Thor Barkman has been chosen as Steinbach Christian School's next principal. 

Last November, Emery Plett announced he would be stepping away after 17 years in the position to become the Executive Director for the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. 

Travis Neufeld is the Chair of the Steinbach Christian School board. He notes it is sad to see Emery Plett move on, but they are excited to work with Thor Barkman going forward. 

“Thor has a strong Christian faith and a connection to our school. He has a lot of experience in education including some experience overseas with private schools and he has a lot of educational experience within the high school which is a big part of our school.” 

Barkman has been teaching for 20 years including five years at international schools and a stint as principal of Rosslyn Academy, a Christian International School in Nairobi, Kenya. 

He joined the staff at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School in 2010 and has worked as an English teacher, resource teacher, and guidance counsellor over the years. He is currently serving as a vice principal at the SRSS. 

Neufeld says Thor Barkman's experience here in Steinbach was certainly considered during the hiring process. 

“We want to make sure that we have a strong community presence, someone who is well known, that also factors into it but he has a lot of other qualities that we also considered. I think it will be great.” 

As previously announced, Emery Plett will stay on as principal until the end of the school year and Barkman will officially start his duties as SCS Principal on August 1, 2023.

Thor Barkman and his familyThor Barkman and his family