Students at Morrin School will have more than just a new school year to look forward to when they return to school in September, with the new Morrin School expected to be completed and staff and students moving into the new facility before the end of 2023.
Along with having a new school, students will also have some new teachers joining the faculty in the 2023-2024 school year.
“We will be opening our brand new school in November, and all the staff and students can’t wait,” Principal Don Yavis tells the Mail.
He expects enrollment at the K-12 school will increase slightly this year, noting enrollment is not limited to just those living in the Morrin community.
Along with slightly higher enrollment numbers, there will also be two new teachers joining the school’s staff.
Shelby Job, who is a recent University of Lethbridge graduate, will be teaching Grade 5 and 6. She will be joined by Nicholas Patras, a recent graduate from Mount Royal University in Calgary, who will be teaching Industrial Arts at the junior and senior high level.
Along with regular academic courses, students in junior and senior high have some fun elective courses to choose from, such as 3D printing and robotics. Students in Grades 7 to 11 also have the opportunity to take part in the school’s hockey program, which has been running for the last five years, and offers ice time for students to develop their hockey skills; this program is open to all students, regardless of their skill level.
“Morrin School and Prairie Land School Division focus on four pillars of education,” explains Mr. Yavis. “Teaching and learning, school culture, health and wellness, and community engagement. All decisions made at the administration level focus on what is best for our students.”
Mr. Yavis shares that the school provides students with a pancake breakfast in September as a way to welcome them back to school, as well as a full Christmas turkey dinner in December, and a special luncheon in June for the graduating class. Students are also offered a daily breakfast program, and a hot lunch program every second week.

Alberta’s government announced on Tuesday, August 1 it is investing $45 million through two funding competitions through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund to encourage new hydrogen technologies, and Wheatland County could be in a prime position to become a new energy hub within the province.
A total of $25 million will be available through the Alberta Innovates’ Hydrogen Centre of Excellence stream, which is geared for early-stage innovations-$5 million of this funding is being provided from Natural Resources Canada through its own Energy Innovation Program; an additional $25 million will also be available through the Emissions Reduction Alberta stream for later-stage hydrogen technologies, and locally, Wheatland County is looking at potential benefits.
“We aspire to establish a regional New Energy hub that can meet the power needs of the Calgary region and beyond,” reads a statement from Wheatland County. “Drawing inspiration from the remarkable successes of the Alberta Industrial Heartland in the Edmonton region, we are engaged in continuous dialogue with government bodies at all levels to determine the most impactful path forward.”
The Mail reported in March 2023 that Wheatland County had expressed its interest in attracting new hydrogen and other new energy developments through its “open for business” mindset.
Already the county has attracted Rocky Mountain Clean Fuels Inc. and Nutrien to its municipality, and continues to see “strong interest” from a number of other potential new energy developments. There are already several initiatives at various stages of development underway, including a hydrogen fueling station and carbon sequestration hub, according to the statement.
The county is also partnering with Mount Royal University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in hopes to “initiate a new energy cohort” and will help the county “cater to the escalating demands of this rapidly evolving sector.”
Neighbouring Starland County shares its Economic Development team have been pursuing investments in the hydrogen industry, though with little success at this time. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Christopher Robblee notes the county may not pursue applications for funding at this time due to a lack of leads and interest, “though it is worth considering.”
The Mail also reached out to Kneehill County but as of press time had not received response back.