The Making of a Headmaster

A n n u Repo

a r l t2009

TheAndreanFall 2009 Volume 53 Number 2

The Making of a Headmaster Meet the McHenry Family Geoff George all 2009 8 F Kevin McHenry: the Making of a Headmaster New Head’s self-knowledge and clear vision validate committee’s choice By Jim MCGILLIVRAY

arely do you encounter indi- Nortel. I was raised in Mississauga supportive. I tried to keep all my op- viduals who are as focused where my mother still lives. I have tions available and decided to pursue as Kevin McHenry. Rarely two older brothers: Dan lives in a business degree and keep an open are people so able to under- Toronto where he is a teacher, mind. I didn’t waver much. I had some standR their own motivations or articulate and Pat lives in Oakville and is a very interesting summer jobs in business. their own vision so clearly. Rarer still technology consultant. My father connected me with different are people who will share it so honestly. How early did you know what you people, and he probably had an ulterior Kevin McHenry became the eighth wanted to do with your life? motive. In my graduating year at Lau- Headmaster of St. Andrew’s College, I knew in grade 9 that I wanted to be rier I received a very good offer from a with the departure of Ted Staunton, a principal. In high school I just loved company in New York, and my parents after the School’s 110th year in June. everything about the environment and and I ended up going to Manhattan. Andrean writer Jim McGillivray met what it had to offer. I worked hard and I thought that it was best to go there with Kevin in May, just a month before participated fully in the life of the school and see New York for myself, as this he moved into the driver’s seat. and established good relationships with was potentially a life-altering decision. the teachers and the principal. I often The three of us went down Easter What should we know first about spoke with the principal and remember weekend, and I met with company Kevin McHenry? many days just dropping by to talk to representatives. The job being offered My family is the most important aspect him about his position; that’s a big part to me was an entry-level job, so it of my life. Karan and I have been of why I’m here today. I loved school all wasn’t the red-carpet treatment, but married for 13 years, and we have the way through and thought, why not still, it was quite an experience to have three beautiful children: Will, Caden work at a place I love? these impressive people saying that and Hadley. I was born in Montreal And you never wavered from this was the place for me to be. It was and spent the first five years of my that position? 1990 and I was a 23-year-old being life there, then moved to Mississauga My father was in business and I was offered a job in one of the commercial when my father was transferred with fortunate that my parents were very capitals of the world!

The Andrean 9 Obviously you never took the job… When I arrived at Western she had just Karan’s three-bedroom house in I related this story to the selection finished her business degree through Newmarket. Everything I owned committee for the Headmaster’s position the Richard Ivey School of Business. went into one car load! as it was one of those times you never She was asked to teach in the business It sounds as if your careers forget. We were in my parents’ car school, and she did that for two years. progressed in parallel. going over the George Washington She’d had aspirations of going into the Yes, we began to complete our masters’ Bridge and I told them that it was business world, but realized she loved through OISE together. We also did our all very appealing and exciting, but I teaching, so she applied to teachers’ principal’s papers together. I took 17 explained to them that I always wanted college at Western. We met on the first full courses during my first 6 years of to be a teacher and principal, and that’s day of classes. teaching. It was a very busy time for us, what I planned to pursue. I saw my We were married in July of 1996. We but we didn’t have children yet so it was dad’s shoulders droop, but to his credit, left teachers’ college a few years ear- manageable. We both knew what the he turned around to look at me and lier, and the job market was not good. future held, and we wanted to get the said they knew that all along and that I was keen to work in Mississauga or course work done before we had a family. they would support me in my decision. Oakville, but Karan’s family is from Karan ended up going through the prin- And so you became a teacher. Newmarket and she encouraged me to cipal’s process at York Region District First, I went to Australia. I graduated apply to York Region. I did, and I was School Board at the same time that I did.

Johnathon Adams ‘13 (left) and Prefect, Joshua

Si ‘10 (right), discuss G eoff eorge matters of the day with Kevin McHenry from Laurier with a B.B.A. – a Bachelor hired to teach Business at Thornlea That was an excellent experience. It’s of Business Administration – and then I Secondary School in Thornhill. I lived a very intense four-stage process with a went to see Australia and New Zealand in Mississauga and commuted for the lot of preparation work, and it was really for 10 months. That was for fun, though first five years. Karan is bilingual and helpful to do it together. I moved after I worked for a while in a finance office she started teaching grade 6 French in six years at Thornlea to become Head in Brisbane to pay for it, again the result Holland Landing. Then she moved to of Business at Huron Heights for three of my father’s contacts. It was a great teach business at Sutton District High years, then I became a Vice Principal trip. When I returned home I attended School. She owned a house in Newmarket. at Newmarket High. Karan went south teachers’ college at Western. When we were married I ended up to Bayview Secondary School and then Where did you meet Karan? with a pretty good deal: I moved into she become a Vice Principal at Langstaff

10 Fall 2009 High School in Richmond Hill. After unable to play for the remainder of the past May we captured our very first that she was hired as the Vice Principal season. I also wrestled, which is maybe CISAA Baseball Championship. responsible for expelled students in the most interesting part of my sports I love all sports and look forward to the York Region District School Board, life. I was offered a scholarship to Simon supporting our teams from the sidelines including night- and summer school. Fraser University, which I seriously con- as Headmaster. This was a unique experience as well. sidered. I had repeatedly placed second Was a move to the independent sys- Karan then took a couple of years off as in the province in high school, always tem something you had planned for? our children came along, and until June losing to the same guy. I just could not No, not at all. I wasn’t looking for a served as a Vice Principal before taking beat him.He went on to four Olympic change, and I wasn’t aware that the a leave of absence, which could well Games in succession. It does seem odd St. Andrew’s Director of Academics become permanent because she wants now thatI was a wrestler and played com- position was posted. I had coached to support St. Andrew’s. Together, we petitive hockey. In one you’re trying to gain for years against St. Andrew’s and was really believe in this place. weight; in the other you’re trying to lose it. a co-convener of hockey with Dave Were you competitive with each other Wrestling was good in terms of Galajda. So I knew about St. Andrew’s during those times? discipline and physical training, but it and its wonderful reputation. We often Of course, it’s human nature to be came down to whether or not I wanted lost to SAC in the York Region hockey competitive, but it was great because to fight every day of my life. I had done final! I was in my office one day when we were so like-minded and driven. We that for eight years, and I was now Greg Reid called me. Ted had asked were focused and we wanted to finish interested in taking a business degree people to keep an eye out for appropriate the course work. Every single summer at a good business school. Laurier was candidates. I was caught off guard and for seven years, we went to Toronto to known for that, Simon Fraser was not, I just said, “Look, I’m on a track, as is take courses, and during the school year so I packed in the wrestling. Karan, so I don’t think so.” But I’d been we took evening courses. The Board has What teams did you coach at on campus a few times and liked it, a comprehensive leadership development St. Andrew’s? so I went on to the school website and program, which is excellent. We took For the past seven years I have coached thought about it. I then decided to find a number of these courses together to hockey and baseball at SAC. I started out more about the position. I applied complement our university work. As for with the First Hockey team for the first and got the job. Professionally, it’s the being seriously competitive, we’d joke five years and then moved to the Junior best move I ever made. with one another, but the marks are Varsity program for the past two seasons. What are the main differences secondary in these types of courses. We experienced much success, captur- between leadership in the public and We were more supportive of each other ing a total of four CISAA champion- the independent school systems? The skill set is very similar. Any business is about people, and education is It’s a wonderful community with no exception. I think the main difference is that there is tremendous school pride great spirit at all levels: faculty, here. It’s a wonderful community with staff, students, parents and Old great spirit at all levels: faculty, staff, students, parents and Old Boys. Every- Boys. Everyone is on the same page. one is on the same page. When a position “ is posted we often receive more than 100 than anything else. ships. Paul Bedard ’79 and I started applications. Also, we are lucky enough Speaking of competition were you our baseball program seven years ago. to have the resources to make changes into sports as a young man? Victories were few and far between dur- and make them quickly. That’s very Very much so, growing up I played many ing the early years of the” program. Five unique. It was clear to me, going through sports: hockey, baseball, football, golf, years ago, I remember being down to a the process of researching SAC and the and was the shortest-lived quarterback school from Guelph, 22-0 after only two position, that this is the biggest difference ever at my school. I mentored at the innings. That was certainly a low point, from the public school system, and it’s a position for a full year, and my time to but the calibre of the team improved very positive difference. take over the position came in grade each and every year. For the past three Also, the work to be done with 12. On the first day I was injured and years we made the playoffs, and this Advancement and fundraising, and

The Andrean 11 with the Old Boy community doesn’t feeling from a parent, an Old Boy, a Certainly Ted came to St. Andrew’s exist in the public system. That will teacher or a staff member. That’s what with much more experience in the be a big part of my position. With the got me here, so my first order of independent school system, but we have help of Ted and Jim Herder ’64 and business is to show these people that similar interests and perceptions. We now Scott Hayter and others, I’ve been I’m the same person I’ve always been. see the School in the same way, and exposed to the Advancement side of The cliché about building relationships our vision is very similar. Like him, I things. Obviously, as I tried to get all is an overused term, but it defines who believe that I am an effective listener. I my ducks in a row to apply for this I am and how I’ve done things and who don’t make decisions lightly, and I know position over the past few years, I’ve I want to be as a leader. that decisions often don’t make everyone made a point of gaining experience in There will be a new Strategic Plan happy. I want everyone involved to have these areas. I’ve researched and I’ve within the first 18 months. We haven’t a chance to be heard and to know that really made it a focus. It’s an exciting had a formal plan since 1997 and we they were heard and that even though a area to be involved in because need to do one. It’s a tremendous school, decision might not have been made in the people who support the School but we always have to keep pushing. A their favour, their input was crucial. are passionate and excited about it. new Strategic Plan will help us do that. Ted has been a great mentor, and I What would you do differently if you What kind of differences in leadership learned well from him. There are some were starting your career again? styles can we expect between you things I want to continue to pursue, ones Nothing, I wouldn’t change any aspect and Ted? I’m personally passionate about that will of my career so far. Working in the Ted has been tremendous for me and help make a great school even greater. public system was incredible in terms could not have been a better mentor. We’re going to see lots of little of learning how to work with people. I His decision-making ability is incred- McHenrys on campus. Tell us about them. That’s what leadership is to me: All their birthdays are within nine days of each other at the end of June. taking something and making it Will is 9 years old, Caden is 6, and our daughter Hadley is 4. The boys the best it can be and earning the are going to French Immersion at Lester B. Pearson, and Hadley just feeling of pride of a job well done. started school at Aurora Heights. Of “ course I’m going to tell you they are have lots of respect for public schools. ible. I’ve worked for a lot of administra- wonderful children, and of course they The system was excellent for me as tors, but never worked with anybody are! They are very involved in music far as leadership development was who has the big-picture,” decision- and sports and are very well rounded. concerned. When you are the Vice making ability like Ted. They’ve been in many William Scoular Principal of a large high school with a I’ve had the honour of working productions and were all in FOCUS unionized environment and there is a extremely closely with Ted and in a lot this year. What better environment teacher who has been there for 25 years of ways I think we are similar, although is there for a family in education than who is supported by a union you have we’ve occasionally differed on issues. this campus? This will be a tremendous to be very careful in how the personnel My point of contact is mainly the people: place for them, and they are extremely issues are handled. It’s challenging, but faculty, parents, students, staff – so with excited about being here. They’ve a great training ground. all the comings and goings and needs of been here so often they have SAC boys What’s the first order of business people every day, our area of the School whom they consider friends. We’re still for the new Headmaster? is very complex. Ted always made time pondering the implications of a girl My first order of business is to ensure for me while giving me the autonomy to growing up in a boys’ school, but with that I don’t try to be something I’m not. make decisions, and I did everything two older brothers, she’s tough as nails, Many people supported me through this, in my power to ensure that issues were so we’re not too worried. Obviously, and I’m very appreciative. That was one dealt with and did not need to reach once the boys reach grade 6 they will of the motivating factors for me to get him. I took pride in taking care of busi- attend this outstanding school. through the selection process: hearing ness and in knowing that I left him with What drives Kevin McHenry? anecdotes and getting that positive bigger things to deal with. The main thing that drives me is

12 Fall 2009 maintaining the credibility and respect it’s all about for me. I think if you have a job well done. I’ll celebrate the fact of my colleagues, students, parents and that, and continue to cultivate it, then that we’re a great school, but I won’t the Old Boys. To know that I can walk any institution will do well to have you. settle for that. We can always be better by someone even though we’ve had a That’s what leadership is to me: taking – it is my responsibility to lead the difficult conversation and know that something and making it the best it can St. Andrew’s College team to take there is mutual respect. That’s what be and earning the feeling of pride of us there.

New Head’s wife confident she will find her niche By JIM MCGILLIVRAY

aran McHenry well University of Toronto/OISE, she became be working in a different way, but it remembers her part in the an administrator with the York Region should be familiar and exciting.” interviewing process that District School Board. Initially, Karan Even before the selection process helped earn her will take a leave of absence from her began, Karan thought she should Khusband the Headmaster’s position: “I position as Vice Principal at Bayview speak with Jane Staunton, the for- was brought into the process over din- Hill Elementary School. mer Headmaster’s wife. “I wanted ner with the entire selection commit- The idea of being away from her to have an accurate notion of what tee,” she recalls. “Kevin and I chosen career is not foreign to her, hav- her role is,” she says. “Kevin and I were seated at different tables.” ing taken four years in maternity leaves had thought long and hard about his “Obviously most of the focus at my moving into this position even before table was on me in terms of specific he applied. The Headmaster’s posi- questions. But really, I think it was tion is a partnership and it affects our about people getting to know me, so whole family. I conversed with Jane to while there were some pointed ques- consolidate my opinions and to get her tions, it was fairly informal. Part way views on whether I was on the right through the meal, Kevin and I switched track. I suppose I wanted her stamp on positions and I met with the other half of my view of things.” the committee and did it again. So, while “Jane was great, and she everything was very friendly, I certainly confirmed for me that while the crux did feel like it was my interview!” of the job is the husband’s, there is a Karan Bennett grew up in Newmar- strong role to play and there are a lot ket, where her father was well known of things that go on behind the scenes for his TV sales, service and appliance that people may not know about or be businesses. “He was quite an entrepre- aware of.” neur and saw the potential for business G eoff eorge Karan knows that finding her niche as televisions came onto the market,” will not be determined until she and she says. “He had a strong work ethic Kevin are well-established in their new and when he retired a lot of people in around three children in recent years. home on campus. “First off, my main town were sad and at a loss because his Nor does she feel that she is necessarily role will be to support Kevin personally service was so exceptional.” leaving the vocation she worked so hard and professionally,” she notes. “I’m Karan’s education and career stream for. “Every time I’ve taken a leave it really looking forward to getting to paralleled Kevin’s. As a graduate of the has been for a good reason, and this is know people – staff, students, parents Richard Ivey School of Business at the no exception,” she says. “I’ll be at and Old Boys. University of Western Ontario, Karan an educational institution, and while “That will be a start. Longer term, I’m taught the introductory business course I won’t be doing the same day-to-day confident and enthusiastic about using “Business 20” at Western for two years work I’ve done in the past, I have a great my past experiences in the field of educa- and a career in education was founded. opportunity to take my skills in another tion to find my place as the Headmaster’s After completing her M.Ed. at the direction. It’s a different place, and I’ll spouse at St. Andrew’s.”

The Andrean 13 Those Who Went Before: The Headmasters of St. Andrew’s College Kevin McHenry has taken the reins as the eighth Headmaster in the 110-year history of St. Andrew’s College – a remarkable record of continuity. Meet the first seven:

Reverend George Bruce 1899-1900 his well-regarded Sunday evening The Reverend George Bruce, B.A., sermons. Within five years the D.D., an Aberdeenshire man, school outgrew Chestnut Park, with founded St. Andrew’s College in Headmaster Macdonald insisting 1899 along with the first Board that the big city was not a place for Chair, J. K. Macdonald. Dr. Bruce SAC boys to grow into men. The became the School’s first Principal. first move to Rosedale would not He was a highly-spiritual man given accomplish this goal, but finally in to founding churches – seven of 1926 St. Andrew’s College found the them in total. He was well known then-quaint country town of Aurora. Dr. Macdonald continued as a writer, journalist and educator, and he was intensely to shape St. Andrew’s young men until his retirement in 1935 interested in scientific investigation. He had long advocated – still the longest Head’s term in the School’s history – and for improvements in the educational system and perceived then as a Governor for many more years. He died in 1962 at the need for an all-boys boarding school that combined home the age of 90. Dr. Macdonald was a giant in the evolution of training with classroom instruction to mould a boy’s character. St. Andrew’s College, more so than any other Headmaster in St. Andrew’s grew from this perception and the School opened its history; his spirit walks these halls. at the palatial Victorian mansion formerly owned by Sir David MacPherson at Chestnut Park in Toronto. There were no Dr. Ken Ketchum 1935-1958 blackboards and just a small sprinkling of students in that first Succeeding Dr. Macdonald was Dr. year. An idealist, but suffering from ill health, Bruce’s tenure Kenneth G.B. Ketchum. He joined was stormy and short. Five months into the first year he was the School in 1932 as a modern replaced by J. K. Macdonald’s son, Dr. Bruce Macdonald. It languages Master and was hand- was not certain for a while that the School would survive. But picked by Macdonald as his suc- it did, and the Reverend passed away in 1917 at the age of cessor. Dr. Ketchum inherited the 81 without knowing he had begun an institution that would job with the iconic ‘Dr. Mac’ looking outlive the century, gaining strength as one of the premier over his shoulder as a Governor, then independent schools in Canada. as Chairman of the Board. The early part of his tenure as Head was a period of consolidation after Dr. Bruce Macdonald 1900-1935 the Depression, and no sooner was recovery in place than it Latin scholar Dr. D. Bruce Macdonald became Headmaster was disrupted dramatically by World War II. During the heart on February 1, 1900, at 27 years of age. Over the next 35 of his Headship, and in the midst of the war, Dr. Ketchum was years he moulded the School according to Reverend Bruce’s seconded to serve as Director of Studies at the Royal Naval vision. First and foremost, his goal was to build character Canadian College at Royal Roads in British Columbia. So, in the boys, which he did on many fronts, including through these were difficult years, rife with extraordinary challenges.

14 Fall 2009 His affable ways were popular with the boys. He was responsible Mr. Bob Bedard 1981-1997 for building Masters’ housing on campus. But Dr. Ketchum was The sixth Headmaster was a stellar a controversial leader, and during the latter portion of his watch, athlete, winning the Canadian Men’s academic standards declined. He died in 1960, two years after Singles Tennis Championship three he retired, outlived by his predecessor, Dr. Macdonald. times in the 1950s. Ranked number one in Canada for 11 straight years, Mr. J. Robert Coulter 1958-1974 and a member of the Canadian St. Andrew’s fourth Headmaster, J. Sports Hall of Fame, many feel he Robert Coulter, was a builder who is the best tennis player Canada has brought the School into the modern produced. Bob joined the SAC fac- age. He abolished caning, reorga- ulty in 1972 as a skilled teacher with 14 years of experience nized the management structure, at Bishop’s College School. He taught on staff for nine years, made major and much-needed ad- serving as Assistant Headmaster to Dr. Hockin before taking vancements in the curriculum, and the reins in 1981. Humble and magnanimous, he was much raised Masters’ salaries to a com- loved by all, and his Headship was characterized by calm sta- petitive level. Mr. Coulter built the bility. He insisted SAC be a school where “each student feels Great Hall, Ketchum Auditorium and the classroom wing that wanted, where his opinions are respected, and he is treated became Coulter Hall. He led the transformation of the old Up- with dignity.” He expected openness and tolerance, fairness, per School dining hall into Fourth House (later Sifton House) and an environment in which all were capable of achieving and spearheaded major improvements in Macdonald House. their best. With Bob Bedard steady at the helm, the College He insisted on high academic standards and placed this un- entered the beginnings of the computer revolution, began its equivocally above sport at the forefront of a St. Andrew’s edu- very successful endowment fund and saw the first significant cation. Mr. Coulter saw this as a key element in St. Andrew’s expansion of the Admission and the Alumni Offices. Mr. Be- College retaining its place as a top-ranking ‘Little Big Four’ dard and his wife Anne still live in Aurora. school (Trinity College School, Ridley College, Upper Canada College and St. Andrew’s). He retired greatly acclaimed by Mr. Ted Staunton 1997-2009 the Board for renewing a faltering institution and banishing No other Head joined the School with complacency. Mr. Coulter passed away in Bridgetown, Nova such a proven track record as an in- Scotia in 2006 at 93. dependent school Headmaster. With technology and new social norms Dr. Tom A. Hockin 1974-1981 transforming education at break-neck The Honourable Dr. Thomas A. speed, change was in the air, and Hockin served seven years as Head- Ted Staunton was the man to make master in the midst of tenure as a pro- it happen. He spearheaded a major fessor at York University and at The strategic plan, a $20 million capital University of Western Ontario. He campaign and renovation, the phase-out of Grade 13, the addi- continued to emphasize academics, tion of Grade 6, the conversion of SAC to an all-laptop school, but once again raised the profile of the revitalization of the Cadet program, the expansion of the sports in developing the well-rounded Admission and Advancement offices, and a rejuvenation of the Andrean. Dr. Hockin was a brilliant Faculty. Blessed with a talent for putting the right people in the man, a deft politician, and a visionary - energetic and sometimes right positions, his leadership raised academic levels to a new divisive. Some thought he lacked the boarding school experience high. Through it all he earned a reputation for straightforward needed to take the institution forward, and others thought his ten- communication and compassion for the St. Andrew’s family at ure was merely another stepping stone to a political career. But all levels, from Middle School children to Upper School parents, Dr. Hockin led with panache and with the ability to inspire those from groundskeepers to department heads. Ted and his wife who shared his vision. His knack for finding the spotlight raised Jane left an indelible mark on the School before departing for a the profile of the School immeasurably. He left St. Andrew’s in limited-term post at Saltus Grammar School in Bermuda. 1981 to serve as a federal Cabinet Minister. Dr. Hockin remains active on the Canadian political and financial landscape and Compiled with notes from past issues of The Review and lives in Toronto with his wife Mary. Not an Ordinary Place by William Scoular.

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