Staff

Melissa Masse — Manager

Having spent the last 5 years teaching at the JK, I am very excited to be the manager. Supporting all of the incredible staff and families of CCCS has been so rewarding. You can find me driving the bus, singing songs, giving high fives or playing the ukelele.

When I’m not at the JK, I can be found at the “Big School” hanging out with my daughter, or riding my bike in this beautiful city and enjoying the local beaches.

Clare Fensom — Early Childhood Educator

I started working at the JK in September 2015 while completing my practicum as an Early Childhood Educator Student from Sprott Shaw College here in Victoria.

I have always had a passion to work with preschool children and I am pleased to work on a professional level. I have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. I grew up in England in an all girls’ Anglican private school. I have many years of working with children, as a volunteer in the Girl Guide Association of Canada and a School Bus Driver. Having ranched and farmed for many years, I have an extensive knowledge of animals and country life that I bring, together with creative fibre arts and Girl Guide leader skills, to Christ Church Cathedral School.

It is a pleasure to see the children’s curiosity of the world around them. Together with their parents and the staff, I enjoy in assisting the children to confidently meet the life challenges ahead, set in the warm, homey atmosphere of the JK.

Melanie Langman — Early Childhood Educator
After completing her practicum at the JK last December, Melanie is excited to join the JK team and get to know the wonderful children and families. Melanie grew up in Ontario where she completed her B.A. in French and Psychology. She has worked with children for many years and taught children’s dance and Zumba classes. “I feel that children hold a spark of curiosity and wonder about the world, that I help to build and grow, encouraging them to explore the many learning opportunities that await them.”

Elizabeth MacKay — Early Childhood Educator
Elizabeth has a passion for working with children, which she has been doing for over 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Education, but feels that working with children aged 3 – 5 is where she truly belongs. Elizabeth grew up on a farm in rural PEI and some of her most memorable moments are from exploring the beauty and mystery of the outdoors. She looks forward to sharing this passion for nature with the JK students.

Shelley Miller — Early Childhood Educator

I knew from the time I was in elementary school that I wanted to be a teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Education Elementary degree and spent 14 years working in the public school system in the Okanagan teaching Kindergarten through grade four. I joined the JK team last year and am excited to work with such a dedicated group of teachers and parents and such curious and enthusiastic children. I love creating art with children and am passionate about early literacy. Outside of work I love yoga, hiking, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding.

Sabrina Murty — Early Childhood Educator

I have been at the JK since September 2015. I have my full ECE, I obtained this past November. I love working with children. I also work with youth on a regular basis. I grew up in a small town in northern BC where I spent most of my time outside. I still love being outside, hiking and camping. I have a large family which I see all the time, I have 5 nieces and nephews and a goddaughter I see regularly.

Cindy Potts — Early Childhood Educator

I been working with children for the last two years since finishing my practicum at the JK in the summer 2014. I have always had a passion for working with children , helping them to learn and grow. In my free time I enjoy being outside, walking the beach, hiking and camping with my family. I joined the JK in May 2016 and I’m excited to get to know all the children and families.

Roger Aubin — Early Childhood Educator Assistant

Bringing a male perspective to the daycare, Roger has a bachelor of education and has taught both children and adults. His love for children became clear when he volunteered at the school when his daughter enrolled and luckily for everyone shortly after that a position came up.
“I am extremely excited to work with a team that truly loves their jobs and the students. This is a very special place and I am honoured to be asked to be a part of it. I am truly grateful.”
Besides daycare, Roger tutors math to elementary and high school students and is a certified sailing instructor.

Kindergarten
Jean Hollingworth

“I am so thrilled to return ‘home’ to the Main Campus as the new Kindergarten teacher! After a few years of managing the Junior Kindergarten, spending time overseas in New Zealand, and being a stay at home mother to two little boys, I am ready to jump into Kindergarten and experience all that it has to offer.”

Grade 1 Teacher 
Micaela Winter

Profile coming soon.

Grade 2
Michelle Kennedy

Profile coming soon.

Grade 3 Teacher
Jane Hehr + Brett Macdonald

Jane has nine years of teaching experience in a variety of settings, having taught in California and Illinois before moving with her family to Victoria. She also served as a library branch head in the States. She looks forward to working with grade 3 this year as a team teacher with Ms. Macdonald.

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After graduating from UVic with a Bachelor of Elementary Education, Brett Macdonald has spent the last 11 years teaching in Europe. Most recently she taught Grade 2 at an International School in Munich, Germany. Brett is a teacher who brings her enthusiasm and creativity into the classroom. She is very pleased to be joining the CCCS community and is looking forward to teaching Grade 3 alongside Ms. Hehr.

Grade 4
Heather Branscombe

Since joining the community of Christ Church Cathderal School in 2011, Heather Branscombe has enjoyed teaching many grades including primary French.  Currently the grade 4 teacher, Heather incorporates a hands on approach to learning in a classroom that is both engaging and supportive.  As facilitator of the Green Team (a middle school club), Heather is able to share her love of the environment with the school community.

Grade 5
Tobi Blue & Kristin Meissner

Tobi Blue profile coming soon . . .

Kristin Meissner: “12 years and counting! I count myself to be very blessed to work at such a gem of a school — the staff, students and parent community are the heart of what makes CCCS so special. One of my highlights every year is the much anticipated bike trip. I look forward to keeping this tradition rolling in grade 5!”

Grade 6 Homeroom (Science 6 & 8 / Math 6,7,8)
Lara Salchert

Ms. Salchert is a compassionate teacher, dedicated community volunteer, professional engineer and retired Canadian Naval Officer. She brings practical experience and engaging real-world examples and learning opportunities to the classroom. She is excited to enter her third year as part of the CCCS Middle School teaching team.

Grade 7 Homeroom (Science 7, Language Arts 6 & 7)
Lindsey Waters (formerly Lindsey Corp)

This is Mrs. Waters’ fourth year at CCCS. She received her Bachelor of Education at UVic in 2012. Her passion is the fine arts and she has been a choreographer and a piano teacher.

Grade 8
Marylee McKeown

After a very rewarding 12 year teaching career in Vancouver working with middle school and intermediate aged students in the classroom, as well as teaching French as a Second Language and Physical Education, I joined the CCCS team to instruct a grade 2/3 class.

Since 2001, I have taught grades 5, 6, and 7 and am currently working with the grade 8s. My philosophy of education is a simple one; I believe that all children can and do learn if they feel connected to their learning community, especially their teachers. My job is to make meaningful connections with all students, help them to get organized, and most importantly, encourage the students to be the best they can be!

CCCS is a small school that provides a nurturing environment for all students; the staff knows the students and the students know the staff. I am proud to be a member of this learning community.

Art Teacher
Sandi Henrich 

After several years of teaching art at our Junior Kindergarten and a couple of years of teaching Primary and Intermediate art here at the Main Campus, Sandi Henrich has now taken on the role of art teacher for all grades K – 8 and brings her passion for the arts to our students. You’ll find galleries of student artwork on her blog “Art Class”: http://sandihenrich.weebly.com/

French Teacher 
Josie Gair

Josie Gair was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She attended French Immersion Kindergarten through Grade 12, which included an exchange to Dieppe, France. She moved to Victoria to study Elementary Education at the University of Victoria in 2010. Josie completed one of her practicums in rural Thailand teaching refugees, and her second in Montreal teaching Francophone students. This is Josie’s second year at CCCS and first year teaching to all grades.  Josie loves socializing with friends, eating, travelling the world, scuba diving, playing soccer, exploring Vancouver Island, and spending time at her family cabin.

Learning Support Teacher (grades 6 – 8), Technology (grades 4 – 8), Health & Career Education (grades 6 – 8)
Kirsten Salmon

Music Specialists
Kathy Stacey & David Enns

Kathy has been the primary music specialist at CCCS since 2008 and also the Choir Director for the Primary choirs. In addition to her music degree, Kathy studied cello and piano at the Royal College of Music in London, England.

Kathy has always been passionate about teaching music to children, owning her own full-service children’s music school in Nanaimo for fifteen years. There she was the assistant principal cellist in the Vancouver Island Symphony orchestra for nine years and the Education Consultant for the Symphony for 5 years, compiling the educational materials for the Children’s Education Concert Series.

David takes on the exhilarating challenge of teaching band to our middle school students. Their level of enthusiasm is clear evidence of the impact he has on their growing appreciation, talent and skills. David is an active performer on the local music scene on both piano and trombone and in a variety of musical genres.

Educational Assistants
Vicki Bashista, Valerie Crosbie, Joanna Daley, Patricio Molina Espinoza, Cody Fitzsimmons, Dawn Harris, Leone Leighton, Shelley Miller & Heather Storie

Our Educational Assistants are essential to the success of our programs. They work throughout the school and playground to ensure that all students can reach their full potential.

Learning Support Teacher & Special Education Coordinator
Jennefer Byrne

I am truly excited to join the team at Christ Church Cathedral School. I bring a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to working as part of our school team; contributing meaningfully to the positive development of children. After a successful and enjoyable career in the public system on Vancouver Island, I bring 27 years of experience as a special education resource teacher, learning support teacher, classroom teacher (Kindergarten to grade 8), and school leader (Vice-Principal and Elementary Principal) to support, teach and learn alongside all the students, staff and families at CCCS. When I am not teaching, I enjoy gardening, hiking, reading, travelling, cooking and just hanging around with my family and friends . . . oh and of course my dog!

Physical Education Specialist/ Learning Support
James Rhodes

James has lived in Victoria his whole life and attended Oak Bay High School. He then went on to the University of Victoria, where he graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Education degree. James played for UVic’s varsity soccer team for five years, which ended with the team winning a national championship. Over the last two years he has been working at Glenlyon Norfolk Junior school as an educational assistant. He has a passion for sports and physical activity, which is evident through his years of playing and coaching soccer, basketball, track and field, and baseball. When James isn’t involved with playing or coaching sports he can be found walking the beaches and many trails with his wife Mikaila and dog Giggs. He is also an advocate of outdoor activities, and takes every opportunity to go camping, skiing, and fishing.

Religious Education / Faith Development
Ms Kate Newman

Kate Newman has been teaching faith and arts to children for 16 years. She is the principal developer for the Anglican Church of Canada’s Sunday School curriculum, Compendium of the Church Mice.  Kate was baptized and confirmed at Christ Church Cathedral. She has a Masters of Education and will have completed a Masters of Theological Studies by the summer. She is also a mother of a student at CCCS.

Co-ordinator of the Out of School Care Program, called Lux Mundi, which means Light of the World – Todd Fitzsimmons

Todd has worked at Cathedral School since 1994.

He runs the Out-of-School Care Program, which keeps him busy all the year round. He loves sports and keeping active and enjoys teaching children about how sports and fitness are important in all our lives. Working with children keeps him young at heart as he has been doing it for 19 years.

“My biggest joy is watching the students at Cathedral School grow up and accomplish new things. If you can’t find me at School, I’m usually playing some kind of sports or limping around.”

Assistants – Cody Fitzsimmons, Patricio Espinoza, Vicki Bashista and other school staff as needed