Stephen Clarke
Featured Appointment

FYI: Armbrae Academy appoints Stephen Clarke as Head of School

Armbrae Academy

 KBRS is pleased to have assisted the hiring committee in the appointment of Stephen Clarke as Head of School at Armbrae Academy. 

Below is Armbrae Academy’s official announcement, released March 4, 2019.

Halifax, NS – The Armbrae Academy Board of Governors announces the selection of Stephen (Steve) Clarke as its new (incoming) Head of School. Steve will assume his new role on July 1, 2019. Steve joins Armbrae from Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he was most recently Deputy Headmaster and Head of Lower School, and where he and his wife Elizabeth (Liz) have worked as educators and leaders for the past 20 years. Ridley College is one of Canada's most recognized independent day and boarding schools; with an enrolment of 700 students, both local and international.

"The Armbrae community is fortunate to have a passionate educator with Steve's record of accomplishments joining us as Head of School." said Wayne O'Connor, Armbrae Board Chair. "Our selection committee was pleased to have detailed discussions with several extremely qualified candidates as part of the selection process, and we thank the Armbrae community for their involvement and support in that process. The Board is thrilled that we will have Steve's energy, positivity and commitment to educational excellence for the whole student: all characteristics we embrace and that make Armbrae Academy so special."

At Ridley College, Steve began as Director of Information Technology in 1999 and held increasingly broader leadership roles, focusing on school improvement and community enhancement including Curriculum Director, Head of Academics, Head of Upper School and Head of Lower School. His long list of accomplishments at Ridley include: advancing educational technology; championing professional development; guiding the launch of the globally recognized IB programme; initiating the expansion of the school from a 5-12 to a JK-12 "IB Continuum School"; supporting the development of the Strategic Plan and Master Campus Plan; and shepherding upgrades and enhancements to facilities throughout school.

Stephen Clarke is an Ontario Certified Principal with an academic background in Science, Honours Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, and a Bachelor of Education, all from the University of Ottawa. Before joining Ridley College, Steve began his career teaching general science, biology, chemistry and math in Ontario secondary schools in 1990, and he spent four years at Crestwood School (Toronto) as Director of Information Technology. In addition to his leadership contributions at Ridley College, Steve taught in the classroom and coached hockey, sailing and golf.

"I'm honoured to be chosen to serve as the next Head of School at Armbrae Academy.," said Steve. "I'm committed to stewarding the truly unique experience Armbrae offers and to finding ways we can grow and enhance that experience, with the support of a passionate community of students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and Board members. Liz and I are thrilled with this opportunity and look forward to introducing ourselves to the Armbrae family, as well as the broader Halifax community."