GRANDE YELLOWHEAD PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION NO. 77
New Principal Announcement - Niton Central

Grande Yellowhead Public School Division is pleased to announce the appointment of Maryann Varty as Niton Central School's new principal, effective September 1, 2016.

Mrs.Varty is currently the Assistant Principal at Niton Central and her years of exemplary dedication to her students and her passion for educational excellence made her an excellent candidate for the position which became open once the current principal, Roy Davenport, announced his upcoming retirement.

"I am very pleased that Maryann has agreed to take over the leadership of the school," said Cory Gray, Superintendent of Schools. "Niton Central is noted for developing teamwork skills and citizenship values in their students under their designation as a UNESCO school, and I anticipate that it will only continue to flourish under her mentoring leadership style."

Mrs. Varty has been at Niton Central since September 1, 2001 when she took on a full-time position teaching elementary split grade classes. She became their Assistant Principal in 2006 and has spent the last ten years balancing duties between her classroom responsibilities and administration. She has a Bachelor of Education degree (with Distinction) from the University of Alberta, as well as a Diploma in Forestry Management from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Along with coaching basketball and the school's skipping teams, Varty was also the school's AISI Lead Teacher, and was a finalist for the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007.

She states "We have a great school community at Niton and I am honoured to be chosen to be Niton's next principal. I look forward to working with both our staff, parents and community members to ensure our students' continue to enjoy academic excellence, leadership opportunities and service to our community."

Niton Central is a Kindergarten to Grade 9 school located in Niton Junction, AB and has a current population of 153 students.