Staff
After an eight-year stint as the principal of the Rimbey Elementary School, Don Wielinga is on the move after being appointed as the new principal of Iron Ridge Elementary Campus in Blackfalds effective at the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year.
According to a press released issued by Wolf Creek Public Schools, the move was based on information gathered by the Blackfalds school’s administration, staff and community stakeholders to facilitate an anticipated increase in enrollment projections to reconfigure the school into two separate facilities and demanding requirements by the current administrative structure and as such, Wielinga will be responsible for the school’s approximately 330 students enrolled in kindergarten to Grade 4.
As for his time in Rimbey, the principal said he thoroughly enjoyed his stay and said he looks forward to seeing his soon-to-be former school forging ahead.
“This is my eighth year at the Rimbey Elementary School and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I feel that as a school, we’ve grown and we’ve got a great staff team here and I look forward to seeing the new principal come on board and take the school to the next level,” he said. “I hope they will carry on the school tradition of success and I really value the character education that we’ve been doing and I know the new person will continue on.”
"Don has done a commendable job for us in Rimbey Elementary School for the past eight years and I know he will be sadly missed by this school community," added assistant superintendent Kurt Sacher. "At the same time, I have every confidence that he will be embraced at Iron Ridge Elementary Campus as they discover his passion for the important work we do with young people. Don's people skills and his ability to influence positive change will serve his new environment very well."
While he said he greatly appreciated the support he’s received while at the school, he added that he’s looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“I have really grown close to the staff, the students and the school community and have certainly appreciated the support they have given to me and their contributions to the school to help it grow and be the best place it can be. I feel like it’s a true community school and I know that they’ll continue to do that as a team. I’d like to acknowledge everybody for their support of me over the past eight years as principal of Rimbey Elementary,” Wielinga said. “I look forward to this new chapter in education in Blackfalds. I hope to carry on the rich tradition of the school and its relationships in the local community.”
Holding a Master of Science in Educational Policy and Management degree from the University of Oregon, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta, Wielinga previously worked at the Neerlandia Public Christian School in Neerlandia, the GW Smith School in Red Deer, the Jessie Duncan School in Penhold and the John Wilson Elementary School in Innisfail before his arrival in Rimbey.