Senior Leadership Team

Head of School

Richard 'Larry' Lamont

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  • Larry studied at Winchester College, one of England's oldest boarding schools, and holds qualifications from the universities of London, Cambridge and Oxford and is a teacher of English Literature.

    He was Head of the English Department and then Head of Upper School and a member of the Senior Management Team at Marlborough College (one of the foremost co-educational boarding schools in England). During this time and as part of a teacher exchange, he worked for a term (2009) in the English Department at UWC Waterford Kamhlaba (Swaziland), which gave him his first insight into the educational model and philosophy of the United World Colleges.

    From 2012 to 2018, Larry was Rektor (Head) of UWC Red Cross Nordic (Norway), a co-educational boarding school in the fjords with students from over 85 countries.

    Larry has a background in experiential and expeditionary learning, and has co-led school expeditions to many parts of the world—from cultural tours of Cuba to wilderness trails in the iMfolozi and Drakensberg reserves in South Africa. He is a keen team sportsman, skier and fly fisherman and an experienced cricket and field hockey coach. 

    Larry was appointed to the position of Head of School at Shawnigan Lake School in August 2017 and moved with his family—Kathini, Poppy, Phoebe and two whippets—in July 2018.

    When not on campus, he can be found exploring and fishing rivers on Vancouver Island.

Deputy Head

BILL NICHOLAS

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  • Bill Nicholas completed his schooling at Loretto School, Musselburgh, Scotland, before spending a year in the North Island of New Zealand, working in a boarding school.

    He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science from the University of Bath in the UK, and subsequently completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the same university.
     
    Bill's first teaching post was at Sir Thomas Rich's Grammar School in Gloucester, where he taught science and chemistry, as well as coaching a number of sports. Bill then moved to Marlborough College, a leading coeducational boarding school in England, as a chemistry teacher. There, Bill was in charge of the rugby program and coached the 1st XV for 10 years, as well as being the Housemaster of a coeducational boarding house for nine years. He was appointed Second Master (Senior Deputy Head) at Marlborough in 2015, a position he held until his move to Shawnigan in 2022. 
     
    During his time at university and in the early part of his teaching career, Bill played international student rugby, alongside playing for Bath and then Gloucester rugby clubs. He later coached a club side in the English Championship. More recently, he completed a Master of Science in Learning and Teaching at Oxford University.
     
    Bill took up his position as Deputy Head of School at Shawnigan in April 2022. He is also teaching Grade 11 chemistry. He has been joined at Shawnigan by his wife, Sheryl, who is working in the Advancement Department, and by their son Jonty, who is a Grade 11 student in Lonsdale's. Bill and Sheryl's daughter, Georgie, has remained in the UK, where she is working as a psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health. 

Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Chrissy Raniseth

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  • Chrissy has over 15 years’ experience providing strategic financial leadership, and has a passion for driving operational efficiencies to allow organizations to maximize their impact.

    She obtained her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria before beginning her career at KPMG LLP in 2004, where she articled and obtained her Chartered Accountant designation. She then worked at a publicly traded technology company and taught accounting at Camosun College in Victoria before taking up the position of Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Glenlyon Norfolk School from 2013 to 2024. 
     
    As a designated CPA, CA, Chrissy is a member of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and has served on the Boards of KidSport Victoria and the Victoria Junior Field Hockey Association, and the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Peer Review Committee.
     
    Chrissy’s distinguished background – and especially her experience in navigating organizational change, large capital projects, and all the complexities of running a BC-based independent school – ensures that Shawnigan’s financial and operational matters are in the very best of hands. She leads the Business Operations team including Finance, IT, Facilities and Operations, and Risk Management for the School, and is responsible for the long-term financial and operational sustainability for both the Shawnigan Lake School Society and Foundation. 

Executive Director of Admissions

Gaynor Samuel

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  • Gaynor Samuel was brought up in a tiny coal-mining village in Wales. It was here, at the foot of the Black Mountain in Brynaman, where she learned the strong family values and traditions that make her such a natural for Shawnigan.

    Following her childhood dream, to become a teacher, Gaynor received a bachelor’s degree and teacher’s certificate from Cardiff University and took her first job as a biology and math teacher in North Wales in a town called Mold.

    After two years, she moved back to Cardiff and Glantaff School where she taught science for ten years. Gaynor was recognized early in her career as a leader, and was appointed Head of the Glantaff Middle School after several years of teaching. 

    During this time, Gaynor married Rhodri Samuel. Rhod was working in Canada at St. Michael’s University School in Victoria, so Gaynor made the move to SMUS as Head of Girls’ Boarding. After a couple of years, Rhodri and Gaynor moved back to Wales to start a family and worked at Christ College, Brecon. 

    Two years, and two children later, the Samuel family heard of an opportunity at Shawnigan Lake School. Rhodri was appointed Head of Ripley’s and Gaynor settled into her role as “House Mother” and relished the opportunity to spend time with her own growing children in the comfortable setting of Shawnigan. 

    In 2006, Gaynor left teaching to become an Admissions Associate, taking over the role of Admissions Director in 2008. When not at work, Gaynor is a keen interior designer and is highly sought after to assist in the decorations of houses on campus.

Senior Master & Executive Director of Organizational Effectiveness

Wendy Milne

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  • Wendy Milne (neé Woollven) joined the Shawnigan Lake School staff in 1997 after completing her B.Sc. in Mathematics and Geography at Trent University and her B.Ed. at the Intermediate-Senior level through the Trent-Queen’s Concurrent Education Program.

    After 15 summers attending and working at YMCA Camp PineCrest in Muskoka, Ontario, making the move to the boarding environment was a quick transition, and the best decision she could have made for her career. Her move to BC was supposed to be for only one year, but when she settled into the School, she quickly wanted to stay. In addition to continuing with her passion as a mathematics teacher, Wendy has been a House Director, the Registrar, and the Dean of Academics. Since her arrival 22 years ago, Wendy has also been able to be involved with rowing, outdoors, the Yearbook, and organized the School’s annual Ski Week for 15 years. Her latest projects have been to finish her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and the CAIS Advanced Leadership Institute Diploma – two programs that she draws from in current her role as Assistant Head - Academics. Now living just off campus with her husband, Wendy’s life and career have been significantly impacted by Shawnigan. She finds being able to work with such an amazing group of students and staff to be a true privilege, and yes, she has been struck by lightning.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Joanna Robinson

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  • Joanna has extensive experience in the field of Advancement and team management. Joanna served as Shawnigan Lake School's Director of Development for two years before stepping into the role of Executive Director, Advancement & Community Engagement.

    She is leading the School’s engagement and fundraising activities with parents, alumni, staff and friends of Shawnigan Lake School, focused primarily on raising resources to deliver our strategic plan Project Future’s initiatives including capital projects, scholarships and endowment. Key achievements include broadening the Advancement & Community Engagement Department’s relationships with new and current parents and re-establishing the School’s presence in Asia post-pandemic.

    Joanna brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, with a strong commitment to philanthropy and children's access to education and health. Selected examples from her professional background include managing the UK-based Children's Investment Fund Foundation's (CIFF) $50 million investment under the Accelerating Children’s HIV/AIDS Treatment (ACT) initiative, an ambitious $200 million public-private partnership with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief across 9 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and overseeing the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's (EGPAF) multimillion-dollar private donor funding portfolio, including awards from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, and Abbott Fund. Joanna has worked throughout the world - in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, India, China, Georgia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Russia. 
     
    Joanna offers expertise in donor stewardship, relationship management, project management, program reporting, and financial oversight. She is known for her strong interpersonal and communication skills, diplomatic approach, and experience working with diverse stakeholders including governments, multilateral organizations, private corporations, foundations, community partners, non-profits, and universities.

    Joanna received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University and earned her Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, with a specialization in international development and child rights. She is married to Rob Armstrong, Shawnigan's Ice Hockey Program Skills Coach, and mother to two teenage boys (Emmitt and Sidney) who are students of Shawnigan Lake School.

Assistant Head Co-Curricular

Nigel Mayes

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  • Graduating from the University of Victoria’s Chemistry Co-op program, Nigel developed significant industrial experience as a synthetic organic chemist before shifting into education.

    Attracted to the deeply fulfilling work and diversity of opportunities in education, his early career included teaching chemistry and physics in Pemberton and Castlegar, BC. Before returning to Shawnigan in 2001, Nigel helped to build the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at the Dresden International School.
     
    The challenges of building a new school in Dresden inspired his work at Shawnigan. He has been a key developer of new Shawnigan programs including: the on-campus Montessori preschool, World Champion robotics program, astronomical observatory and international science fair opportunities. For 20 years, he has been a key organizer of the School’s annual Ski Week. Sharing the Manning Park Ski Week experience with students is Nigel’s favorite part of Shawnigan.
     
    Nigel’s current role includes leading the co-curricular programs at the School. This includes our sport and 360 (arts and activities) programs as well as overseeing all trips and tours, including Shawnigan’s EDGE program – our unique set of national and international service-learning opportunities.
     
    With an insatiable desire to be in the outdoors, Nigel’s mission is to ensure that all Shawnigan students experience the natural wonders of Vancouver Island.

Assistant Head - Student Life

Matthew Clinton-Baker

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Director of the Head's Office

Cheryl Miranda - (Currently on sabbatical)

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  • Cheryl was born and raised in Victoria, BC, and embarked on her educational journey at the University of Victoria, where she earned her degree in Education with a focus on math and physical education.

    Her passion for teaching blossomed during a transformative year at a boarding school in Warwick, England, sparking a lifelong love for education. With a diverse teaching background spanning middle and high schools across Victoria, Sooke and the Cowichan Valley, Cheryl has enjoyed 20-plus years teaching math, physical education and English to students around southern Vancouver Island. In her teaching role, she was able to combine her love of education with her love of sports by coaching many school athletic teams over the years, including basketball, volleyball, rugby and soccer. As a national swimming athlete herself, promoting health and well-being with her students has brought her immense joy.

    Beyond the classroom, Cheryl's commitment to Shawnigan extends to supporting the Board of Governors, supporting the Head of School with special projects, overseeing both on-campus and off-campus events, and overseeing 'People and Culture' initiatives for the community. She represents the Head's Office at events both locally and beyond where she enjoys connecting with members of the greater Shawnigan community. Cheryl also serves as a connector for the Senior Leadership Team to the rest of the community where she meets with members to discuss ways that leadership can support their individual and collective journeys. Although her role currently has her out of the classroom, she finds ways to connect with the student community regularly by working closely with her advisees and doing duty in a boarding house once a week. She also thoroughly enjoys working with the student co-Heads of School as well as the School prefects on any initiatives where they need support.

    In her spare time, Cheryl can be found hiking the local mountains, travelling with her husband Trevor, and watching their three children, all of whom graduated from Shawnigan, pursue their goals at university and beyond.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
1975 Renfrew Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC V8H 2G7
+1-250-743-5516
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.