Students are back in the classroom and the new school year is well underway.
Adam Sia may be the new vice-principal at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School in Innisfail, but he is certainly no stranger to its hallways.
"I originally started in this division the second year it was open and I was here for five years," said Sia, noting his return after an eight-year absence. "When I left the school it was five classrooms and about 125 students. Now I'm back and we have 15 classrooms and 330 students.”
While Sia is back to his former school, it is in a new capacity as an administrator. He brings with him several years of experience as a tech lead, and a middle and elementary school teacher who taught everything from physical education to science, social studies and math. In the past eight years, he taught at schools in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House.
In addition to fellow teachers and students, others also welcomed Sia in his new role on Sept 1.
"My first day of school here (this year) I had more parents coming in and congratulating me on my return," he said. "I also had some students that have older brothers and sisters that are already done high school, who came to welcome me back."
Despite the ongoing renovations during the summer noted Sia, all teachers and staff worked hard to make sure everything and everyone was ready to go on the first day of school.
"On the day before the first day of school, we were all here together as a team and all pulled together as a team," he said. "Teachers were able to support each other. I've never worked on a team stronger than this team showed me on that first day.
“Every student was welcomed to this building as they would have at any school in our division or in this province," he said, adding that all staff worked through the Labour Day weekend as well. "This staff is dedicated to our students and they showed that."
Sia said it was great to return to St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School in Innisfail.
"It's a new place. There's some new faces and there's some old faces too. It's nice to be welcomed back," he said. "Parents and students really welcomed me with open arms. The staff did the same," he added.
Sia said the school is planning an open house for sometime in late October.
"We want people to come and see what great things are happening here," said Sia. "We're beyond the construction. Now we're looking at education and what's best for kids, and that's what we're doing."
Adam Sia, vice-principal
"It's a new place. There's some new faces and there's some old faces too. It's nice to be welcomed back."
