tcs newsfall 2015 I volume 60 I no. 2 to our New Learning Commons from the archives reunion weekend annual report Milestone Moments Celebrate the War Years of the TCS Foundation Contents 2 FEATURE Welcome Take a sneak peek at the new Learning Commons at Trinity College School. 2 12 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS The mission of The TCS News is to serve as a means of communi- 8 Mark McKinney ’77 cation between the School and From class clown to comedy star its alumni, parents and friends. The TCS News is published twice 8 FROM THE ARCHIVES annually by the philanthropy & Milestone Moments alumni office. Celebrate the School on the Hill’s birthdays through Circulation: 6,500 worldwide history. Kit Mallet ’89 Moving behind the lens to bring Contributing Writers action to life Vikki Armstrong, Andrew Cruickshank, Renée Hillier, 11 TCS Alumni Association staff of the TCS philanthropy 6th Alumni Art Show and Auction is a triumph! & alumni office and others as credited. SPECIAL SECTION Contributing Photographers 42 Heather Beggs, Bill Conley, TCS Foundation Annual Report Wayne Eardley, WPI Events, A look back at the 2014-2015 year in fundraising staff of the TCS philanthropy & alumni office and others as credited. IN EVERY ISSUE: Please forward all A Letter from The Lodge 1 submissions to: Strategic Plan Update 14 TCS Philanthropy & Alumni Office Class Notes 20 55 Deblaquire Street North Milestones 37 Port Hope, ON L1A 4K7 16 Email: [email protected] Postscript 52 Telephone: 905-885-1295 Save the Date 53 All submissions will be published 16 PHOTO GALLERY at the discretion of the editor. Reunion Weekend Editor Reunion highlights included a gathering of Old Boys Vikki Armstrong from the war years to mark the 150th anniversary Publications Officer of TCS. 905-885-3192 [email protected] Class Notes & 18 PHOTO GALLERY Milestones Editor 75th Toronto Branch Dinner Tricia Mandryk Director of Philanthropy & Alumni 905-885-1295 [email protected] Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement 40050087 A Letter from The Lodge “Trinity College School is a caring and kind community.” This is the most consistent, and welcome, feedback I receive regarding the School on the Hill. our staff members have dedicated their professional lives to the Of course, at TCS we are not known for resting on our laurels. well-being of young people and to providing them the best possible We are already focused on our next infrastructure effort: the education. Our students demonstrate empathy, respect and kindness construction of a new Athletic Centre, complete with two gymna- to one another that result in a positive school environment, not to siums (one double and one single gymnasium), two additional mention leading to lifelong friendships. Our parents volunteer their squash courts, a new athletic therapy clinic, resistance training time and energy. Our alumni, some of whom have graduated more workout area, classrooms, washrooms, locker rooms and an athletic than 70 years ago, still return to visit their beloved old school. It is commons area. The goal is to start construction in the spring of 2016 truly an honour to be part of this special community. for opening in late 2017. As I write this, over 90% of our targeted This fall, we opened our new Learning Commons. The result $12 million goal has been raised, meaning we are well on our way to of a collective effort, this amazing facility will further enhance our making this dream a reality too! sense of community at TCS. What was once a lovely, but infrequently The rationale for the new Athletic Centre is quite simple. Our used, outdoor space has now become an enclosed commons area at previous gyms were built at a time when there were less than 300 the heart of the School. Like the traditional piazza or marketplace students at TCS – all boys; all boarding. Expanded indoor athletic in a town, the commons area provides a space where boys and girls, space is vital to fulfill our mission of developing habits of the heart day and boarding students, adults and kids can more easily meet and mind for a life of purpose and service. Boys and girls learn life to talk and work; to learn and live. Accommodating informal daily and leadership lessons through sport. And a healthy lifestyle begins greetings (with accompanying eye contact!) and more formal events, with a lifelong commitment to physical activity. Instilling these ranging from presentations by university representatives to Reunion healthy habits in our students is an important part of providing a Weekend activities, the physical core of our school is now a vibrant, 21st century education. With your support, we will be home to some interactive living room. Our renovated library, academic support of the most impressive school athletic facilities in the country. and guidance areas are already a hit with students and faculty To everyone who has, in any way, supported the Learning alike. And our new entranceway, reception and admissions space Commons, thank you. To everyone who has supported the Athletic provide a warm welcome to visitors. At the same time, the Learning Centre project – and to those who will add their support in the Commons includes improvements to accessibility, such as the months ahead – thank you. We are extremely grateful for your new elevator to the library. All of these features provide a tangible commitment to the TCS community. reminder to everyone on campus that we are part of a first-class I would like to close by extending an invitation to everyone: come educational institution. to campus and see the new Learning Commons for yourself. It is the From concept to completion, the Learning Commons has been perfect chance to walk the familiar grounds of the old school you a community project. Individual listening and learning meetings love, while also seeing an incredible new facility that will improve the with the “end users,” in addition to a host of enjoyable and inter- learning experience for the students of today and tomorrow. esting infrastructure committee meetings, created the vision for the Learning Commons. But it is the generous support of our commu- nity that has made this vision a reality. On behalf of the beneficiaries Stuart Grainger Headmaster of your generosity, our students and staff, thank you. [email protected] www.tcs.on.ca/headlines fall 2015 I tcs news I 1 FEATURE to our New Learning Commons 2 I fall 2015 I tcs news On November 30, 2015, Trinity College School officially opened the doors of the Learning Commons. This incredible new facility includes the transformation of 25,000 square feet of space to create state-of-the-art library, academic support and guidance areas, a welcoming entrance and an incredible commons area at the heart of the School. A formal “Dedication and Blessing of the Learning Commons” ceremony is planned for spring 2015, but here is a sneak peek at the new facility which is already receiving rave reviews from staff and students alike. sparks of inspiration welcoming new space connecting to the past The new Learning Commons will be an We are blessed to have so many dedicated No question the Learning Commons was a epicentre of engagement between boarding and appreciative users of the library, and this challenging and complex project, especially and day students, boys and girls, staff and warm, well-lit and welcoming new space will since it involved renovating and connecting students, prospective families and current better allow them to read, research and relax. buildings from 1967 and 1928 to our new families, as well as alumni and the broader Having more definitive work zones will help facility. For example, there were a few TCS community. It is a place to gather, to talk, them to focus on their work, clarify and refine surprises underground including finding to work, to exchange ideas and plans; a space their information needs and collaborate with the old rink foundations where the 1928 where sparks of inspiration will occur and others. I was thrilled to see the looks on our fire started. We also found remnants of the embers of reflection will take place. students’ faces when they saw the new stacks, old gym which burned down in 1928. The Stuart Grainger, Headmaster the small group areas, the reading room and remains of these structures needed to be spectacular classroom, and how beautifully removed before construction could continue meeting diverse student the library is integrated into the commons. in these areas. A brutally cold winter also needs Shelagh Straughan, Senior School Librarian slowed progress. Our students, staff and our construction team weathered these Considerable thought has gone into the design challenges, and today we have a beautiful and construction of the space, not only to providing for future new facility at the core of the campus that achieve environmentally sound standards but generations everyone will enjoy for years to come. It really to optimize flexible learning spaces to equal The TCS community has always embraced our is the hub and heart of the campus! the diversity of our students’ learning needs. collective responsibility to renew our infra- Distraction-reduced areas for quiet study and structure for future generations. Our library Bill Conley, Director of Property testing, spaces for small group collaborative and administration wing was built almost learning and seminar areas for full classes are 50 years ago, thanks to donations in celebra- designed to be simultaneously available. The tion of the School’s centenary. With the 150th Learning Commons can also easily be reconfig- Anniversary Campaign, the school community ured to accommodate larger groups for special once again answered the call and we have learning community events.