Crawford Bay School welcomes Rod Giles as Principal for 2019-2020
Today is back to school for students around School District 8, which means familiar routines for those returning and for others new faces and new places. For Rod Giles, the new Principal at Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary, it means a return to the Kootenay Lake School District since his retirement in 2014.
Rod originally started in the district in August 1997. Many students and families will recognize him as the long-time principal at ARES (Adam Robertson Elementary, Creston) where he created a warm, engaging, inclusive and collaborative school community for 14 years. Rod also spent 4 years at Canyon Lister Elementary before retiring to travel across Canada and to New Zealand.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Rod completed his Masters of Education specializing in curriculum and instruction, earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria, Diploma of Physical Education from University of Otago New Zealand and a Diploma of Teaching from Christchurch Teachers College New Zealand.
Rod also held a recent admin position in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta (225 km north of Fort MacMurray) this past year, a completely different experience from visiting his family’s kiwi orchard in New Zealand to arriving in Fort Chipewyan mid-winter where it was -41 degrees C!
Rod has a passion for students, and is an engaging, relationship-building, caring and welcoming person. As an individual that provided support for Crawford Bay’s school when the community experienced the tragic and unexpected loss of one of its teachers, Rod’s presence in the school will be a warm and welcoming start to the new school year.
Derek Apple, Vice-Principal at CBESS is currently on leave.
For more information: Dr. Christine Perkins, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer Christine.Perkins@sd8.bc.ca
About The Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake): The Board of Education of School District No. 8 provides educational services to numerous diverse communities in the East & West Kootenays, including Crawford Bay, Creston, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel and Yahk. Its dedicated team focuses on providing the best possible educational opportunities for over 5,400 students and their families. Its mission is to focus on excellence for all learners in a nurturing environment.