Administration
High school principal retires after over 30 years in education
Patrick Hughes, Principal of St. Dominic Catholic High School will be retiring this June after 29 years with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and over 30 years in education.
Hughes started in the Grade 4 classroom at St. Matthew Catholic School and continued teaching various grade levels until St. Dominic Catholic High School opened in September 2005. Over the years, Hughes has taught many high school subjects, with a focus on Chemistry and Physics. He also coached many sports including badminton, volleyball and basketball. For roughly 10 years, Hughes has been in a school administration role at St. Dominic Catholic High School. This includes two years as an assistant principal and the last eight years as principal.
During the course of his career, Hughes was involved in implementing a blended learning program at St. Dominic Catholic High School, which was part of his acceptance of Alberta Education’s “high school redesign” initiative. Hughes believed strongly in offering students flexibility in their learning and the ability to fast-track. This has been successful, for student enrollment has increased 32% and a consistent over 90% graduate rate has occurred under his leadership at St. Dominic Catholic High School.
“As a principal in a Catholic school, my goal is to guide teachers in their journey in becoming the best possible version of themselves while providing continuous opportunities for them to build a stronger relationship with Christ,” said Principal, Pat Hughes at St. Dominic Catholic High School. Hughes also focused his attention on student programming that enhanced methodology and pedagogy to meet the needs of students. “By supporting my staff, students are better able to achieve the goals of education,” said Hughes.
Hughes’ favourite memories are the grad service projects where students chose a non-profit organization to support in their final year of high school. In the past, this has included the Women’s Shelter, the local Food Bank, Chalice, the Central Alberta Humane Society and much more.
“We are thankful for the Catholic leadership Pat Hughes has provided to St. Dominic Catholic School. Pat is a faith filled leader who leads his school with a student centred approach. He works collaboratively alongside students, staff and families to ensure a strong educational program is offered. Pat is a master teacher who loves teaching. This is evident in his innovative approach to offering a variety of programs within St. Dominic Catholic School,” said Superintendent Kathleen Finnigan at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
Hughes has also been very involved in the Rocky Mountain House community over the past 15 years coaching hockey, baseball and soccer. In his retirement, Hughes hopes to volunteer and give back to the Rocky Mountain House community. In addition, he plans to enjoy the mountains by hiking and other outdoor activities.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Kathleen Finnigan as the division’s new Superintendent of Schools.
“Over the past four months, the Board of Trustees has been conducting a nationwide search for a new Superintendent of Schools. A key component of the process involved reaching out to key stakeholders to gather their thoughts and opinions regarding the new superintendent,” said Kim Pasula, Board Chair at Red Deer Regional Schools.
“The input received from the consultation, that involved engagement with all staff and parents and guardians in the Division, as well as key stakeholders from our broader community, was central to the recruitment and selection process.”
Finnigan has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, a Master of Education from San Diego State University and is currently working on a Doctorate of Education specializing in K-12 education leadership through the University of Calgary.
Finnigan grew up and graduated in Delburne, a small town east of Red Deer. She comes from a large farming family in which she is one of six girls along with one brother. Finnigan values community. She was taught the importance of community from her parents who were role models of servant leadership with their work in Delburne, Central Alberta and on the provincial scene. Finnigan believes in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” and is looking forward to working in a team to enhance the Red Deer Catholic community whereby students will continue to be the center of all decisions. Finnigan and her husband, Terry, have four boys all educated in Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
Finnigan has 34 years of experience as a professional Catholic educator within the division in the roles as teacher, counsellor, school administrator and senior administrator. She has been part of five different school communities in Red Deer: St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School, Maryview School, Holy Family School, St. Martin de Porres School and St. Patrick’s Community School. Finnigan’s first principalship was at St. Martin’s where she worked in a team with a variety of stakeholders to develop the first fine arts school in Central Alberta.
For the past nine years, she has been a member of a senior leadership team holding the positions of Associate Superintendent of Inclusive Learning, Associate Superintendent of Personnel and Acting Superintendent of Schools. Finnigan will continue to foster gospel centred school communities of hope within our division through her connections with staff and stakeholders. She is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church as proclaimer, eucharistic minister and children’s liturgy teacher.
Over the years, she has won many awards including Women of Excellence for Central Alberta (2016), Canada’s Outstanding Principal (2010), Alberta’s Excellence in Teaching Semi-Finalist (2009), Leadership Award from the Council of School Administrators (2001) and Health and Physical Education Award through the HPEC Council (1989).
At today’s Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees will vote on a motion to seek the approval of the Minister of Education to appoint Finnigan as Superintendent of Schools. As per the Education Act, the Minister of Education approves all Superintendent hires and contracts.
The employment of the former Superintendent was concluded by the Board of Trustees in February 2020 and at that time Finnigan was appointed Acting Superintendent of Schools. Since then, she has navigated the division through the COVID-19 pandemic (school closures, at-home learning and school re-entry of in-person learning) and the new funding model from Alberta Education.
“I am blessed to have been appointed Superintendent at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools; a school division known for exemplary staff and school administrators working together to ensure that Christ is known to students while aspiring to excellence. Alongside the Board of Trustees and staff we will continue to foster gospel centred communities of hope through communication, collaboration, and innovation as we lead our school communities together,” said Superintendent, Kathleen Finnigan at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
“Kathleen was chosen in a highly competitive selection process from a strong field of candidates. She is a highly impressive talent known for her collaborative leadership style that will serve her and our entire staff well in advancing the mission of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools to make Christ known to children,” said Pasula.