A photo taken of Mark Phaneuf during the 2022 St Mary Grad ceremony. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Educational changes

Longtime St. Mary Principal announces retirement, replacement named

Jan 11, 2023 | 2:43 PM

A man whose education career has spanned over three decades, and included roles of vice-principal, principal and administrator, will soon start a new life chapter.

Mark Phaneuf will retire effective Jan.31, 2023, as the longtime administrator and principal of Prince Albert’s École St. Mary High School. He told paNOW he’ll find it hard stepping away.

“You know the relationships that you form with the school community, the students, the staff, the parents, and all the people involved. Really what we do is a relationship, and I’ve been blessed to be here for the length of time that I have,” Phaneuf said.

After starting his teaching career at St. Michael Community School in 1991, Phaneuf has been with the Prince Albert Catholic School Division for 31 years. For the past 26 years he’s been in the principal role, and 27 as an administrator. This year marks Phaneuf’s 19th year at St Mary.

Reflecting back on his career, and comparing students today to those he went to school with, Phaneuf said the biggest change he has noticed is in the overall attitude, explaining today’s students are more respectful and accepting of each other. He added today’s students also take bigger risks, travelling to locations around the country and even the world to chase their dreams.

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“I’m gonna miss that positive energy. I’m a firm believer that your job either eats you or it feeds you and this has fed me for a very long time and for that I feel blessed and I’m very grateful,” he said.

Phaneuf is not completely stepping away. Until the end of June, he’ll stay on with the Catholic School Division as Acting Superintendent of Human Resources and School Operations.

In November, Mark Phaneuf was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. (Twitter)

St. Mary’s current vice-principal Dwayne Gareau has been named as Phaneuf’s replacement and will assume the duties effective Feb. 1. As a former student, teacher, coach, and vice-principal of École St. Mary High School, Gareau brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role.

“I am excited to maintain and promote all of the positive academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular opportunities we offer students. We have an amazing staff and student body, and I look forward to working with them in my new role,” Gareau said in a statement. “It is a privilege to become the principal of École St Mary High School, and I look forward to working with all present and future students, families, and staff. At this time, I would like to sincerely thank Mark Phaneuf for his dedication and investment to École St Mary High School, and I have appreciated his administrative mentorship over the last eight years.”

Phaneuf expressed both confidence in and excitement for Gareau, adding he knows that he and Vice Principal Jason Bourdon will continue to serve the school admirably going forward.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow