Rainbow Schools welcome new Principals this September

Some of the Rainbow District School Board’s elementary and secondary schools will welcome new Principals when classes resume on Wednesday, September 5, 2018. The Principals look forward to working with students, staff, parents/guardians and the community in their new leadership roles.

Paula Biondi has been appointed Principal of Monetville Public School. She has been Vice-Principal at a number of elementary schools, most recently Walden Public School. She Chairs the Entrepreneur Fair and has been a member of the Equity and Inclusive Education Committee. Paula Biondi joined the Board in 1992, teaching in the primary and junior levels. She also served as itinerant speech and language teacher.

Kim Boulanger assumes the role of Principal of Cyril Varney Public School. She has been Principal of Monetville Public School for the past three years. Prior to that, she served as Vice-Principal at Lansdowne Public School. She currently co-chairs the Sudbury Regional Heritage Fair. Kim Boulanger joined the Board in 1998, teaching at the primary and junior levels. She also served as a literacy resource teacher.

Chris Bourré will become the new Principal of R.H. Murray Public School. Most recently, he has been Principal of Walden Public School. He was also Principal of Copper Cliff Public School. With 25 years of experience in elementary schools in Sudbury and Parry Sound, he has taught all elementary grades in both the English and French Immersion programs.

Trevor Dewit is the new Principal of Algonquin Road Public School. He has been Principal of R.H. Murray Public School and Larchwood Public School. Prior to this, he served as Vice-Principal at a number of schools. Since joining Rainbow District School Board in 2001, Trevor Dewit has taught a number of grades in the elementary panel and contributed to system-wide events for the benefit of all students.

Heather Downey is returning to Sudbury Secondary School as Principal. Most recently, she has been Vice-Principal of Lockerby Composite School. She joined Sudbury Secondary School in 2000, and subsequently served as Arts Education Program Leader and Vice-Principal. Principal Downey has contributed to curriculum writing. She is passionate about developing the instructional program through collaborative teams.

Pablo Gil-Alfau is returning to the elementary panel as Principal of Chelmsford Public School. He has been Principal of Confederation Secondary School, where he taught science, biology and physical education and also served as guidance counselor. Prior to this, he was Principal of Princess Anne Public School. Pablo Gil-Alfau joined the Board in 1997.

Jennifer Harvey is the new Principal of Lansdowne Public School. Most recently, she was Principal of Jean Hanson Public School and Vice-Principal at a number of schools. Since joining the Board in 1996, she has taught a variety of grades in the elementary panel, including many years as a special education resource teacher demonstrating a passion for success for all students.

Patrick Hopkin has been appointed Principal of Jean Hanson Public School. Prior to this, he served as Vice-Principal of four schools in both the elementary and secondary panels. Principal Hopkin believes strongly in equity and inclusion for all and has been the chair of the Free To Be Me conference for the past three years. He has taught students from Kindergarten to Grade 8, including special education.

Susan Kett assumes the role of Principal of Barrydowne College, a re-engagement school for 18 to 20-year-olds at Cambrian College. Most recently, she has been Vice-Principal at Espanola High School. After teaching in Toronto, Susan Kett joined the Board in 1999 as a music teacher at her former high school, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. Susan Kett has served on many Board committees, including Environmental Education. She is an Ontario EcoSchools representative for the Board.

Daniel Koziar has been appointed Principal of Princess Anne Public School. Most recently, he served as Principal of Lansdowne Public School and Vice-Principal of A.B. Ellis Public School. Since joining the Board in 2003, Dan Koziar has taught in a variety of grades in the elementary panel and contributed to system-wide events. For the past three years, he has been Principal of the Summer Learning Program.

Enza MacEachern is the new Principal of Levack Public School. For the past school year, she has been Principal of Chelmsford Public School. She became a Vice-Principal in 2008. Prior to this, she taught in various elementary schools, including students in autism programs. Principal MacEachern began her career in Guelph in 1986. She joined Rainbow District School Board in 1996.

Kelly McCauley has been appointed Principal of R.L. Beattie Public School where she has provided leadership since January 2018. Prior to this, she was Vice-Principal of Princess Anne Public School. Principal McCauley has 21 years of experience in education in Ottawa and Sudbury. She joined the Board as a classroom teacher in 1997 and shared her extensive knowledge in math with teachers across Rainbow Schools as a consultant.

Heather Pennie has been appointed Principal of Assiginack Public School. She has been the Vice-Principal of Little Current Public School. Since joining the Board in 2002, Heather Pennie has taught all grades in the elementary panel, with a focus on the integration of technology for student learning. Heather Pennie received the William N. Roman Teacher of the Year Award in 2014.

Pamela Potvin is the new Principal of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. She has been the Principal of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School for the past four years. Since joining Rainbow District School Board in 1996, Pamela Potvin has served in a number of roles at many secondary schools, including teacher, program leader, student success teacher, guidance counselor and vice-principal.

Marty Punkari has been appointed Principal of Confederation Secondary School, where he served as a Vice-Principal from 2002 to 2006. For the past 11.5 years, he has been Principal of Espanola High School where an extensive renewal project was completed. Marty Punkari also served as Vice-Principal of Sudbury Secondary School and Lasalle Secondary School. He joined the Board as a secondary school teacher in 1995.

James Norrie has been appointed Principal of Churchill Public School. He has been Principal of Jean Hanson Public School for the past five years. Prior to this, he served as Vice-Principal at a number of schools. Since joining the Board in 2000, Principal Norrie has taught a variety of grades. He has also coached a variety of athletic teams and clubs, encouraging inclusion, fair play and teamwork.

Kristina Rivard Gobbo is the new Principal of Espanola High School. For the past three years, she has been the Principal of Barrydowne College. A classroom teacher since 2006, Kristina Rivard Gobbo taught French, Italian and Science at Lasalle Secondary School where she served as the Program Leader of Modern Languages. Prior to her appointment as Principal, she was Vice-Principal of Lockerby Composite School. She is currently working on her PhD with a focus on poverty, retention and pass rates.

Danielle Williamson has been appointed Principal of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, which is being redeveloped into a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school. She has been Principal at Princess Anne Public School, Chelmsford Public School and R.H. Murray Public School. A versatile educator, Danielle Williamson has been a primary, junior and intermediate teacher in a number of Rainbow Schools since joining the Board in 2003.

Stephen Winckel has been appointed Principal of Walden Public School. He served as Principal of Levack Public School for the past six years. Prior to this, he was Principal of Markstay Public School and Vice-Principal of R.L. Beattie Public School and Lansdowne Public School. Principal Winckel, who joined the Board in 1998, is a graduate of the French Immersion program at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.

The first day of school is Wednesday, September 5, 2018. There will be no early dismissal on the first day. The day after Labour Day (Tuesday, September 4, 2018) is a professional activity day.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.