All-Round Development
Mentorship
At TFS, our students learn in many ways
Whether through inquiry-based study in class, active learning in the ravine, participating in sports or the arts, or taking part in outreach in our community, our students gain knowledge, experience and hone their critical thinking skills.
Another way they learn is through our mentorship program.
Mentoring at TFS is all about developing our students as individuals and citizens.
Starting in PK, students are formed into small groups led by a dedicated teacher/mentor, with whom they meet on a regular basis. They discuss topics that include one's character, values and important happenings in the world.
The aim is to have our students think more deeply, discuss more broadly and listen more intently to the views of those who don't necessarily agree with them, so that they can better reflect on themselves and their actions as citizens.
Through the mentorship sessions, they also develop relationships with other students in their group and their teacher, leading to open and impactful discussions based on mutual trust and caring.
Another way they learn is through our mentorship program.
Mentoring at TFS is all about developing our students as individuals and citizens.
Starting in PK, students are formed into small groups led by a dedicated teacher/mentor, with whom they meet on a regular basis. They discuss topics that include one's character, values and important happenings in the world.
The aim is to have our students think more deeply, discuss more broadly and listen more intently to the views of those who don't necessarily agree with them, so that they can better reflect on themselves and their actions as citizens.
Through the mentorship sessions, they also develop relationships with other students in their group and their teacher, leading to open and impactful discussions based on mutual trust and caring.
Mentorship Changes as Our Students Do
What does mentorship look like when students are in PK, JK, SK and Grade 1?
All of the sessions are conducted in an age-appropriate manner, but it may surprise you how observant and reflective even our youngest students are. They talk about choices and values, about being a good friend and what that means, about taking care of their environment and why that is important, and how to consider and behave towards others they meet for the first time.
They may view short films, examine a painting, listen to songs, read from a graphic novel and more, as a means to stimulate their intellects and the discussion that follows.
As students enter the primary grades at TFS (Grades 2 through 5), their growing interests and intellects dictate their mentorship discussions.
The school's values, as concepts, become deeper and more nuanced, as do discussions on topics such as the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
These sessions also allow students to process events they may have experienced, such as a disagreement with a friend, and guide them by asking questions, such as,"if the exact same situation happened again, what would you do differently?" They discuss what action can be taken to bring closure to a problem, for instance, writing a letter of apology to help make amends.
During the middle school, Collège, years at TFS (Grades 6 through 8), the idea of individual responsibility as a citizen is more directly and thoroughly addressed. For example, after screening a video on the impact of climate change in Madagascar, Grade 6 and 7 students were asked how they felt about the film. When one student replied that he felt guilty, the teacher mentor asked him, and the rest of the group, what individual actions they might take to help address the problem.
Grades 9 through 12 are the Lycée years at TFS and this is when all of the learning, experiences and growth begin to coalesce.
Discussions centre on the complexities of the issues that face us every day, locally and globally.
All of the sessions are conducted in an age-appropriate manner, but it may surprise you how observant and reflective even our youngest students are. They talk about choices and values, about being a good friend and what that means, about taking care of their environment and why that is important, and how to consider and behave towards others they meet for the first time.
They may view short films, examine a painting, listen to songs, read from a graphic novel and more, as a means to stimulate their intellects and the discussion that follows.
As students enter the primary grades at TFS (Grades 2 through 5), their growing interests and intellects dictate their mentorship discussions.
The school's values, as concepts, become deeper and more nuanced, as do discussions on topics such as the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
These sessions also allow students to process events they may have experienced, such as a disagreement with a friend, and guide them by asking questions, such as,"if the exact same situation happened again, what would you do differently?" They discuss what action can be taken to bring closure to a problem, for instance, writing a letter of apology to help make amends.
During the middle school, Collège, years at TFS (Grades 6 through 8), the idea of individual responsibility as a citizen is more directly and thoroughly addressed. For example, after screening a video on the impact of climate change in Madagascar, Grade 6 and 7 students were asked how they felt about the film. When one student replied that he felt guilty, the teacher mentor asked him, and the rest of the group, what individual actions they might take to help address the problem.
Grades 9 through 12 are the Lycée years at TFS and this is when all of the learning, experiences and growth begin to coalesce.
Discussions centre on the complexities of the issues that face us every day, locally and globally.
