The 14th Week Without Walls took place December 2-6, 2024
From December 2-6, 2024, Trinity College School students and staff took part in the 14th Week Without Walls service learning initiative. Every Senior School student and educational staff member, along with several operational staff members, spent the week volunteering with one of about 70 service sites in support of our community partners, or taking part in one of our service trips: Vancouver Island, Panama or the Island School.
Click here for full list of our 2024 Week Without Walls community partners and service sites.
Week Without Walls is a program through which students engage in community service opportunities, taking service learning outside the classroom and helping students to embrace their potential to make a difference. Initiated in 2009, the annual Week Without Walls is part of the School's comprehensive service learning program, which supports our mission of “developing habits of the heart and mind for a life of purpose and service.” It complements other projects such as: our weekly Activity for Life service learning programs, annual community service days, work with organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Coats for Kids and more, but has the added benefit of allowing students to “learn by doing” within their communities.
2024 Week Without Walls: Relive the experience!
Wow! Trinity College School students and staff are still feeling the incredible sense of community spirit generated during the 14th annual Week Without Walls. As the week wrapped up on Friday, December 6th, there were smiles and laughter as we celebrated time spent in service to others, building new friendships and making a difference!
This year’s Week Without Walls was a unique experience. After two planning sessions, every Senior School student and educational staff member, as well as several operational staff members, spent Tuesday afternoon at one of nearly 70 service sites. Whether playing music at a local seniors’ residence, working with animals, building a Habitat for Humanity house or clearing brush, students and staff embraced the opportunity to give back.
And then the snow came! With two days of bus cancellations, the School’s service learning team set to work creating a contingency plan. Many groups were able to continue with their sites, such as walking to our neighbours at Extendicare or welcoming our friends from Access Community Services to campus for floor hockey – and with new members joining in the fun! Some groups undertook work on campus to benefit community partners, such as baking goods or creating crafts, or helping in departments around campus. And still others took on new projects, for example heading out to help shovel snowy driveways and walkways for very appreciative neighbours.
Weather was not a problem for three of our Week Without Walls groups, who spent the week travelling to Bahamas, Panama and Vancouver Island, respectively. These groups each focused on environmental learning and service over the course of their trips, including working in local schools, doing daily tasks at their eco-accommodations and more.
Friday was a chance to reflect on the week; a debriefing session allowed each group to talk about their experience and to consider ways they can continue their service work going forward. Then, it was time to celebrate! A wonderful video was created by students showcasing every one of the Week Without Walls groups. And then students and staff had the chance to hear from special guest speaker Zaffia Laplante, a Metis-Turkish entrepreneur and climate activist from Northern Ontario. Her focus has been on combining traditional Indigenous knowledge with technology to create sustainable tech solutions. Her personal journey inspired students to explore their passions and find their own purpose.
It was the perfect way to wrap-up a week that saw our community come together in the spirit of giving back, and push through when faced with obstacles, for the good of our community partners. Thank you to everyone involved in this special week!
Articles:
- Week Without Walls: Let’s get ready to serve!
- Week Without Walls: Collaboration, connection and perseverance in action
- Heartfelt gratitude for Island School experiences
- Students experience life-changing trip to Panama
- Students leave Vancouver Island with newfound understanding of sustainability
Photo Galleries:
