The Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division completed the academic year last week by making a couple of announcements regarding administrative appointments.

The school system that serves approximately 1,000 students with schools in Estevan, Weyburn, Radville and Wilcox stated that Keith Thompson has been appointed assistant director of education effective Aug. 2.

They followed up by stating that Dave Murphy has been appointed as principal at St. Mary's School in Estevan, a role he will begin as the new academic year unfolds later this summer.

Thompson, it was noted, has been in school administration for 19 years and until just recently, was the principal of Humboldt Collegiate Institute, a position that he had held for the past two years.

Thompson has a master's degree in education with a focus on teaching administration, curriculum and instruction. He has specialized expertise in special education and experience in involvement with First Nations communities and with at-risk youth.

Thompson and his wife Chantelle have two children, a son in third year university and a daughter entering Grade 12.

Thompson is replacing Norm Casavant who served the division as their assistant director last year when the position was first created for the growing school population and administrative needs.

Murphy first started working for Holy Family (formerly the Estevan Catholic Separate School Division) when he joined the staff at St. John's School in Estevan in 1994. He taught Grades 5 and 6 there for two years and has been teaching Grade 7 at St. Mary's School since 1996 and following the closure of St. John's.

Murphy and his wife Lauretta have four children and five grandchildren.

Murphy is replacing Chad Fingler as St. Mary's principal, a position he held for the past few years.
Fingler has accepted a new administrative position within the Holy Family division.