Episode 5: Reflections on Leadership

The U.K. Dinner is one of our longest-running traditions, and to gain insight into its origins and evolution, host John Sandham ’13 speaks with Old Boy and SAC/SAS parent, Conrad Bona '87. From an informal, alumni-led initiative to a formal, yearly occasion for reconnection, the London dinner has long enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as one of our best-attended and organized off-campus events.

Just days after an attendance record was set at the annual Old Boy reunion dinner, three members of the SAC Class of 1981, George Jackson, Scott Smith, and Paul Stanborough share thoughts on their reunion experiences, discuss steps taken in the months before the event to contact and coordinate their group, and offer guidance to fellow Andreans who wish to organize their own classes ahead of upcoming reunions.

As we begin the 2026-27 school year, we’re taking you back to the beginning of the summer, and a decades-old tradition for many in the Andrean community: the Manhattan Open, a memorial golf tournament played in honour of Charlie Edwards, Class of 1970. In this episode, recorded at Muskoka Highlands Golf Links, John Sandham ’13 speaks with two of the event’s organizers, Don MacKay ’70 and Tom Stephens ’70, and Charlie’s brother, Mike Edwards ’79, about the tournament’s origins, longevity, and legacy.

We’re celebrating Canada Day by sharing this conversation with the man in charge of one of Canada’s top junior hockey leagues. Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, Dan Near ’99 talks about his unique and unexpected career path, from the National Hockey League to the WHL, and everything before and in-between. Dan gives us an evaluation of the opportunities and challenges ahead for the WHL and its member clubs, and even gets a surprise visit from a classmate, who asks Dan to reminisce about their time on the ice together, wearing the Saints red and white.

It’s another two-parter this month, featuring a couple of Old Boys whose time on campus started before their time as students.In this episode, Paul Perrier ’01 reflects on lessons learned from his parents, Bob and Ann, and how their teachings and encouragement influenced his unconventional education and career path. Paul, who was recently named Chief Sport Officer at Golf Canada, also explores his passion for sport, his belief in education through sport, and comments on the enduring nature of his family name at St. Andrew’s.

It’s another two-parter this month, featuring a couple of Old Boys whose time on campus started before their time as students.In this episode, Mike Foy ’97 discusses his family’s connection to St. Andrew’s dating back to when his father, Aubrey, accepted a position as Head of Music at SAC in 1976, and continuing to this spring, as Mike’s son becomes the second generation of the Foy family to don an Old Boy tie. Mike also shares his thoughts on how leadership skills honed at and connections made on campus have shaped his life and career going forward.

Host John Sandham discusses leadership on campus with his classmate, Rory McGuire ’13, tracing Rory’s journey from Grade 9 New Boy to Head Prefect and Varsity Hockey Captain in Grade 12. Along the way, Rory discovered new interests, made lifelong friends, and gained clarity on his path forward, earning the respect and trust of his peers in the process.

Our guest on this episode is a man who has spent parts of six decades working at St. Andrew’s: John Clements. First arriving at SAC in 1976, John shares stories of music, sports, excursions, and even some on-campus mischief during a conversation recorded in a familiar location on campus: Memorial Chapel. You’ll hear about an unexpected turn of events that led John to consider St. Andrew’s in the first place. John also tells the story behind the introduction of Dorset Carol at the annual Carol Service, the tune and lyrics to which are still second nature to generations of Old Boys.

This month's episode is actually two episodes, featuring conversations with a pair of classmates, teammates, and friends.Michael Faulds ’02 was the facilitator for one of, if not, the greatest football team in school history: the 2001 Varsity Saints, who went undefeated in CISAA play en route to a victory at the Golden Horseshoe Bowl played at the SkyDome in Toronto.Michael concluded his university playing career with the Western Mustangs in 2009, retiring as the all-time passing leader in Canadian university football. He takes over this year as Head Coach at Western University, after serving for 13 years as Head Coach at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he won U SPORTS Coach of the Year three times. Michael has appeared in the Vanier Cup as both a coach and player and remains connected, both to St. Andrew’s, and to the lifelong friends he made during his time on campus.

This month's episode is actually two episodes, featuring conversations with a pair of classmates, teammates, and friends. Donnovan Bennett '02 has enjoyed a hugely successful career in sports media, working with The Score, Sportsnet, and CBC across multiple platforms. He was also a multi-sport athlete, Prefect, and all-around highly engaged five-year Andrean. In this episode, Donnovan shares memories from campus, discusses some of the key people who shaped his Andrean experience, and reflects on how moments and lessons learned at St. Andrew's have stayed with him through the years.