The new superintendent for the Anglophone South School District is a week into the job.

Derek O’Brien started visiting schools in the region and has been welcomed into the education centres.

“I’ve received lots of correspondence from the people in our schools, a good number of staff have been sending me congratulatory messages and also very hopeful messages for new beginnings and new changes,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien takes over for Zoë Watson, who retired in early November after 10 years in the role.

He thinks after the many challenges schools faced during the pandemic, having someone new in a leadership role gives them hope they’ll be doing great things going forward.

Before being named superintendent, O’Brien worked as the Director of Schools at the St. Stephen Education Centre.

He said Marc Godin, a staff member at the district office, will serve as the acting director of schools until a permanent replacement can be found.