St. Vincent Named Outstanding School Leader

Yvan St. Vincent of Ste. Anne has been handed an Outstanding School Leader award.

St. Vincent is Principal at both the elementary school and collegiate. The award was presented by Education Minister Nancy Allan. St. Vincent says staff at the school nominated him for the award and it was a complete surprise until it came time to sign the nomination papers.

St. Vincent says up until recently there was not a lot of community and staff involvement in the schools. "There was I guess a negative sense in the buildings," he admits. But St. Vincent says through the help of great Vice Principals, teachers and resource staff, they've been able to change the culture of the school, making it a more positive learning environment.

"We have just been extremely honest with our staff, recognizing the challenges we face with some of the socioeconomic status of our families and the struggles that they have," notes St. Vincent. "And we've been just very open and honest with all our staff members and we talk about it and we share our struggles and at the same time we share our successes." St. Vincent says ultimately what they're attempting is to build a family atmosphere.

The Principal says he's absolutely thrilled with the difference he's seen at the schools. He notes staff come to work each day ready to face any challenge. "At the end of the day they leave smiling and they come back the next day with a refreshed same attitude," he says. "We have seen a lot of positive changes in both schools."

St. Vincent says the change has been felt by students too. "Students are happy to be here because it's become a more pleasant place to be."

According to St. Vincent, the award means very little to himself personally, but speaks loudly to the work being done by the school. "I accept the award on behalf of the staff and students of Ste. Anne Elementary and Ste. Anne Collegiate because it surely isn't a one person effort and it's taken everyone in this building to make these type of awards happen."

He notes winning the award was humbling. "It was kind of overwhelming because I felt almost embarrassed to be up there alone," says St. Vincent. "I wish there could have been others up there with me."

In winning, St. Vincent received a $500 cash award. In addition, the schools will be given $500 which St. Vincent says will be used to purchase library books.