School Leadership

Mr. John Liggett

Head of School

John Liggett joined The Country Day School as Head of School in 2011. He began his teaching career in the 1990s at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute in the Toronto District School Board, before moving into the independent school system.

Mrs. Ann Wildberger

Deputy Head of School, Director of Junior School

Ann Wildberger arrived at CDS with a career full of unique teaching experiences. She began teaching in 1984 and has taught in Canada, Connecticut and California in both the public and independent sectors.

Ms. Celia Bland

Director of Senior School

Celia Bland has had an extensive teaching career. She began teaching in social priority neighbourhoods in the heart of London, England, where she was named a Teacher of Exemplary Standards and was a member of the Management Team for the Teachers’ Centre.

Ms. Natalie Grossi

Director of Academics: Junior School

Natalie Grossi joined CDS as Director of Academics Junior School in 2023, having previously served as a Vice Principal with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Additionally, Natalie has served as an academic consultant at the Board level.

Mr. Dave Harvey

Director of Academics: Middle and Senior Schools

Quickly approaching the end of his second decade in education, Dave Harvey has taught numerous subject areas including Philosophy, Ancient and Modern History, Classical Studies, Sociology and, of course, English to which he is passionately devoted, having served for twelve years as an English Department Head in the public and independent school systems.

Mr. David Huckvale

Director of Admission and Post-Secondary Counselling

David Huckvale joined CDS in the summer of 2008, his first position in the independent school system after 10 years of service at York University in Toronto.

Mr. Brent Johnston

Executive Director of Advancement

Brent Johnston has over 20 years of experience in Advancement. Starting his career in small, community-based, non-profit organizations, he moved to the University of Toronto prior to the launch of the Great Minds Campaign, one that reached a Canadian record-setting $1 billion milestone.

Mrs. Melanie Sheppard

Director of Finance

Melanie Sheppard arrived at CDS in 2001 to serve as the School's Controller where her primary responsibilities were managing the Business Office and financial reporting.

Mr. Rob Waldron

Director of Middle School

Rob Waldron has a love for teaching. He earned his Bachelor of Education (Honours) at the Rolle Faculty of Education at Plymouth University in the United Kingdom. In his years of classroom practice, Mr. Waldron has worked at various schools in London, England as well as travelling to Beijing, China to work in an international independent school. These experiences have helped shape the unique environment that is Mr. Waldron’s classroom.