Pipestone Flyer
Father Leduc Catholic School has been chosen as the name for the new St. Thomas Aquinas Roman (STAR) Catholic School Division elementary/junior high school, scheduled to open fall 2016 in the Southfork community in the City of Leduc.
The name was chosen by a unanimous vote by the STAR Catholic Board of Trustees at their Regular Board Meeting on June 18th, from a final group of three names that were brought forward by the Division Naming Selection Committee after they met to review a broader list of 24 names. The final three names presented to the Board were: Father Leduc, St. Frances Cabrini, and St. Michael.
“This is an exciting time for our Division, our students and families, staff, trustees and Leduc residents,” says STAR Catholic Superintendent Dr. Troy Davies. “Once we received the new school announcement in February of this year, and the consultation process began moving forward with our government colleagues, we knew that the next important step was the selection of a name for our new school, to begin to give it a deeper and more meaningful identity.”
The City of Leduc derives its name from Father Leduc and having the new STAR Catholic elementary/junior high school bear his name will remind residents of the Catholic foundations of the name of the City of Leduc. This is also a meaningful way of honoring a local and Albertan hero of Catholic education in his home community, and it is unlikely that any other Catholic school anywhere else will bear this name, making it truly unique.
The “Help Us Name Our New School!” contest began in February, and was promoted on Division and school websites and newsletters, through print advertising, and on social media. By the time the contest ended on May 1st, 2014, more than 70 name suggestions had been received. The broader list was reviewed within the context of a STAR Catholic administration procedure for naming new schools, that indicates facility names should: have significance for the students, parents and community of that facility; be easily identifiable with the facility; not conflict with names of existing facilities in either STAR Catholic or neighbouring divisions or districts; be appropriate in terms of trademark and copyright; and reflect the Catholic faith that serves as the foundation of our Division.
Once a preliminary review was completed, 24 names were presented to the Naming Selection Committee for their review. The Division Naming Selection Committee, composed of 11 individuals who represented the local Catholic parish, school parent councils, Division and school administrators, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and STAR Catholic students, met on June 5th, 2014 to narrow the 24-name list to a final three selections for Board consideration.