Cochrane and area can expect some new faces at the helm of its schools over the next couple of years, with three new principals announced by Rocky View Schools (RVS) this past month.
All three principals will be making the move from a current RVS school to their new position.
Pols is the current principal of R.J. Hawkey and will be moving to Banded Peak School next fall to fill the role of principal at the Bragg Creek school.
He has been with RVS for 15 years as a teacher, assistant principal and as a principal now for the last four years.
“I find the new challenges quite rewarding,” said Pols of the different moves over the span of his career with RVS.
Pols said when he was a teacher he felt like he had a lot of impact on what was going on in his class and wanted to challenge himself to work with adults in the same capacity and really change the culture of schools.
He has a bachelor of education from the University of Lethbridge, a bachelor of arts from the University of Calgary and a masters of education also from the University of Calgary.
While at R.J. Hawkey, RVS said that Pols made ‘significant gains to improve the schools standings in literacy, inclusion and 21st C instructional practices.’
Pols said that going out to Banded Peak there is a ‘focus on the environment and outdoor natural spaces’, which appeals to him. He also added that he has never had the opportunity to work in a smaller school, which is also something he is looking forward to.
Next fall Polhill will move from his role as principal of George McDougall High School in Airdrie to principal of Cochrane High School.
Polhill has been with RVS since 2001, when he joined Bow Valley High School as a teacher and served as the athletic director. In 2007 he became assistant principal at Springbank Community High School and became principal of George McDougall in 2012.
“Ed is a passionate educational leader with a clear focus on building learning communities through meaningful relationships,” said Don Hoium, RVS superintendent of schools.
Hoium added that the George McDougall ‘learning community has thrived under his leadership’ and he is sure Cochrane High will do the same.
Polhill has a masters of education from Bishops University and a bachelor of education and bachelor of physical education from the University of Alberta.
The new multi-level school, that is expected to open in September of 2016, according to RVS, will have Cronin as its first principal. She is currently the principal of Ecole Edwards Elementary in Airdrie and has been there since 2009.
She began with RVS in 1991 as a teacher with Springbank Middle and moved to Banded Peak in 2002, transitioning from teacher to assistant principal and eventually principal.
“Sharon is an outstanding, visionary instructional leader,” said Hoium. “Her passion to build strong, trusting relationship with all stakeholders will serve her well as she undertakes the challenges of opening a new school.”
Cronin has a masters of education in educational leadership from the University of Calgary. She has a bachelor degree in arts and one in education from Saint Thomas University in Fredericton, N.B.
For more information on the leadership appointments and RVS visit rockyview.ab.ca.
