TFS - Canada's International School

Jumping ahead more than 30 years, fall 2019 has been no different, as each group from Levels II to V were inducted into either the Lycée des Aristotéliciens (Levels IV and V) or the Académie des Platoniciens (Levels II and III), the guild's two student bodies. What is changing, however, is the guild's redefined focus on deepening students' intellectual engagement and encouraging their curiosity. This year at their induction ceremony, for example, the scholars were treated to a university-level lecture delivered by Daniel Posen '05, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Toronto, who spoke about his work in lifecycle assessment. A formal dinner amongst their peers and the stewards of the Scholars Guild, which included Dr. González, Head of School, administrators and educators, was followed by the presentation of the guild's new pins. As the guild evolves, one of its aims is to ensure that recipients of TFS' highest academic distinction have more than good grades. As Jason Binder, Senior School teacher and steward, explains, "the characteristics we are looking for include integrity and a passion for learning. To be a really good scholar, they need to have knowledge and intellect, but they also need to have strong morals in order to do good." This year, John W., Level V, was elected First Aristotelian, the leader of the Lycée des Aristotéliciens, and Edward L., Level IV, was elected Second Aristotelian. The group meets once a term for a colloque, co-chaired by the Head of School and First Aristotelian. During the colloque, one student presents on a complex academic topic, followed by a group discussion and closing with an ethical reflection. John explains, "I want to keep people engaged, sum up ideas, gather opinions and keep the conversation rolling." It is just one way the Scholars Guild encourages a community of research. The Scholars Guild is becoming a group with a true purpose – to share intellectual ideas, to develop a practice of reflection, and to model academic ambition in the TFS community. Since September 1988, TFS has welcomed its most academic students to become members of the Scholars Guild, with the purpose of helping to "foster the highest standards of scholastic endeavour at the school." This year's scholars received new official blazer pins designed by Ritchie Sinclair, a follower of Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau. Sinclair ensured the designs were meaningful from both TFS' and a native perspective. The Académie des Platoniciens refers to Plato, and has as its symbol the owl. While the owl traditionally represents wisdom, in some First Nations, it also represents eternity and discernment. The symbol for the Lycée des Aristotéliciens is aptly the wolf; the word lycée is in fact connected to the Greek word for wolf, and its symbolism in First Nations cultures includes giving of oneself, loyalty, an independent spirit and a circle of knowing. TFS 15 A MARK OF SOPHISTICATION John W. (centre left) leads the Scholars Guild colloque, where ideas are shared and a community of research formed.

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