School is out for the summer, but minds at the Seine River School Division (SRSD) are already taking learning experiences from the last year to apply them to the next.
From filling key leadership roles to celebrating a new high school and improved financial footing, the division says it has much to be thankful for—both in big milestones and in the quieter, meaningful moments.
Personal reflections from the superintendent
Colin Campbell, superintendent of the SRSD, says he learned a lot in his first year leading the division.
"It's been a quick six months here...it's a little bit of drinking water out of a fire hose," he says.
When he started, he explains there were several major positions that needed to be filled at the head office, including the roles of secretary treasurer, human resources manager and finance manager.
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But he found himself blessed by divisional staff who rallied together to cover the positions until they were filled.
"Our focus is about looking after the people we serve in our division, and I feel very fortunate that we found those people that get up every morning and want to serve in that manner," Campbell says.
The word that best captures his time with the division is "gratitude," he says, especially for his team.
He thanks the SRSD's board of trustees for trusting him with the role, his assistant superintendents for helping him learn the division’s story, and the many staff members who have offered support along the way.
"You're only as strong as the people around you," he says. "The success of our division is not just because of me coming in, it's because of the team around me."
Personal highlights for Campbell include his first meeting with principals and vice principals, as well as attending spring productions put on by schools in the SRSD.
Divisional recap: The highs and lows
One of the biggest accomplishments of the year was the province’s approval of a new high school in Ste. Anne, a long-anticipated project for the growing community.
"Kudos to the people before me that were advocating for a new building here," Campbell says, adding more details will be hammered out with the province in the fall.
In the meantime, space remains tight—and the division is on a waitlist for portables. As a temporary measure, renovations are underway to convert Ste. Anne Collegiate’s library into two classrooms.
"It's not necessarily uncommon...but it's an approach when we don't have any other options," Campbell says.
He adds that a portion of the library will be preserved, with hopes that the space can be restored once the new school is built.
Financially, the division is also ending the year on a stronger note, trending toward a "modest surplus" after facing previous deficits. But Campbell says that positive news is tempered by the impact of recent cost-saving measures.
"On one hand, it is positive. But...(while) we're on a better financial path, we're still very cognizant of what staff and students have gone through in the last year," Campbell says.
Even so, this enables the division to hire more staff to help reduce class sizes, which is a relief.
"Now, it's our job to make sure that with these smaller class sized that we're able to have a bigger impact on student learning and their wellbeing," he says.
Looking ahead with excitement—and gratitude
As he looks ahead to next year, Campbell can't help but feel a rush of excitement.
"When school starts, you get to welcome new staff...and then, the obvious, we have new students that are going to come into new classrooms and new schools," he says. "As much as this year's finished, we're always looking around the corner at what's about to come."
He credits the division’s positivity to a deeply supportive school community.
"It's exciting that I'm able to work in a division like this with parents and caregivers that are engaged in their child's education," he says.
As summer break begins, Campbell offers a heartfelt thank you.
"From our staff here at the head office, to our staff in our schools, to our maintenance and transportation department. Everyone matters and has a role no matter how close you are to students...A real thank you to everyone in our school division."