New Head of School in 2013

11/22/2012

By Ms. M. MacMillan, Communications Director

We look forward to welcoming Tam Matthews as Head of School--and to celebrating Headmaster Austin's legacy at WPGA.

By Ms. M. MacMillan, Communications Director

This article is an abbreviation of the letter sent to our community on November 16 by Board Chair Robert Standerwick and Selection Committee Chair Fiona Brodie. To read the original letter, click here.

Last Friday, the Head of School Search Committee announced our new Head of School, Mr. Tam Matthews, who will succeed Headmaster Austin in summer 2013. Mr. Matthews is currently Head of School at Ashbury College in Ottawa. Like WPGA, Ashbury is a premier coeducational independent school committed to academic excellence, community involvement and personal growth.

A graduate of independent schools, with strong family connections to independent education (his father was founding Head of Pearson United World College in Victoria), Mr. Matthews is one of Canada's leading educators. Prior to becoming Head of School at Ashbury 12 years ago, Mr. Matthews was Head of Albert College; before this, he was Director of Admissions at Lakefield College School and a teacher at Upper Canada College. He is also past Chair of the Canadian Accredited and Independent Schools (CAIS) association.

Mr. Matthews' breadth of experience and leadership is impressive. Not only has he guided Ashbury through two strategic planning processes and three major capital expansions, but his record of ensuring best practices in capital growth, governance and program development is impeccable. Mr. Matthews also shares our commitment to nurturing compassionate, global-minded students who care deeply about their communities. And as leader of the 1996 Olympic sailing team and a member of the 1980 and 1984 Olympic teams, it is not surprising Mr. Matthews shares our passion for sport and outdoor pursuits!

A collaborative and engaging person, Mr. Matthews was chosen to succeed Headmaster Austin from a top-tier pool of candidates from Canada, the U.S. and abroad. This remarkable group is a testament to our school's reputation, our vibrant community, our outstanding faculty, our graduates' success, and the vision and direction of Headmaster Austin, who has stewarded WPGA to be one of the best preparatory schools in Canada.

We look forward to welcoming Mr. Matthews to WPGA. Until then, let the celebrations for Headmaster Austin begin!

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Mr. Tam Matthews

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.