Board Chair Year End Message 2024
June 21, 2024
Dear Red Deer Catholic Staff,
As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible Red Deer Catholic Regional School staff. This year has been one with many challenges and successes, and it is my honour as your Board Chair to reflect on our shared journey on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
First and foremost I want to acknowledge the numerous challenges we’ve faced this year. We have had internal strife within the Board, a tough round of local negotiations, and budgetary uncertainties. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of you for your unwavering commitment to our student's education and well-being. Especially in the face of the challenges you have been the cornerstone of our success.
Your extraordinary adaptability, compassion, and professionalism have not only ensured the continuation of high-quality education, you have continued to foster a nurturing and supportive environment for our students to thrive. The Board understands that these challenges have negatively impacted the Division's reputation and, more critically, our relationship with you, our employees. Even though some of these issues were beyond our control, we also accept the responsibility that we have played a part. We know that we have work to do next year to restore our relationship and together we are ready to take on the challenge.
Overall, Red Deer Catholic has much to celebrate. This year we focused on ‘Nurture’ within our Division theme. Daily, our students nurture relationships with each other. They demonstrate kindness, acceptance, and the love of Christ to one another. This has been visible in many ways: through Talking Circles and the continued implementation of restorative justice practices, the focus on Compassion in Action, participation in faith retreats, service projects, and involvement in school masses.
You have been hard at work nurturing relationships with students and families which can be seen in the collegiate and career pathway programming, Esports, and our International Student Program along with the many varied extracurriculars offered such as clubs, music, and international and national travel. Our schools continue to develop relationships with community partners while strengthening the relationships within their school communities and neighbourhoods. From career days, guest speakers, mock interviews, field trips, and artists in residencies to social justice projects, family carnivals, movie nights, sporting events, and family barbeques, we have been in community.
As a Division, we have been nurturing our community by securing funding for St. Veronica Catholic School, our new school in Blackfalds. We celebrated the opening of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and supported one another in our vast number of achievements such as musicals, art shows, academic successes, sporting victories, spiritual growth, and our Schollie data success. Above all, we choose to walk with one another even when it is difficult or we disagree.
As we look ahead to the next academic year, we remain committed to our mission of making Christ known to children, dedicated to each student's success and holistic development. We are excited about the opportunities and challenges ahead and are confident that we will continue to achieve great things together.
Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and faith. You are the pillars of our community and I wish you all a restful and rejuvenating summer break filled with joy and peace.
God bless,
Murray Hollman
Board Chair
