PURCELL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
SUPPORT STAFF
Meet our incredible support staff team! They may not be classroom teachers but they are definitely still educators. They take the lead after school and on the weekend, supporting our students to maximize their boarding/homestay experience by engaging extracurricular learning and growth opportunities including but not limited to the Uprep@PCS suite of programs. They also provide the care and support necessary to ensure the health and wellness of our students coupled with the energy, enthusiasm, and life experience required to mentor and guide them.
Lisa Singbeil
Student Life Coordinator
As Student Life Manager at Purcell Collegiate, Lisa is responsible for our boarding program, our homestay/billet program, and our Uprep@PCS suite of extracurricular activities, events, and trips.
Lisa is dedicated to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for our students. With over 15 years of experience in international education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for connecting with students from diverse backgrounds. Her experience raising three boys in both Canada and South Africa has led to her understanding the importance of a multicultural upbringing and the value it brings to a student’s educational journey. This firsthand experience has shaped her approach to fostering cultural exchange and creating a supportive community for students.
Lisa’s love of travel and dream of building intercultural relationships has led her to travel destinations such as China, India, Thailand, Mexico, UK, and Germany; allowing her to develop a global perspective, which she believes is crucial in preparing students for an interconnected world.
In addition to her passion for travel and international education, Lisa enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, golfing, kayaking, and holds a private pilot’s license, which reflects her adventurous spirit and love for exploration. She feels fortunate to be living on the traditional, ancestral homeland of the Ktunaxa peoples, surrounded by the stunning mountain landscape that our region offers and looks forward to sharing this love of the region and for the outdoors with the students of Purcell Collegiate School.
Rebecca Branchaud
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Rebecca grew up on a ranch, where she learned the values of problem-solving and hard work from a young age.
She attended a private all-girls boarding school that emphasized outdoor education, which fostered her love for nature. After high school, Rebecca pursued graphic and web design but driven by a passion for learning, continued her education in various fields, including finance, dental assisting, and audiometric technology. This diverse educational journey provided her with a wide-ranging perspective on different industries and skills.
Volunteering has always been a significant part of Rebecca’s life. She was an active member of Foothills Search and Rescue, serving on the board and achieving high-level first aid certifications. Through her involvement in Junior Forest Wardens with her two daughters, she discovered her passion for teaching children in the outdoors, which continues to inspire her work today.
Having been a part of several startups and companies that were expanding, Rebecca was excited by Purcell’s endeavors and the opportunities they offered students. With experience in multiple fields, she has developed a unique understanding of human needs. In her current role at Purcell, she focuses on the well-being of teenagers, combining her diverse experiences and passions to make a positive impact on the lives of young people.
Randy McLeod
Randy McLeod
Program Coordinator
Randy has been a Mathematics/Computer Science/Technology educator for 33 years – 21 years as an Distance Learning Mathematics educator, curriculum developer, consultant, trainer, and supervisor. For 22 years, he worked with the Faculty of Education Internship/Pre-service Teacher Education Program as a mentor teacher with the University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
In 2010, Randy received the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2011, he was hired by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, as Education Manager responsible for education programs nationally and internationally. In 2017, he became Homestay Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain International Student Program in Kimberley, BC, Canada. Since 2023, he has been Chief Financial/Operations Officer at AQG World, Kimberley, BC, Canada.
Professionally, Randy has presented at over 200 conferences and has coordinated events locally, nationally, and internationally. He has been the Coordinator/Director of five Educator Summer Institute programs (2011-2015) in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Parks Canada, and College of the Rockies – Cranbrook, BC, Campus – including educators from Canada and the U.S.
For 30 years, Randy has coached youth sports (badminton, basketball, cross-country running, soccer, track and field) and officiated provincial basketball in Saskatchewan and British Columbia for the past 25 years. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials and the BC Basketball Official’s Association. Presently, and is certified facilitator/trainer for Wild Education (an environmental education program, Wild BC, Canadian Wildlife Federation), iRide youth program (Cycle BC), Hiking – Level 1-2 (Outdoor Council of Canada with Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network – CBEEN), and a Basketball Official (Canada Association of Basketball Officials, BC Basketball Official’s Association).
Caitlyn Peesker
Marketing Coordinator/Operations Assistant
Caitlyn is a photographer by trade whose work has taken her across the globe, capturing the diverse landscapes, cultures, and emotions of the people she encounters. Throughout her travels, Caitlyn has immersed herself in the vibrant cultures of New Zealand, Iceland, Japan, the UK, and various parts of Europe. Each journey has enriched her understanding of the world, allowing her to capture moments of beauty and authenticity that reflect the wide range of human experience.
Caitlyn holds a deep belief in the importance of mental health and emotional well-being. She recognizes that true success isn’t just about external achievements but also about taking care of one’s mind and spirit. Caitlyn emphasizes the importance of being open with oneself and others, encouraging honest conversations about struggles and triumphs alike. She is committed to ensuring that all students feel heard and seen, especially in moments of difficulty, and aims to create an environment where they can thrive emotionally and mentally.
In addition to being our personal photographer and cheerleader, Caitlyn finds solace in the great outdoors. After moving from London, Ontario, she now calls the mountains her home, a place that offers endless opportunities for adventure and reflection. Whether she’s hiking, paddle boarding, or rock climbing, Caitlyn embraces the beauty and challenge of nature. Just like Lisa, she feels privileged to live on the traditional, ancestral homeland of the Ktunaxa peoples, surrounded by the stunning mountain landscapes and lush forests outside her front door.
Caitlyn is excited to share her love of this beautiful area with the students of Purcell Collegiate School, fostering a sense of appreciation for both the natural world and the importance of mental well-being!
Michelle Nex
Operations Coordinator
Michelle first became involved with international education 18 years ago when she hosted her first student as a homestay for the Rocky Mountain International Student Program (RMISP).
Since then, she’s welcomed students from around the world into her home every including students from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Chile, Mexico, Germany, Norway, Thailand, and Denmark. She has also worked as Casual Homestay Coordinator for RMISP helping to support staff and students at program events, chaperone trips, and perform other related duties.
She continues to host students and finds it very fulfilling, knowing that she is helping to support students to grow and succeed in expanding their horizons and reaching their goals. Michelle believes that in hosting students from around the world, it fosters compassion and understanding across multicultural barriers and makes the world smaller and her family larger, one student at a time.
Michelle is honoured to be joining the exceptional team at Purcell Collegiate and is excited and looking forward to meeting the students.
Markus Niro
Boarding Assistant
Markus joins Purcell Collegiate as a Boarding Assistant, bringing experience in competitive ski coaching and athlete support, along with a strong background in people-focused roles. Originally from Aurora, Ontario, he moved to Kimberley in 2024 and is currently the U16 Head Coach for the Kimberley Alpine Team.
In his role, Markus will support student life in their home away from home, encourage personal growth and development, and help create a welcoming and inclusive environment within the boarding community.
A lifelong ski racer and coach since the age of 17, Markus spends much of his time outdoors, often hiking, longboarding, or sailing. He’s also a devoted Toronto sports fan with a passion for hockey, basketball, and soccer.