Staff

Erin Belbin

B.Kin., B.Ed.erinbelbin@nlesd.ca
Mrs. Belbin is originally from Clarenville and graduated from Clarenville High School in 2003. After graduating, Mrs. Belbin went on to complete a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree and a Bachelor of Education degree at Acadia University. She began her teaching career and started a family in the beautiful Annapolis Valley before returning home to Newfoundland in 2015. She returned to her hometown of Clarenville this year and she is thrilled to be teaching at Clarenville High! Mrs. Belbin loves outdoor activities and she is super excited to be living close to a ski hill so that she can spend the winter weekends on the hill with her family.

Curtis Blackmore

B.A., B.Ed.M.Ed.curtisblackmore@nlesd.ca
Curt is from the town of George's Brook-Milton and is a high school graduate of Clarenville High School (1988). He convocated from MUN with an English degree in 1993 and later completed his Master's degree in 2007. He has taught in several schools in the Vista region including South West Arm Academy, Swift Current Academy, St. Mark's School, and most notably Random Island Academy. He has served as both Assistant Principal and Principal at Random Island Academy for the past 15 years, but now looks forward to teaching full-time at Clarenville High School. Curt's interests include playing music, sports (particularly hockey), and doing many outdoor activities.Slainte!

Mary - Ellen Blackmore

B.A, B.Ed, M.Edmary-ellenblackmore@nlesd.ca

Mrs. Blackmore grew up in Embree, and graduated from Lewisporte Collegiate in 1999. Mary-Ellen obtained her B. A. and B. Ed from Memorial during 2004-2006 and completed her Masters in Literacy in 2012. She has taught at CMS, CHS, Swift Current Academy, Random Island Academy, and Heritage Collegiate. Mary-Ellen is an avid reader, and is a huge fan of Harry Potter. When not at school, she can often be found at the stadium or the softball field, watching her two boys play hockey and softball.

Rodney Boutcher

BA., B.Ed., M.Ed., Dip. Tech. Ed.rodneyboutcher@nlesd.ca
Mr. Boutcher was born and raised in Clarenville and graduated from Clarenville High. He also spent many years as a student of Memorial University completing a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, masters degree and technology diploma. He previously taught in Southwest Arm Academy, Tricentia Academy, and Random Island Academy. While at these schools he taught many different courses from elementary to high school and also spent time as an Assistant Principal and Principal. In his spare time he enjoys running, cycling, hiking and he loves music!

Mathew Cook

B.A, B.Ed, M.Edmatthewcook@nlesd.ca

Mr. Cook is from Elliott’s Cove, and went to school on Random Island until he transferred to CHS for high school (class of ‘97). After graduating from Memorial University he taught at B.L. Morrison, CMS, and SWA but has spent most of his teaching career at Random Island Academy. He is once again returning to CHS - this time to join our English Department. Along with teaching English, Mr. Cook loves spending time with his family, gardening, theater, reading a good book, coaching, and playing many sports. He is excited to be joining this wonderful school community and is looking forward to a great year!

Josie Ellis

B.Sc., B.Ed.josieellis@nlesd.ca
Ms. Ellis is from George’s Brook - Milton and spent the last few years in St. John’s attending Memorial University. She graduated from Clarenville High in 2016, and is very excited to join the cougar family once again and teach her first year back at home. At university, she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biochemistry, and just graduated from the Education program. This year she will be an Instructional Resource Teacher at the school, and is happy to assist teachers and students.
In her spare time she enjoys camping, cooking, and spending lots of time with her two teacup maltese dogs, Polly and Piper.

Emily Follett

BMus, B.M.Ed, M.M.emilyfollett@nlesd.ca
Emily Follett is a performer and music educator from St. John’s. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Music Education from Memorial University. In 2012, she completed her Masters of Music in voice performance with a focus in musical theater. Emily is a regular performer as a singer, actress and instrumentalist. Some of her favorite performances include collaborations with local performers, including Matthew Byrne, Alan Doyle, and the Ennis Sisters. She performs regularly in local theatre productions, which have included Jesus Christ Superstar, Rock of Ages, Beauty & The Beast and Footloose, to name a few! Emily sings with the award winning Lady Cove Women’s Choir. She is looking forward to an excellent year at Clarenville High School, go Cougars!

Tina Ellis

B.A., B. Ed, B. Sp.Ed., M.Ed.tinaellis@nlesd.ca
Ms. Ellis was born and raised in Clarenville and graduated from CHS in 1987. She is married and has one child. She graduated from Memorial University in 1992 with a B.A. (English) and a B. Ed. (Secondary), and later went on to complete her B.Sp.Ed and a Masters Degree in Literacy. Mrs. Ellis is an Instructional Resource Teacher at Clarenville High and assists teachers and students in a variety of courses. Her main interests are spending time at her cabin, travelling, and reading. Mrs. Ellis spent the first 14 years of her career teaching students with special needs in Port Rexton. She plans to finish her career at Clarenville High.

Sherry Hackett

B.A., B. Ed, B. Sp.Ed., M.Edsherryhackett@nlesd.ca Web: Click Here
Originally from Fortune Bay, Mrs. Hackett made the big move to Clarenville in 2001 from the Burin Peninsula where she taught in several schools. Mrs. Hacket graduated from Memorial University in 1994 with an honours BA degree and went on to take a B.Ed secondary the following year. She then finished her Bachelor of Special Education degree and recently finished her Masters degree. Mrs. Hacket coaches girls basketball.

Katie Hawkins

B.Ed, B.Sp.Ed. katiehawkins@nlesd.ca
Ms. Hawkins was born and raised in Clarenville and graduated from Clarenville High. She then attended Memorial University and graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 2017 and a Bachelor of Special Education in 2019. Ms. Hawkins previously taught in English Harbour West and Catalina. She is very excited to be back at home teaching in Clarenville! Ms. Hawkins enjoys both playing and coaching various sports, cooking and baking, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Michelle King

B.F.A., B.Edmichelleking1@nlesd.ca
Ms. King is from Conception Bay South and is delighted to join the staff at Clarenville High School. Ms. King attended Memorial University, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), a Diploma in Performance and Communications Media, and a Master of Arts (English) focused on Shakespearean performance in Newfoundland and Labrador. Before beginning her Bachelor of Education, Ms. King worked as an arts administrator in both St. John's and Cupids. Ms. King is an avid reader and loves theatre. Ms. King is looking forward to an exciting year with the students and staff of CHS!

Jason Lane (Assistant Principal)

B.Phys. Ed., B.Ed., M.Ed.jasonlane@nlesd.ca
Originally from Catalina, Trinity Bay, Mr.Lane graduated from T.A. Lench Memorial High and completed a B.P.E. Cooperative degree program and a B.Ed in 1999. From there he was offered a position at Random Island Academy where he spent the first eight years of his teaching career. Mr. Lane transferred to Clarenville High School in September of 2007. He recently graduated from MUN with a M.Ed degree!Mr. Lane enjoys coaching A LOT and when he is not teaching you will usually find him in the gymnasium with a volleyball in his hand coaching the Varsity Girls Volleyball team. He also enjoys the Great Outdoors...fishing, hunting, canoeing and hiking.

Alex Quilty

B. Comm., B. Ed., Dip. Tech. Ed.alexquilty@nlesd.ca

Mr. Quilty was born and raised in Paradise, NL. He obtained his Bachelor of Business Commerce with a minor in Political Science at Memorial University before returning to complete a Bachelor of Education with a Joint Diploma in Technology Education. Before delving into the wide world of teaching, Mr. Quilty developed work experience in a variety of different positions, such as business analyst and financial advisor.
In his spare time, Mr. Quilty enjoys studying history, reading books, playing video games, and hunting and fishing.

Erin Murphy

B.A., B.Ed.erinmurphy1@nlesd.ca
Erin Murphy grew up in Musgravetown and Lethbridge and spent a lot of time in the music world of Clarenville. She graduated from Pearson College in Victoria, BC in 2004. At MUN, she received a B.A. in French in 2009, a B.Ed. (French & Social Studies) in 2010 and finished the M.A. & Ed. (E.L.C.F.) program in 2019. Erin has taught in France, St. John's, China, and Corner Brook. Erin moved back "home" in 2020 and lives in Portland with her partner, two daughters and their goats. She enjoys cooking, yoga, dancing, crafting, and exploring. Erin is super excited to teach and continue learning French at Clarenville High School.

Lisa O'Gay

B.Sc., B.Ed, M.Ed.lisaogay@nlesd.ca
Ms. O'Gay teaches Biology, Science 1206, Career Development, Sciences Humaines and a family studies course at Clarenville High. Ms. O'Gay has taught on Fogo Island, in Grand Falls-Windsor, Terrenceville, King's Cove and St. John's. She has taught an array of subjects from grade 3 to level III. Ms. O'Gay grew up in Clarenville and graduated from Clarenville Integrated High! Ms. O'Gay has an appreciation of theatre and has been co-director of the drama club. She likes to walk, listen to music, read and explore nature.

Peter O'Rielly

B.Sc., M. Sc., B. Ed.peterorielly@nlesd.ca
Mr. O'Rielly was born and raised on St. Brendan's island, NL and graduated from St. Gabriel's All Grade. After high school he attended Memorial University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a joint honours in Applied Math and Physics. He then attended the University of Toronto where he completed his Master of Science in Pure Mathematics where he studied black hole collapses. He then returned to Memorial to complete a Bachelor of Education program. He has previously taught in Flower's Cove and Point Leamington. Mr. O'Reilly is an avid sports fan, especially tennis, and as well enjoys hiking and travelling.

Nicole Blackwood

B.A., B. Ed., M. Ed.nicoleblackwood@nlesd.ca
Originally from Hickman's Harbour, Random Island, Mrs. Blackwood joined the CHS staff in 2018. Mrs. Blackwood has a degree in Pure Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University. She also holds a Masters degree in Curriculum Studies from the University of New Brunswick. In her spare time, Mrs. Blackwood loves adventure travelling, including her most memorable trip where she cycled across Europe. You may also find her watching her beloved Toronto Blue Jays, running 5K races with her niece & nephews, playing the piano or reading a book in her hammock.

Robert Pond

B.PE., B.Ed., M.Edrobertpond@nlesd.ca
Mr. Pond grew up in Hickmans Harbour and transferred to CHS to attend highschool. After receiving his B.PE and B Ed from MUN in 2010, he moved back to Shoal Harbour and completed his M Ed from UNB.Mr. Pond has taught at every school in the Vista District over the years, UT has landed back at his first pick, CHS.Robert enjoys being dad to his 3 little ones, while spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Martina Spurrell

B.A., B.Ed., M.Edmartinaspurrell@nlesd.ca
Mrs. Spurrelll was born and raised on the south coast of Newfoundland. She obtained her Education degree from MUN with a major in English and a minor in Religious Studies. Central Newfoundland provided Mrs. Spurrell with her first three years of teaching experience. She and her family moved to Clarenville in 2009. Mrs. Spurrell enjoys spending free her time with her two sons and husband, leaving just enough time at the end of her days for a walk or some time in the gym. Martina also designs the annual grade 12 memory book along with the help of a small group of grade 12 students.

Michael Spurrell (Principal)

B. Sc., B.Ed., M.Edmichaelspurrell1@nlesd.ca
Originally from Hodges Cove, Mr. Spurrell graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science (physics and mathematics) in and a Bachelor of Education. Mr. Spurrell completed a masters in technology in 2004. The past 25 years Mr. Spurrell has lived in Clarenville and is very active with his wife and two children, Katie and Mark. Together they enjoy cycling, nordic skiing and just about any other outdoor activity. Mr. Spurrell loves CHS and can be often found roaming the school cafeteria waiting for a student to challenge in air hockey or chat about the Maple Leafs. Go Cougars

Paul Stewart

B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Edpaulstewart@nlesd.ca Mr. Stewart's Webpage
Mr. Stewart is the Biology and Chemistry teacher at Clarenville High School. He was born in Glovertown and lived there until he left for St. John’s to study at Memorial University. After four years teaching at St. Mark’s School in King’s Cove, he moved to Clarenville and has taught there ever since. Outside school life, Mr. Stewart enjoys many outdoor activities such as biking, fishing and cross country skiing. Also, he and his family spend much of their summer either at their cabin on the Terra Nova River or out on the salt water. Mr. Stewart, along with his wife Sandi, used to coach the Varsity Girls Basketball team at CHS but now they concentrate their coaching efforts with their son at Riverside Elementary. Mr. Stewart also has a B.Sc. majoring in Biology and a M.Ed. from Memorial University in Teaching and Learning.

Susan Wiseman

B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.susanwiseman@nlesd.ca
Mrs. Wiseman is our new Guidance Counselor at Clarenville High. She has family ties to the Burin Peninsula, but has spent most of her life in Clarenville, the town in which she currently resides. Mrs. Wiseman began her career as a Guidance Counselor in the year 2000 at Bishop White School in Port Rexton. She has also been employed in a variety of schools including: Swift Current Academy, Random Island Academy, Anthony Paddon Elementary, and most recently Riverside Elementary. In her spare time, Mrs. Wiseman enjoys the company of family and friends, and leisure activities such as baking, reading, knitting, and outdoor walks. Mrs. Wiseman is very excited to be working with the students and staff at Clarenville High!

Support Staff

Nancy Philpott (secretary)

Christal Palmer (student assistant)

Lisa Short (caretaker)

Travis Faulknet (caretaker)

Pauline Duffett (caretaker)