Trinity College School’s Canadian History/English Travel Education students spent the Quiet Weekend in Ottawa, as the first leg of the group’s experiential learning program. The students spent time from December 8th to 10th visiting meaningful and impactful sites that complement the Grade 10 Canadian History and English curriculums.

The group visited the Famous Five monument in downtown Ottawa to discuss the impact of the Famous Five suffragists and the Persons Case on Canadian history. Similarly, the students spent time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the National War Memorial as the group’s trusty guide, Andy, discussed Canada’s involvement in international conflict and the symbolic importance of the unknown soldier. At Beechwood Cemetery, in front of their respective graves, the group talked about Tommy Douglas and his fight for universal health care in Canada as well as Robert Borden’s impact on the country as Prime Minister during the First World War.

The students also spent a morning exploring the Canadian War Museum and Canada’s legacy in international conflict both as an aggressive force and as a peacekeeping corps. Interestingly, at the same time that the group was visiting the museum, alumnus Amy Topshee ’19 also happened to be on site. Since graduating from TCS, Amy has gone on to be involved in political science and some significant international political projects, and she was able to speak to the students about how the travel education program encouraged her interest in international diplomacy and ultimately gave her some direction in her post-secondary career.

The trip was not all curriculum-focused. The group spent some time enjoying the Byward Market as well as the Christmas market in Lansdowne. Kudos to the students, who were spectacular in their response after the bus unexpectedly broke down in Ottawa and was unable to return everyone to the hotel.

The students were outstanding ambassadors and interested learners, and this bodes well as the group heads off for the second leg of this experiential learning course in March. At that time, the students will get a first-hand look at Canada’s involvement in the First and Second World Wars as they visit Belgium, France and England. If this first trip was any indication of what is to come, the March tour will be an impactful and memorable experience. Many thanks to my fellow chaperones Campbell Hall, Victoria Stirpe and Barb Brough, for supporting our students on the trip.

- By David Ingram, social sciences department