All Class Notes

I am running for the position of Councillor in the Municipality of Centre Hastings. Having retired from teaching, I have kept busy running a small mercantile in Madoc, while writing a history of military manufacturers in London, England.

Pleased to share The Mane Intent  is a winner of the Peterborough County Community Recognition Awards in Otonabee-South Monaghan Business Leadership category. The Mane Intent is a specialized therapy practice offering in-person and virtual counselling and equine-assisted psychotherapy, for individuals aged seven and up and for groups of all ages, with a strong focus on building resilience. We are welcoming new clients. Founded in 2014 by myself, Jennifer Garland, Registered Psychotherapist and owner/program direct, The Mane Intent has become a respected provider of trauma-informed, experiential mental health care in the Peterborough area.

Starting my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Psychology at Trent University in 2017 opened doors I never expected. The interdisciplinary nature of my studies took me from classroom discussions to excavating ancient Maya ruins in the Belizean jungle for a summer field school credit. That experience sparked my passion for research and led me to pursue a Masters degree at Trent, where I studied ancient Maya burial practices.

I'm pleased to be sharing this video for my newest song, "Peterborough." The video is a kind of visual love letter to Peterborough which matches the warmth and nostalgia of the song itself. It was filmed on the first truly warm day of 2026 in downtown Peterborough by Donald Fraser '91 (Traill College) of Around the Fire Productions.

The song was recorded and produced by Jim Bryson at Fixed Hinge Studios. It is available now on all major streaming platforms. If you like it, please share it with friends and add it to your regular rotation.

With a career rooted in independent journalism, I’m excited to share that I’ve recently begun co-editing Peterborough Currents, a reader-funded, non-profit news outlet delivering in-depth and community-centred local journalism. I’m also teaching at Trent University and playing music around Peterborough, much like I did as a student.

Every couple of years for the past 4 decades, Peter Robinson College alumni of the 70s have gathered in Peterborough during the fall to enjoy one another’s company.  It’s a time to get caught up on what’s been happening in our lives, as well as reminisce about the wonderful experiences we had while at Trent.  In 2024, we all enjoyed a visit to the Canadian Canoe Museum.  Then, afterwards, as is our custom, we gathered for a group dinner at a local establishment, which this time was the Ashburnham Ale House.  Deluxe food and beverage, as well as laughter and “prizes”, highlighted the evening’s festivities.

I'm happy to share that I self-published a children's picture book that is currently on sale online at Indigo. All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to a scholarship fund that helps young women in Southern India complete post-secondary studies.  
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/sweet-pea-and-the-sea-flowers/9781779417800.html
https://www.starfishawardindia.ca/
https://www.dukeofed.org/articles/rosalyn-yakes-award-journey/

Note- I did an MA in Indigenous Studies at Trent.
 

I recently completed my doctoral studies at the University of Western Ontario. My research explored leadership for inclusivity and belonging in Canadian independent schools. I currently serve as Head of Senior School at Trinity College School in Port Hope, where I continue to champion excellence and innovation in education. 

Starting a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Studies at Trent in 2017 was one of the most important decisions I have ever made. Not only did it lead me to some of the best people in my life and ignite an unexpected love of travel, but it also set me on career path that feels full of possibility. During my degree at Trent I chose to study abroad in Sogndal, Norway, where I combined incredible fieldwork with international collaboration— and experience that sparked my ambition to do “big things”. After graduating, I moved to Malta to pursue a master’s degree in oceanography, focusing on validating model and satellite data in the Mediterranean Sea.

After 30 years in education, I started an operational advising firm called Venture Gained Consulting (www.venturegained.ca) in Victoria, BC. I'm helping school, university, camp and non-profit organization leaders navigate their weekly challenges and opportunities, as they operationalize their strategic plans. It's great fun to work with amazing leaders and organizations all over North America, and has connected me with loads of Trent alumni, who are everywhere...and especially in the world of education and working with young people.