There will be a change of command at schools under the umbrella of Pembina Hills Regional Division No. 7.
In Barrhead, Pauletta Renkema is leaving the high school to take up a her new position within the school division as the Education Services co-ordinator. Audrey Kluin will become principal at Fort Assiniboine School, while David Garbutt of Stettler will replace Renkema.
PHRD is really promoting video conferencing across the school division, especially among its smaller schools, Renkema said.
She had the opportunity to visit along with other administrators and staff several schools outside of PHRD and saw that technology in action. She said she watched 55 junior high students sit quietly for an entire hour as they listened to a Rabbi in India.
“This is something I would like to see happening here at Pembina Hills,” Renkema said. “Teachers already have a lot on their plate, and they don’t necessarily have the time to commit to this type of research, so that’s what I would like to do for them.”
She said she has always been interested in new technology, using it in the schools, getting staff to use it, and getting students comfortable with it.
This position is just that, she added – helping staff get to know the new technology and being able to incorporate it into the classroom, using it to engage their students, and possibly helping special needs students.
It is her goal to use technology, such as iPads, for example, as a means to download textbooks. This is what’s going to be happening, and the school division needs to be ready for it, she said.
With the Internet and other technology, today’s students are 21st Century learners, she said, but those students also have to be able to identify what information is real and reliable. They also have to learn how to use it properly, and the school division needs to get this information to the teachers who, in turn, can get it to the students.
“I would like to visit all the schools and get a better idea of what they need to succeed,” she said.
“I will be learning quite a lot in the first few months. I like new challenges, and I think I’ve got enough experience to know what would be needed in each school, but each school community has its own unique needs.”
Renkema started her teaching career in Fort Assiniboine. She started teaching at BCHS in 1989 and eventually took a position as vice-principal. She then went to Swan Hills for three year as principal before coming back to BCHS as principal for the past two years.
“I really enjoy and will miss the daily interaction of being able to walk down the hall and talk with the students,” she said. “I really liked being able to work with our at-risk and special needs students, and I developed a lot of relationships with many students. I worked well with the staff, and I’m going to miss them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue interacting with students through this new career path.”
There is some controversy surrounding the new principal set to take the reins at Barrhead Composite High School.
A parent, who wishes to remain unidentified, expressed concern over Garbutt, who recently pleaded guilty to a charge of assault stemming from an argument with his wife. He was charged after getting into a verbal dispute with his wife. The confrontation escalated into assault when Garbutt pushed his wife, bruising her arm. Garbutt was spared jail time. Instead, he was given a conditional sentence, along with 18 months probation.
Garbutt told The Leader that there are always circumstances and information in situations like this that isn’t made public. He said his plans are to move to Barrhead and to start over, and that he will strive to gain the respect of students, parents and the community.
“My door is always open, and if parents have any questions or concerns, I extend an invitation to them to come in and talk to me,” Garbutt said. His first official day as principal is Aug. 22.
Pembina Hills Superintendent of Schools Egbert Stang said he was fully aware of the situation prior to offering Garbutt the job. PHRD thoroughly investigated the situation and, although the school division does not condone this type of behaviour, people do make mistakes, and it was a one-time thing, he said.
“I fully believe people deserve a second chance, and David’s record as an educator is outstanding,” Stang said. “This is an incredibly good guy, and he will be a good thing for this community. He has an incredible educational record, but he also has an incredible personal record as far as being a caring, community-minded person.”
Stang said Garbutt wants to come to Barr-head and fit in with the community and the school.
“He’s a very positive force, and he has a solid record of being able to make a difference in a very positive manner.”
Garbutt holds a bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of education degree, both from Simon Fraser University, and a master of education degree in leadership from the University of Lethbridge. He is an experienced school administrator, and his resume includes positions such as vice-principal of Golden Secondary School, principal of O.M. Irwin Middle School, principal of Cremona School and, currently, principal of Stettler Middle School. Garbutt has also held positions with the British Columbia College of Teachers and the Golden Teachers Association.
Garbutt provides for continuous improvement by consistently providing staff with data and tools required for providing opportunities of professional growth, said Stang. Throughout his career, Garbutt has worked to improve opportunities for students by building and maintaining positive working relationships and networks with staff, parents and the community.
