This is Trinity College School’s 158th year and my 19th year as head of the School. Three of my own children graduated from this school. So, you could say that I am pretty familiar with the TCS experience. From the carefully planned re-opening of our doors in the first week in September, to the campus energy and activity that typically follows, it’s fair to say that I’m no TCS novice. However, I must admit, the one thing that I did not expect this fall was to feel a little bit like a “new kid at a new school.”

Or, maybe more accurately, I felt a bit like a new head of school, with all the excitement, fresh energy and anticipation that typically comes when first entering a new community.

It is undeniable. There is something in the air. A sense of newness or renewal. A fresh start for everyone. Perhaps not fully “post-COVID,” but the sense that we are returning to a full, active experience for kids and adults in the school setting.

As I shared with our new families, I think this is an added benefit for students and parents who are new to TCS this year because the reality is that so many returning students are also experiencing certain aspects of TCS for the first time, too. For example, a returning Grade 9 student has not had an uninterrupted academic year since they were in Grade 5! Both returning and new parents and students will be introduced to events and activities that they have not experienced before.

So, we are all in the same boat; and there is something both comforting and exciting about taking this ride together.

At the same time that there will be a lot of “new” this year, there are over 50 members of our staff who have been at the School for over 20 years. So there is a lot of institutional memory that will serve us well in restoring some of the cherished and successful community-building initiatives, experiential learning opportunities and celebrations of the pre-pandemic times.

There is another aspect that makes this start of the year promising and important: our school’s reflection of the key societal change that has taken place over the past few years. The School has expanded its commitment to embrace and support issues of inclusion, belonging, diversity, anti-racism and equity so that your kids, our students, grow up to be role models and leaders of change for the future.

It is my pleasure and honour to welcome your family to TCS this year – whether new or returning. As always, we recognize that parents have made a huge decision – a personal, emotional, social and financial commitment – for your child(ren) to attend Trinity College School, because you want to provide the best possible opportunity for your child(ren). Rest assured that our faculty and staff have chosen a vocation, rather than a job, that will demand additional hours and their commitment to tutor, mentor, teach, counsel, coach, support, advise, listen and help your kids. We love what we do. Thank you for you confidence, support and trust.

I truly believe, and often say, that I have the best job in the world. I am delighted to help lead the School at this most exciting time as the world begins to slowly emerge from a challenging period. The “new kid at a new school” feeling? I am going to savour it, knowing it means we are collectively embarking on a new, bright and exciting year together as a community.