The names of the recipients of the fourth annual Étincelles awards were announced this week.
Launched in 2023, the award recognizes original approaches and initiatives that help create learning environments where students can thrive, develop a lifelong love of learning and become ethically and actively involved in society.
"Behind every student who makes progress are dedicated teams who believe in their potential and support them with care," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. "The recipients of the Étincelles awards represent the very best of our education system and inspire both current and future generations."
From the many nominations submitted, 10 were chosen to receive awards. The provincial government will be providing a $1,500 grant to each recipient to go toward projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of learning environments for students.
The 2026 recipients are:
Francophone nord-ouest school district
- École Régionale Saint-Basile (Edmundston, Saint-Basile district): Le tournoi « La Puck » ("La Puck" tournament)
- Garderie Centre éducatif Bouge O Max (Grand Falls, Saint-André district): Choupi le lapin magique (Choupi the magic rabbit)
Francophone nord-est school district
- Polyvalente Louis-Mailloux (Caraquet): Hang'Art
- École La Relève-de-Saint-Isidore (Hautes-Terres, Saint-Isidore district): Décloisonnement au niveau du deuxième cycle du primaire (troisième à la cinquième année) (breaking down classroom boundaries in the second cycle of elementary school - Grade 3 to 5)
- Garderie L'univers des petits papillons (Hautes-Terres, Saint-Isidore district): L'autonomie et l'expression des émotions au quotidien (autonomy and emotional expression in daily practice)
Francophone sud school district
- Centre scolaire communautaire Samuel-de-Champlain (Saint John): Cours d'IMPACT (IMPACT course)
- École Carrefour Beausoleil (Miramichi): Comité culturel (cultural committee)
- École des Pionniers (Quispamsis): Progression de la lecture de la maternelle à la cinquième année (reading progression from kindergarten to Grade 5)
- Garderie Centre éducatif des trois chênes (Moncton): Agri sans pesticides (agri without pesticides)
- Garderie univers d'enfants (Moncton): Incubation des poussins (hatching chicks)
"You embody the excellence, innovation and passion that are the strengths of our education system," said Johnson. "Through your leadership and unwavering commitment to students, you contribute to creating strong and inclusive learning communities. On behalf of the provincial government, please accept my heartfelt congratulations."
