June 18, 2015
This spring, the broader TFS community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of the year and to look ahead to the bright future of the school.
Parents had a glimpse of that future when they attended the Learning Forum Sneak Peek on May 5. Guests had an opportunity to learn from our resident experts – Grade 6 and 7 students! – about new e-learning programs and to try the specialized modular furniture that will outfit the new space. They also envisioned the new spaces by peeking behind the MPR to see the area that will become part of the Senior School Learning Forum. Our guests also enjoyed a guided tour of the Junior School library where renovations will be underway this summer.
The parents were excited and impressed by the plans and possibilities of the Learning Forum – so much so that one family confirmed a gift on the spot and another increased its pre-existing gift! As Dr. Susan Elliot said in her welcome, “The Learning Forum will allow us to enrich and expand our student supports and learning resources in exciting ways.”
A month later, on June 5, more than 100 TFS alumni, current teachers and former faculty attended the Réunion annuelle des anciens élèves. The evening buzzed with the energy of reconnecting, revisiting great memories, and catching up on all things TFS. The presence of co-founder Harry Giles, current and retired teachers, made the night extra special.
Highlights of the event included the recognition of honoured year classes 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010, a special presentation to outgoing TFSAA President Jamieson Saab ’04, who is relocating to Copenhagen with the United Nations. Also included was the presentation of our two alumni awards. The Alumni of Distinction Award was presented to Leigh Salsberg ’94 who is an immigration and refugee protection lawyer in Toronto, and the Young Alumni of Distinction Award was presented to fashion designer and entrepreneur Cara Cheung ’06.
To round out our spring, TFS celebrated our talented and enthusiastic volunteers at the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch on June 12. A chance for everyone to catch up and reflect on another successful year, the event was attended by current and past Parents’ Association members, alumni volunteers, campaign cabinet members, TFS Foundation directors, Board members and several other volunteers.
A moment to remember was Sally Peterson receiving the Volunteer of the Year award. Sally is a past member of the TFS Board of Directors and past Chair of the TFS Foundation who has served on the advancement, endowment and major gifts committees and was the founding chair of the marketing and communications committee. A tireless supporter, Sally regularly advocated for parents to have a voice in the school and has been a fierce fundraiser, growing the Class Fund Program and raising a record $82,971 for the Class of 2015. In addition, Sally and her family have made leadership gifts in support of the Building on Excellence Campaign and the construction of the Play & Sports field at the Toronto campus, and are consistent annual supporters.
The spirit of TFS was alive all spring and will flow through the summer. We wish you a wonderful break and look forward to welcoming everyone back in September to continue our shared effort to enrich this incredible school.