Pipestone Flyer
Submitted by STAR Catholic School Board
Following a STAR Catholic Board organizational meeting on June 18th, 2014, Wetaskiwin Trustee, Mr. John Tomkinson, has been chosen as the Board chair, and Lacombe Trustee Mrs. Thalia Hibbs has been chosen as the vice chair for the 2014-2015 school year.
"I'm honoured and thankful to serve our Board and all our communities in the STAR family," says new Board Chair Tomkinson. "As a growing Division, we have many challenges ahead of us, but with the support of our great team across the organization, I look forward to many successes and continued excellence for which our Division has become known."
Born and raised in Alberta, Mr. Tomkinson is a pilot and air traffic controller who moved to Wetaskiwin from Ontario in 2006 with his wife and young family, four of whom attend Sacred Heart School. Since then, he has become involved in many ministries with Sacred Heart parish in Wetaskiwin, including Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) coordinator, the Knights of Columbus, and the adult faith formation committee. Mr. Tomkinson is a second-term trustee and was motivated to seek the position because of his great interest in protecting and advancing the delivery of education, centred on the Catholic faith. His volunteer experience includes speaking about God's impact on His life at community and mens' groups, retreats, and conferences.
"I am proud of what is happening within St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools, and I am committed to continuing to support the good work that is being done," says new Board Vice Chair Hibbs. "This Board is strongly dedicated to delivering on its promise of a high quality, Christ-centered education for our students, and I am excited to be a part of shepherding that mission."
Mrs. Hibbs is an Athabasca University Commerce undergraduate who lives in Lacombe and attends St. Stephen's Parish. Since completing the RCIA program in 2003, she has served on many ministries there, including secretary of the Parish Council and past president of the Catholic Women's League (CWL). Her three children attend Father Lacombe Catholic School. Mrs. Hibbs is in her second term as trustee and sought election because she is passionate about Catholic education, and believes Catholic trusteeship is an excellent ministry for serving her community.
An avid runner, cyclist and reader, Mrs. Hibbs also volunteers in local sports organizations as a coach, manager or executive member.
“This is an exciting time of growth and prosperity for our Division and I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Tomkinson and Mrs. Hibbs in their new roles as chair and vice chair,” says STAR Catholic Superintendent Dr. Troy Davies. “We’re anticipating an exciting year, as we open our new Académie Saint-André Academy school facility in Beaumont in September 2014, and work towards the planning and development of our new school, Father Leduc Catholic School, projected to open in September 2016 in the Southfork community of Leduc.”
Based in central Alberta, Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman (STAR) Catholic School Division represents 10 schools that serve the communities of Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Lacombe, Leduc, Ponoka, and Wetaskiwin. The STAR Catholic Schools team of teachers and support staff are committed to giving more than 3,300 students across our division every opportunity to achieve their potential in a caring, safe and Christ-centred environment. For more information on STAR Catholic School Division and our schools, visit www.starcatholic.ab.ca.