S dedicated efforts and unwavering support, the Ashbury Parents’ Guild (APG) has once again demonstrated the power of collective generosity. Through popular initiatives, including used uniform and textbook sales, their delicious canteens at school events, and many other fundraising efforts, the APG raised an amazing $35,000 in 2023/2024 to support meaningful projects across our school.
The funds will benefit students across both Junior and Senior Schools in the following areas:
• Junior School science lab tools and supplies
• Wellness Centre enhancements
• School-wide communication screens
In addition, the APG’s commitment to supporting the Dorothy Napier Fund remains steadfast, supporting deserving students who have demonstrated financial need.
Our school and students are immensely fortunate to benefit from such generosity. These enhancements will enrich the lives of students and foster an environment where they can thrive. We extend our deepest gratitude to all APG members and parent volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this possible. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these initiatives unfold in the coming year.
On August 27, Ashbury College hosted a special Old Boys’ Summer Reception, welcoming alumni from the 1950s to the 1970s back to campus. Guests gathered in Rhodes Hall, which, in Ashbury’s earliest days, was the central gathering location for assemblies and special events. Guests brought memories, funny stories, photos, and memorabilia from their days at Ashbury. The afternoon was a wonderful opportunity for attendees to reconnect with old friends, reminisce about shared experiences, and celebrate their lifelong ties to the school.
“ A powerful reminder of the lasting bonds forged at Ashbury”
The atmosphere was filled with laughter and conversation as guests explored the Wilgress Archives, where artifacts from Ashbury’s storied history sparked memories of school days. Student-led campus tours generated discussion about how far the school has come over the last half-century.
A highlight of the afternoon was the presence of Ray Anderson, Ashbury’s long-serving former Director of
Athletics. Mr. Anderson has maintained a connection with Ashbury for over 70 years, and his enduring relationship with the school is a powerful reminder of the lasting bonds forged here.
For everyone who attended, the Old Boys’ Summer Reception was not only a time to look back but also a reaffirmation of their continuing place within the Ashbury family.
NEW ALUMNI EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT
We are very pleased to introduce Abigail Chan ’13 as the newly appointed President of the Alumni Executive—the first alumna to hold this position at Ashbury College. The Alumni Executive is composed of dedicated alumni volunteers who seek to foster a strong alumni community by connecting alumni with one another, keeping alumni informed about Ashbury College, and supporting a range of events and opportunities to encourage alumni to maintain connections with the school community.
Currently serving as a Senior Advisor at Employment and Social Development Canada, Abigail leads a dynamic team focused on stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, and project management for a significant transformation initiative in the digital space. Her career journey includes notable roles at the Senate of Canada, where she specialized in youth outreach, stakeholder engagement, and event management.
Beyond her professional achievements, Abigail is deep-
ly involved with the Cadet Program, where she has dedicated herself to training and empowering thousands of cadets since 2014. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive environment is evident in her work with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committees, which champion healthy and welcoming workplace cultures.
A graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours from the School of Journalism and Communications, Abigail’s connection to Ashbury began as a grade 9 student. She is a proud member of the Class of 2013 and recently celebrated her 10-year reunion. During her time here, she was an active member of the House Council and the swim team, demonstrating her early commitment to leadership and teamwork.
We look forward to seeing how Abigail’s leadership will shape the future of our alumni community and inspire the next generation of graduates.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Alumni Executive, please reach out to alumni@ashbury.ca
This fall, Ashbury College came alive with excitement as alumni, staff, and friends gathered for an unforgettable Homecoming weekend. Graduates from the Classes of 1959 to 2024 reunited, with one alumnus travelling all the way from Morocco—a testament to Ashbury’s enduring bonds.
The weekend was packed with activities that celebrated tradition and connection. Alumni enjoyed guided tours of the campus, lively class reunions, and spirited gatherings that brought the Ashbury community closer than ever. Laughter and shared memories filled the air, highlighting the strength of the Ashbury spirit.
Homecoming 2024 was made possible by the dedication of volunteers and the enthusiasm of attendees, which combined to create a vibrant celebration for all. Looking ahead to 2025, we’ll honour milestone reunions for classes ending in ‘5 and ‘0. If you’d like to help plan another unforgettable weekend, please reach out to us at alumni@ashbury.ca.
This year’s Ashbury Golf Classic, held on June 3 at the beautiful Eagle Creek Golf Club, was a day to remember. Ashbury’s alumni, parents, and friends gathered on the greens, enjoying great weather, friendly competition, and a shared purpose. The event highlighted the strength of the Ashbury community, where connections forged years ago continue to thrive and make a difference.
Thanks to the enthusiastic participation and generosity of those who joined us, we raised over $40,000 in
support of Ashbury’s needs-based financial assistance program. This crucial initiative helps us offer the Ashbury experience to deserving students who might otherwise be unable to attend the school.
The success of this event reflects what makes Ashbury unique: an engaged community of supporters who truly care for each other and are committed to giving back. We are grateful for the support of our community, which made this event both memorable and impactful.
Mark your calendars for these events:
VEX Robotics Competition
February 1
Ashbury College (volunteers needed!)
Ashbury Ball
February 8
Ashbury College
Ashbury Winter Classic
February 19 (Outdoor) / April 14
(Indoor reschedule if required)
Rockcliffe Rink/ Carleton Arena
Ashbury Play
February 26–March 1
Ashbury Theatre
Toronto Alumni Reception
March 5
Hart House
IB Art Exhibition
March 31–April 4
Ashbury College
New York City Alumni Reception
May 7
Location TBD
Springfest
May 10
Ashbury College
Ashbury College Golf Classic
June 2
Eagle Creek Golf Course
For more information on our events, please email alumni@ashbury.ca or visit ashbury.com/alumni
Eagle Creek Golf Club Monday, June 2, 2025 Save the date!
Peter Croal ’74 was invited in September 2024 to the Quebec residence of the Governor General of Canada to receive the King Charles Coronation medal, presented personally by Governor General Mary Simon to 100 Canadians. Peter’s medal is being awarded for his national reconciliation, environmental education, and climate change advocacy work.
Following their 50th class reunion at Homecoming in September, Don Paterson ’74 (Head Boy, centre), Peter Croal ’74 (Head of Connaught House, right), and Peter Copestake ’74 (Head of Woollcombe House, left) gathered at Peter Copestake’s cottage for three fun-filled days of stories and reminiscing. They hope other members of their class get in touch!
Patrick Lahey ’81 was awarded membership in the Order of Canada in April 2024. Patrick is one of the world’s pre-eminent experts on submersibles and a leading voice for safe practices in the deep-diving industry. As cofounder of Triton Submarines, he invented and built dozens of vehicles for research, exploration, entertainment, and tourism. A skilled pilot, he has led diving missions to the deepest parts of the oceans, becoming the second Canadian to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
James McMahon ’82 has just launched his secondary career as a published author. His first book, entitled The Loura Lure , is a tale that combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction. This is the first book in a trilogy, and a deal has been recently signed for the second book in the trilogy, with an intended release in the spring of 2025.
Recently retired Francis DesCôteaux ’84 , former French teacher Guy Lemèle , and his wife Thérese Lemèle, who also taught French at Ashbury (unfortunately not in the picture), met in La Croix Valmer in the South of France in August 2024, a few kilometres from Saint-Tropez. The trio was there to attend the wedding of the daughter of a mutual friend from Alsace, Francis Rouhier. The two Francises taught at Ashbury’s summer school in 1985 under the direction of Mr. McFarlane.
The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada was established by Matthew’s sister, Caitlin Morrison, with the help of family and friends such as Brian Murray ’88 , in honour of Matthew Perry ’88 ’s determined commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction. The Foundation provides comprehensive support to individuals living with substance use disorders after their treatment, including individual counselling on health and life management, residential housing, necessities such as food and clothing, professional training and educational resources, and financial support. For more information, visit matthewperryfoundation.ca
Emily Swanson (nee Mawhinney) ’99 and her husband Craig are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Hanne Bernice Swanson, on July 3, 2024. Emily and Craig live in San Antonio, Texas, where Emily serves as a prosecutor and Deputy Chief Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security.
Sylvia Simson ’02 was named to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under — U.S. Edition” 2024. A shareholder/partner in Greenberg Traurig’s New York office, she specializes in complex commercial litigation. She has deep experience with contract and deal-related litigation (specifically on those governed by New York or Delaware law), class action defence, financial services litigation, energy litigation, multi-district litigation, litigation and investigations involving sensitivity and/ or crisis management components, and mass tort/products liability litigation.
Karim Merani ’03 was named one of this year’s “Forty Under 40” by the Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Board of Trade at their celebration on June 21. Karim is the owner of the Carleton Place IDA Drugmart.
Tyler Wilgress’03 married Lauren Ray at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club on July 13, 2024. Tyler is the son of former Ashbury staff member Vicky Wilgress. In attendance were several Ashbury alumni, including Kyla Armstrong-Miller ’00 , James Miller ’28 , Stephen Miller ’04 , Hunter Miller ’30 , Jamie Miller ’97 , Vicky Wilgress (retired ’22) , Tyler ’03 with wife Lauren and daughter Dana, and Ted Wilgress ’75 . Not pictured Travis MacLean ’02 and Shamir Daya ’03 .
Dr. Neel Chadha ’06 was named one of Ottawa’s “Forty Under 40.” This recognition is a testament to his dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of seniors through his work at Lanark Lifestyles.
Maggie Cogger-Orr ’09 was an official at the Paris Olympics Rugby Sevens. Maggie refereed four games at the tournament, including the quarter-final between the USA and Great Britain, and then was an Assistant Referee for the bronze medal match. The picture is from the Brazil versus Japan match. Fun fact: Maggie is the second Ashbury alumna to referee at the Olympics, as Julianne Zussman ’04 refereed at Tokyo 2021.
Olivia Froislie ’10 and her husband Brett Garret welcomed a baby girl, Navy James Garrett, on September 21, 2024. The family lives in Brooklyn. Several Ashbury alumni attended a baby shower in May; pictured left to right are Nicola Froislie ’13 , Nikola Ruddy ’09 , Sonya Ruddy ’11 , Olivia Froislie ’10 , Sabrina Assaly ’13 , and Olivia Zed ’13
Caroline Mierins ’10 gave birth to Georgina Rose Keltie Parrott in New York, NY, on July 7, 2024. Caroline, Georgina and her father, Matt Parrott, are enjoying precious newborn moments together. She is already a fan of the beach!
William Nippard ’12 co-founded StarterHacks, the world’s first and largest beginner-friendly hackathon. StarterHacks builds events and experiences to foster innovation, collaboration, and impactful entrepreneurship. Since 2017, StarterHacks has helped over 4000 students kickstart their careers. The community has built hundreds of projects and created lifelong friendships and mentorships.
Olivia Tuli ’12 gave birth to Aurélia Tuli Clare, born October 11, 2023, at only 4lbs 15oz. Aurélia now scoots everywhere, and her favourite things to play with are anything kitchen-related.
Cameron Morrison ’12 married Paige Callaghan on July 19, 2024 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
Memi Kirikoglu ’14 is pursuing her MBA at the Wharton School in Philadelphia, PA, where she was honoured with the Student Life Award for her service to the MBA community. Following her MBA, she will return to Bridgewater Associates, a $150B macro hedge fund, where she will focus on creating custom investment mandates for pensions, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and other institutional clients.
Sarah Peters ’15 was named one of the 2024 “10 Under 10” notable alumni by Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business. Sarah is a hospitality entrepreneur, the founder of two luxury travel startups, and a founding team member at GovWell, a modern software solution for local governments.
Tommy von Finckenstein ’15 and Torey Guimaraes ’20 are thrilled to share news of their recent engagement! They look forward to celebrating with family and friends at their wedding in August 2026. The couple currently reside in Denver, Colorado, where Tommy works at a mineral exploration and development company, and Torey works in marketing and growth for a fitness company.
Hannah Hagadorn Paras ’16 married Samuel Paras in an intimate family ceremony at the Carlyle House in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 29, 2023. Ashbury alumni in attendance included the bride’s sister, Merriam Hagadorn ’17 , the bride’s brother, Benjamin Hagadorn ’21 , and friend/classmate, TianTian Luo ’16
Lloyd Pandi ’17 two-time winner of the CEBL U Player of the Year (2021, 2022) has signed with the Ottawa BlackJacks for the 2024 CEBL season. In 2023, Lloyd wrapped up his second consecutive winter season with Darussafaka Basketbol Istanbul in Turkey and averaged 3.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 14.4 minutes in 16 games played.
Congratulations to brothers Sameer Dilawri ’18 and Romi Dilawri ’20 on their impressive victories in their respective Club Championships at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club this August.
Phillipa (Nehita) E. Oko-Oboh ’20 was recognized as an Ontario University Athletics third-team All-Star in women’s basketball. Nehita plays for the University of Waterloo, where she is doing a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering).
James (Jack) Goldberg ’23 recently discussed his involvement in activism regarding the Disabled Community in the world of sports with Faces Magazine. He spoke about how he was introduced to the world of activism and his personal connection to the cause as a para-equestrian. Jack has continued his advocacy work while studying at Cornell University and embarking on the beginning of his adult life.
Sara Acharya ’25 was honoured at the VOscars with the Outstanding Youth Volunteer Service Award for her extensive work with Ausome Ottawa and extraordinary volunteer spirit. The award honours young individuals who go above and beyond in their commitment to community service and leadership. It highlights their dedication to creating positive change and inspiring others in the community.
Bupa Zhang ’25 was honoured to receive the RBC “21 under 21” award for involvement in the Youth Tutoring Project. Bupa and his two collaborators established a tutoring organization that provides free, high-quality tutoring to K-8 students, dedicated to making academic support more accessible regardless of socio-economic status.
Amy Greig , Junior School Science Department Head, was awarded the Prime Minister’s Certificate of Achievement for Teaching Excellence in STEM. The Teaching Excellence in STEM Awards celebrate outstanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics teachers who help develop the culture of innovation Canada needs today, and in the future.
Alyssa Novick , Ashbury faculty and long-standing History teacher, was honoured with the Arie van Mansum Award from the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship. The award recognizes her work in Holocaust education at Ashbury and in developing resources for other schools in Canada and around the world.
Jean Teron , past Ashbury parent and Board Chair 1986–1989, was presented with The Founders Award, Carleton University’s highest non-academic honour, which recognizes and pays tribute to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Carleton University through their dedication, generosity, and commitment to the university’s values.
Kathryn Tremblay , former parent and Board member, received the Alumna of the Year Award from the University of Ottawa. While in her second year at what is now the Telfer School of Management, Kathryn co-founded Altis (formerly excelHR). She built her business while studying part-time, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1995. Today, Altis is one of Canada’s largest independent recruitment firms, serving over 3,500 clients and placing more than 8,500 qualified candidates annually through its specialized sister brands: Altis Recruitment and Altis Technology.
Ashbury News would love to share your stories with the Ashbury community. Please send your details to alumni@ashbury.ca, and remember that we love photos!
John Arnold
Steve Barban
Basil Baskerville
Gay Cook
Dennis Fox
Derek Russell Thurlow Fraser
Simon Gabriel Gittens
Richard Grand
Brendan MacGillivray
Roderick D. Mundy
Gordon Richardson
Donald Sutherland
Gerald S. Wharton, M.V.O, C.D
Alumnus ʼ75 and Grandfather of Hana Guelleh ’33
Father of Tyler ʼ15 and Tori ʼ18
Alumnus ʼ53
Mother of Don ʼ88, Kelly Kubric ʼ89, and Aunt of David Pigott ʼ 79
Former staff
Father of Jeremy Fraser ʼ91
Alumnus ʼ79
Father of Aaron ʼ93, Alexandra ʼ06, Stephanie ʼ08, Sarah, and Grandfather of Michael Vivone ʼ26
Former staff
Alumnus ʼ63
Alumnus ʼ56
Father of Rachel Sutherland ʼ86
Alumnus ʼ52