With March Break postponed this year, Trinity College School students and staff sprang into action to come up with a host of entertaining programs and themed days, known as “March Madness,” to keep everyone in high spirits throughout the month.
Over the course of the month, there were weekly fitness challenges (congratulations to challenge winners Wesley Chan and Sarah Deleeuw); a charity clothing drive that brought in 643 items for Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre; and the “March Book Madness” bracket that saw students and staff vote for their favourite children’s books, ultimately naming Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar the winner (click here to read more).
The first week of “March Madness” programming kicked off with a dodgeball tournament, a “Funky Dress” day in the Senior School, and the Junior School Winter Olympics. And the excitement kept going with week two events built around a “Bringing Paradise to TCS” theme, including “Tacky Tourist” and “Hit the Slopes” dress days in the Senior School, an indoor “beach” volleyball tournament, gift cards hidden around campus (and handed out online!) that brought smiles to many faces, and online contests open to all. In addition to a music bracket challenge on Instagram, there was “COVID-friendly” live music around campus on the Thursday heading into the March long weekend.
The highlight of week three was the “TCS Gambit” chess tournament organized by Mr. Jeff Biggar, where nearly 50 competitors battled online throughout the week. The competition was fierce, and congratulations go to the winners, Leo Ali-Ngindu (Grade 10) in the student bracket, and Mr. Sasha Vojnov in the staff bracket, with kudos to Grade 9 student Eric Jin for his work on the posters.
Also taking place during week three were special grade-based dinners in Osler Hall for boarders, a “hidden word” contest on Instagram, and a two-day-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, beginning in the Junior School on March 17th and moving to the Senior School on March 18th. Students donned their green outfits and enjoyed treats as well as Irish stew served for lunch! Week three wrapped up with “Tropical Day” in the Junior School, and a cozy dress/pajama day in the Senior School as students there began to prepare for the following week’s summatives and exams.
Week four lived up to the name “March Madness” with hoops-themed activities including: a basketball skills competition, with a video component for online learners; “Jersey Day” in the Senior School; and special food prepared by the culinary services team – from “Slam Dunk” meatballs to “Dunking” chicken nuggets. In the Senior School, the week wrapped up with a 3-on-3 tournament for grade cohorts, while the Junior School enjoyed a “cozy dress” day for their Read & Relax session (where students and staff have a chance to curl up with a snack and a good book).
The final week of March, the prefects organized online escape room challenges for their peers, to leave everyone in a great mood heading into the Easter Break. As well Grade 12 student Carly Lin organized a photography exhibit with support from the Cultural Awareness Group – Refocus: The Stories of Us – that took place in the lower gym throughout the week (click here to read more).
Thank you to the many staff and students who gave of their time and creativity in organizing these events. Your efforts to boost everyone’s morale made for a truly memorable month of March!
