Head of School Weekly Email: Learning in the Field, Fall Athletics & October Updates
October 18, 2025
Dear TA Families,
One important way to deepen and extend our learning is to head off campus on occasion. Students have been on some really cool field trips in recent weeks. Their content and activities might vary widely, but the trips share common goals: to make connections between community and classroom, to apply new skills and knowledge in a different setting, to bring back to school all that they gain from these collective excursions, and, most broadly and simply, just to have new experiences. Here’s a re-cap of four of our October outings.
1. Jennifer Gernhard’s culinary students traveled to Riverview Farm in Plainfield, NH earlier this month. They spent time with the owner/farmer who talked with them about transitioning from dairy farming to orchards, the business model of pick-your-own, and how the family has diversified their crops and products to make the farm sustainable. Students also got to experience the magnitude of the farm’s commercial cider press (compared with the small hand-powered one they used at school). Of course, the group harvested lots of apples while they were there too, which they will use to make pies to donate to the Thetford Elder Network’s monthly luncheon next week.
2. The 7th and 8th graders traveled to White River Junction last week to see the musical Come From Away at Northern Stage. They attended a student matinee with school groups from around the Upper Valley. Organized by English teachers Sarah Hancock and Kristen Downey, the experience of seeing the play was woven into the curriculum in a few ways. In preparation for the trip, students got an introduction to the history and culture of Newfoundland and the Gander International Airport. After the trip, students applied their knowledge of the literary elements of setting, characters, conflict, and theme to analyze and deepen their understanding of the musical.
3. The outdoor stewardship PE class ventured off campus (but not far) with a recent visit to Thetford Hill neighbor John Morton’s place. Scott Ellis and his students learned about John’s sawmill set up, collected lumber to build a ramp for the TA mountain bike course, and gathered firewood for the sugaring season.
4. To wrap up their nutrition unit, students in Gretchen Czaja’s health classes visited the Willing Hands gardens in Norwich. They harvested corn, squash, and potatoes to contribute to the organization’s food production and distribution. They met with Farm Manager (and former TA staffer) Ehrin Lingeman, who talked with them about the mission of Willing Hands “to reduce food waste and expand equitable and reliable access to fresh food” and the importance of the nonprofit’s work to combat food insecurity and climate change. The trip took place on a rare rainy day this fall, but students had a productive harvest anyhow and experienced the power of volunteering and giving back.
Go, Panthers!
Kudos to our fall athletes for their dedication and team spirit this season. Come out to cheer them on in their final games and meets of the season. We will share soccer playoff details as soon as we have them.
- 10/18 (today!) Girls varsity soccer last home game & senior game, 11am
- 10/20 Middle school co-ed soccer team last home game, 4pm
- 10/25 Varsity cross-country athletes compete in State Meet on home course
Congrats to the boys JV and Varsity soccer teams for a strong finish to their regular season on Friday. The 4-1 come-from-behind victory for the varsity team was especially sweet for the 9 seniors who were being featured with senior game celebrations. (Check out the post-game photo attached, with the seniors lined up in the front row.)
Congrats to our cross-country runners who also competed on Friday. The middle school and varsity teams competed in the Div. III Southern Vermont League championship races at Bellows Falls Union High School. Coach Emily Silver was impressed with the team’s performance: “Every single runner had a significant PR due to all of their hard work this season!” Special recognition goes to medal winners Ollie Emery and Peter Horan who finished in the top 10 (photo below – see the 2 runners in blue!).
Calendar Reminders: Busy second half of October ahead!
- 10/19 – Fall admissions open house
- 10/22 – PSATs for 11th grade
- 10/23 – Flu clinic
- 10/25 – VT cross country championship meet @ TA (*volunteers invited!)
- 10/26 – Disc golf work day (*volunteers invited!)
- 10/31 – Half day & last day of 1st quarter
- 11/1 – Robotics tournament @ TA (*volunteers invited!)
Have a great weekend,
Carrie Brennan, Head of School
