Meet The Team: Mr. Russ Marston

How long have you been at GNS?

This is my fourth year at GNS. I moved to Victoria in the summer of 2021 to join the community in my current role as Middle School Principal.

What made you want to be part of the GNS community?

The school’s reputation for strong academics, outdoor education, and core values that resonated with my own, along with a connection that I had made with Mr. Holtum years before motivated me to make the move from Ontario to Vancouver Island with my family. The GNS community has exceeded all our expectations. 

What made you want to be a principal?

As a teacher, I loved connecting with students, helping them overcome challenges, and watching them progress on their educational journeys. As a Principal at GNS, I have the privilege of working with and supporting an amazing team of educators. Being part of this community and having input into shaping the direction of the Middle School is energizing and different every day. It’s an appreciation of this unpredictability (you never know what you’ll get day to day) and the opportunity to face challenges and solve problems collaboratively that drew me towards a leadership position in education.

What are some of your interests outside of school?

I love finding time to enjoy the outdoors. Whitewater kayaking, canoe tripping, alpine skiing and snowboarding, hiking, and camping are some of the things I like to do when I unplug. My family and I also love travelling and exploring everything that Vancouver Island and the world have to offer.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I did a fair amount of travelling when I was younger, and have lived and worked in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to be immersed in such amazing cultures.

What do you like about living and working in Victoria?

I love the access to adventure on Vancouver Island. Amazingly, we live just a short drive away from amazing places like the Juan de Fuca and West Coast Trails, Strathcona Park and Mt. Washington, and incredible whitewater rivers. Tofino isn’t even that far away! I feel like I have just scratched the surface of what Victoria has to offer.

What is the best part of your day? 

That’s a tough question! At work, it’s greeting students as they arrive on campus in the morning. It’s energizing to see the smiles and positivity as we head into the day’s possibilities together.

Thank you Mr. Marston for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions.