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A statistic that stops you in your tracks
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Some statistics can really make you pause — not just fun facts like lemons float in water while limes sink, or that elephants are the only animals who can’t

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What’s Up? Lots!
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Like you, I’m often asked, “What’s up?” My standard answer: “Lots!”At Trinity College School, a typical day, week or month is bustling with activity: classes,

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Reflecting on change
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I was recently asked what I believed to be the biggest event, decision, or set of circumstances to have ever impacted Trinity College School. Another way to

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Covenants vs. Contracts
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At TCS, we emphasize to our students the significance of a community built on a covenant of shared values: integrity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and purposeful

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Boulden House Centennial Gala Reflection
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On Saturday, November 3rd, nearly 200 current and past parents, current and former staff, and alumni gathered at the Arnold Massey ’55 Athletic Centre to

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Looking back fondly
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We talk a lot about “community” at TCS. That’s because it is important. And, we believe that there are any number of venues and experiences at TCS through

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How to Parent
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What is the best way to parent your children? And why do you parent the way you do?Despite nearly 40 years in education, leading a school, and raising three

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We Don’t Speak to Other People’s Children Anymore
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One of the notable shifts I’ve observed in modern parenting is the growing reluctance to speak to, correct, or even discipline other people’s children. What

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Learning How to Learn
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I’ve had numerous conversations with TCS alumni who have shared something along the lines of, “I learned how to learn at TCS.” It’s incredibly reassuring and

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Last Out of the Taxi
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My father is one of the most generous people I know. A friend once described him as the kind of man who’s “last out of the taxi and first to the bill”— someone

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The State of Kids Today
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I have been known to say that kids are nicer and kinder today than they were in my day. I have certainly found this to be the case when I compare the

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Cell Phones Could be Today’s Cigarettes
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The first time I heard someone suggest that cell phones are the new nicotine, I thought it was an exaggeration. But, over time, it has started to feel like a

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TCS Fun Facts
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Over the course of any academic year, I am frequently asked questions about the special community that is Trinity College School. I thought that I would share

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A New Perspective
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We have all had experiences, relationships or conversations that, given the opportunity, we would love to have started differently.The advantage of writing

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The Last Exam
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I don't specifically remember writing my last high school examination. But, just a few days ago, I watched over 100 members of the graduating class of 2024

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But, ya gotta have friends!
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Of all the benefits of being a graduate of Trinity College School, one of the biggest advantages is gaining lifelong friendships. I have heard this many times

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Chew and Chats have returned! Part 2
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Part 2 of a 2-part blog seriesLast week, I wrote about the reintroduction of “Chew and Chats” with the graduating class. Click here if you would like to read

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Chew and Chats have returned!
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Part 1 of a 2-part blog seriesFor approximately 15 years, towards the end of each academic year, I would invite the members of the graduating class to meet

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Still Rock’n
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I used to visit my grandmother in Wolverhampton, England when I was a little kid. Her favourite spot in her “wee” house was knitting with a blanket on her lap

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Decade of Discovery: How Teaching AP Capstone Inspired a Researcher
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This week, Mr. Myke Healy reflects on the inspiring work of our Grade 12 AP Research students. At TCS since 2004, Mr. Healy is the assistant head of Senior

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Reflecting on Graduation: A Timeless Milestone
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As May unfolds, so does the anticipation of one of life's significant junctures for many – graduation. For me, it's reminiscent of the excitement and

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Arts Week!
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This week, the halls of TCS were alive with creativity and talent as we celebrated our annual Arts Week, a vibrant showcase of the unique talents and passions

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Back to the books
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I am very biased, but I think that TCS has one of the best librarians in the world.In support of this statement, TCS Senior School librarian, Shelagh Straughan

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University Acceptance: Not a sliding door moment
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Back in my day, I don’t remember there being a great deal of time allotted to researching, visiting and, generally, due diligence before selecting or applying

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Reflections on three iconic teachers in my life
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Last week, I wrote about life’s happy and sad happenings seemingly arriving clustered in threes. I chose to focus on three positive things that occur in the

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Embracing the Power of Threes: A Tribute to the Trinity Term
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Growing up, my mother often reminded me that "everything comes in threes," a mantra that resonated with both the highs and lows of life. But today, I will

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Eclipses. Umbras. And other incredible happenings.
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As the date of the upcoming total solar eclipse approaches (April 8th), there’s some anticipation locally for those in Port Hope as our area falls in the path

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Flowers
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When I was in Grade 9, I wrote my first and last poem. It was called Flowers.If I think back to my younger self, the point of my poem was to emphasize that a

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By the numbers
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Last week, my blog delved into the significance of Parent-Teacher Meetings, emphasizing their value at TCS in fostering collaboration between parents and

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The Triangle
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This week we have hosted Senior School Parent-Teacher Meetings. These meetings are pivotal moments where TCS faculty and parents have an opportunity to come

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Life spans
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The combination of watching Joni Mitchell (aged 80) perform her well-loved song Both Sides Now at the Grammys, and visiting my father (aged 92) in Ottawa this

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Halfway there!
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This past week, on January 19th, we marked the midpoint of the 2023-2024 academic year at TCS, signifying a pivotal moment in the journey of your incredible

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What is a CAIS? And why should it be important to you as a parent?
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CAIS Accreditation Peer Review Team photo credit: Brentwood College SchoolThis week, I had the privilege of participating in a peer review team affiliated with

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Success: Luck and doing things you don’t want to do
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As parents, we find ourselves in the challenging position of helping to guide our kids towards a successful and fulfilling future. With the ever-evolving

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A Fresh Start
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The start of a new year brings with it a sense of renewal and the opportunity for positive change. For elementary and high school kids, embracing the spirit of

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Pause to reflect, appreciate and enjoy
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The last day of school in the calendar year offers a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation. But, before we bid adieu to our active lives on campus and

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Why Week Without Walls?
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Last week our Senior School students and adults were engaged in the 13th edition of our Week Without Walls service learning initiative. Week Without Walls

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Lifelong connections
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One of the special aspects about Trinity College School is that graduation is not a finish line. To be more specific, a student’s association with TCS does not

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The Oxford Cup. Why?
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On Saturday, November 18th, hundreds of students, staff, parents, alumni and friends of TCS ran the Oxford Cup, a footrace that dates back to 1896. Five

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The Purpose of Education
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Part 2 of a 2-part blog seriesLast week, thanks to a coincidental and interesting combination of a re-reading of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and

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What is the purpose of education?
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Part 1 of a 2-part blog series The “Five Ws” (who, what, when, where, why) are still one of the best methods to explore the significance of just about any

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We lost but I couldn’t be more proud
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Winning in a closely contested sport is fun, at any level and in any sport. TCS has won a lot of tournaments and championships over the years. We have the

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Our school’s modern culture of philanthropy
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This week, Mr. Doug Mann discusses the generations of support that TCS, and its students, have directly benefitted from. At TCS since 2007, Mr. Mann is TCS’s

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Let’s talk
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Several years ago, on a Monday morning in chapel, I asked the entire student body how many of them read the newspaper in the morning before the start of school

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The days are long but the years are short
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If you have read my blog over the years, you will know my favourite expression to describe parenting is the heading for my blog this week: “The days are long

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You’ve got a friend in me
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I realize that my reading audience for this blog is primarily adults. So it might seem peculiar that I am referencing the movie theme song from Toy Story 

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The difference between a job and a vocation
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On September 30th, the School hosted a memorial service for John Anthony Mervyn (Tony) Prower. Tony was 95 when he passed away peacefully earlier this year, on

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I am proud of you
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Our full school participation in the Terry Fox Run last week was another important and proud moment for me at the School. My high school graduation quote

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Care more
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When my kids were young, there was one expression that they would say that would irk me more than any others: “I don’t care.” I fully accept that, at times, we

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Bravo, parents! Bravo!
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It is hard to match the excitement and nervous energy of the first day and first week of school. This is particularly so for parents when it’s their child’s

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Great Beginnings!
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I sat down earlier this week to write a blog post about the start of the academic year. While this is an annual exercise, a new thought popped into my head

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Bittersweet Defined: Graduation Day
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I remember moments of my high school graduation day very clearly. I am not saying, by any means, that it “feels like yesterday!” Because it doesn’t. However, I

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Purposely creating powerful moments
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This week, Mrs. Jennifer Reid discusses the beauty of prompting moments that resonate. At TCS since 2000, Mrs. Reid is the head of Junior School. Written by

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Gratitude for life’s accomplishments
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At Trinity College School, our mission is to launch young people into the world prepared for a life of purpose and service. I believe that such a life begins

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Reunion Eve
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As a kid, I loved Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. Perhaps it was because the anticipation on December 24th of Santa Claus and his accompanying magic was

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Friendships: Founded in adolescence and celebrated decades later
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I have been told by innumerable TCS alumni, both young and old, that their TCS friends are their best friends. I am sure that our school is not unique in this

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Educational Arbitrage
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This week, Mr. Myke Healy touches on the excitement, opportunities and challenges of the rapidly evolving world of generative AI. At TCS since 2004, Mr. Healy

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Happy Birthday TCS!
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On May 1, 2023, TCS officially turned 158 years old. The School celebrated its birthday – or Founder’s Day – with a series of fun events including a dodgeball

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Lemons don’t turn themselves into lemonade
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According to a recent survey conducted by McKinsey & Company – “How does Gen Z see its place in the working world? With trepidation” (American Opportunity

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Your kids: Past. Present. Future.
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A recent summer-like spell of warm weather on campus immediately brought to mind the coming end of term; and, for our graduating students, the end of their

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The power of rugby
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This week, Grade 12 student-athletes, Jasmine De Pencier and Malinka Kwemo, share their thoughts on the importance of the girls rugby program at TCS and

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Your kids are travelling at 1,600 km/hr right now…but don’t worry
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When you were a kid, did you think that if you jumped up in the air when you were flying in an airplane that you would be thrown backward and hit the back of

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Is it easier or harder to be a kid these days?
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Does it not seem to you that the stakes are higher in education and, generally, in everything, everywhere these days? While it might feel that way, I think in

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Are reading, writing and arithmetic being replaced by artificial intelligence?
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In a recent New York Times article – “Two-Thirds of Kids Struggle to Read, and We Know How to Fix it” by Nicholas Kristof (February, 11, 2023) – there is data

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When in doubt…
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As you know, there has been a seismic shift in the nature of work and workplaces that was triggered by the worldwide pandemic in 2020. In a myriad of

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We the North goes South to Australia
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I had the pleasure, last week, of visiting Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. More importantly, I had the pleasure of meeting the people of Sydney and Melbourne

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It’s the little things…
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This week, Ms. Jennifer Paziuk shares insight into what student support looks like at the School. At TCS since 1993, Ms. Paziuk is the head of Senior School -

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Apparently adults are allowed to lie but kids are not
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If you have been watching the American news over the past couple of months, you may have witnessed the election of the U.S. Representative for New York’s 3rd

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The saddest and happiest days of the year
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Thankfully, “Blue Monday,” known as the “saddest day of the year,” is in our rearview mirror. In case you were unaware, this year, for those of us in the

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You've got a friend in me
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Twice a year the School publishes its alumni magazine, The TCS News. All members of the TCS community would have received their most recent copy with the cover

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Making Room in the Canon – A question of adding rather than subtracting
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This week, Mr. Kristopher Churchill considers the role of literary “classics” in the modern English classroom. At TCS since 2009, Mr. Churchill is the head of

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Ringing in a fresh start
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It is customary for my first blog of the calendar year to focus upon themes of resolutions and goal setting. While many students feel they do not have much “

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Oh, What a Year
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For a student, parent or educator, the 2022 calendar year started inauspiciously. A January 3, 2022, news headline seemed to capture it all: “Ontario

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The “Capital-T Truth” and the Default Setting to Achieve it
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This week, Mr. Brent Hurley considers the value of a liberal arts education, particularly following an unprecedented time in history. At TCS since 2015, Mr.

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Lotteries, Inflation and Education
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In 1992, the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies released a song entitled, If I Had $1,000,000. In the song lyrics, the writers state that, should they have

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Three Terms of Sport
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This week, Ms. Cristy Drake shares some insight into the value of students being involved in three terms of sports in the school year. Ms. Drake has been at

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Chocolate & Grandparents
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When I was a little kid, under the age of 10 years old, in the summer months, my parents would fly me and my sister to their hometowns of Birmingham and

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Remembering lives of purpose and service
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This week, as we mark Remembrance Day, the School's chaplain Father Don Aitchison shares insights on how TCS honours those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

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What’s the most important subject you took in school?
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As parents, as we think back to our elementary and high school days, conversations about who was our favourite teacher abound. Was it the teacher who was the

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School Size Matters – Part 3
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Part three of a series of three blog posts This is my third and final blog post in the series focussed on TCS’s decision to have a school size of

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School Size Matters – Part 2
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Part two of a series of three blog posts In last week’s blog I outlined the size and composition of the TCS student body. In this submission, I explain the

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School Size Matters
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Part one of a series of three blog posts In addition to our school’s shared mission, the enrolment and composition of the student body of our school community

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“How are you? What did you do this weekend?”
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I hope that whether you are working, retired, on holiday, or with family, that you are regularly asked how you are doing and if you enjoyed your most recent

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May you live in interesting times
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The world has changed a great deal over the last three years. It is a most “interesting” time to work in education. And, if you are in education, isn’t the

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Top 10 things about being back at school
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We are now more than two weeks into the 2022-2023 academic year, and I am confident that the majority of kids (and their parents!) are delighted to be back at

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That new kid at a new school feeling
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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

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Leaving the nest
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Parents: If you think it is emotionally difficult to have your child attend their first day at a new school and/or begin a new school year, be thankful you are

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