Holy Trinity CSS students build benches that will benefit school community for years to come

June 22, 2026

Students in Andrew Kallo’s Grade 12 Manufacturing Technology class at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School have left a lasting mark on their school community through the construction of eight custom-built outdoor benches.

The project was made possible through funding from the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Community Project Fund and provided students with an opportunity to apply their manufacturing and fabrication skills to a real-world project that will benefit students, staff and visitors for years to come.

Each bench measures 16 feet in length and was carefully designed and built by students using 3/16-inch angle iron for the main structural supports. Students assembled custom brackets using a jig they created in-house to ensure precision and consistency throughout the project. Before assembly, all wood-mounting holes were pre-drilled, and additional support pieces cut on the school’s Torchmate CNC plasma cutter were added to enhance strength and durability.

To further improve stability, the bench bases were tied together using angle iron, creating a sturdy finished product capable of withstanding years of use.

The benches have already been put to work, providing much-needed seating during school events and activities, including Holy Trinity CSS’s recent Contractor Olympics.

Students and staff have expressed their appreciation for the project, recognizing the positive impact the benches will have during athletic events, outdoor learning opportunities and community gatherings. Beyond meeting a practical need, the project showcased the talent, teamwork and technical skills of Holy Trinity’s Manufacturing Technology students while demonstrating the value of hands-on learning experiences.

The completed benches now stand as a lasting example of student craftsmanship and community-minded innovation.