The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Matthew New as Principal of Our Lady of the Assumption Elementary School. Mr. New will assume his role in August 2026. Bringing a strong background in teaching and administration, he is excited to return to the Our Lady of the Assumption community and continue supporting student success through faith-filled leadership and collaboration.
Mr. New holds a Master of Education in School Administration, a Bachelor of Education with a major in CTS Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Management. His experience in Kindergarten to Grade 12 education has allowed him to develop a collaborative and community-focused leadership style grounded in service across multiple school settings within the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division. He has led and supported initiatives aimed at strengthening student attendance, engagement, and well-being, while working alongside staff to implement school-wide frameworks such as Response to Intervention and the Collaborative Response Model.
Superintendent Chantel Axani shared,
“I am pleased to announce that Matthew New will serve as the Principal of Our Lady of the Assumption Elementary School beginning August 2026. Matthew is a visionary leader with experience that spans Kindergarten through Grade 12. He has expressed enthusiasm about returning to the elementary level and to OLA, where he will work alongside Associate Principal Caryn Swark to continue serving the students and staff. I am confident that Matthew and Caryn’s skills and talents will complement each other well.”
Rooted in faith, Mr. New’s leadership is inspired by the scripture,
“Be strong and steadfast; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
This passage reminds him that faith guides his work, courage strengthens his leadership, and joy shapes his journey in Catholic education. He is committed to building strong, respectful relationships with staff, students, and families, and values creating a positive and responsive learning environment through instructional leadership, meaningful collaboration, and active involvement in extracurricular and student leadership opportunities. His approach focuses on fostering student growth while strengthening a supportive and inclusive school culture.
Mr. New shares his enthusiasm for the role:
“I’m so excited to be coming back to the Our Lady of the Assumption School community. Becoming a principal has been a dream of mine for a long time, and it’s such an honor to start this journey at a school with a dedicated staff, wonderful families, and a strong tradition of putting students’ needs first. I can’t wait for the 2026–2027 school year and to reconnect with everyone at OLA.”
The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division looks forward to Mr. New’s leadership as Our Lady of the Assumption Elementary School continues to nurture faith, learning, and community for students and families.