Alumni Returning to Old Stomping Grounds

GNS has certainly been very supportive of either current or recently graduated students having them work through the holidays, after school, as well as in the IT, custodial, athletic and administrative departments, but there are also a surprising number who have returned to their old stomping grounds to work full time.

The first former student to teach at the school was Miss “Primmy” Adamson. A standout art student while attending NHS 1924-27, she was one of three students to be the first to matriculate (graduate) from NHS. She continued her association without actually leaving the school, by becoming the part-time instructor during her matriculation year and then continuing as the art teacher through to 1945 without any post-high school training.

The first former student from Glenlyon to teach was Hamish Simpson, son of the headmaster. He left to complete his further education, returning briefly in 1955-56 and 58-59, then permanently from 60-82, assuming the headship from 1964-82. 

Rosemary Maud Penn (Weaver-Bridgman) attended NHS 1938-43 returning in 1970-81 as the Senior English teacher and Vice-Principal.

Madeleine Humer (Groos) was a NHS graduate attending as a student 1955-68, and then returning to teach Music and Choir with great enthusiasm and success at Glenlyon 1974-77 and at GNS 1987-03.

Dougal A. Fraser was at Glenlyon in 1954-59, becoming Head Boy in his final year and a very strong drama student. He returned in 1975-78 as the Senior English and Drama teacher, even taking on the daunting task of directing his older colleagues in the iconic staff play of Happiest Days of Your Life. 

Valerie Chatterton was an equally fine drama student while attending NHS 1968-70. She returned in 1982 and after a period away, returned again and retired in 2020. She successfully taught English and Drama, Taking Public Speaking and Debating to a new level.

Hilary Spicer was a NHS graduate 1955-62, teaching French at Glenlyon from 1984-86.

Rosalind Scott, was a graduating student at NHS from 1968-73, joining Glenlyon in 1985 and continuing at GNS teaching French through to 1992.

Leila Sinclair-Wise was a GNS graduate 1986-91. Leila returned as a Teacher’s Aide 1993-95 at the Junior Schools before moving on to a public school teaching career.

Jean Bigelow, a NHS graduate 1966-71, returned to GNS in 1993 through 2021, during which time she was a Counsellor, Director of Student Affairs, and Principal of both the Middle School and Junior School.

Michelle Jones (Green) was at NHS 1982-85, later teaching in the Primary Boys section of GNS at the Beach Drive Campus in 1994-2000.

Alison McCallum was a student at NHS before graduating at GNS 1978-89. She taught at the Senior school 1995-96 and 2006-07.

Henrietta Langran-DesBrisay graduated from NHS 1975-81 and then returned to teach Grade 7 Junior Girls 1997-99 at Pemberton Woods.

Rosemary Barlow was a NHS graduate 1978-85, returning in 1997-99 to work in the Advancement (Development) Department.

Celeste Jacobs (Hambleton) was a NHS graduate 1981-86, returning to teach at the GNS Junior Boys School at Beach Drive 1999-02.

Heather Crossley (Lyall) attended NHS 1981-86. She returned to teach at the GNS Junior Girls in 1999, moving from Pemberton Woods to the Junior Campus at Beach Drive after the 2002 Junior/Middle School Reconfiguration, where she remains.

Benjamin A. Brooks was a GNS graduate 1987-96 working initially with After School Care at the GNS Junior Boys later teaching at the Junior Campus from 2001 to the present.

Richard Brambley was a GNS graduate 1984-86/92-94 teaching Grade 5s at the GNS Junior Campus 2002-04.

Annie Vallance was a GNS graduate 1991-97 teaching Science and Math at the GNS Middle and Senior schools 2003-20.

Emma Marley was a NHS graduate 1975-86 and returned to GNS to teach Grade 3 at the Junior School 2005-06.

Michelle Maxwell (Crow), a GNS graduate 1993-00, returned to teach at the Junior School 2009-17.

Rebecca Steele (Porter) was a GNS graduate 1992-96. From 2010-22 Rebecca was a Form and Learning Strategies teacher at the Junior School.

Jennifer Mora (Tanner) was a GNS graduate 1993-98. Jennifer worked as a Form teacher and in Learning Strategies at the Junior School from 2010-2019.

Paul Mais was a GNS graduate 1992-97 and taught Geography and Social Studies in the Middle School 2014-2020.

Kevin Neilson was a GNS graduate 1996-08. From 2015-20 Kevin worked at the Junior School Campus with ASC and as a teacher.

Sarah McQueen was at GNS 1993-99. From 2015-22 Sarah worked in Admissions.

Elspeth Easton was a GNS graduate 1997-10 returning to teach English, Individuals and Societies, Law, and with great success, Debating, from 2016 through to the present.

Sarah Emslie (Eamer-Goult) was a NHS graduate 1967-80 returning to GNS to assist in Legacy Giving in the Advancement Department in 2018-19.

Zan (Alexandra) Plews was a GNS graduate 1999-2006, returning to work as the radiant Alumni Engagement Coordinator in 2018 and is currently feverishly planning the upcoming Homecoming on May 3rd and 4th! All Alumni are invited to mix and mingle with fellow classmates and former/current faculty!

Sophia Sainsbury started at GNS in 2014 and graduated in 2017. She joined the Junior School staff in 2022 as a JK Assistant and this year became a JK teacher.

Sarah Hougen was a GNS graduate 2014-17. She joined the GNS Advancement as Administrative Assistant and Event Coordinator in 2024-present and recently spearheaded the very successful Simpson Family dedication of the Simpson Centre at the Junior School.

Madeleine Taylor was a GNS graduate 2004-11. She is the most recent former student to return, coming on-board in Advancement as Communications and Digital Media Coordinator from 2024 to present.