From November 28-December 2, 2022, Trinity College School students and staff took part in the 12th Week Without Walls service learning initiative. Every Senior School student and faculty member, along with several staff members, spent the week volunteering at one of more than 60 community partner sites, or taking part in one of our international service trips: Panama or the Island School.

Week Without Walls is a program through which students engage in community service opportunities, taking service learning outside the classroom and helping students to embrace their potential to make a difference. Initiated in 2009, the annual Week Without Walls is part of the School's comprehensive service learning program, which supports our mission of “developing habits of the heart and mind for a life of purpose and service.” It complements other projects such as: our annual community service days, work with organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Coats for Kids and more, but has the added benefit of allowing students to “learn by doing” within their communities.

2022 Week Without Walls: Relive the experience!

The 12th Week Without Walls has drawn to a close. But what an incredible week it was!

Following three service days (November 29th-December 1st) supporting local community organizations and projects, Senior School students spent Friday, December 2nd reflecting on their experience and sharing their stories. In the morning, students and staff were privileged to hear from guest speaker Kehkashan Basu, a human rights activist and 2016 recipient of the International Children’s Peace Prize. Born in the United Arab Emirates to Indian parents, Ms. Basu later moved to Canada, graduating from North Toronto Collegiate Institute and, just this past spring, attaining her B.A. from the University of Toronto, majoring in environmental studies. She has been working on social justice issues, including climate activism, since she was eight years old, and founded the Green Hope Foundation when she was 12 years old. The organization works to educate about and create grassroots programs in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Basu has spoken widely and is a published author. Most recently, she was presented with Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of her dedication to giving back. Our students were inspired to hear from someone so young who had committed herself to making a difference in the world.

In the afternoon, the 60+ different service groups had debriefing meetings around campus. Students and staff in each group reflected on their experiences over the Week Without Walls, and what they had learned about themselves and others through this initiative.

Finally, it was time for a highlight of the week: the Week Without Walls video! Produced by students, the video featured photos and film clips from the various service sites, providing a wonderful chance to celebrate the friendships and community ties forged over the course of the week.

Our two international service trips also wrapped up their journeys, returning to Canada over the weekend, filled with stories about their incredible experiences in Panama and the Bahamas, respectively.

Click on the links below for stories, photos and more from the 12th Week Without Walls:

View a list of our 2022 community partners and service sites

Articles:

• Week Without Walls: Join us for the journey
• Week Without Walls: The power of service
• Community effort results in new children’s library section at TCS
• Island School trip offers fun, service and enrichment
• Student volunteers find home away from home in Panama

Photo Galleries:

• Week Without Walls: Part 1
• Week Without Walls: Part 2
• Week Without Walls: Part 3
• Island School Trip
• Panama Trip

Video:

• Week Without Walls Highlights