The Higgins Award is presented annually by the Board of Directors of the Canadian Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association (CCSTA) to a person or group that has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic education in Canada. In memory of a distinguished Canadian jurist and Catholic School Trustee, the Honourable Justice James Higgins of St. John’s Newfoundland, this award is the highest honour provided by CCSTA. In a letter from Paula Peroni, President of CCSTA, Mr. Bethune was applauded for his "dedication, competence, vision, and hard work in serving Catholic education and the Catholic community".

The letter of nomination, prepared by Director of Education Bruce MacPherson, outlines Norm’s contributions to the mission of Catholic Education within Bruce-Grey, a mission that he has been dedicated to for more than forty years. Norm served the Bruce-Grey Catholic DSB as teacher and principal for thirty-four years before retiring, and was instrumental in continuing our Catholic story for all members of our school community. In 1997 Norm stepped forward to serve as a Catholic School Trustee, and has served as Vice-Chair and then Chair for more than ten years.

Norm has been an active participant in the Board’s Strategic Planning Process, in particular the area of Catholicity. He was instrumental in the development of our "Catholic Culture of Deep Caring", the virtues programme that is actively practiced throughout our Board, and in establishing our very successful partnership with King’s University College. In a letter of support for Norm’s nomination, Principal of King’s University College, David Sylvester, notes that "Norm is well known for his extensive knowledge of the history of Catholic education and his passion for his faith, his teaching and his students."

Norm is also a member of our Board Leadership Committee which has developed a presentation outlining a brief history of Catholic education and some of the challenges we face, and has presented to each school staff, a number of school councils, trustees, principals, Catholic Women’s League, and the Catholic Education Centre Staff. Lou Rocha, past executive director of the Catholic Principals Council of Ontario has known Norm for many years, and notes that "He has been a valuable contributor and advocate for Catholic education for more than forty years. His recent work as trustee and chair of the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board culminates a tradition of service that has been invaluable to his community." Our community continues to benefit from the expertise and passion that Norm provides in the area of Catholic education.

Thank you Norm for "letting your light shine" for the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Community.

The award will be presented on June 4^th, 2011 in Regina Saskatchewan at the CCSTA Annual Convention.