The Giles School Board of Directors

Kemp Rickett, Vice-Chair

Kemp Rickett is a leading educator in North America, Great Britain, Europe and South East Asia. As a teacher and principal in publicly funded schools for 32 years he has administrative experience in both elementary and secondary schools as well as dual track French Immersion, Inner City Project and Alternative schools. As Principal of Dundas PS Mr. Rickett was a recipient of the Ministry of Education "Exemplary Practices in Integration" award. Most recently he served as Director of Education, B and B International (Korean ESL Academies) in Toronto where he was responsible for all facets of the operation of the schools.

Mr. Rickett's publications include a teacher education book entitled ‘Perspectives on Small Group Learning - Theory and Practice’, a six part series of ESL textbooks and many newspaper and magazine articles. He has been the keynote speaker at numerous international conferences in Canada, USA, Europe and South East Asia, focusing on educational administration, curriculum development and effective pedagogy.

Mr. Rickett's community involvement includes a diverse list of youth at risk, athletic, native, food bank and legal aid associations where he has served as founding member, chairman, member of the Board of Directors or Executive Director.

Mr. Rickett holds a Master of Education from the University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario and a Bachelor of Art (Honors) from Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo Ontario. In addition to Teacher Qualifications he has certificates in Principals I, Principals II and Supervisory Officers Certification from the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Mr. Rickett has served as the Vice-Chairman of the Giles School Board of Directors since 2007. In December 2007 he became Headmaster and now serves as an ex-officio Director.

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Sue Vijh, Secretary-Treasurer

Sue Vijh is an effective and passionate manager. She is a chartered accountant and the Deputy Headmaster, Administration at The Giles School. Prior to joining The Giles School in 2007, Ms. Vijh was the Director of Tax at Torstar. Throughout her career in finance and management she has worked in challenging environments with responsibilities across business units, reporting to both senior executives and external regulators, and has successfully led her staff through tight, demanding deadlines.

Ms. Vijh is a parent of two children at The Giles School.

Ms. Vijh holds a degree in Administrative and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario, London Ontario and a Diploma in Accounting from Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo Ontario.

Ms. Vijh has served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Directors since 2007 and is an ex-officio Director.

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Soheir Gharghouri, Chair Curriculum Committee

Soheir Gharghouri holds a BA and an MA degree in French Language and Literature from the University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario as well as a B. Ed from the same University.

At the start of her long career in education, Ms. Gharghouri taught French to groups of adults. She was then recruited by Harry Giles to teach at the Elementary Level at The Toronto French School and later moved to the High School section. After teaching French for several years and holding the position of Head of the French Department, Ms. Gharghouri was appointed Vice-Principal of the High School and ended her career at the Toronto French School as Principal of the High School.

Throughout her career, Ms. Gharghouri believed in broadening the students experience in life. She helped and encouraged students to organize Fundraising activities for the School as well as for outside organizations including Street Kids International and the Food Bank. Ms. Gharghouri also believed that students learning should go beyond classroom instruction. Together with some of her colleagues, she organized and accompanied students on ski trips, as well as guided tours to France and Egypt and established an Exchange Program for students with schools in France.

Even after her retirement a few years ago, Ms. Gharghouri remains interested in student education and the development of students into well rounded, independent individuals.

Ms. Gharghouri has been on the Giles School Board of Directors since 2009.

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William (Harry) H. Giles, Honorary Director and Educational Advisor

Harry Giles is a pioneer in education and is regarded as one of the most influential educators in Canada. He established the prestigious pre-university competitions, Chemistry and Physics Olympiads, and started the first GCE Ordinary ("O") & Advanced ("A") examination centre in Canada. He assisted in the creation of the International Baccalaureate and established the first examination centre of the International Baccalaureate in Canada. Mr. Giles has participated actively in worldwide educational communities including representing Canada at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th International Curriculum Conferences.

As founder and, for twenty-five years, headmaster of the Toronto French School, Mr. Giles introduced immersion bilingual education in Canada, and helped promote it across the country. He also introduced and implemented the first early intervention programmes in Canadian schools. The results of the students at that time were unrivalled, indicating the staggering potential of early education. His work continued at The Giles School as he has sought to change the educational system in Canada.

Mr. Giles is a Queen's Counsel. He holds both the Golden Jubilee and Commemorative medals and received membership in the Order of Canada in 1973 for his initiative in creating and directing the first private school in Toronto offering instruction in the French language.

Mr. Giles has also served as president of a chemical company, an economist in Canada and the Middle East and director of various public and private corporations. His publications include "Schools and Students: Legal Aspects of Administration" as well as poetry, a play and numerous articles in journals.

Mr. Giles has a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) as well as a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall (Toronto, Ontario).

Mr. Giles was the Director of Education at The Giles School until his retirement in 2010 and is now an honorary Director and educational advisor to the Board of Directors.

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Jonathan Simmons, Chair Finance Committee

Jonathan Simmons is a Chartered Accountant and a partner in the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he is the national insurance practice leader. He has more than 20 years of experience in providing professional services to the financial services industry in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Jonathan began his career in England, where he provided audit services to a number of leading UK insurance companies. In 1997, he relocated from London to Toronto where he currently serves a portfolio of public and privately held companies, providing audit, financial reporting, GAAP conversion, internal controls, capital market, regulatory, due diligence and general advisory services.

Jonathan also serves as a director and treasurer of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, a national charity that provides pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring for youth age 18-34 to help start a business.

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Julianna Ahn, Chair Succession and Nominating Committee

Julianna Ahn is Associate General Counsel for an investment management firm. She was previously a partner at a large Toronto-based law firm, and specialized in corporate and securities law matters. Julianna was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1994 and the Ontario Bar in 1996. She holds a J.D. from the University of Toronto, and a B.Comm. from the University of British Columbia. She has been a parent at the Giles School since 2004, and joined the Board in 2011.

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Ruth Sternberg, Chair Building Committee

Ruth Sternberg joined the Board of Directors in early 2011. She has been Chair of the PTA since 2009 and is involved in the school community. Ruth worked in institutional sales and trading with several investment firms from 1996 to 2004. She left work in 2004 to raise her family. Ruth is actively involved in charitable and volunteer work.

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Caroline Sabbah, PTA Representative

Caroline Sabbah practiced law from 1996 to 2006 as a litigator and then as a mediator. She holds an L.L.L Civil Law degree from the University of Ottawa and was called to the Quebec Bar in 1996. She has been a Director on the Board of Directors of The Association de Mediation Familiale du Quebec for three years until her move to Toronto. She has been a parent at the Giles School since 2008 and has been actively involved in the School community.

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