Appointed to her current role as Deputy Principal in 2021, Amanda has skillfully led the successful launch of a new student support model in the Senior & Middle School, focused on social-emotional development and well-being at the core of the academic experience, to ensure a future-focused and mission-driven school culture. She has guided school-wide collaboration and cohesion across the Senior & Middle School and, indeed, across the entire school community, stewarding a JK–Grade 12 continuum portfolio, the strategic priorities of social-emotional learning (SEL), diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), innovation and global engagement. 

A mentor to students and colleagues alike, Amanda has led with integrity, modelling a growth mindset, an equity-based approach, and a deep commitment to our school values and priorities—and always with an unflagging spring in her step and kind word for all.   

Amanda was previously the Head of the Junior School for four years, where she led the evolution of the school’s culture and community, including overseeing the integrated inquiry-based IB Primary Years Programme, advancing social-emotional learning (SEL) strategic work through the development of the Approach to Behaviour policy, engaging in a Math program review, and advancing innovation and transformative technology integration. Prior to that, she served as Head of the Senior & Middle School for two years, where she strengthened the schoolwide strategic priorities of inclusivity and SEL, oversaw the Boarding program, focusing on enhancing its sense of community, and transformed the school’s risk management culture and practices in support of student offsite and international experiences. Amanda served as Head of the Middle School for four years before that, where she was responsible for all aspects of school culture and student experience, from Admissions to the transition to Grade 9. While at Branksome, she has served on various committees and working groups, including the Risk Steering Group, DEI Working Group, the Financial Assistance Committee, Alumnae Awards Committee and Strategic Planning Committee, among others.

As a values-driven leader, Amanda has made a deeply positive and lasting impact on our entire community of students, colleagues, families and alums. Though we will greatly miss her generosity of spirit, clear-eyed commitment to service and sense of fun, she leaves Branksome better than she found it, and we are grateful for all that she has contributed. 

Principal Grace McCallum shared, “I wish to thank Amanda for her welcome and support over this past year as my family and I joined the Branksome community. I could not have asked for a steadier partner, and I will always value the opportunity we had to work together. I look forward to our continued relationship, now as colleagues in the GTA Heads network!”