Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1506794
Parents' Handbook 2024– 2025 25 CLASS PLACEMENTS At the end of each school year, teachers, Principals and Vice-Principals place students from Jardin d'éveil to Level V in classes for September. Many factors are taken into consideration, including individual needs and characteristics, group dynamics, date of birth, academics and course selection. The central focus throughout this process is the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students. Given the thoroughness, consideration and complexity of the class placement process, the school is not able to accommodate parent requests for specific teachers. TFS is thoughtful about developing students not just as learners but also as individuals and citizens. Using an all-round approach, we aim to equip students with key life skills such as compelling public speaking, high articulacy in the expression and justification of ideas, debating, logical reasoning, self-confidence, emotional intelligence, balance-seeking, team spirit, creativity, initiative and entrepreneurship. In addition, we promote a sense of citizenship among our pupils based on the four TFS values of integrity, discernment, respect and engagement. Key to this is the school's motto: Students who reflect, citizens who act. A growth mindset is fostered by systematically encouraging connections to other experiences at TFS, be they co-curricular activities, arts, sports or other programs and activities outside the classroom. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that all TFS students become well-rounded, young people of good judgement, well- prepared to be productive citizens. As well, TFS provides mentorship, assemblies, societies, excursions including day field trips, overnight, international trips, exchanges, international competitions and co-curricular activities, which are highly valued by the community, as they meaningfully connect teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom. Also under the umbrella of student life is athletics, with a focus on developing healthy minds and bodies, and on the pursuit of athleticism, integrity and teamwork through physical activity and skill development. CITIZENSHIP AND MENTORSHIP Our citizenship priority encompasses many areas of school and student life. In all instances, our goal is to look at how we can best equip our students so that they can contribute to society and work towards the common good and, ultimately, the betterment of humankind. Aspects of this include fostering moral integrity, empathy, self-confidence, leadership qualities and public speaking skills in our students. Mentor groups are created across all branches and grades to allow students, along with their mentor-teacher, to discuss a range of social and ethical issues at local, national and international levels, in an age-appropriate manner. Through dialogue and the exchange of ideas and opinions, students develop discernment, and a more sophisticated and complex view of the world. Our mentoring program, in concert with the assemblies and co-curricular activities that support TFS' strategic plan, actively promote the TFS values of integrity, discernment, respect and engagement and nurture the students as individuals and citizens. ASSEMBLIES Assemblies, which are theme- and values-based, are an important feature of school life, making a positive Community Engagement and Student Life