Next school year will see some new faces on the district staff and at two Sunshine Coast schools.
The Sunshine Coast School District No. 46 (SD46) announced changes to the principal and vice principal assignments as well as additions to the education leadership team.
At Cedar Grove Elementary, Jennifer MacInnes will be the principal from September to December 2023, then Lia Cuccurullo will return from her maternity leave in January 2024. James Sadler led the school as principal during most of Cuccurullo’s leave.
In the past 18 years, MacInnes has worked internationally and locally, teaching a variety of subjects in Kindergarten through Grade 12 classrooms. She also brings a fine arts and performance background, which she has used to guide Sunshine Coast students through learning opportunities — plays, international travel, and multiple musical endeavours. The University of Aberdeen has recognized MacInnes for her adoption of mindfulness practices in the classroom.
MacInnes is also no stranger to Cedar Grove. In fact, she attended the school as an elementary student herself.
Madeira Park Elementary will be seeing newcomer Nicole Zilkie in the halls this fall as the school’s new principal, as Sandy Magnussen takes leave.
“We sincerely thank Sandy for her dedicated service, wish her all the best during her leave and look forward to her rejoining the team in a new leadership capacity,” a press release from SD46 said. “We are thrilled to have both Jennifer and Nicole on-board and look forward to the contributions they will make to our district.”
Zilkie worked in the Burnaby School district for a dozen years, then joined SD46 in 2018. She’s held a variety of positions, including alternative education, multiple teaching positions and department head of learning support. Zilkie has spent the past five years at Gibsons Elementary as the inclusion support teacher.
"Growing up in a town of 1000 people, I believe that schools are the heart of small communities," Zilkie said in the press release. "I look forward to supporting the incredible work of the Madeira Park school team and to serving the community as a whole. "
Retirement announcement
The district principal of technology and data integration, Phil Luporini, is retiring. The school district thanks him with “heartfelt appreciation” for his dedication and hard work.
With Luporini’s departure, SD46 is seeking to hire a manager of technology.
The other confirmed leadership positions are:
• Indigenous Learning Department: District Principal of Indigenous Learning Kerry Mahlman
• Learning, Innovation & Child Care Department: District Principal of Learning, Innovation & Child Care Kirsten Deasey and District Vice-Principal of Learning and Innovation Desiree Harris • Davis Bay Elementary: Principal Rae-dene Pednaud
• Gibsons Elementary: Principal Lynda Brisebois
• Halfmoon Bay Elementary: Principal Glen Smith
• Kinnikinnick Elementary: Principal Bernadette Marie
• Langdale Elementary: Principal Jenny Groves
• Roberts Creek Elementary/SPIDER Elementary: Principal Duncan Knight
• West Sechelt Elementary: Principal Olwen Cowan
• Chatelech Secondary: Principal Mark Sauer and Vice-Principal Paula Stroshein-Martinez
• Elphinstone Secondary: Principal John Brisebois and Vice-Principal Jeff Marshall
• Pender Harbour Elementary/Secondary: Principal Chris Lekakis
• Sunshine Coast Alternative School/SPIDER Secondary/Continuing Education: Principal Carolyn Spence
