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Welcome Diefenbaker community to another exciting school year. As I begin my second year as Principal of John G. Diefenbaker I anticipate another year of seeing students strive for academic success and engage as members of our school community. This combination creates an environment where students are able to achieve all they can become as young adults. 
For the first time in over ten years JGD is welcoming new residential communities to our school. Sage Hill, Evanston, Kincora, Sandstone and MacEwen have joined the JGD family. Within all our communities we have many families new to Canada and Alberta coming to school here for the first time, we wish them all the best.   We are also welcoming many new staff to our school for the fall of 2023. New families and new staff are always good for schools, and I look forward to the ideas and opportunities that both of these will bring to JGD. 
Student feedback from last year showed that the student body wanted more opportunities to build school spirit and culture. With this direction, our student leadership and cultural diversity student groups ran numerous events in the second half of the school year. Plans are already underway to keep this momentum growing with events planned for the start of this year and to be reoccurring throughout the year. 
As a school we will continue to have high expectations for everyone and support them to meet these expectations. Respect for each other, our school and the greater community are things JGD are known for, and we will continue this tradition. Safety within our building will continue to be a priority with locked exterior doors, a closed campus and fines/tickets for smoking or vaping on school property. 
As the new school year begins, I encourage all students to find ways to connect with the school and each other. JGD offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities to support learning and relationships. Students can take part on school sports teams, numerous clubs and groups as well as numerous Fine Arts endeavours.  Participation in these other opportunities will not only enhance academic success but will help build our school community. 
Thank you
Mr. Jason Arrell, ​Principal​