For the 123 members of Leaving Class of 2024, Speech Day dawned with anticipation and a touch of nostalgia as graduates contemplated their last day as students of Trinity College School. Friday, June 14th brought lovely weather for the morning gathering in The Lodge Garden, where Grade 12 students enjoyed breakfast and had their corsages pinned to their blazers by members of the faculty.
Then, the procession moved up to the Memorial Chapel for the Leaving Class Service, where graduates were warmly welcomed by family members and special guests. This was a particularly poignant event, as it marked the final TCS chapel service for our chaplain, Canon Don Aitchison, who will be moving on to St. George’s Church in Trenton.
Following the service, graduates and their families were treated to a lovely brunch prepared by the culinary services team, with tables spread throughout Cirne Commons and the lower gym.
Then it was time for the big event! As family and friends cheered them on, graduates were “piped in” to the Sue Burns Gymnasium for the formal prize giving and graduation ceremony. All were welcomed by Stuart Grainger, head of Trinity College School. He reminded the students that they don't need to have their full career and life path mapped out now, saying if they are asked what they want to be, to answer “I want to be me!” Noting that TCS has offered our graduating students the opportunity and support to learn and grow, within a wonderfully diverse community of kind and caring people, Mr. Grainger shared that the students should be proud of all they have accomplished to date and excited for what lies ahead of them in the next phase of their journey of self discovery and happiness.
The prize giving portion of the ceremony included recognizing students for their achievement and dedication in academics, athletics, service learning and arts as well as contributions to school culture. One of the bittersweet moments of the day is the chance to bid farewell to retiring staff members. This year, we honoured faculty members Ty Bailey and Tom Langford, and Steve Talsma from the facilities & IT services department. Father Don was also recognized for attaining the milestone of 25 years of service to TCS, as were Christine Burns (finance office), Rhiannon Heffernan (culinary services) and faculty members Barb Brough, Josh Hamilton and Courtney Christ.
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of diplomas to the graduates, who were congratulated by Mr. Grainger and TCS Governing Body Chair Doug Scott ’81. To welcome them as the newest members of the TCS alumni community, each student received an alumni tie from James Gibson ’00 (TCS Alumni Association president) and a pin from Chantal Campbell P’25 ’27 (TCS Parents’ Guild president).
The day ended with the traditional photo of the Leaving Class – who celebrated their graduation by throwing their blazers high in the air! – followed by a reception in The Lodge Garden, where many hugs were shared and fond memories exchanged.
We are so proud of our graduates and wish them all the best in their post-secondary pursuits!
Click below for multimedia from the day:
