ASSINIBOIA — Assiniboia Composite High School principal Brent Chadwick reflects on the near conclusion of the first one-third of his final year at the high school before retirement.
While his career began in 1995 in Mankota, serving as the mathematics teacher for Grades 5-12, he began teaching at ACHS in 1997. Announcing earlier that the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year would be his last, this marks a remarkable 30-year education career, with 28 of those years being in Assiniboia.
“One of the biggest highlights of this year has been the involvement of our students and teachers with new extracurricular clubs. We have seen a huge surge in participation for non-athletic activities. Drama and art club involvement have skyrocketed and things like Dungeons and Dragons and eSports have a good following for newer clubs,” acknowledges Chadwick.
ACHS prides itself on having students involved outside of the classroom and the ACHS principal says he thinks this year has seen many students find a place to enjoy their interests.
Chadwick adds, “The biggest challenge faced this year was having an extra 20 students enrol that we did not know were coming. It was a nice challenge to have but one that caused some strain on the timetable. In the end, it always works out but it’s a challenge nonetheless.”
Having been at ACHS for the majority of his career, Chadwick says his plans are to ensure that the history of the building is remembered and those in the future can aspire to do great things with their tenure.
“Over the last couple of years, the athletic banners for both individuals and teams achieving provincial and district honours have been updated for all to see. The other side of this history is to honour our academic successes with our three top awards that students vie for every year. Those awards are the Hayley and Cayden Memorial Scholarship (our highest scholarship awarded), valedictorian and the governor general’s medal. With this complete, we would have our history completed and on display for all to enjoy and aspire to.”
The high school principal says there are other plans for the remainder of the year in the planning stages as this year’s student leadership have been active and open to getting the student body involved and enjoying their time at ACHS.
“The biggest event for me will probably be my last graduation ceremony in June. I have been involved with graduation ceremonies for all my years at ACHS and this one will be even more memorable as I plan to “graduate” this year as well.”
Asked what he may consider as his legacy when he leaves the high school, Chadwick responds, “The legacy that I hope to be leaving to the past, present and future students and teachers of ACHS is that school is about more than just the daily routine of classes. Our work with getting our students to strive in the classroom as competitively as they strive on the field or court in an athletic contest has made people work hard towards their goals and dreams. I hope to have instilled in the students/staff over the years is that Rocket Nation members do great things and can go on to do and accomplish great things in the world outside of Assiniboia.”
Chadwick says he hopes he has given staff a sense of ACHS being a great place to teach as they reside and raise their families in Assiniboia.
“I like to ask our alumni about their memories of going to ACHS and if it did what was needed to prepare them for the future. Their responses are nothing but positives and they said it was a place to remember in nothing but a good light and yes it helped shape their future.”
Chadwick’s career in education also included coaching both football and basketball, where he encouraged students to learn as well as complete.
“I enjoyed chasing championships over the years as a coach and chasing academic honours as a teacher and mentor in mathematics.”
In 2005, Chadwick was promoted to vice-principal and began to work with the entire school and staff to move both academics and athletics forward. During this time, he was still coaching full-time and spending more time in the office than in the classroom so became a mentor for other math teachers in the school.
“The last move was to the principalship in 2010 and a move completely out of the classroom but not quite all the coaching. It was during this time I achieved my own academic successes with the acquiring of a Master of Education degree as well as a Human Resources diploma from the University of Regina which very much opened up my mind to what was possible for students and staff if the leadership was open to change and using the talents of everyone in the building.”
Finding a successor for the current, but soon retiring, ACHS principal will take place over the next few months. Chadwick is hopeful that the new principal selection will be in place to begin working on preparations for the 2025-26 school year in March.
“I will be waiting with anticipation to see who picks up the reins and continues the tradition at ACHS.”
“ACHS is a destination opportunity based upon both community and school,” Chadwick says.
“The community boasts many activities and services that small cities have but with the small-town support that makes for a great environment to teach and coach. I came here looking to stay for a couple of years and then move on but after 28 years, I found out it was the place to be for my career and family. Everything I have wanted to do as a teacher, coach, or administrator I was able to do from here so for me the decision in the end was to settle here and enjoy the support and opportunity that was abundant at ACHS.”
