The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development:

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to recognize Mr. John Antle, Principal of Exploits Valley Intermediate, and Mr. Michael Tobin, Principal of Paradise Elementary, both of whom were named to the list of Canada’s Outstanding Principals of 2018.

For over 14 years, the Learning Partnership’s Canada’s Outstanding Principals program has annually recognized the important contributions of the country’s top 40 principals in publicly-funded schools. Candidates are nominated by parents, colleagues and community members, and are chosen by a national selection committee for their work demonstrating creativity, innovation, leadership and student achievement and success.

Mr. Antle has been recognized for his leadership role in the development of the Positive Behavioural Intervention Strategies program, which focuses on rewarding positive actions and behaviours in the school.

Mr. Tobin’s efforts are being acknowledged for his focus on innovation and his encouragement for more technology-facilitated learning within the school.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Antle and Mr. Tobin for their work and continued commitment to our province’s education system as they join the prestigious ranks of the National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals, which I understand has more than 400 members. I thank them for their dedication and for the vital role they both hold as principals, influencing, inspiring and positively impacting the lives of our students and school communities.

I invite all members of this House to join me in congratulating Mr. Antle and Mr. Tobin on this incredible achievement.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.