Irvine School principal touts elementary teacher efforts

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on February 11, 2026.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Prairie Rose Public Schools’ board of directors heard Tuesday a presentation from Irvine School, where principal Trent Rayner said the foundation of student success comes from the elementary side of the building, even though they do have several unique programming options.

“We have literally the best elementary teachers around, and without the things that they’re doing in their classrooms, our students wouldn’t be set up with the growth mindset, the willingness to learn and the proper How to Learn moving into junior high, so they can have interest in all these other courses,” said Rayner.

Trustees were led through a mathematics exercise alongside Grade 4 students to demonstrate new ways of teaching and communicating ideas in the classroom.

The PRPS board approved new locally developed courses, including:

– Film and Media Art

– Student-Centred Learning

– Leadership, Character & Social Responsibility

– Journalism

These courses were approved for the 2025-2026 school year.

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