With term one already on the books and a new decade underway, it is time to send an update regarding recent developments in the social sciences department at Trinity College School.

This fall, a new anthropology, sociology and psychology course was added to the social sciences curriculum and, as an elective course, it quickly ballooned to five sections. This is an exciting new option for students in terms of course offerings, and to kick things off in September, students participated in an archaeology dig on campus to unearth artefacts from multiple historical eras. While the dig was staged, it did offer a chance for students to escape the classroom and experience some archaeological techniques first-hand. Based on the dig’s success – and the generosity of the TCS Parents’ Guild for funding the materials – this will now become a regular activity each fall.

Next week, the entire Grade 10 class will be travelling to Cobourg’s Rainbow Cinemas to see the 2020 Oscar nominated epic war film, 1917. This outing offers a timely complement to the delivery of the Grade 10 Canadian history course and students are looking forward to the occasion. The story itself also sets the stage quite nicely for the 40 students travelling to Europe in March as part of the department’s flagship Travel Education course.

In February, the Grade 12 law class will once again be going to court. This is always an eye-opening opportunity for the students, and for any budding litigators in the group this is an invaluable practice that is instrumental in offering insight into “real life” courtroom procedure.

And finally, in the spring, Senior School students have the opportunity to spend the Easter Break (April 8-13, 2020) in historic Washington, D.C. Students will explore U.S. history and politics first-hand through a tour of the Civil War battle site of Gettysburg, visits to the White House and Capitol Building, excursions to the many Smithsonian Museums, an evening tour of the monuments and memorials, a night of theatre at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and a visit to Arlington Cemetery. This is also a perfect opportunity for boarders looking for an Easter Break travel opportunity!

In terms of the social sciences department faculty, Stephanie May, the new Grade 9 Geography teacher, will unfortunately not be returning to TCS after her parental leave. Instead, she and her husband have elected to make a new life for themselves in British Columbia. While Ms. May will be missed, the sudden vacancy has offered Melissa Papp the opportunity to remain at TCS for the remainder of the current academic year in her stead, and the other department members are simply delighted with this prospect.

Elias Aboud and Conor Eustace are two new faces on the third floor of the W.A. Johnson Classroom Block this year. These gentlemen are serving as faculty associates and, in addition to their regular presence in several classes, they are responsible for the bulk of the numerous class coverages that are required each term. Their services have been put to good use this past fall and it continues to be a pleasure working with these two capable, qualified new teachers.

In addition to having Mr. Aboud and Mr. Eustace on hand as certified teachers, the social sciences department is also fortunate to have Rafay Ahmed, Nick Stratford, Trevor Gardiner and Zoe Walwyn regularly sitting in on classes and ably supporting the classroom teacher. Having these residential assistants participating in the delivery of courses makes for an enviable ratio of adults to students in the classroom and enhances the learning experience for all.

The decade is off to a terrific start with so much going on both inside and outside the classroom at TCS.

- By Blair Keiser, head of social sciences