| Year started at WPGA: 1999
| First position title: Grade 5 English Teacher
| Current position title: Senior Drama Teacher, Play Director
 
Looking back, what’s a moment at WPGA that has stayed with you—one that shaped who you are today?

As teachers, we all receive emails from students after they leave us, but I received one letter from a student that I keep in my desk drawer. I keep it because that letter has carried me on the days that I doubt myself or feel I could do better. It just really did and still does make a huge impact.

What does the WPGA community mean to you and why?

I worked in a different school before coming to WPGA and I was immediately struck by the authentic sense of community and care created by administration, colleagues, and students. As all my Irish family are so far away, the school has been another family to me. My two children graduated from WPGA, and what a joy it was to be able to see them be part of this community—and being able to teach them both drama!

How have you seen WPGA grow or change over the years—and what has remained the same?

WPGA is constantly evolving and growing, which is exactly what it should be doing. I think in all areas of academic life, sports, and the arts, we have continued to shine brightly and will continue to do so. Equally, all decisions are made with such care and always for the betterment of our students. Although we have grown so much in numbers, we have managed to maintain that family sense of community, which is truly a gift.

What’s one lesson or value from WPGA that you carry into your life beyond school?

That everyone matters and everyone deserves to be seen.

As we celebrate 30 years, what’s your hope or vision for the next 30 years?

I would love, personally, to see WPGA have its own theatre. We have such a strong program that has consistently grown over my 27 years at the school. Theatre is community and how wonderful it would be to see us have our own community theatre.

I really hope we continue to keep our innate sense of community because it is very, very special.
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PAGE

  • Stephen Anthony

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1996
    | First Position Title:     Teacher
    | Current Position Title: Head of School


    READ BIO

      

  • Ciara Corcoran

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1996
    | First Position Title: Grade 4 Homeroom Teacher
    | Current Position Title: Head of Junior School

    READ BIO

  • Jonathan Pike 

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1996
    | First Position Title:     Socials and English Teacher 
    | Current Position Title: Director of Operations

  • Charlotte Anthony

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1996
    | First Position Title:     Gr 2 Teacher
    | Current Position Title: STEM/Brainbreakers 
     

  • John Pope

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1996
    | First Position Title:     ​
    Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher, Music Teacher K & Gr 1, PE Teacher
    | Current Position Title:​
    Materials Design Teacher (Woodwork, Woodturning, Jewellery)
     

    READ BIO
     

  • Kirsten Bowles

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1997
    | First Position Title:     Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher
    | Current Position Title: Counselling Department Head, Junior School

  • Warren Lee

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1998
    | First Position Title:     Part-time Swim coach and Instructor
    | Current Position Title: Vice Principal, Student Life

  • Niamh McAllister

    | Year Started at WPGA: 1999
    | First Position Title: Grade 5 English Teacher
    | Current Position Title: Senior Drama teacher, play director.

  • Jennifer Gunasekera

    | Year started at WPGA: 1998
    | First Position Title:     Grade 5/6 Teacher 
    | Current Position Title: Director of Enrolment


    READ BIO

  • Devin St-Amour

    | Year Started at WPGA: 2002
    | First Position Title:     PE Teacher and Swim instructor
    | Current Position Title: Teacher Librarian

  • Lindsay Haider

    | Year started at WPGA: 2006
    | First Position title: Assistant debate coach 2006
    (Grade 3 Student number 265 - Bonny Woo homeroom - 1996)
    | Current Position title: Social Studies Department Head, 
    Coordinator of Global Discourse and Reasoning
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Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

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West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750