If Walls Could Talk: Alumna Meghan Watkinson Shares Her Experience Growing Up at the Castle

“Growing up at Trafalgar Castle School was an idyllic experience,” said Meghan Watkinson (nee Kamcke), Class of 1994 alumna and daughter of Craig Kamcke, past Head of School from 1979 to 1996. “We moved to the Castle when I was four years old, and the school community was amazing. I have so many wonderful memories of my time as a child growing up in the Castle, and couldn’t wait to start attending the school in
Grade 7.”

Living on the school’s property meant that there was always something happening. “I would go to play rehearsals with my dad in the evenings or help my mom redesign the display case in the front hall. My parents were also always opening our home to the school community, whether it was my mom hosting meetings with the Ladies’ Guild or dinners for the Prefects and House Captains,” added Meghan.

Growing up in the Trafalgar community was exciting. “When I was too young to attend the school, the boarding students were my ‘sisters’, friends and often babysitters. The students would come by and walk the dog, or I would go over and visit them in the residence. We were really one big family,” said Meghan.

As a member of Hare House, Meghan loved all the school traditions such as the Bazaar, Carol Service, Turkey Trot, Christmas dinner and Senior dinner. “The dances with Trinity College were always a highlight – as students, we were so excited to take the bus there, or we would host a dance and decorate the Castle,” noted Meghan. “Or the Intramural sports and experiential activities such as the music festivals or drama festivals. As a student, I signed up for everything and took advantage of the opportunities the school provided.”

Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of living at the Castle was learning about its history. Very few people can say they grew up in a castle. It is always a great conversation starter. I remember the stories about Sheriff Reynolds having built the Castle as his private residence and what a huge expense it was at the time. The building is quite amazing with its stone, towers, lions and impressive solid oak doors. The inside is beautiful with its long main hallway with a massive carved oak staircase and stained-glass windows.

“It was always fun to try to uncover the mysteries of the Castle. We were fascinated by the doors next to the old Home Economics classroom that were said to lead to the Sheriff’s old tunnels to Lake Ontario,” said Meghan. When Mr. Reynolds fell into financial difficulties, he constructed tunnels from the Castle to the lake to support his bootlegging business. Over time, the tunnels were filled in, and a miniature doorway was found hidden behind a wall in the classroom that opened to a room the size of a wine cellar. There were also ghost stories, especially in the infirmary and the old costume room. They made living in the Castle even more unique.

Upon graduation from Trafalgar Castle School, Meghan attended Carleton University and obtained her bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in International Affairs and started working in the Federal Government. Working in the government has provided Meghan the opportunity to work in different parts of Canada while learning about various government departments and agencies. “For the past 18 years, I have been working for Global Affairs Canada, and currently, I am the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister of International Development. This gives me a high-level view of the department’s priorities, and I get the chance to work closely with the Minister’s office,” said Meghan. “As part of my role, I support the Deputy Minister on all issues touching on Canada’s overseas development assistance in countries all over the world.”

When asked what advice Meghan had for current students, she added, “Live in the moment! Attending Trafalgar Castle School was an amazing opportunity for me. Take time to think about where you are going to school and the 150 years of history that surrounds you. Trafalgar’s small school community with supportive faculty and staff offers great opportunities for students to learn and participate in so many activities – take advantage of all that’s available and embrace the school community and spirit.”

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Meghan (Kamcke) Watkinson is an alumna donor who believes in Trafalgar Castle School. “I want other students to have access to the same education and experiences that I received while attending the school. Donating to the Trafalgar Castle School is my way of staying connected to the school community, which is important to me.”