Category: Alumni
Charting Their Own Course: Final Career Breakfast Highlights Innovation
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Each of their career pathways has been filled with multiple twists and turns — and one constant — key lessons learned during their time as students at Bayview Glen School (BVG).
“It is always great to have the chance to contribute back to the community that I benefited from when I was young,” says Daniel Mak ‘05, one of three invited BVG alumni to present at the final Career Breakfast of the school year. “It was an honour to be a guest speaker and thank you for your trust to deliver a note or two that might benefit the students.”
Daniel began at BVG as a Grade 8 student in 2000, recalling how he felt empowered to try new things during his time at the school, including creating an investment club when one didn’t exist.
“I was trusted by many teachers and especially Ms. [Dina] Astrella,” shared Daniel. “She gave me a lot of flexibility in leading extra-curricular activities that were not offered by the school back then. It also made me realize that I could do new things that are not part of the standard offerings and allowed me to have my own journey,” he says.
All of which has served him time and again in various professional experiences, including, helping run a family business selling carpet and wallpaper to casinos and hotels in his homeland of Macau, working in cybersecurity, deep tech and quantum computing, to his current role as General Partner, Strategic Growth at Awz Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Toronto.
“Fail early, fail fast and just try not to make the same mistake again,” Daniel told the packed audience of more than 100 students, faculty and staff who gathered in the Moatfield Campus Learning Commons for the event.
Reflecting on the high school version of himself, Daniel says he would offer today’s student this simple advice:
“Everyone’s path is different, hard skills on paper are only one part of qualifications and get you to the table/job interview, but soft skills, the human element, is what will actually land you the job or provide you with opportunity to lead. Be smart and not always right,” he says.
Saba Ketabchi Haghighat was the youngest BVG alum on the panel — having graduated in 2016. She was also the only one to join virtually — from California — where she is a hardware engineer who works on the Apple watch.
“I believe representation in every field matters, especially as a woman in engineering, and I would love to see more women in our field,” she says. “The Career Breakfast is a great opportunity to encourage more BVG students to pursue a similar career path if they’re interested and aren’t sure how they can get started.”
Following BVG and a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Waterloo,
Saba has worked in Canada, France and the U.S. as a software developer, among other roles, in industries including healthcare and technology.
“Joining STEM-related clubs in high school allowed me to learn about some engineering-related concepts through hands-on projects and math/programming contests,” she says. “So when it came to looking into universities and applying for various programs, I had an idea of which engineering disciplines I liked more than others.”
Her advice to students stems in part from her own career trajectory, during which she has had to be resilient often.
“Don’t be afraid of failing or bad experiences,” says Saba. “They’re all experiences that lead you on the right path, and learning about what you don’t like is just as important as knowing what you’re passionate about.”
As a student at BVG, Konstantine Tsotsos says he “liked spaceships. I thought they were really cool!”
That passion has propelled him to a variety of experiences centered on cutting-edge technology, since graduating from BVG in 2007.
“I’ve been very lucky in having the right mentors and sponsors at the right times in my life, but not everyone has that,” he says. “If I can play that role for even one student [who is] unsure of how to tackle their future, then I consider that a huge success. That’s why it was important for me to join this event, to try to give back and support the growth of the next generation of engineers.”
Konstantine’s academic and career journey has included an internship at NASA, a PhD in Computer Science and his current role at Google in San Francisco, as a Staff Software Engineer and Manager, a role that involves working collaboratively to develop real-time 3D perception and sensor fusion technologies.
“STEM is an amazing path,” he says.
When it comes to offering words of wisdom to students, Konstantine says: “Keep working both harder and smarter. If you can’t figure out how, look for new people to learn from who are more successful than you. If you want to keep growing, avoid situations where you feel like you’re the smartest person in the room.”
Related stories:
Pathways to Professional Life: Career Breakfast Spotlights Media
The Order of the Gryphon
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Friday, December 2, we celebrated significant milestones at Bayview Glen. A sincere congratulations to the faculty and staff members who have reached their 10th, 15th and 20th year milestones and to Frances Lambert – on her beloved retirement. It was a tremendous honour to celebrate this special moment together.
For those who were unable to attend the event, a new distinction will be recognized going forward called The Order of The Gryphon. You are all aware that the Gryphon is our School’s mascot. This mythical animal can be interpreted as a heroic symbol, that intersects the lion’s valour with the elegance of the eagle. The Order of the Gryphon will now be the distinction for those faculty/staff members who have served 25 outstanding years at The Bayview Glen School. Each recipient will be given a glass trophy (photograph attached) and the names will also be permanently engraved in our Alumni Hall with its own individual glass plaque. Congratulations to our most recent inductees into the Order of The Gryphon:
2000 Brigitte Chan, Michel Lambert
2001 Eileen Daunt
2004 Roger Curtis
2005 Janice Roberts
2013 Judith Maxwell
2014 Diane Mills
2018 James Chapman, Rita Iafrate
2019 Dina Astrella, Paul Smallbridge, Andrew Vivian, Katherine Weidner
2020 Wendy Hillier, Frances Lambert
2021 Melanie Deeks, Paul Freeman, Stephanie Hulan, Kevin Neville
2022 Robin Elliott, Dagmar Wilson
In mythical times, the Gryphon was said to be loyal and protective. They were believed to guard their treasures fiercely, whether that be a person, place or in this case, perhaps our School. Congratulations to our new inductees to The Order of the Gryphon. To all of our milestone recipients, congratulations and thank you sincerely for your commitment, your service and your dedication to our entire School community.
Career Breakfast: Tuesday, February 28
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Join us for our third, and final Career Breakfast Speaker Series of this academic school year on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 a.m. Enjoy some hot chocolate, coffee and pastries while we shine the spotlight on Bayview Glen alumni focusing on Innovation and Engineering.
Saba Ketabchi Haghighat from the Class of 2016 is an Apple Watch Hardware Engineer based in California. Saba studied Biomedical engineering at the University of Waterloo and completed a number of internships and co-op opportunities before completing her degree. She has held the titles of Software Developer, Facial Rehabilitation Game Developer and Undergraduate Research Assistant in Toronto, France and California.
Konstantine Tsotsos from the Class of 2007, is a technical lead and manager on the Google AR Team where he leads teams of researchers and engineers in developing cutting-edge real-time 3D perception and sensor fusion technologies. His teams’ recent work includes the ARCore Depth and Environmental HDR Lighting APIs, along with other foundational ARCore capabilities. Prior to Google, he obtained his doctorate in computer science from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a focus on visual-inertial sensor fusion and his Bachelor of Applied Science in engineering science from the University of Toronto.
Daniel Mak from the Class of 2005 is General Partner, Strategic Growth at Awz Ventures, a Canadian-Israeli VC firm focused on commercial applications of innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based, deep-tech, cyber security, & intelligence technologies. He currently sits on the board of several startups in the cyber security and intelligence space such as Nanolock, as is the winner of multiple industry awards.
Join us to learn more about their professional journeys!
Students from both the Prep and Upper Schools, as well as their parents, are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Adriana Dybala, Academic and Career Counsellor at adybala@bayviewglen.ca
BVG Players present ‘The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition)’
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We are excited to invite you to in-person performances of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) running in the J.T.M Guest Theatre for two nights only. Our Upper School students have had a lot of fun working on this production and are really looking forward to sharing it with you!
- Thursday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, February 24 at 6:00 p.m.
First Alumni Chapter Visit to New York Sets the Stage
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Together, they took a bite out of the ‘big apple’ in what was a Bayview Glen School (BVG) first!
A group of BVG alumni, admin and teachers met in New York recently for the inaugural Alumni Chapter visit in the city.
“Living in New York, I’ve never been able to make it back to Toronto for a BVG reunion,” says Jordyn Taylor, Class of 2008. “It was such nice surprise to have the party come to NYC!”
Jordyn was among a dozen alumni representing nine graduating classes — from 1993 to 2021 — to gather for the evening event.
“I was most motivated to come to see which other alumni were in the city and also to see what teachers may have come down for the event as well,” says Dmitry Bury, Class of 2007. “Given that it was in New York was certainly a nice surprise, and not something you expect given we are from Toronto, but awesome to see!”
Against the backdrop of a night sky and picturesque terrace at the Valbella at the Park, the graduates met with James Lee, Head of School, Carol Anne Ruscica, Senior Director of Advancement and Dina Astrella, Head of the Prep School for an evening of reminiscing and networking.
“As soon as I saw Ms. Astrella, I screamed and gave her a huge hug,” says Jordyn, an award-winning author, writer and editor. “It was such a wonderful surprise to see her in New York, and so special to reconnect with her and reminisce about our time together at Bayview Glen,” she says.
Ms. Astrella was the Head of the Upper School during both Jordyn and Dmitry’s time at Bayview Glen.
“It was also great to meet Mr. Lee and hear about his big vision for the future of the school,” adds Jordyn.
The alumni group represented a vast array of industries, including business, financial services, fashion, technology, engineering, social justice, politics, entrepreneurship and law.
Since graduating from Bayview Glen, Dmitry now works in investment banking at TD Securities. “Funny enough, [I] ended up meeting lots of folks who I had a lot in common with between university, work or people we knew in common,” he says. “[That] made the connections all that much more relevant.”
Bayview Glen School has previously organized several alumni “regional visits within Canada, the United States and internationally,” notes Daniella Brown ‘10, Director of Alumni Relations at BVG. “The New York Alumni Chapter is the first of its kind,” she says.
For Jordyn, the impact of BVG on her life and professional journey continues.
“Taking Writer’s Craft with Mr. Reynolds in Grade 12 helped me develop the writing skills I use every day as a magazine editor and novelist,” says the current Executive Digital Editor of Men’s Health magazine. “Fifteen years later, Norm and I still email each other about our writing projects!”
The connections run long and deep for Dmitry as well.
“My best friends are from BVG. They were my groomsmen at my wedding and remain my closest friends. My BVG experience, including the memories I have of all my teachers, is one that’s very positive, and certainly had a big impact on my life given those are the formative years and help guide you as you progress forward in life.”
The evening was also the first opportunity of its kind for BVG’s new Head of School — to meet alumni where they are — since taking the leadership reins at Bayview Glen in August 2022.
“The evening was a great success,” says Lee. “It was clear, that our alumni are doing very well in New York City – successful, happy and excited to re-connect with the Bayview Glen Team. A big thank you to our [Senior] Director of Advancement, Ms. Carol Anne Ruscica for organizing this event.”
And there is a promise of more of the same — to come — according to Mr. Lee.
“As we continue to identify, engage and grow our Alumni Chapters with a long-term vision and commitment, the benefits will be tremendous towards our School, our current students, and for those who choose to take advantage of the strategic opportunities to build professional networks with one common link and starting point – Bayview Glen.”
Interested in leading a Bayview Glen Alumni Chapter visit in your city?
Contact: Daniella Brown ’10, Director of Alumni Relations, dbrown@bayviewglen.ca
Legacy of Learning: Founder’s Day 2023
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When L. Doreen Hopkins began teaching young children in her home in the early 1960’s, little could she have imagined that the seed she planted is still growing — more than six decades later.
On February 4, 2023, Hopkins’ bold vision and enduring legacy will be remembered as part of Founder’s Day when Bayview Glen (BVG), the school she founded, marks its 61st anniversary.
Persevering through her own learning challenge (dyslexia), Hopkins took what has been described as her “enormous compassion for students who had developmental issues,” and started up a school that “is open to all children.”
The trail she blazed sprouted a nursery school and day camp in 1962, focused on teaching the whole child.
BVG has operated from a private residence and later a farmhouse in the valley, to permanent locations on Duncan Mill Road and later Moatfield Drive — over more than half a century — growing and evolving each passing year.
From a handful of students in Mrs. Hopkins’ first in-home class, to more than 1,000 students currently on two campuses, BVG remains rooted in the pioneering vision of its founder.
The school’s mission of Whole Child: Whole World: Whole Life is embedded in teaching, learning and school life across all grades.
And as with Hopkins’ own education blueprint, fresh chapters are being written on a storied history.
The tiny seed that could has cultivated a generation of learners, with more to come.
Annual Fund 2022 – Thank You!
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The joy and anticipation of the upcoming holiday season was on full display this evening during the Bayview Glen Upper School Holiday Concert!
If you were able to attend, we hope you enjoyed our talented musicians and singers, as well as the behind-the-scenes efforts of our students, faculty and staff.
This annual celebration is always a cherished highlight on our school calendar, showcasing the breadth of artistry and creativity at Bayview Glen.
Your continued support, in many different ways, is what helps our community grow and flourish!
Thank you to everyone who has made a gift to our Annual Fund.
Your contribution is vital in enhancing our students’ experience and school life at Bayview Glen.
The impact of your generosity is immeasurable in helping us deliver on our mission of
Whole Child: Whole Life: Whole World.
With gratitude and appreciation from all of our students and staff, THANK YOU!
Pathways to Professional Life: Career Breakfast Spotlights Media
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Their paths were distinctly different following high school and none of them was a straight line to their current roles. Those were among the perspectives shared by three Bayview Glen (BVG) alumni invited to speak at the second Career Breakfast of the school year.
The commonality? The impact of their BVG experience on their life and career journey.
“I think the reason I did so well at Bayview Glen and really enjoyed it is because the teachers — you really get to work one-on-one with them — and those are fantastic resources and really inspiring,” shared Kate Dingwall ’11 Emmy award-winning writer, editor and photographer. “I could start listing off teachers who really impacted my career, who brought out my love of art, music and sports, and how much they went out of their way to bring your passions out of you was really cool, really inspiring,” said Dingwall who is also a sommelier.
Covering topics that intersect spirits, business, travel and culture, Dingwall’s work as appeared in Forbes.com, Toronto Life and the Toronto Star.
“I would not be who I am today if I did not have teachers who put a lot of time and effort out of their own schedule to push their students,” Dingwall added during the question-and-answer portion of the agenda, in front of a packed Learning Commons at Moatfield Campus comprised of current students, parents, faculty and staff.
Organized by the Academic and Career Counsellor and the Director of Alumni Relations at BVG, the December Career Breakfast event focused on the theme of media.
Alumnus Goldmond Fong ’15, an accomplished film director, editor and visual effects specialist, joined the panel in the wee hours of the morning, remotely, from his home in Los Angeles.
“In high school, I remember I wasn’t the most confident in myself,” Fong shared via Zoom. “I just remember you guys [teachers] made me feel worth it, like I was doing something important, and that meant a lot to me at the time.”
A graduate of Emerson College in Boston with a BFA in Film Production, Fong’s professional reel includes directorial, editing and graphics work for studios, agencies and clients including YouTube.
“I just remember them [teachers] teaching me the forms of art, the foundations of art and just how to analyze art,” said Fong recalling key learnings from BVG. “That really taught me to look at everything, to take in the surroundings, and how the surroundings play into the story.”
For Layla Ahmad ’10, the path to her current role as a Producer at CTV ‘Your Morning’ included a BA in Sociology from U of T and a post-graduate degree in Public Relations from Humber College.
“In looking back, I was never really the strongest math or science student, but when it came to Arts, that’s where I always had a huge passion,” Ahmad told the audience of close to 100 — including current Bayview Glen students from Prep School and Upper School.
“It was one of those things where you were allowed to make mistakes and it felt like a safe environment,” shared Ahmad, who previously worked at the CBC. “You could mess up one but your teachers would be there to reassure you that it’s not the end of the world,” said Ahmed, whose resume includes various types of writing including creative and hard news copy, adding, “I don’t think I would be where I am today without our teachers at BVG.”
The Career Breakfast events are designed to support Bayview Glen students explore various industries, career pathways and professional avenues.
“Our alumni go beyond the walls of Bayview Glen making their mark in the world and having them share their stories of success not only engages our students but allows them to draw connections between their current education and the alumni’s field of expertise,” says Daniella Brown ’10, Director of Alumni Relations. “This allows for the students to see themselves in each alumni’s shoes.”
The first Career Breakfast of this academic year, held in October, also featured the highest turnout ever recorded for the event with more than 100 in attendance.
“Our BVG Alumni panels have been very inspiring,” said James Lee, Head of School at Bayview Glen, attending his second Career Breakfast. “These events truly connect their Bayview Glen experience to who they are today, within their respective career pathways and the successful roads going forward in their lives as professionals, responsible global citizens and wonderful human beings.”
The event was particularly impactful for Adrian Dybala, Academic and Career Counsellor and teacher, who has been at BVG for more than 20 years.
“It is a positive affirmation to see the work that we do here as educators is appreciated and having them find their purpose, which leads to their happiness,” says Dybala, who taught each of the three alumni panelists during their time at the school.
“It affirms what we are doing as educators and we’re doing the right thing,” she says. Adding, “We are in the field of human connection, recognizing students for who they are, treating them with dignity and respect. They always remember that.”
The next Career Breakfast at BVG is scheduled for February 28, 2023.
Giving Tuesday 2022 – Thank You!
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We are overwhelmed with gratitude!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday at Bayview Glen!
Your gift will further enhance the world-class education we provide.
From all of our students and staff, THANK YOU for making an impact!
Remembrance Day Ceremony 2022 Recording
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On November 10, 2022, we gathered as a Whole School for our Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Join us in honouring the legacies of our veterans, watch the recording here.