This year marks the end of an incredible chapter for St. Augustine Catholic High School. After 40 years in education and 5 years as principal, Mr. Cocchetto is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, service, and dedication to students.
In this interview, Mr. Cocchetto reflects on his career as a teacher, vice principal, and principal, shares some of his most memorable experiences, and offers advice to current and future Titans as he prepares for retirement.
After 40 years in education, what originally inspired you to become a teacher?
“So, originally when I was studying in university, I thought I would go into teaching because I really enjoyed studying history and English. So, I went to the faculty of education to become a high school history and English teacher. But after a few years of teaching, when I started thinking about becoming a vice principal and principal, I liked the opportunity to work with individual students and small groups of students and teachers to try and help them to succeed in education.”
You have been a teacher, vice principal, and now a principal. Which role taught you the most, and why?
“So each role is different and I learned a lot in all three. As a teacher, I really found out what it takes to create lessons that you can share information with with students. So not only can they develop knowledge in whatever subject you’re teaching, but also skills that they can use to succeed with their careers. And part of being an educator is coming up with lessons so you can teach students, but also trying to come up with good tests and projects so you can evaluate what they’ve learned and use that as sort of a foundation.
When I became a vice principal, I had the chance to work, as I mentioned, with small groups of students and teachers to try and improve on that because as effective as you can be in the classroom, sometimes it’s challenging because students have difficulties that they’re experiencing, whether they’re learning difficulties or things going on outside of school that are preventing them from being successful and experiencing academic success. What I enjoyed about being a vice principal is the opportunity to find out with kids. It’s like what troubles are they having? What problems/challenges are they having? And let’s see if we can work with them and the teachers and their parents to try and overcome them so that they can be successful in school.
Then as a principal it’s a very different perspective because you see the whole school and you have to sort of guide and direct the activities of all the students and all the teachers to try and accomplish and and meet the needs and interests of all the students, the teachers, and the parents too.”
What is one moment from your career that you’ll never forget?
“I don’t know if any one stands out, but , I think when I look back at my five years as principal at St. Augustine, […] a couple of the things I’m most pleased about is just seeing how successful and the amount of academic achievement and excellence that has come out of the school for many years, even before I was principal, and I hope that that continues. And I think the Titan leader program that we’ve been able to develop, working with students, especially in grade 10, bringing them to Muskoka Woods for a few days and helping them and giving them the skills and the values to become good type leaders that they can use when they come back to help other students to be good students as well.”
You mentioned having the opportunity to travel with students across Ontario and overseas. Is there a particular excursion or moment from those travels that has stayed with you over the years?
“So I think the excursion that will always stay with me for my whole life was in 2019, my last year as a vice principal before the pandemic. We went as a school on a service trip to Ecuador with a group that helps people who live there and does some service work.
We traveled with over 10 teachers and 70 students, and early on in the excursion we traveled way inside the interior of the country, sort of in the rainforest. We don’t know how to this day, but somehow students became ill. We think it actually happened before we traveled to the interior of the country, and pretty much all the students and all the teachers got sick on that trip.
But in the end, it still became a very good trip, even though we had to improvise. The way in which the St. Augustine students—and there was a mix of students, most of them in Grade 12, some in Grade 11, and even a couple in Grade 10—but as always happens, especially at St. Augustine, everyone came together to help everyone out and to make adjustments and accommodations.
So that experience was good, but also we had good memories. Like every year that I’ve been here as a vice principal and a principal, the students at St. Augustine are wonderful students and they’re very caring students.
And it was really nice that we were able to help some of the people in the interior of the country to start the foundation for a new school. And it was nice watching and participating with our students and teachers in developing that project.
And then going around and seeing the different places and learning from the people there. And we had an opportunity to meet some Indigenous people.
So, as opposed to an adventure, it was just really a wonderful experience. And I know, looking back, the teachers who are still here that went on that, and all of the students from that particular class that went on that, always talk about that trip as well.”
If you could join any club or council in the school, which one would you join?
“I think when I was in high school, I had an interest in business. So I think maybe DECA, but also when I was in high school, for many years I was in the Model UN club, and I enjoyed that. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet students from other schools and to debate and discuss world issues.
And I guess the other thing is when I was in high school, we used to have what was called a business game club. So, similar to what they were doing in DECA, those are the two clubs.”
Was there ever a student that left a really big impact on you? What have you learned from students in your past few years?
“I think what I’ve learned, or what I’ve enjoyed most in interacting with students, even from my time in the classroom, so really that hasn’t changed, is seeing the curiosity, the energy, and the drive that they have.
I really enjoy finding out about the projects that they’re interested in. So whether they’re doing things like DECA or science fair projects, or watching them in the Grade 10 history classes when I have a chance, or even the math classes, all the classes, just seeing the excitement they’re experiencing in learning and trying new things, and finding out or trying to apply their knowledge in new contexts.”
Is there anything you are looking forward to in your retirement?
“Even though I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I’ve been teaching, as you said, or been an educator for 40 years, I don’t know what the future will hold.
I think not having the regular routine and being here for the start of school, that will be different. So, it’s a lifestyle change, but we’ll see as it comes.
I will be there. I look forward to the 25th [anniversary] as well.”
I’m sure you have seen the growth and success of many past students. What advice would you like to leave with current and future St. Augustine students?
“I would say, for the most part, to continue the good work that you’re doing. The students here have always been focused. Continue to work together, continue to collaborate, and continue to help one another, and to share and live out the values of our faith.
Because when you do that, when your actions are guided by our faith principles, which have stood the test of time for thousands of years, you will always be on the right track. You will always use your talents, and in doing so, you will hear the call from God that what we’re all called to do is help one another.
And when you do, as happens every day at St. Augustine, students helping other students, you’re helping yourself. You’re sharing your knowledge and your talents, and when you do that, you become a better person.
And when you help someone else out, they’re able to help you out. So together, it’s almost like climbing a mountain. Lots of times you need two people: one person to make the first step, and another person behind to then go ahead. They take the first step, and then you alternate like that, and you can accomplish so much more.
And I think that’s the best advice I can give: continue that spirit of using your talents to collaborate and to help one another.”
A Final Thank You
While Mr. Cochetto may be leaving St. Augustine, his impact on the school community will not be forgotten. On behalf of the students and staff, we thank him for his years of service, leadership, and commitment to helping others succeed. We wish him a happy and well-deserved retirement and look forward to welcoming him back for the school’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Works Cited
Wong, Jasmine. “Interview.” Conducted by Jasmine Wong, 9 June 2026.
Titan Times 