Principals & Vice-Principals

Mr. M. Daly, Principal

B.Sc. (Boston University)

Mark Daly was born to James and Margaret Daly and, with his two brothers Kevin and Brian, grew up on the West Mountain of Hamilton. A product of the HWCDSB, Mr. Daly attended St. Teresa of Avila CES and graduated from Cathedral Boys’ High School in 1988. Mr. Daly earned a Basketball Scholarship to Boston University where he played four years of NCAA Division I Basketball.

While a Terrier at BU, Mr. Daly earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, and met his future wife Rowena who is currently an elementary Principal at St. Agnes CES. During his basketball career, Mr. Daly was Team Captain at BU and participated in the 1990 NCAA Tournament Championship. He was named an NCAA Academic All-America, was a 1992 Rhodes Scholar Finalist, represented Canada at the 1990 Pan-American Games, and played professional basketball for the Hamilton Skyhawks of the now defunct World Basketball League.

Mr. Daly’s Mathematics teaching career began in the Halton Catholic District School Board, where he taught for 5 ½ years at St. Thomas Aquinas CSS in Oakville, Ontario. He then taught at Bishop Ryan CSS for 2 ½ years, and at Cathedral High School for five more years until June of 2005. Mr. Daly then served CHS as Vice-Principal for 4 years before being appointed Principal of St. Jean de Brébeuf CSS in September of 2009. Throughout his career, Mr. Daly coached Senior Boys’ Basketball with both of his brothers winning numerous championships. Many of his former players went on to successful athletic and academic careers at the University and Professional levels.

After six enjoyable years at SJB, Mr. Daly returned to Cathedral in September of 2015 where he currently serves as Principal. Mr. Daly’s father James was previously Principal of Cathedral Boys’ High School from 1981-1985.

Mr. Daly and his wife are proud parents of four children: Miranda, Colin, Andrew and Sarah. Mr. Daly, his father, brothers, and all of his children either currently attend or have graduated from CHS.

Mr. Daly thanks God for all of his life’s blessing, and considers it an honor to serve the staff and students of Cathedral High School.

Mrs. C. Defend-Ionico, Vice-Principal

B.A. (Toronto - St. Michael's College); B.Ed. (Toronto)

Mrs. Defend-Ionico grew up in Toronto where she attended to Madonna High School. She continued her education at the University of Toronto, St Michael’s College, where she received an Honours Bachelor's of Arts degree and a Bachelor's of Education degree from the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. She started her teaching career with the Toronto Catholic School Board, working at Don Bosco Secondary School with the Salesian Fathers. She moved to the Hamilton-area and has worked at St Mary’s and Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary Schools as a Business and Co-op teacher. In 2010, Mrs. Defend-Ionico was appointed Vice Principal at St Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School. Three years later, she became Vice-Principal of Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary.

Mrs. Defend-Ionico is excited to be at Cathedral High School and is passionate about student success in education. Her office is located within the Attendance Office on the main level of the building.

Miss C. D'Elia, Vice-Principal

Honours B. Kinesiology (McMaster), B.Ed. (Brock), M. Ed. (University of Toronto, OISE)

Miss D'Elia is a Hamiltonian born and raised and is extremely excited to be joining the team at Cathedral highschool. Miss D’Elia attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Elementary school and then St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary school. When at STM, Miss D’Elia was involved in her school community as a student athlete playing volleyball, slopitch and badminton and was involved in clubs and committees such as Yearbook, Language Club, and even organized blood drives. Miss D’Elia also had the amazing opportunity to do her Co-op placement in the Intensive Care Unit at McMaster University Medical Centre where she was employed for 10 years.

Miss D’Elia then went on to McMaster University and graduated with an Honours degree in Kinesiology with a Minor in Italian Studies. She also was able to be a teaching assistant and taught first year Italian. This led Miss D’Elia to teaching as a career. Miss D’Elia then attended Brock University for teacher’s college and started her teaching career at Cardinal Newman C.S.S. where she taught Science, Careers and Health Care for 10 years.

As a Vice- Principal Miss D’Elia first travelled to Bishop Ryan, then to Bishop Tonnos and now has found her home at Cathedral highschool and is happy to finally join the Gael family!

Miss D'Elia's office can be found in the attendance office at Cathedral and she welcomes students into her office for anything that they may need help with.

Mr. K. John, Vice-Principal

Honours B.A. (McMaster University), B. Ed (University of Toronto)

Mr. John is a graduate of St. Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School then moved onto Cathedral boys Highschool from which he graduated in 1986. Mr. John moved onto his studies at McMaster University and attended the University of Toronto to complete his teacher training.

Mr. John started his teaching career in the Grand Erie board but his love of the city brought him back to Hamilton where he became a Gael once again teaching Physical Education and Art. Mr. John taught at Cathedral from 1997-2002 where he coached the Senior and Junior badminton teams and led several teams to OFSAA. Mr. John was also part of a team of staff who founded the Cathedral Annex which has served Cathedral students and the greater community for many years.

Mr. John left to become a Vice Principal at St. Jean de Brebeuf then St. Thomas More and Cardinal Newman and is now excited to be back at his home, Cathedral Highschool. Mr. John is looking forward to once again being part of the Cathedral community.