Local Auto Industry Partners With Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School For Automotive Education

Several members of the local autobody industry have united to support the automotive classes at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS).

Photo courtesy of Russelle Toyota.

Local businesses helping include Carlaw Collision, Pete’s Autobody, Sidey Auto/NAPA, Clements Body Shop, 3M, Caruk, Cooper Auto Glass and Peterborough Auto Recyclers. They contribute by providing essential supplies, expertise and time to the program.

Russelle Toyota donated a vehicle for students to work on, enhancing their hands-on skills in collision repair and automotive service.

“This partnership not only enriches the curriculum but also provides students with practical experience that is vital for their future careers in the automotive industry,” said Bart Packman, Russell Toyota body shop manager.

According to Russelle Toyta, the automotive sector offers a plethora of employment opportunities and this initiative provides students with the chance to gain firsthand experience in collision repair, preparing them for a successful transition into post-secondary education or the workforce.

Many local high schools offer cooperative programs that provide students in Grades 11 and 12 with experiential learning opportunities, including working in automotive jobs.

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PVNC Concludes Naming Consultation; No Change to Board Name

After several months of public consultation, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board has decided not to proceed with a name change, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

The consultation invited thousands of students, families, staff and community members to share their perspectives on whether the Board’s name should change. After consideration, no single name got enough support to proceed

The consultation process was conducted as part of the Board’s broader multi-year strategic planning process. No additional costs were incurred.

“We committed to a transparent process and took the time to listen to our communities,” said Stephen O’Sullivan, Director of Education. “What we heard was a deep pride in Catholic education and strong connections to our Board’s identity. We may not have reached consensus on a new name, but the feedback we received was thoughtful and sincere, and the engagement from our communities was deeply appreciated.”

“We were encouraged by the number of people who engaged with this process and by the passion they shared from every part of our Board,” said Kevin MacKenzie, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “It’s clear that our communities care deeply about Catholic education and the future of PVNC Catholic. We want to thank everyone who took the time to participate.”

Despite maintaining the name, PVNC states that a visual brand refresh—including a new logo—will occur in the months ahead as part of the Board’s ongoing strategic planning efforts.

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Fleming College to Host 2025 Innovation and Technology Showcase This Thursday

Fleming College invites the community to celebrate student achievement, experiential learning, and industry partnerships at the annual Innovation and Technology Showcase this Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

This event features approximately 200 students from 50 teams demonstrating their business and technology skills as they tackle real-world challenges posed by local, national and international clients. 

Teams will compete in two rounds of judging: an initial panel of internal judges will determine the winners, followed by a panel of industry professionals and community partners. The Innovation Award will be given to the top three business teams and the top three technology teams that exhibit outstanding creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. 

Participating students represent programs including Global Business Management, Computer Engineering Technology, Wireless Information Networking, Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Security and Investigations. Each team has spent the semester developing innovative solutions through applied learning projects. 

The Innovation and Technology Showcase takes place in the D-Wing at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus, beginning at 9 a.m. 

The event will be live-streamed on Fleming College’s YouTube channel. 

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32nd Annual Kawartha Woodlot Expo Returns to Fleming College’s Frost Campus

UPDATED: 2:37 p.m. 02-04-25

The event has been cancelled due to the severe ice storm and the State of Emergency declared by the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Fleming College is hosting the 32nd Annual Kawartha Woodlot Expo in partnership with the Ontario Woodlot Association on April 5, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Faculty, staff and alumni within Fleming’s School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences have created engaging, hands-on workshops to help participants develop woodlot ownership, forest management, and tree identification skills. The Kawartha Woodlot Expo helps property owners and students better understand the big and small forests' role on private land and their environmental impact.

Registration is open to all with fees set at $40 per person.

Participants can attend two workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), a silent auction, a chainsaw draw, raffle prizes, a roast beef lunch, coffee and snacks. Topics range from chainsaw basics and lumber scaling to tree identification, forest bathing, and more.

Workshop spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Specific workshops require personal protective equipment (PPE). Participants are encouraged to bring their own, but equipment will be provided if needed.

Registration can be done online.

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New Temporary Exhibit For Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum & Archives is hosting a new temporary exhibit, curated by students from Fleming College’s Museum Management and Curatorship program, beginning on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

‘Collecting Memories: Objects that Define Us’ explores a fresh perspective on storytelling through objects. According to press release, the exhibit encourages visitors to think about why objects on exhibit at the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) are part of the permanent collection, and why those objects were donated, accepted, treasured and preserved.  

“Every year Fleming College's Museum Management and Curatorship students work collaboratively as a team to research, write, plan and design a new exhibit for the Peterborough Museum & Archives,” said Dr. Amy Barron, Fleming College program coordinator of heritage programs. “This year's exhibit captures the very meaning of why these students are inspired to learn to work in museums, because it is in the objects that we all cherish and keep that a community's collective memories are told.”

The exhibit is on display in the Heideman Gallery until June 15. An official opening will take place on April 17, from 2 to 4 p.m., with speeches starting at 2:30 p.m.

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Trent University Introduces One of First Forensic Anthropology Degrees In the Nation

Trent University has launched a new Bachelor of Science in Forensic Anthropology, considered one of Canada's first standalone programs, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

According to Trent, the program helps address the demand for professionals trained in the field for various career applications, including criminal investigations, disaster response and human rights inquiries.

The University recognized a growing need for specialists who can recover and analyze human remains. Examples include coroners’ offices, forensic units within police services, and medical examiners. Trent says the following occupations are facing shortages of trained personnel who can interpret skeletal evidence and assist in death investigations. Around the world, organizations such as the Red Cross need these skills for mass grave recovery and disaster victim identification.

The program offers students a unique opportunity to study human remains in a medico-legal context.

“Combining the investigative rigour of forensic science with the analytical depth of anthropology will equip graduates with the foundational skills needed for these in-demand careers. This degree provides a critical foundation of skills and hands-on experience to take that next step in graduate studies to become a practicing forensic anthropologist or to apply expertise in a variety of related fields,” said Dr. Joel Cahn, Trent director of the leading Master of Science in Forensic Science program.

This interdisciplinary and applied science program integrates coursework from the Department of Anthropology and the Department of Forensic Science, two of Trent University’s most prominent and leading academic programs.

Trent’s Department of Anthropology features subfields of archaeology and biological anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology, and among the faculty is the Canada Research Chair in Archaeological Science, Dr. Paul Szpak. Trent’s Forensic Science program features leading faculty researchers and forensic practitioners. It provides students with an understanding of investigative techniques, skeletal biology, crime scene analysis, and bio-chemical testing through the Forensic Crime Scene Facility, a first-of-its-kind facility in Canada.

“Forensic anthropology is about science in action,” said Cahn. “It’s where analytical thinking meets real-world applications. If you have a strong sense of duty and a mind for investigation, this program is an exciting way to channel those skills.”

At Trent’s Forensic Crime Scene Facility, students will engage in laboratory work, case studies, and seminars to develop the technical and interpretive skills needed. This 4,100-square-foot facility includes modular crime scene spaces, an integrated surveillance system for case analysis, a dedicated forensic lab and an outdoor evidence recovery area.

Advanced courses will include scene recovery techniques, osteological identification and forensic genetics, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for multiple career paths. Students will gain practical experience in real-world investigative techniques, from processing skeletal remains to analyzing forensic evidence in controlled crime scene environments. This cutting-edge facility ensures graduates enter the workforce with applied skills that set them apart.

“Trent is providing a home for students with a passion for forensic anthropology,” said Cahn. “For those who have always been fascinated by this field but struggled to find a clear academic path or left to build one on their own, we’re saying: we’ve got you covered.”

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Peterborough & the Kawarthas Home Builders Association Launch Women In Trades Programs

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) has launched two Women in Trades programs with a networking event at the Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region Lakefield ReStore on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

Roughly 30 women in skilled trades and construction attended as PKHBA marked the occasion by announcing new programs designed to promote and support women in skilled trades and construction.

PKHBA had launched was the Ambassador Program in partnership with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR), Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNC) and Fleming College. Its goal is to encourage more women to pursue careers in skilled trades.

The event had representatives from these school partners speak about the programs available for women in skilled trades:

• Johanne Denley (PVNC) highlighted the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), the Young Women’s Conference hosted by Skills Ontario in Toronto, and partnerships such as Junior Achievement for FemSTEAM programs.

• Danielle Moher (KPR) discussed the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, teacher and guidance training to support students interested in trades, the new Grade 9 Tech curriculum, and opportunities for high school students to gain hands-on experience at job sites.

• Mary MacLeod (Fleming College) spoke about the Building Bridges, dual credit programs and the college’s partnerships with local schools. She noted that over 1,400 high school students had the opportunity to work with tools—some for the first time—sparking an interest in hands-on careers.

The Mentorship Program was also launched as it provides women in construction with guidance and support from experienced industry leaders within the PKHBA membership. It covers four key topics: entrepreneurship, workplace culture, systems and processes and sales and marketing.

“The power of women supporting each other is unmatched,” said Andria Cowan, ACM Designs owner and PKHBA Women in Trades Committee Chair. “By coming together, we can create positive change, open new doors, and inspire future generations of women to explore rewarding careers in the skilled trades.”

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Future Post-Secondary Students Invited to Trent University's March Break Open House Friday

Future students will have the chance to sit down with Trent’s academic leaders at Spring Open House in Peterborough to discuss the University’s programs, career pathways, generous entrance scholarships and unique learning environment this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

New this year is a Meet the Deans drop-in session offering to allow future students and guests to ask questions, hear directly from the leaders shaping Trent’s academic experience and learn about studying at Trent. Dr. Mark Skinner, dean of Humanities & Social Sciences; Dr. Sarah West, dean of Sciences; Dr. Fergal O’Hagan, dean of Education and Dr. Hugo Lehmann, dean of Nursing will be in attendance.

Students considering transferring to Trent can also participate in a new dedicated session for transfer students, designed to help those considering a new postsecondary path explore their options and learn how Trent can help with transfer credits. A dedicated session for Grade 10 and 11 students will introduce younger visitors to Trent’s programs, student life, and the path to university.

“Open House is about more than just seeing the spaces where you’ll study—it’s about meeting the people who will be part of your university experience,” said Marilyn Burns, vice president of Communications & Enrolment at Trent University. “The chance to have real conversations with deans, faculty, students, and staff is what makes Trent’s Open House such a valuable experience for our guests, providing the best insight into what makes Trent unique—our academic options and career pathways, student supports, and generous scholarships. There’s no better way to see if Trent is the right fit.”

Trent’s Spring Open House features student-led campus tours, offering a look inside lecture halls, Bata Library, the Student Centre, and residence spaces.

Professors also lead information sessions on programs, research opportunities and career pathways, while enrolment advisors are on hand to discuss paid co-op and flexible degree options—including Trent’s Exploration Year, which allows students to customize their first year before choosing a major.

Students can also explore Trent’s entrance scholarships, including full tuition for those with a 95 perc ent average or higher, apply for guaranteed residence and accept an offer or apply on the spot. 

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Fleming College Welcomes All At Spring Open House On March 22

Fleming College invites everyone to discover their future at its annual spring Open House on March 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

File Photo.

Attendees can explore Fleming’s campuses and learn about the diverse programs and exceptional student resources. 

Visitors can tour the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough, meet with faculty and chat with students about their experiences in Fleming’s wide range of programs. Information about accessibility, student experience, athletics and diversity and inclusion services will also be available. 

The Frost Campus in Lindsay will offer a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations. Guests can enter a contest to get a chance to press a detonator and blow up dozens of watermelons during Fleming’s Blasting Techniques program demonstration.  

At the Haliburton School of Art + Design, attendees can speak with students and instructors, tour the art studios and walk along the adjacent Sculpture Forest Trail. 

Those interested in firefighting careers can visit the Eastern Ontario Emergency Training Academy in Norwood, where faculty, staff, and students from Fleming’s Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program will be available to answer questions and provide insight into the program. Firefighters will be on location from surrounding communities, training for situations they encounter regularly, a moment not to be missed. 

Registration to attend Open House is available online.

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Fleming College's Haliburton School of Art and Design to Offer Courses During March Break

Fleming College’s Haliburton School of Art + Design is offering courses for kids, youth and adults to have fun this upcoming March Break, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Young artists (ages five to nine) can get their hands dirty and creative in Kids Art Camp: Wild About Clay. According to Fleming, participants will explore three-dimensional art through various hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling and slab work as they create unique clay masterpieces. They will find natural objects to press into clay and sculpt their favourite animals.

Teens and adults (ages 17 and up) can engage in Canadian winter through Painting the Winter Landscape. Participants will paint in real-time or work from photographs, drawing inspiration from Haliburton’s scenery, including the Sculpture Forest.

Artists are guided by the techniques of artists such as Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris, Doris McCarthy and Kim Dorland to develop their own interpretations of the winter landscape.

These courses run daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Haliburton Campus from March 10 to 14. 

Registration is now open and can be done online.

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