Since its establishment in 2014, the Drayton Valley Community Outreach School (DVCOS) has grown to be a sign of success and hard work in the Town of Drayton Valley. The start of this growth can be easily traced to the direction and leadership of their Principal, Pat Jeffery. It is with a mix of happiness and sadness that Wild Rose School Division announces that Pat Jeffery will be retiring from her role as the Drayton Valley Community Outreach School Principal. Pat has served in this role through the school’s transition from an offshoot of Frank Maddock High School to it’s own, autonomous school. The position will be filled for the remainder of the year by H.W. Pickup Jr High Principal, Anita Richardson. Anita will be splitting her time between the two schools and a search for a new principal will begin in the spring.

“Although my time with Pat has been short, it was easy to see right away that she has a tremendous passion for her students and their success,” stated Superintendent Brad Volkman. “The time she has given to Wild Rose School Division benefited many students and I am confident Pat leaves a very strong legacy.”

Pat Jeffery started working for WRSD as the Vice-Principal of Evergreen Elementary in 2003.  In 2008,  she served as the WRSD District Administrator in Assessment and Student Achievement followed by one year in the role of Acting Principal of H.W. Pickup. In 2010, she became the Principal at Frank Maddock High School and, in the fall of 2014, she assumed the Principal position at DVCOS.

“When I began my time with the Division over seven years ago Pat was a legend. She is highly regarded by her colleagues as a strong, visionary leader who work tirelessly to ensure student success is achieved. In 2014, when she approached me to come over to DVCOS I was truly honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work with her on such a worthwhile endeavor,” Stated DVCOS  Teacher, Kim Desmarais. “I am grateful for every minute I’ve had alongside Pat, and have tried to soak in as much as I could in a year and a half. Although, I was sad when she told me she’d be retiring at the end of January, I also understand her reasons and know that really she won’t be going far!”

"When I first really got to know Mrs. Jeffrey, I was in grade seven. Grade seven was a tough year for me with many different challenges. Mrs. Jeffrey was the one who taught me how to keep my head strong even when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. She taught me the things that matter most in life are the ones that are the toughest to achieve. Awesome friends, family, and professional staff that go out of their way to make sure that every student is content with who they are and what pathway in life they are travelling. The proper terms to call Mrs. Jeffrey are a teacher and a principal but to many students she is much more than that. She is that person one can talk to when having a bad day, she is the one who is content to handle any conflicts and give advice on both school and personal matters. Pat Jeffrey is an outgoing friend to all. She will be dearly missed but every student (and staff member) at Drayton Valley Community Outreach knows that it is farewell for now but not goodbye. Thanks for all your help Mrs Jeffrey," stated DVCOS Student, Laura Flett.