Edward Milne Community School has a new principal.

Laura Fulton replaces Pat Swinburnson, who retired in December.

Sooke School District superintendent Jim Cambridge said Fulton was hired from three B次元官网网址渙utstanding candidatesB次元官网网址� and believes sheB次元官网网址檒l be a great match for EMCS.

B次元官网网址淟aura has lots of experience in secondary schools, and she is very community-minded so I think she is well suited for Sooke,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said.

B次元官网网址淚 also think she will follow up on some great leadership from the past. Pat Swinburnson was a great principal, and Laura will continue on his legacy.B次元官网网址�

Fulton grew up in Hamilton, Ont., and studied international and community development at Trent University, before taking her degree in education at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont.

B次元官网网址淚t has always been kind of a natural pathway for me to work in education,B次元官网网址� said Fulton, who worked as a camp leader and educator growing up.

Early in her career, Fulton travelled to Australia to teach, where she stayed for three years before deciding to move to Vancouver Island.

She loves to hike, be outdoors, and garden, so the Island seemed a perfect fit for her lifestyle.

Since moving here, she completed a masterB次元官网网址檚 degree in educational leadership at the University of Victoria, and worked at various teaching and administration jobs, including vice-principal at Belmont High School, as well as a vice-principal at Spencer Middle School, in Langford.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been a school administrator for over 10 years, but this will be my first job as principal,B次元官网网址� Fulton said.

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She decided to apply for the position in Sooke, because she liked the small-town community feel throughout the municipality and the school.

B次元官网网址淪ooke is such a phenomenal, lovely, and caring community,B次元官网网址� Fulton said. B次元官网网址淚 already find the students are really thoughtful, and there is such a sense of pride both within the school and out in the community.B次元官网网址�

She visited EMCS a number of times in the fall, and was impressed by the dedication of the staff and students to their school.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very excited to be here, and IB次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to getting to know people,B次元官网网址� Fulton said.

B次元官网网址淚 would love to hear from students, parents, staff, and community members, about what their wishes are, and what they think makes EMCS great so we can build on those strengths. I would love for the future of the school to be a collaborative vision.B次元官网网址�

Fulton encourages everyone to come to the open house at EMCS on Feb 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., where residents get a chance to meet her, share ideas, and see the variety of programs offered at the school.