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Origins: Our Place of Transformation
BY MARIA LOCACCIATO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Holy Trinity School is both an ideal and a place that was born from a desire to transform the status quo. In fact, what the Founders dreamed of then is now the envy of others. Richard Simpson, one of the original founding members, recently shared, “At the time, some staff and governors at other more established independent schools in the GTA disclosed to me that HTS was regarded as the 'miracle school'… because they really did not think that we would make it. And we have.” So what did it take to get here? In 1978, a group of visionary parents from Holy Trinity Church met to explore the possibilities of establishing a place of learning where Christian values, character development and honouring the personal integrity of every child would be held at the fore. This group believed that they could create an independent school that would serve not only their children, but those in the community as well. From this group, seven parents took the
Opening Day September 1981
lead; they are now known as our HTS Founders – Bob Harvey, John Langton, Carol Matson, Ken Matson, Les Parker, Richard Simpson and John Stanford.
Recently, three of the founding members – Carol Matson, Les Parker and Richard Simpson – were in conversation with Helen Pereira-Raso, Head of School, and Maria Locacciato, Executive Director of Community Relations and Development.
Although HTS was founded, hosted and supported by Holy Trinity Church, the goal was to ensure that all families were welcome. Carol Matson commented, “We were not looking to start an Anglican school. Rather, we wanted people from all different faith communities to be able to access and appreciate what we were trying to develop. It is refreshing to know that the basic Christian values upon which the school were established are being maintained while accepting students from all cultures and religions.”
Les Parker has enjoyed watching how the school has transformed through the years. “I’m so pleased with the way the school has developed and nourished over time. I believe the kids enjoy it; they get a lot of satisfaction by coming to HTS every day.” In particular, he highlighted the importance of giving of oneself in service to others, whether in the local or global community.
Richard Simpson admitted that his late wife, Helen Simpson, was the one who encouraged him to get involved because of his experience in educational systems. He still laughs at the audacity of asking parents to pay a $2,200 tuition to send their child to a school in a church basement. But the basement was just the beginning. Mr. Parker continued, “When we were chatting and dreaming, we thought that perhaps, one day, there might be as many as 300 or 400 students.” Carol, Les and Richard were delighted to learn that HTS continues to grow – both in enrollment and in recognition as a leader in learning.
When it was time to move to a larger location, searching for a new school site that could accommodate the anticipated growth brought the Founders together after church most Sundays. This search ultimately led them to the property of our current location at 11300 Bayview Avenue, but it also gave them time to collectively dream and plan. Through their shared commitment to building a school, lifelong friendships were developed and incredible memories were made. We see this spirit alive and well around the school today. HTS parents and families over the years have built relationships that continue well beyond the time spent at HTS.
Transforming education at HTS started with the founding parents; they wanted more for their children and, one step at a time, they created a beautiful space for students to learn. What began with 66 students on September 8, 1981, in the basement of a church has now grown to a community with over 2,000 alumni, 130 staff, 785 students and countless volunteers. The incredible campus is matched by the school’s aspirational strategic goals for the continued transformation of education in this community and beyond.
What our Founders drew upon in the early 1980s are still necessary today – passionate champions, collaboration, audacious goals, innovation, excellence, tenacity, inclusion, dignity and diversity. As a result, HTS has not simply survived; it joyfully thrives in today’s educational environment.
The Reverend Canon Stephen Crowther, HTS Chaplain, powerfully summed it up at the 2020 HTS Founders’ Day Service: “The Founders’ goal was not so much to start their own school and have their own way. It was about creating a place where one could get a good education and, much more than that, creating a place where one was encouraged to develop one’s character and, much more than just character, their Christian character – the willingness to give of oneself, so that others might have life and might have it more abundantly.”
THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE, HUNDREDS, THAT ENSURED THE LAUNCH AND SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL, NOT JUST WITH FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, BUT WITH EXPERTISE. IT’S AN HONOUR FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SEVEN FOUNDERS. ONE COULD EASILY ADD ANOTHER HUNDRED NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO’VE DONE SIGNIFICANT WORK IN MAKING THE SUCCESS COME ALONG. SO, I FEEL I’M REPRESENTING A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO’VE ALSO SPENT TIME.
- Les Parker
1981
HTS IS FOUNDED
From our humble beginnings in the basement of Holy Trinity Church, HTS has always had a mission to create the best learning experience for our students. Thank you to our founders: Bob Harvey, John Langton, Carol Matson, Ken Matson, Les Parker, Richard Simpson and John Stanford.
1985
CAMPUS OPENED
Through the faith, commitment and generosity of the HTS community, we opened our new campus in Richmond Hill with 229 students and 20 faculty.
2003
BUILDING TOMORROW TOGETHER EXPANSION CAMPAIGN AND BUILD COMPLETED
We are grateful to the generosity of the HTS parents and alumni during this period as the school was expanded to the facilities that we all use today.
2017
PHASE 1 OF THE SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE CAMPAIGN COMPLETED
The HTS program had evolved and the need for expanded facilities was imperative. A new music wing was built with two large classrooms, one for Middle School and another for Senior School music students, as well as five practice rooms and a chamber room. Private music lessons were made available to students during the day. Dedicated art and innovation labs were added, including new state-of-the-art equipment which grew and enriched our innovative programming.
2019 and beyond
Inspiring Greatness: Designing the Future Campaign is the largest and most aspirational campaign in HTS history. The build will have the greatest impact on our community today and forever. Enhancing our spaces will foster greater connections with the work students are doing across all areas of our school’s programs. These enhancements will transform our school day and allow for additional programs and resources to support student learning. Read about how the Cannone family has made their impact on our Inspiring Greatness: Designing the Future Campaign on page 31.
Henry Wood
Grade 1 How does HTS help you grow as a person and as a learner?
Teachers help me grow. They make my brain stretch. They teach me new things that I don’t know. Teachers read me stories and we do other educational things and then I learn something new, like things about bears, and this stretches my brain. Teachers also make me feel happy…like I have a bright future.
Esther Nimry
HTS Parent In what ways has your HTS experience transformed you?
I started as a parent volunteer and got more and more involved with the several volunteer opportunities held at the school. I sensed how the school provides the vehicle for parents and community members to be involved in roles that reach beyond the immediate impact of an individual child, to all children in the community.
As a family, we are reminded every day of how fortunate we are to be part of the HTS community, knowing that we have such an incredible team supporting our son with quality education, preparing him for the challenges he may face in the future and refining him into the individual he is becoming. All of this has transformed our concerns and worries into feelings of confidence.
As for me personally, volunteering at HTS helped me become part of a community; this experience gave me a sense of belonging and added to my quality of life in a beautiful way.
