Developing habits of the heart and mind for a

Developing habits of the heart and mind for a life of purpose and service July 2008 Dear Parents: I trust that you are enjoying the summer months and are able to spend at least a portion of this time relaxing with family and friends. In an effort to free your mind for summer enjoyment, we write to you today to give you advance notice of some of the many developments taking place at Trinity College School. Our hope is that this informational package will ensure all of us will be fully prepared for the start of another great school year in September. We are very pleased to be welcoming a second Grade 6 class to Boulden House. Ms. Urvi Shah, a recent graduate of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), along with Mr. Steve Schmidlin, will be home form teachers for these two fully subscribed classes. The level of interest and enthusiasm surrounding our Junior School is impressive and has enabled us to increase Junior School enrolment as outlined in the TCS strategic plan. In the houses of the Senior School, we will see changes in a select few roles, albeit, for the most part, by those who are already familiar to the TCS community. Mr. David Ingram will take the helm as housemaster of Bethune House. Mr. Andrew Hall will assume the position of assistant housemaster; both he and Rebecca, his wife (a recent graduate from teachers college at Trent University), will move into Bethune House in August. Mrs. Jennifer Petrolito (nee Wighton), recently married on June 28th, will become housemaster of Burns. Her husband, Andrew, will join her in Burns House this summer. Ms. Erin McAleenan will remain as assistant housemaster of Burns. One new face to the residential programme will be Ms. Melanie Barclay who will hold the post of assistant housemaster of Scott House. Academically, Sasha and Kim Vojnov join the TCS faculty; Sasha will teach mathematics and computer studies, while Kim will join the social sciences and English departments. Mrs. Anne O’Regan has taken on the role as head of mathematics and Vincenza Pontieri has taken on the headship of the science department. We can confirm that LeVan Hall Theatre will be receiving a face lift. Due to logistical considerations, construction is now scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009. With the completion of this exciting project, we look forward to a raised stage, improved sight lines, enhanced acoustics and additional seating. Plans for a new free-standing structure for our visual arts programme, approved by the Board of Governors this past spring, remain on target. We are optimistic that, pending funding, we will be able to begin work on this environmentally sensitive facility in the summer of 2009. Trinity College School, 55 Deblaquire Street North, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada L1A 4K7 • 905-885-3217 • 905-885-9690 fax • www.tcs.on.ca On campus, there are a host of summer projects planned to improve select classrooms and dorms. The LeVan circle, recently adorned by a donation of an armillary sphere (otherwise known as a “celestial globe”), a reunion gift from the Class of ’58, will be landscaped. We are also looking to enhance our lighting on campus and to start fitting our residences with an exterior door swipe-card locking system. From a programming perspective, TCS has made efforts to extend classroom time both on Wednesdays and Thursdays heading into break weekends. This means that classes on these days will now end at 2:00 p.m. And of note, the province’s “Family Day” in February 2009 will coincide with our long weekend. I look forward to updating you over the course of the year with respect to the many strategic initiatives that began last September with the launch of Strength of Purpose: The Strategic Plan for Trinity College School 2007-2012. We have made great progress over these past many months and look forward to another year of initiatives that will further allow us to develop habits of the hearts and minds for lives of purpose and service. I encourage you to contact the School directly if you have any questions regarding the 2008-2009 school year. In the meantime, please do enjoy a safe and happy summer. Sincerely, Stuart Grainger Headmaster 2 From the Dean of Faculty & Curriculum This year, the TCS academic programme was restructured and we began to tackle academic elements of the School’s strategic plan, Strength of Purpose. In the coming year, TCS will expand the Advanced Placement (AP) programme, greatly enhance educational spaces and work toward establishing even better and more consistent practices in the classroom. Projects from 2007-2008 In September, the restructuring of the academic team was very much in evidence. In his new position as Director of Studies, Mr. David Brown developed consistent standards for curriculum documentation, as recommended by the Ministry of Education Supervisory Officer, June Merkley. He then went to work consolidating and marketing the AP programme with our AP teachers. A third project involved coordinating the growing number of guest speakers at TCS. The latter two initiatives have an enhanced online presence that has been very helpful. Toward the end of the year, Mr. Brown implemented a slightly revised exam process taking into account recommendations from the previous year. Meanwhile, our new Director of International Learning, Dr. Greg Hodges, was equally engaged. Projects in his realm included the consolidation of summer international programming at two campuses (Cambridge and Barcelona). He also audited the School’s growing list of international excursions and developed guiding principles and practices for them as we head into a new year. Dr. Hodges took the reigns of the Year 2 exchange programme, coordinating the selection of our students heading overseas and supervising the incoming exchange students through the spring term. With this support, I was able to spend more time visiting classes and having conversations with teachers about their current year, elements of the strategic plan and their potential impact on the classroom, and their future goals at TCS. Mrs. Barbara Piccini, head of our Junior School, Mrs. Jennifer Paziuk, dean of academic & student support, and I met regularly to discuss important school initiatives and how they are linked to the professional growth of our teachers. In the second half of last year and over the course of the next year, we have carefully planned professional growth activities including visits to the School from some of North America’s top educators. This past June, Damien Cooper talked with us about the changing world of assessment. In August, we will meet with Gayle Gregory who will emphasize the importance of differentiated instruction. Mr. Cooper will return in January to review changes to our programme and connect assessment to backward design. In June of 2009, we are fortunate to spend time with Barry Bennett who will work with our faculty on integrating teaching models. The coming year In addition to these professional growth initiatives, there are a number of other academic developments. The AP programme will expand to include music, geography and world history. This should provide an opportunity for a number of our students to work toward the AP International Diploma and other forms of AP recognition. At the Foundation Year (FY) and Year 2 (Y2) levels, we will implement a new evaluation model whereby students will be formally evaluated less often. Tests, presentations and assignments may only happen on odd days in Periods 1 and 3. Hand in hand with a reduction in summative assessments, there will be more emphasis on formative or diagnostic assessment. On a related note, please be advised that the November report at the FY and Y2 levels will have only letter grades and comments. This decision was carefully considered by the course of study committee and the FY and Y2 teams. In making the change, the goal is to strike a better balance between classroom instruction and evaluation. 3 Student learning will benefit from this fundamental shift. As well, the faculty will continue to work toward a slightly revised academic schedule (see pg. 10). Ms. Stacey Moore and a small team of teachers are doing work on curriculum mapping in anticipation of significant revision in the spring of 2009. Finally, there will be some exciting enhancements to academic spaces. In September, our students will benefit from a new physics lab and classroom. Appointments and returns Mrs. Lauren Taylor will step down as the head of Mathematics. Her leadership is needed in other areas and she has taken the lead, with Mr. Ian Watt, of the academic schedule deliberations. The math department will now be in the capable hands of Mrs. Anne O’Regan. Ms. Renée Hillier’s departure on parental leave created a void in the social sciences department. Mr. Myke Healy will return to lead this team for the second time on an extended term. Mr. Tyler Bailey will step down after three years of great service as head of the science department. He will be replaced by Dr. Vincenza Pontieri. It will also be nice to have Ms. Angie Collins back from parental leave. Professional Growth There are a number of teachers who have been or will be engaged in significant professional growth activities through the summer months. This past May, Ms. Heather McClure completed the Reading Specialist - Part III. Ms. Alison Elliott headed off to Uganda on July 3, to volunteer with the Jane Goodall Institute leading teacher training workshops on environmental education. Ms. Erin McAleenan is taking her Level 3 NCCP Theory course in Windsor and she will be the assistant coach of the provincial Under-17 women’s basketball team. Mr. Cory McKercher is attending an AP Institute at the University of Texas in preparation for launching the AP Geography course. Mr. Ron Parker will be attending Columbia University in Chicago for an AP Institute in music. Ms. Moore recently attended the CAIS Leadership Institute at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora. Mr. Steve Schmidlin is completing Reading - Part I online. Mr. Thomas Tansley is taking the ORCKA Flatwater Instructor’s course through the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough. Mr. David Wills will be attending a curling coaches’ clinic led by Glenn Howard in Guelph. Ms. Marike Kuchta will be completing Special Education - Part II through the University of Western Ontario. Ms. Stef Feddery and Ms. Barb Brough recently attended the NECC Conference on Technology and Education in San Antonio, Texas. I will be attending an AP Institute of my own for world history at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. A number of other teachers are spending their summer at various workshops or preparing their courses for the 2008-2009 academic year. Paul Elsley Dean of Faculty &Curriculum 4 New Faces SASHA VOJNOV Teacher of Computer Studies & Mathematics Sasha joins our team following the departure of Nicolene Kuyper who is on a leave of absence in Germany. He comes to TCS with a wealth of international teaching experience. Sasha grew up in Toronto, Ontario attending secondary school there. He moved on to the University of Toronto where he earned an Honours B.A. in computer science in 1997. Like most computer science grads, Sasha tried the business world for two years working as a programmer for the Bank of Montreal. However, his summers teaching tennis convinced him that ours is a noble profession. He was off to Queen’s University in Kingston the following year, to complete his Bachelor of Education. Sasha’s teaching career began overseas. Between 2000 and 2003, he was the IB Computer Science teacher at the Bahrain Bayan School in the Persian Gulf where he taught middle and upper school computer science, coached basketball and coordinated the Roots and Shoots service learning programme. In the fall of 2003, Sasha moved on to the International School Manila where he taught both computer science and math and was the information technology department head. He coached the varsity tennis and badminton teams, advised a student committee on the production of a digital yearbook and continued his service learning work at various locations in the Philippines. Sasha will teach Introduction to Computer Applications (BTT1O), Computer Engineering and Applied Math at the Year 2 level. He will coach squash and take over the boys tennis programme next spring. KIM VOJNOV Teacher of English and History With Renée Hillier and Erin Tewsley taking parental leaves this year, we were fortunate to hire Kim, who teaches both history and English. Kim too has spent her first years in the profession teaching at a variety of international schools. Kim grew up in Kingston, Ontario and completed her undergraduate degree (Honours) in history at Trent University in Peterborough in 1997. She had her sights set clearly on teaching and earned her Bachelor of Education the following year from Queen’s University. Between 1998 and 2000, Kim taught Grade 8 and 9 History at the Columbus School in Medellin, Colombia. She was also on the discipline committee and the principal’s advisory committee and she supervised the middle school student’s council. She went on to join the faculty at the Bahrain Bayan School where she taught Grade 2, helped with set design for a school play and coached the intermediate and senior girls volleyball teams. Kim then moved to the International School in Manila in 2003. During that time, she taught Grade 7 and 8 Social Studies. Kim was the Grade 8 coordinator for three years before taking on the role of social studies curriculum coordinator, Grades 6 to 8, for the past two years. Kim will teach Year 3 English and Year 3 History, supervise ultimate Frisbee in the fall and help coach Under-16 girls volleyball in the winter. The Vojnovs recently purchased a home in Cobourg. We are very excited to add such an experienced, capable couple to the TCS team. 5 URVI SHAH Grade 6 Homeform Teacher Urvi joins the Junior School as homeform teacher of the new additional Grade 6 class. We are extremely pleased to have someone of Urvi’s technological background to augment our team of teachers. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and received her teaching degree from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). Thinking that pharmacology was her destined profession, Urvi began her studies   with this in mind. Recognizing the beauty of the teaching profession, Urvi changed direction and used her science background to move forward in education. Urvi likes to expand her horizons and as a result of this, she acquired her beginners in ASL, American Sign Language. Her passions lie in extensive travel around the world, organizing technology camps, and sports. Urvi will be teaching Grade 6 science and math, and she will be responsible for the teaching of the Grade 9 technology credit to our Grades 7 & 8 students. 6 From the Dean of Academic & Student Support Looking back Our class of 2008 graduates (all 146!) have spread their wings and are off to all parts of the globe. A total of 210 scholarships were offered to 55% of our graduating class totaling over $1,000,000. Offers of admission included Yale, The Cooper Union, University of California-Berkley, University of Chicago, Middlebury, Bentley College, the University of St. Andrews, Imperial College, University of Warwick, and the University of Bristol, among others. Of course many Canadian offers were earned as well, including McGill, the University of Toronto, Queen’s, the University of Western Ontario and many, many other interesting and competitive universities and their colleges. Our graduates kept themselves and the guidance department busy, submitting 989 applications to universities around the globe! Where is the Class of 2008 going? Ontario − 47% Maritimes − 15% Quebec − 9% Rest of Canada − 1% United States − 10% United Kingdom − 7% Germany − 4% GAP Year − 7% (students are increasingly considering work/travel/community service options prior to beginning post-secondary studies) Looking ahead Just as our graduates are moving on to their new adventures, so are some of our academic & student support staff: • • Director of Guidance Evan Legakis will be away from TCS for the 2008-2009 year as he pursues an additional degree at Trent University. After a year immersed in motherhood, Kerri Dunn has returned to the guidance department as “acting director” in Mr. Legakis’ absence. Ms. Dunn’s sensitivity to the issues of adolescence, sound advice in helping students achieve their goals, and university placement experience will serve our students well. Karen Brierley’s genuine care for students and U.K. university expertise will continue as she joins the guidance department on a permanent basis. Peter Kedwell will be getting a head start on his future retirement as he moves to part-time in the guidance department (after 36 years of teaching, including 33 at TCS, he thinks that he can begin to “wind down!”). Mr. Kedwell will also continue to serve as advisor committee coordinator. We welcome the return of Athletic Therapist Sue Garfat to our athletic therapy clinic. Many will remember Ms. Garfat from her work in the clinic during the 2006-2007 year as she covered a maternity leave. Ms. Garfat now joins us on a permanent, full-time basis, bringing her skills, enthusiasm and care to our community. Gail Malenfant will reap the benefits of semi-retired life following 20 years of supporting TCS students in their understanding of the English language. Ms. Malenfant will continue • • • • 7 • to offer tutoring services to students as an independent tutor; arrangements can be made through your child’s advisor and the office of academic & student support. Those visiting my office will notice a new face − Sheila Wilson has bravely taken on the position of assistant to the dean of academic & student support. Ms. Wilson moves from the admissions office to this position, and brings with her many years of secondary school experience, as Kaye Torrie moves on to new career challenges. Mrs. Torrie will be continuing her relationship with TCS through the black & white photography programme. A couple of mid-summer health centre reminders It is imperative that families provide the School with complete health records including immunization history. The Ministry of Health has the authority to refuse student enrolment at Trinity College School if this information is not received prior to students’ arrival in September. Please respond promptly to our requests for this information. Also, please note the Influenza Vaccination Permission Form that is included in your summer mailing. The majority of our students opted to take advantage of our flu shot clinic over the past two years (jointly offered with the local public health unit); given our “close quarters” as a boarding school, prevention of illness is an important consideration. As we approach flu season late in the fall, parents will be notified of this year’s flu shot clinic dates. Jennifer Paziuk Dean of Academic & Student Support 8 From the Head of the Senior School All of us in the Senior School are eager to carry this past year’s positive momentum forward into next year. The many and varied successes of the 2007-2008 academic year will provide a solid foundation for growth and development for the coming year. We have a busy and exciting year ahead, and that’s just counting the things we know about and have planned for! When we tack on the inevitable surprises that will demand our collective flexibility and lateral movement, no doubt we will return to the leading edge where planned programming intersects with well-intentioned frenetic response. Our kids will continue to be active, engaged and learning within and beyond the classroom! Co-curricular news From a co-curricular perspective, we have undertaken two major events beyond our regular programming in athletics, arts and community service (which has been renamed and reconfigured as service learning). TCS is well regarded provincially, nationally and even internationally as a knowledgeable and gracious host for elite activities and programmes. At this time I would like to flag two important initiatives for your attention: Under the direction of Dr. Michael DuBroy, our debating coach, we will receive hundreds of guests as the host site for the annual International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition. Last year’s event in the United Kingdom, attended by TCS, attracted students from several countries, and as this year’s host we anticipate an even bigger turn-out as Canadian schools join with students from around the globe. Opportunities will emerge for TCS families to host billets, and the School itself will allow several dozen international students to experience the comfort of dorm and gymnasia floors! All parents are invited to attend either as part of the audience at one of the various speaking events, or perhaps even in some more official capacity as a volunteer; we appreciate the support of several of our alumni with an interest in debating who have offered to assist this project financially. An event such as this requires broad support from our full community, and you can trust that Dr. DuBroy will be in touch! Our indefatigable Athletic Director, Mr. Tim White, continues to offer TCS as a host site, and himself as the lead organizer, for national and provincial sports events. We will be hosting the OFSAA Girls “A” Volleyball Championships in March, and our girls are set to represent us well. There will be much news from athletics over the coming year. As you know, each year our performing arts programme continues to set higher standards, and we await with anticipation our fall play which will run under the direction of Ms. Tucker Barton from November 19 to 21. Directed by Mr. Bill Walker, the winter production will run from February 25 to 27. And please keep an eye out for a variety of performances scheduled throughout the year featuring our talented vocal and instrumental music ensembles. Our community service programme will continue to provide important service learning opportunities on site, locally and internationally. Certainly we are not motivated to engage in service learning in order to brag, but the deep and genuine commitment of many of our staff and students is indeed laudable. We are privileged to be part of this community, and as our students appreciate and demonstrate though action, it is an honour to give through service. 9 Residential appointments As a predominantly residential school complemented by a strong and vibrant day programme, TCS is a continual learning community. Students and faculty do sleep, but some nights we need to sleep fast to fit it all in. The foundation of a strong and healthy school is the appointment and support of excellent housemasters and faculty, and I am excited to confirm three residential appointments, effective for the 2008-2009 year. Mr. David Ingram will take on the role of housemaster for Bethune House, and he assumes the mantle after working closely with his predecessor, Mr. Blair Keiser, these past five years. As an experienced assistant housemaster, Mr. Ingram is ideally situated to take the helm (hold the dog leash?) of the Bulldogs. Like Mr. Ingram, Mrs. Jennifer Petrolito is well known within our community for her exceptional work in residence as the assistant housemaster for Scott House under the guidance and support of housemaster Mrs. Suzanne Hamilton. She has also distinguished herself through her work in athletics and weekend programming. Formerly known as Ms. Wighton, we celebrate her recent marriage and rest easy knowing she continues to grant us permission to call her “Wighty.” Mrs. Petrolito is the housemaster-designate for Burns House, where she worked closely through the spring term with Mrs. O’Regan to affect a seamless transition in house leadership. These two appointments suggest there is no better preparation for filling the role of TCS housemaster than apprenticing as an assistant housemaster. We are also excited to welcome Ms. Melanie Barclay on staff to assume the assistant housemaster position in Scott House. Ms. Barclay has tremendous experience and background as a former student in a New England prep school where she was a scholar and athlete. She in turn parlayed this experience into four years of study (and hockey) at Clarkson, where she assumed positions of increasing responsibility within the residential life of the university, ultimately becoming the proctor for all sophomore students at the university. More recently she has worked in residence at another Canadian independent school, and has completed her Bachelor of Education at a university in Ontario. In addition to her role in the house, she will coach and assist in the department of academic and student support. As we continue to strive to implement key and timely elements of our strategic plan, Strength of Purpose, next fall will see us revisiting full school programming and scheduling. Looking at revisions to schedules and timetables through the 2008-2009 year, with the prospect of making modifications for the following year, we are motivated by our desire to find ways to make the disparate demands of our ambitious programmes even more compatible than they are at present. Many students, parents and faculty will continue to have the opportunity to be involved in some of these important conversations. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and please feel free to be in touch with me directly in the latter part of August should you have any questions about your child’s life in the Senior School. Ian Watt Head of Senior School 10