High school principal earns national recognition

GUELPH – A Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) educator is being recognized for her impact on a former student. 

Amanda Belluz has been awarded the Queen’s University Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching. 

The award came with a $10,000 cheque. 

Belluz is currently the principal of St. John Bosco, and formerly worked as vice principal of Our Lady of Lourdes and of both Catholic high schools in Guelph. 

Oluwamisimi Oluwole, a former student of Belluz’s who is graduating from Queen’s this year, nominated Belluz for the award.

University officials say  it honours educators who “had a decisive and formative influence on the student and set them on the course to post-secondary education and ultimately their graduation from Queen’s. 

“These awards recognize an exceptional high school educator who has served as a role model and mentor to their students, instilled a love of learning and inspired academic excellence and the pursuit of higher education.” 

Belluz was one of seven teachers to be awarded this year and is the second WCDSB educator in two years to receive the award. 

In 2025, Bishop Mac teacher Amberlea Daigneau received the award, after being nominated by Blake Gill.

Oluwole told Queen’s news platform, the Gazette, that Belluz goes above and beyond to make students feel welcome and give them the tools they need to succeed. 

Oluwole transferred to Bishop Mac in Grade 11 during the pandemic, when Belluz worked there. 

“She changed how I see myself as a learner and what I believe I am capable of achieving,” Oluwole said. 

“She instilled in me a love of learning, pushed me toward academic excellence and helped me believe that I belonged in higher education. I am nominating her because her impact did not end when I left her classroom. It continues to shape who I am today.”

The Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching was established by chancellor emeritus A. Charles Baillie in 2007.