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SD46 announces principal and staff changes

Chatelech Secondary School and Cedar Grove Elementary School will be getting new principals and vice principals this year, and longtime school district employee Vanessa White is stepping down.
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Chatelech Secondary School and Cedar Grove Elementary School will be getting new principals and vice principals this year, and longtime school district employee Vanessa White is stepping down.

SD46 announced the leadership changes expected for the 2019-20 school year on March 14. 

Mark Sauer will be Chatelech Secondary’s principal after having spent four years as vice principal at the high school, taking over from Kate Kerr. “I am excited to continue the great work that has been started under Kate Kerr’s leadership and will continue to support the commitment and passion of our staff in supporting our student body in becoming critical, creative and caring members of our community,” said Sauer in a release.

Sauer has worked at both public and private schools and has experience in counselling, sports and visual arts.

Teacher librarian Rae-dene Pednaud will fill the role that Sauer is vacating. Pednaud has worked with the Ministry of Education on curriculum development and has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as English language learning and teacher librarian certification. She has worked at several districts and has experience in distance education and university prep school. “I am very excited to assume the role of vice principal at Chatelech Secondary and to have the opportunity to continue working with such an amazing group of staff and students,” said Pednaud.

Cedar Grove Elementary School in Elphinstone will also be getting a new principal following the retirement of longtime school district educator Barry Krangle. “I am going to miss working alongside my cherished peers,” said Krangle, who plans to travel and engage in outdoor activities in his retirement.

He has spent 41 years at SD46, starting and finishing his career at Cedar Grove, with time spent teaching at elementary schools in Davis Bay, West Sechelt and Roberts Creek, as well as a stint in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“Barry has inspired and supported the growth of many students and colleagues. His energy and passion for learning will resonate for many years. We wish him very well in his retirement,” said superintendent Patrick Bocking.

District English language learning teacher Olwen Cowan will be taking over from Krangle. She previously worked for the Burnaby School District at a community school, and has experience in the classroom. She has also been an instructor for Simon Fraser University’s education graduate programs.

Vanessa White, director of instruction for student support services, is leaving the Sunshine Coast to pursue other career opportunities. White has worked at the district for 22 years. “I am leaving this amazing district with both deep sadness for what I will miss, and also huge excitement for the next step in whatever adventure lies ahead,” said White.

Bocking said the district will miss White’s leadership at the district. “We wish her the very best in her future,” he said.

Kate Kerr, current principal at Chatelech Secondary, will fill White’s position. She has worked as a student support services teacher at Langley School District.