Every year brings a new freshmen class into Sutton High School (welcome, Class of 2029!) and the administration/faculty/staff also have some freshmen on it. Let’s meet the newest members of the team!
Mr. Matthew Urquhart is the new principal, coming to SHS after several years in an administrative role at BVT. He has “a small family of three which includes myself, my wife and my son. We enjoy traveling abroad and learning new cultures and trying new foods.” His first impressions of SHS are that “it is a small school where kids seem to care about one another. The staff are highly invested in making sure that students are having a good high school experience and that they are ready for any challenge in their futures. It seems that people want to help the new administrators acclimate to the culture of the school and feel welcomed in the Sutton community.” He hopes to make “sure that the courses are challenging, that people feel supported, and that the students receive the best education possible in preparation for the challenges of the world.” He chose Sutton “because of the reputation the schools have along with the small town experience. I wanted to move here years ago and send my son here, but it didn’t work out the way I had hoped. Regardless, I feel that the town of Sutton wants their children to have an overall great experience in high school.”
Mr. Andrew Niedzwiecki is the new vice principal, and he comes to SHS after teaching for many year in Auburn. He is engaged to a wonderful woman who has two wonderful children (Grades 8 & 5). He lives in Maynard, but he is a Sutton man. His parents still live in town and he graduated from here! His family loves to go to New Hampshire and enjoy boating on a lake. He’s a major New England sports fan, especially the Celtics. He prefers to stay closer to home (New England) and spending time with family.
Having coached here for seven years, he had an idea of what to expect here. He is impressed with the students in both the middle and high school. He really appreciates the staff and looks forward to working with them. He is proud to come back to SHS where he graduated from (a few years ago). He’s wanted to get into administration for some time, and is excited to get his start at SHS. He loves being a Sammie, and looks forward to keeping the spirit of SHS positive and educational.
Mr. Michael Zagame returns to the high school after four years in the middle school. He said that this “is my first year in the role of school guidance councelor in the high school. I have previously worked in the middle school as the middle school counselor for the past four years and before that I was an adjustment counselor in the high school and middle school. I have been here since 2014 so [things are] pretty consistent. It’s been a lot of the same familiar faces which is a great thing and I think that’s one of the things that makes this place so positive: a great atmosphere, great community, very tight, they are like a family. A lot of the new faces that have come in have just become part of that family and also brought new energy in and a new vision for the school, too, which is awesome.” He considers himself “a morale guy. I like to keep the energy high and just keep spirits high. I know that [school] can be a grueling with just a lot of expectations and a lot of pressure for academics and making sure we’re providing the best for all the students. I’m hoping for a high morale year where everybody can stick together, work hard, but also enjoy the process.¨
Officer Lisa Sullivan returns to be the Safety Resource Officer, a role she previously held. She has been a police officer for 20 years, and loves to go to her beach house in Rhode Island for a change of scenery, even in the winter! She likes to read and has had four boxers (her current one is named Maisy and is eight months old). She got a tattoo of her dog who passed away to keep her memory alive. She prefers eating food rather than cooking it. Her favorite things to eat are seafood and chipotle. She is glad to know what she’s experiencing and what’s happening, didn’t realize how big the operation was because the largest population in Sutton at a given time happens at school. She thinks the staff are amazing and has made some great new friendships. She wants to create a self defense class for girls, and would like the school district to be more aware of emergencies that could possibly happen. She wants to try to calm people’s fears as best as she can. She would like the school to practice drills a little more so everyone is aware of what’s happening and what to do.
Ms. Roberta Riedl is the new guidance office administrative assistant. She likes to travel to Europe and other warm places. She has five grandsons (ages 8, 6, 4, 3, 2) and likes to play with them. She likes to cook and lives on a lake where she can do lots of fun water activities. So far she likes being at SHS. For goals, she doesn’t have any yet since she still has more to experience and get a feel for what’s going on before setting goals. She’s heard good things about the town and likes that the school is small that it creates a family atmosphere where everybody knows mostly everyone. She also likes how each student can have their own personality and really appreciates the amazing staff she has met that made her feel welcomed.
Ms. Christin Walcek is the long term substitute in the English Department. She loves crafts (and spends tons of time at Michaels). She loves cooking and trying as many new recipes as possible. She feels welcomed and is thrilled that the atmosphere is so positive and productive. The kids are great and the staff has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. She wants to be the best teacher she can be, help the students feel like they are learning and can use language better in the future, and hopes to make positive connections with all. Mostly, she wants all students to feel like they have a place here at SHS.
