Hanover School Division had a year of firsts in 2024/25

Hanover School Division superintendent and board chair reminisced on this past school year.

“I think it was pretty awesome year overall,” said superintendent Joe Thiessen,” noting there were some space challenges in the many of the schools, but the opening of K-4 Parkhill School in Steinbach and the expansion of Green Valley School should alleviate some of those challenges.

“Overall, I have to say I’m very thankful for the support that the community has shown to our school communities helping them in any way possible. The commitment of our staff this year, in my new role and being able to work with our principal group, and see the level of leadership and commitment that all staff and teachers and support staff have in helping kids has been awesome.”

Some of the highlights for Thiessen were the provincial acknowledgement of three Green Valley School teachers who were awarded the Excellence in Education Award for Outstanding Team Collaboration for their work in looping, schools winning provincial championships in volleyball and curling, and winning Gold at the national Skills Canada competition.

“There’s so many but I think the highlight comes down to seeing the success of our school communities and seeing students thrive,” he said.

He also mentioned the retirement of some teachers who had been employed by the school division for 40 years.

“These are excellent individuals we wish them the best, but we also honour those who have served 30, 20, or 10 years plus of service, so it’s really good,” he said.

Another highlight was the success of the newly introduced Bridges program, which is alternative programing for students who don’t do well in traditional schooling. The division has partnered with Steinbach Arts Council and with Youth For Christ’s Backstage program to help students.

Thiessen couldn’t give the number of students who are in the program, but he did say it was a “student centered program emphasizing individual planning and supportive relationships to engaging students in their education.”

For board chair Jeff Friesen it was a year of firsts. He said Niverville High School having a hockey team was a first, a number of new principals that came into their positions during the year, newly appointed superintendent Thiessen who came on board at the beginning of the year and his assistant superintendent Marlin Adrian who soon followed. It was also the first time Friesen has been chair of the school board.

Some of the challenges Friesen noted include a late budget due to the province releasing their budget late and increasing the school tax in the division.

Some of the highlights included seeing a Niverville High School student go to Ottawa to participate in a nuclear summit and watching the Niverville production of Matilda.

“Seeing the accomplishments of the children of the division are some of the highlights,” he said.