Anderdon Public School bids farewell to principal

By Ron Giofu

Anderdon Public School has bid a fond farewell to its principal and he returned the favour.

James Cowper was honoured at a year-end assembly last Wednesday morning as he concluded his threeyear tenure as the school’s principal. He is being transferred but noted his time at Anderdon was special.

Cowper thanked the students and staff for its support, noting he has received cards and gifts over the last several weeks since he informed the school he was leaving.

“As a principal, you just spend your days trying to help the students and parents,” said Cowper.

Cowper said he appreciated the show of support, noting he is grateful to the school community. He thanked his vice principal Lisa Major, calling her a partner.

“She’s an incredible vice principal,” said Cowper.

Cowper also thanked the rest of the staff as well as child and youth worker Jen Mayrand for all of their contributions.

Anderdon Public School was the fifth school he was principal at in his 20 years in that job, with stops at Marlborough, Mill Street, Eastwood, and Kingsville preceding it. He won’t go far for his sixth stop, as he will become principal at Amherstburg Public School in September and take over from Kris Marentette. He added he will do his best for the Amherstburg Public School community and looks forward to being an APS Eagle.

To conclude the assembly, Cowper joined the Anderdon Rock Band and sang “Mustang Sally,” a reference to the school’s “Mustang” nickname.