Observations from students, parents, and alumni indicate that TFS has cultivated an environment where respect for diversity and community connections are fundamental values.
TFS has very diverse students and there are different versions of what it means to be diverse, but I think for the most part it was just diverse skill sets. So it was whether these students were bilingual, whether they were trilingual, whether they were athletes and also participated in clubs or they were athletes and had amazing academics, I think the main character trait would be diverse. I think the value of respect and diversity, those two, I guess they go hand in hand, were the ones that I really saw on a day to day basis.
I would say that the school is respectful. I think that they do a very good job. And I definitely saw that arc change as I was there starting back in 2005. It was definitely a different time, whether it be a political climate or just everyone's opinions. And I really saw the school change in the way that they treat their students and how well they're able to respect everyone's diversity. So respect would definitely be the first one. I think caring would be the second. I think that whenever there were difficult times, difficult situations, whether it was with myself, it was with my younger brother, who's also in TFS or with any of my peers. I think that in general, TFS did a very good job at making sure that they care about what's going on in your personal life, but also maintaining those respectful boundaries and maintaining your privacy and really just helping you accommodate you while you're at school.
Sometimes my children will say that they're Franco-Ontarian, and that's because they are part of a community that speaks French, and they feel a sense of belonging. It's very interesting to watch how the culture and language give them insight into a culture that is not the one we have at home. Like our family, there are other families that don't have family members in the GTA or even in Canada, so we have each other. We are a community, and I feel in a way we're a village at the West Campus. The kids see their friends outside of school, and language has been a catalyst for them to find their place in the world.
—Kristen Bechara, parent (beginning in Preschool) (see
full interview)
I think that especially in my older years, just as I was able to appreciate those types of things more so than in my younger years. Right. When you're a kid, that's not something that you pay attention to. But diversity and respect were definitely something I saw, something that TFS was really trying to accomplish and make sure that their families knew about it. That the current students and staff knew and that no matter what your background, no matter what your skill level and what it could be that you're being respected and you're being treated as you should be.
TFS is not a one size fits all. That’s what I learned over my 15 plus years of being there. I think that I had the opportunity to be part of the class that was only about 68 to 70 people. So really in that type of small community, you really are able to build unique relationships with all the teachers and even just other staff, whether it be the administration, whether it be the cafeteria staff, it's like you're really able to build these personal relationships with everyone in the community. And it really just makes the experience that more enjoyable.
TFS is co-ed, which has been important for our family, as both our son and daughter attend. The sense of belonging and the international perspective make TFS stand out.
—Kristen Bechara, parent (beginning in Preschool) (see
full interview)
The families at the school are very welcoming and warm. New families are immediately brought into the fold, invited for playdates, and partnered with mentor families. The Parents Association organizes events like breakfasts, and on the first day of school, new students are welcomed warmly. Staff members, including the principal, know the students by name, and this warmth makes the kids feel comfortable seeking help from various staff members. It's a really wonderful aspect of the school.
—Kristen Bechara, parent (beginning in Preschool) (see
full interview)
I think that something that people might find surprising is just how tight of a community it actually is. And that even though you're in this building with so many other students, it's that you really feel like you're part of the community and that you belong and you start to recognize every face and every other face recognizes you. And I guess that ties back to being able to create relationships with teachers and you want to create relationships, but it's also big enough to the point where not everyone gets along. That's just life. And if you need that space from people and you don't want to have everyone in your face, you totally get that as well.
