Upon the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of Pope John Paul II High School, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, has named Mr. Robin L. Couvillon to the position of Principal of the Greenville Catholic School. Mr. Couvillon is a veteran educator with 19 years experience as classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, director of technology and principal of a Catholic elementary and a Catholic high school.
A native of Louisiana, Mr. Couvillon has a Bachelor Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix in Metairie, Louisiana. During this past year, he worked as a curriculum consultant for an education firm in Salado, Texas. Prior to 2010, he was principal at St. Bernard School in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple, Texas. In addition to his background in education, Mr. Couvillon has 17 years experience in business management.
“I am humbled to have been selected to lead the students of Pope John Paul II Catholic High School for the upcoming school year,” Mr. Couvillon said. “It is my firm belief that God must be first and at the center of all you do in life. Family must be the rock and support in life's journey and one’s quest for knowledge. I know in my heart that the Lord is guiding me in my preparations.”
“It is with great joy that I welcome Mr. Robin Couvillon to the Diocese of Raleigh as he begins his responsibilities as Principal of Pope John Paul II Catholic High School,” Bishop Burbidge said. “His deep faith, tremendous commitment to Catholic Education, rich background and enthusiasm will be gifts that he brings to the community and will, with God’s grace, continue to enhance Catholic education and identity at Pope John Paul II High School. I wish Mr. Couvillon and his family much happiness and abundant blessings.”
Speaking on behalf of the School’s Board of Trustees, Chairwoman Ms. Valerie Neal said, “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Couvillon to our school and community. The school and students will benefit from his strong sense of Catholic identity, student-centered, optimistic leadership and his focus on academic excellence.”
Dr. Michael J. Fedewa, Superintendent of Catholic Formation and Education in the Diocese of Raleigh said, “I am very excited about the selection of Mr. Couvillon as principal of Pope John Paul II. He brings a wealth of experience in Catholic education to this position. I believe he is the right person to lead the school into the future.”
Mr. Couvillon is expected to assume his duties in late July.
Pope John Paul II was established last year beginning with a ninth grade class. This August, it will begin its second year, adding a tenth grade, followed by an additional grade each of the next two years. The school is currently housed at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Greenville, utilizing existing classrooms on the campus. Future plans call for construction of a four-year college preparatory school to accommodate 400 students on property adjacent to St. Gabriel Catholic Church which had previously been purchased by the Diocese for this purpose.
The initial construction phase calls for the building of a gymnasium within the next two years with permanent classroom facilities to follow. Accreditation will be sought from the Southern Association of Colleges and School in the first four years of operation.