The Director of Education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board has announced changes to the Principal and Vice Principal assignments for the 2023-2024 school year.
School board officials say the changes this year are necessary due to several factors, most significantly the announced retirements of Ursuline College Vice Principal Ray Power, St. Angela Merici Vice Principal Mary Ann McCrae; and the temporary absence of St. Anne Blenheim Vice Principal Alishia Thompson, who will commence a leave beginning September 2023.
“In addition to reassignments resulting from these retirements, changes in school leadership can be a catalyst for growth, both at the school and system level,” stated Scott Johnson, Director of Education, in a media release.
“Experience and workload are also considerations in the annual review of the tenure and career path of our principals and vice principals. Additional changes in our vice principal assignments will reflect an increase in VP support for the next school year.”
Changes to Principal and Vice Principal assignments for September 2023 are as follows:
Principal Placements
– Derek Morrison, Principal St. Matthew Catholic School appointed to Principal, Holy Rosary Catholic School;
– Marc Tremblay, Principal, Holy Rosary Catholic School appointed to Principal, St. Matthew Catholic School.
Vice Principal Placements
– Tina Jarvis, Teacher, St. Peter Canisius Catholic School appointed to Vice Principal at Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School;
– Kelly Tremblay, Vice Principal at Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School and St. Anne Catholic School appointed to Vice Principal at Holy Trinity Catholic School (.7) and St. Anne Catholic School, Sarnia (.3);
– Ryan Hare, Vice Principal at St. Matthew Catholic School and Holy Trinity Catholic School appointed to Vice Principal at St. Matthew Catholic School (.7) and Sacred Heart Catholic School, Sarnia (.3);
– Angele Monette, Teaching Vice Principal at St. Ursula Catholic School and Monsignor Uyen Catholic School appointed to Vice Principal at St. Angela Merici Catholic School;
– Bev Vanier, Teacher, St. Anne Catholic School, Blenheim appointed to Acting Vice Principal at St. Anne Catholic School, Blenheim (.2) and at St. Ursula Catholic School (.8);
– Josh Wright, Teacher, St. Joseph Catholic School, Tilbury appointed to Acting Vice Principal at St. Anne Catholic School, Blenheim (.5);
– Katie Simon, Teacher at St. Anne Catholic School, Blenheim and Monsignor Uyen Catholic School appointed to Vice Principal at Ursuline College Chatham Catholic Secondary School.
School board officials say Ray Power began his career as a Catholic educator in 1990 with the Kent County Roman Catholic Separate School Board.
His first assignment was as an elementary teacher at the former Our Lady of Help School in Wallaceburg.
In 1995, Ray was appointed to administration as Vice Principal and eventually Principal. Throughout his time in Catholic leadership, he served several elementary schools, including St. Anne Blenheim, St. Joseph Tilbury, and Monsignor Uyen.
In 2002, he was appointed Vice Principal at Ursuline College Chatham and in 2013 he was named Principal.
In February 2022, Ray stepped back from the school’s principalship to return to the role of Vice Principal.
Mary Ann McCrae began teaching with St. Clair Catholic at the former St. Agnes Catholic School in 2002.
In 2006, she moved to the Catholic Education Centre, where she held the position of System Resource Teacher – Itinerant Behaviour for seven years. In 2013, she moved to Ursuline College, where she was appointed Acting Vice Principal, then Vice Principal in 2014.
In 2016, she was appointed Acting Principal at the former St. Agnes and in 2017 she moved into the role of Principal at St. Ursula Catholic School. In 2020, Mary Ann returned to the role of VP at UCC and in 2023 she was appointed Vice Principal at St. Angela Merici Catholic School.
“Ray and Mary Ann are two outstanding Catholic leaders,” Johnson said.
“Ray’s extensive knowledge and experience, his unflappable manner and his kind, courteous and humble nature will be missed, by students and staff alike, both at UCC and across the system; and Mary Ann’s warmth, compassion and steadfast commitment to her vocation have been greatly valued by the students and families she served and the staff with whom she has worked.”
Johnson added: “I know the entire system joins with me in wishing Ray and Mary Ann God’s blessings for joyous and fulfilling retirements; and in congratulating all of our school leaders on their appointments, as we wish them much continued success for the future.”
