Education and Early Childhood Development
February 18, 2016
Building Strong School Communities
William Gillett Academy Celebrates Official Opening
The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, joined with Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, students and staff today to celebrate the official opening of William Gillett Academy in Charlottetown, Labrador.
“Schools are vital to the well-being of our children and the development and growth of our communities. Today’s official opening is an exciting day for students and staff at William Gillett Academy and the community of Charlottetown as a whole. The Provincial Government is committed to providing the best possible classroom learning opportunities for students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and this new school provides students and staff with excellent facilities in which to learn.”
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
William Gillett Academy serves the educational needs of approximately 50 students from the area and has an entirely new classroom and administrative section, including a skilled trades room/science lab, a resource centre/computer room, a home economics/lunchroom, and a distance learning room. The total cost of the reconstruction work was more than $8 million.
“Everyone from the youngest students to the seniors in Charlottetown and Pinsent’s Arm played a role in bringing this facility to fruition and I’m pleased to join with area residents to celebrate the conclusion of those efforts. Today also provides the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of our government to create productive learning environments for our students.”
- Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair
The only part of the former William Gillett Academy that remained from the previous facility, built approximately 50 years ago, is the gymnasium, which was constructed in 1993. The gymnasium section has also been upgraded and is equipped with new gym flooring, a new stage which doubles as a music room, as well as stage lighting and curtains.
“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all members of the William Gillett Academy school community for helping to make this new school a reality. The pride the school community has shown in the school, and the ownership they have taken over the project, clearly demonstrates that the education of their students is a priority and the academic success of those students benefits the entire region.”
- Milton Peach, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is responsible for building an educational community in Newfoundland and Labrador that fosters safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all children and youth.
QUICK FACTS
- William Gillett Academy in Charlottetown, Labrador, celebrated its official opening today after the completion of more than $8 million of reconstruction work.
- The school will serve the educational needs of approximately 50 students from the area and includes a new classroom and administrative section, a skilled trades room/science lab, a resource centre/computer room, a home economics/lunchroom, and a distance learning room.
- The gymnasium section has now been upgraded and is equipped with new gym flooring, a new stage which doubles as a music room, as well as stage lighting and curtains.
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Media contacts:
Blair Medd Director of Communications Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca |
Nathan Downey Communications Assistant Government Members Office 709-729-3226 nathandowney@gov.nl.ca |
Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Newfoundland and Labrador English School District 709-758-2371, 730-0798 KenMorrissey@nlesd.ca |
2016 02 18 11:30 a.m.