St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School is losing some familiar faces when this school year comes to an end.

Teacher Mary Lafazanos is retiring and vice-principals Rob Samson and Jurgen Schneider are both moving on to be principals at other schools.

Lafazanos has taught across Ontario and Quebec for the past 38 years, and at St. Thomas since 1986. She has taught English, religion, history, and most recently co-op education.

“I like to help the students figure out what it is they want to do with their lives. It’s a great way to do that, through co-op,” she said.

Both of the school vice-principals - Samson and Schneider - are moving on to take principal positions at other schools.

Samson has been at STA for the past 14 years, as a teacher, and most recently as an administrator.

“It’s been a wonderful community, and great place to be,” he said.

Schneider has only been at STA since February, but he echoed Samson’s sentiments.

“I was here for a good time, not a long time,” said Schneider.

Samson will be principal at Mother Teresa Catholic School in Bradford. Schneider is moving to Father F.X. O’Reilly in Tottenham.

Lafazanos said she is planning to travel to Europe with her husband.