Leadership Team

PURCELL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

The Leadership team at Purcell Collegiate includes a well-balanced complement of leading experts in their respective fields with backgrounds in both the public school system and private sector, a testament to Purcell Collegiate’s pioneering model which bridges the gap between public and private education in support of social impact, economic development benefit, and 21st-century learning engagement and outcomes.

DUNCAN MACLEOD

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Duncan has over 25 years of experience in the international education sector as an educator, author, curriculum designer, program coordinator, administrator, and entrepreneur. In his most recent position as the International Education Manager for School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain), Duncan cultivated relationships with a global network of international education agencies, service providers, teachers, and government officials.

During that time, he established a reputation for innovation and leadership that will directly benefit Purcell Collegiate through the work done to elevate and distinguish the Rocky Mountain International Student Program (RMISP) on the global stage as it raised the profile of both Duncan as an industry leader and Kimberley as an international student destination.

VALERIIA MANCAK-JENSEN

DIRECTOR, PURCELL HOCKEY ACADEMY

Born and raised in Ukraine, Valeriia (Val) started her sports career playing hockey with a Kharkiv boys’ AAA program which was known for its unique skating school. A multi-sport athlete, Val also excelled in both boxing and karate, winning world championships in both sports. She has played professional hockey in the USA and, in 2024, she led Ukraine to the IIHF Division II championship as captain of her team and leading scorer in the tournament.

Val runs a hockey skills development and mentoring program called Infinite Edge and Power and is a skills development coach/evaluator for College Hockey Showcases in the US and Europe. Her work for CHS includes scouting and evaluation for NCAA coaches.

Val’s specialty is the individual growth and development of the players she coaches and trains including NCAA and professional players. While she is particularly focused on edge work and power skating, her overall approach encompasses all aspects of player development. Val’s coaching experience includes the U16 and U19 Steelheads program in Idaho as well as the Boise Fireblades, a team she led to the state championship.

Val works with both the 19U and 16U teams at PHA in her supplementary roles as Head Skills Coach and Player Development Coordinator.

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JULIE MURRAY

DEPUTY HEAD OF SCHOOL

Julie’s journey as an educator has been both varied and rich, from teaching English in South Korea to working as an outdoor educator in Cape Cod, and teaching across three different Canadian provinces. She has worked at Lakefield College School in Ontario, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir and Edge Schools in Alberta, and Brentwood College School on Vancouver Island.

Over the course of her career, Julie has taught a broad spectrum of subjects, including Social Studies, English, History, Law, Geography, Health, and Outdoor Education. Beyond the classroom, she has also supported faculty development and led school-wide initiatives aimed at fostering student well-being.

Julie’s passion for education also extends beyond traditional teaching. She is a Professional Integral Coach, a certified yoga teacher and an artist. She has also shared her expertise as an educational advisor for CAWST, a Canadian non-profit with worldwide impact.

Julie’s commitment to student well-being and personal development is at the heart of everything she does, and she’s thrilled to bring her energy, insights, and experience to the Purcell Collegiate community. Outside of her professional life, Julie finds balance and inspiration in nature and creativity and she enjoys exploring the mountains, oceans, and forests with her partner, Ken, and their dog, Rumi. Julie also loves gardening, practicing yoga, and creating art.

MICHAEL BISHOP

PRINCIPAL

Kayla Wright is joining the Purcell Collegiate School community as a Math and Science teacher. She grew up in Brockville, Ontario. Kayla attended Queen’s University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and her Bachelor of Education. Kayla has experience teaching in both public and private schools in Ontario, and worked with the Blue Jays Care Foundation, where she combined her passion for education and athletics to support youth across Canada. She has a passion for Math and Physics as well as fostering an inclusive and engaging classroom enviroment for her students.

Growing up Kayla played 7 years of competitive basketball with a highlight being winning a provincial championship. Outside of school she can be found going for walks, skiing, reading, or playing sports. She looks forward to becoming a part of the Purcell community and helping students grow both academically and personally.

ALAIN (AL) WOZNEY

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Alain (Al) is in charge of all aspects of operations at Purcell Collegiate including transportation coordination, food services, facility management, IT supervision, and finance support. He has over 40 years of experience as a coach, manager, and administrator in a variety of fields, most notably youth hockey. Al is responsible for coordinating the logistics necessary to smoothly operate and integrate Purcell’s education, boarding, and academy programs.

Al and his wife, Ileana, live the PCS boarding facility and provide overnight supervision, care and support.

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