St. Michael’s principal returns to his roots

For Pat Daly, new principal of St. Michael’s College School, walking the halls of the prestigious all-boys Catholic school in Toronto feels like coming back to his roots.

Daly has 33 years under his belt as a Catholic educator. The first 25 he served a variety of roles from the classroom up to principal with Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB). But after moving into administrative roles, including the last four years as director of education with the HCDSB, Daly is happy to be back in a school environment, connecting with students and staff on a closer level.

“I’ve loved my time at Halton Catholic and I was really fortunate to play a number of different roles,” said Daly, who is the 31st principal in the school’s 169-year history. “To start up at St. Mike’s I’m very excited to be back at a school, working more directly with students, staff and families. I’m humbled by the opportunity to join a school with an almost 170-year tradition. I’m looking forward to working with our staff, families and students to continue the good work here at St. Mike’s.”

Daly is grateful for the skills and knowledge he has gained throughout the years which he is happy to bring to this new role. Since 2015, Daly has held the positions of superintendent of education with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, followed by his tenure as director for education in Halton. Under his leadership, he led a senior administrative team with responsibilities including school operations, human resources, facility management services, business services, special education, student success, continuing education, curriculum services, human rights and equity, research services and faith formation.

As director of education, Daly’s role focused on Catholic and cultural leadership with an emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion programming and training.

All this experience will help shape the vision Daly brings to his new role. Administration and the Basilian Fathers, who run the private school in midtown Toronto, are happy to welcome Daly into the school community.

“On behalf of St. Michael’s College School and the Basilian Fathers, we are excited to welcome our newest principal, Mr. Pat Daly to our community,” said Fr. Andrew Leung, St. Michael’s president. “Mr. Daly brings a well-respected and collaborative approach to Catholic education along with a wealth of experience implementing equity, diversity and inclusion programming.”

Not to be confused with chairperson of Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board who bears the same name, Daly as the new principal at St. Michael’s says moving forward the plan is to continue in the Basilian tradition to build students who live lives of service and the character of faith. The core of St. Michael’s success, he says, has been nurturing a learning environment that is guided by the Gospel values ensuring all students have the opportunity to “Be, Belong, Become.”

As school clubs and athletics resume after years of pandemic interruptions, Daly is hopeful for a regular beginning to the school year. He and the rest of the school administration are welcoming back students, families and staff to re-engage in all the regular activities that take place both inside and outside of the classroom.

The primary goal, he says, is always formation of the young men at St. Michael’s spiritually, mentally and physically to become strong, empathetic and effective contributing members of society.

“I’ve really felt strongly that our jobs in Catholic education is vocations,” said Daly. “We are dedicated to putting our students first and at the forefront is providing them opportunities to explore and deepen their faith and live that out beyond the walls of schools.

“Sometimes we’re planting seeds or watering seeds that were already planted. We sometimes don’t see the end result of the work we do, but that’s what we’re called to do.”