Anne Otonicar: New principal at Sydenham High School

by Jeff Green

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Anne Otonicar’s first administrative role was as a part-time vice principal at Sharbot Lake Public School , one of the smaller schools in the Limestone School Board. She has had several administrative roles since that time, and has been a vice-principal at Napanee District Secondary School for several years.

Then, last May, she was offered the job of principal at Sydenham High School , one of the largest schools in the board, starting this September.

A principal’s role is to communicate between the school and the board office, as well as overseeing the school budget and other major administrative matters.

“The most important role is that of a curriculum leader,” Anne Otonicar said in an interview with the News last week.

“We work to ensure that the curriculum is working for the students in our schools, and to facilitate the work of the teachers in the school.”

Otonicar knows that she is replacing a well-loved principal, Bruce Marchen, who retired last June, and she will be depending on Debbie Chambers and Krishna Burra, who are returning as vice-principal and assistant vice-principal at Sydenham, for continuity at the school.

“The school is really a strong part of the community here, and is well used by the community and for extra-curricular activities by the students, which is a great thing. I know it’s the activities that students remember about high school, and I know how important they are.”

Anne Otonicar lives in Yarker. She has two teenaged children, who attend Napanee District Secondary School .

“They were certainly happy to see me go to Sydenham,” she said.