With Senior School classes now well underway, we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the guidance department at Trinity College School. As a key member of each student’s “circle of care,” we have outlined below the support we can provide to all students throughout their time at the School. They have access to specialized counsellors who can support them with their academic and post-secondary planning as well as their social-emotional development and health.

How do we do this? 

Through group and individual meetings at every grade level, our team of guidance professionals:

• Encourages students to think about their values
• Grows awareness of educational pathways
• Educates about planning for the future
• Facilitates social/emotional understanding, development and education

We understand the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment where students feel welcomed and affirmed. In addition, we are committed to working closely with parents and staff to ensure a highly integrated approach to student support.

Academic & post-secondary counsellors will support students with things such as:

• Course selection
• Enrichment opportunities
• Summer programs
• Goal setting (personal, academic and career development)
• Post-secondary and scholarship applications

Social-emotional counsellors will offer students the opportunity to explore, understand and work through personal issues such as:

• Self-esteem
• Stress
• Anger, sadness
• Motivation, perfectionism
• Conflicts with friends, roommates, family
• Grief, loss
• Identity (race, sexuality, gender, etc.)

What is coming up in the guidance department this fall?

Post-secondary admissions session for families and guardians of Grade 12 students on Friday, October 1st from 9:00-10:00 a.m. ET. This session will outline the post-secondary process, important timelines and support available. The Zoom link will be provided to families in the Parents’ Newsletter. The session will be recorded for those unable to attend.

Post-secondary representative visits: Representative visits will be happening virtually during the students’ flex periods this year (1:55-2:25 p.m.) or in the evening, giving them the opportunity to better understand the variety of options out there and to begin (or continue to) explore pathways. Links are posted in the Guidance section of Edsby, and sessions have already begun. Upcoming virtual sessions include:

• Savannah College of Art and Design – Friday, September 24th
• Ontario Universities Fair – Saturday, September 25th and Tuesday, October 26th
• Harvard, Pomona College, Stanford University, Wellesley College – Monday, September 27th

Social-emotional counsellors have begun meeting with new students to see how their transition to the School has been so far.

Ms. Karla Belfon will be joining the TCS community this fall as a social worker. She will be available to meet with students individually and in small groups on Thursday evenings. She will be offering a BIPOC Support Circle for our students beginning October 14th. Students can email Ms. Tanya Skoech, guidance assistant, to register.

How can families access support?

Below are the guidance counsellor assignments for this academic year. Parents are welcome to reach out to anyone in this community, including guidance counsellors, to ask questions or address concerns they might have. The more we know, the better we can support students.

Bethune, Burns, Orchard, Scott, Wright

Academic & Post-Secondary Counselling

• Grade 9-10 – Ms. Krista Koekkoek (kkoekkoek@tcs.on.ca) 
• Grade 11-12 – Mr. Ty Bailey (tbailey@tcs.on.ca)

Social-Emotional Counselling

• Grade 9-12 – Ms. Krista Koekkoek (kkoekkoek@tcs.on.ca)

Bickle, Brent, Hodgetts, Ketchum, Rigby

Academic & Post-Secondary Counselling

• Grade 9-10 – Ms. Kerri Dunn (kdunn@tcs.on.ca) 
• Grade 11-12 – Mr. Keith Brooks (kbrooks@tcs.on.ca) 

Social-Emotional Counselling

• Grade 9-12 – Ms. Kerri Dunn (kdunn@tcs.on.ca) 

All Students

Social Worker: Ms. Karla Belfon (appointments can be booked through tskeoch@tcs.on.ca)

We look forward to working with students and their families during their time at TCS.

- By Ms. Krista Koekkoek, director of guidance and wellbeing