The Garden Valley School Division has announced the appointment of the next principal for Winkler Elementary School.

Current Vice-Principal Cindy Hamilton will take over the role from Barb Neufeld who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

Hamilton has worked for the division for nineteen years, and is a familiar face at W.E.S., having been there the past sixteen years, the past three as vice-principal.

"I'm really excited to continue working together with the staff, the students, and the parents at Winkler Elementary School," said Hamilton. "We have a great community here and I'm excited to move forward together with them."

Hamilton's educational philosophy belief, in part, states that "It is everyone’s responsibility to support the students in their education. The school should be a place where everyone, adults and children, parents, and community members, work together to assist and inspire each child to succeed. Inclusive classrooms are imperative for all students to feel that they belong in their classroom with their homeroom teacher and together with their peers, regardless of their abilities. Celebrating differences and learning from each other is the best way to appreciate diversity and promote acceptance of others."

Hamilton will officially take over the role on September 4th.