Following an extensive search, the search committee and the board are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Stephen Garland as the next principal of STMC.
The STMC community is incredibly grateful to outgoing principal Mr. Michel DesLauriers for all his dedicated service. As a student, alumnus, alumni parent, teacher, coach, vice-principal, and principal, Mr. DesLauriers has been an integral part of the STMC community for more than four decades. Mr. DesLauriers is admired for his living example of his Catholic faith and his commitment to the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brothers Education, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
Incoming principal Mr. Garland is an exceptional 21st century pedagogical and relational leader who will inspire the STMC community and who will support our vision that students make a positive contribution to the Earth and its people. He possesses a strong sense of personal integrity and professional ethics grounded in the moral purpose of education.
Mr. Garland has a Masters of Education, Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts (History) from the University of British Columbia. Joining STMC from Collingwood School where he is the current Dean of Academics and chair of the Academic Council, Mr. Garland has more than 15 years experience as principal and vice-principal in the North Vancouver and Coquitlam public school districts at Carson Graham, Balmoral and Centennial. He has coached soccer and basketball throughout his teaching career.
Mr. Garland is poised and ready to lead St. Thomas More Collegiate’s senior educational leadership team working to implement strategies and initiatives that are supportive of the school’s mission, vision, and values. As a faith-filled Catholic, he will continue the great work of so many before him who have been inspired by the example of Blessed Edmund Rice. He will be commencing his role as principal on August 1. The last time Mr. Garland had visited STMC, he was a Grade 12 student from Kitsilano Secondary School and was playing in STMC’s Chancellor Tournament.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Garland and his family to the STMC family. We know everyone will be anxious to meet and get to know him. In the fall, we will be organizing opportunities for members of the extended STMC community to gather and welcome him.
Lastly, we would like to thank all the members of the selection committee who put in a great deal of effort to ensure we found the right person for the job.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts … forever.
Mrs. Neysa Finnie
President
