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TFShistory
Our Community
School History
In September 1962, passionate educator and pioneer of Canadian bilingual education, Harry Giles (1930-2021) and his spouse Anna Por (1931-1975) welcomed a handful of students into the basement of their home as the first cohort of a special, coeducational, non-denominational school that they named the Toronto French School.
Sixty years later, TFS has grown to become Canada’s International School, as we know it today, and one of the largest independent schools in the country, that continues to offer an exceptional education to over 1,500 students at its Toronto and Mississauga campuses and in this way helps to shape young learners into engaged bilingual citizens who are empowered to make an impact on the world. It's time to explore TFS’ incredible story!
List of 51 items.
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1962
Harry and Anna Giles, two education pioneers who, as Canadians, wanted their children to receive a bilingual education and develop a global perspective. -
1962
TFS opens its doors in the basement of Harry and Anna Giles’ home on Lytton Boulevard in Toronto. -
1962
The first ever TFS classroom. -
1963
An educational experiment that quickly became a success! -
1963
One of our first classes, held at the Unitarian Church branch on St. Clair West, near Avenue Road.. -
1965
The burgeoning TFS had to adapt to its rapidly growing student population, renting space in churches, synagogues, community centres and hockey arenas. Here is the St. Clair branch, above an old A&P grocery store on Yonge St. -
1965
Junior School students in their classroom on St. Clair Avenue. -
1967
Some crêpes, wine, cheese and accordion music… TFS has always brought the flavours of France to Toronto. -
1967
TFS was the official sponsor of the second edition of the International Film Festival, which would later become the Toronto International Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world! -
1971
Do you recognize this building? Now home to La p’tite école, 101 Mildenhall Road was built thanks to the generosity of the TFS community and was originally our high school. Ontario Premier Bill Davis officially inaugurated the new site. -
1971
The Port Credit branch, now the West Campus, moves to its permanent home at 1293 Meredith Avenue. -
1973
The first edition of TFS’ yearbook -
1973
Harry Giles receives the highest civil distinction in Canada as one of the co-founders of the first French immersion school in Canada and his commitment towards national, bilingual and bicultural identity. -
1975
Our first graduating class - the Class of 1975! -
1976
The first appearance of a TFS crest and motto, Connaissance est force (Knowledge Is Power). -
1976
A computer science class at TFS… at the very beginning of the computer era. -
1980
David Giles, son of Harry Giles, was the first president of the Toronto French School Alumni Association. -
1980
Toronto French School becomes the first school in Canada to proudly receive a royal patronage from Queen Elizabeth II. -
1981
The historic part of what is now the Senior School was originally a manor house belonging to Sir Clifford Sifton. It was purchased by the school under the condition that TFS relocate the sisters of the Order of the Cenacle, who were living there. -
1983
TFS purchases the properties at 296 and 306 Lawrence Avenue East from the Ursuline sisters. Like 318, these were once part of Sir Clifford’s estate. The buildings are transformed into TFS’ Infant School. The purchases secure TFS’ presence at Lawrence Avenue East and Bayview Avenue, forming a 34-acre campus, including 26 acres in the Don Valley ravine. -
1983
In France, the art of cuisine is as important as reading and arithmetic! -
1986
A three-story wing is added to Giles Hall. The new wing includes classrooms equipped for experiments in multiple sciences, and the Multi-purpose Room (MPR), which will go on to see hundreds of student assemblies, special events and memorable theatrical productions. -
1989
Liberté, égalité, fraternité… to mark the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, TFS travels back to 1789, complete with period costumes and a mock trial. -
1989
The future Prime Minister Jean Chrétien visits TFS. Head of School Alexis Troubetzkoy is on the right. -
1990
Supplanting the English O and A levels, TFS begins implementing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the last two years of high school, as a more forward-thinking and academically advanced curricular approach. -
1991
Another first: the school holds a Chinese New Year’s Dinner, in the Year of the Ram. By 1998, there were approximately 30 students studying Mandarin at TFS. -
1994
A retail shop is opened at 306 Lawrence Avenue East. Inventory includes all items needed to properly outfit a student in the TFS uniform, as well as school supplies and office essentials – like the famous TFS mug. -
1994
Three years after his passing, the first Terry Fox Run is held at TFS in honour of this Canadian hero. Students at the Junior School had earlier received a visit from Terry’s mother, Betty Fox, who championed the run after her son’s death. -
1994
TFS holds its first Terry Fox Run. -
1994
The Parents’ Association holds its first Kermesse, or Fun Fair, as the major annual fundraising event for the school. Monies go to purchasing items on the Principals’ Wish Lists. Kermesse becomes a springtime tradition at TFS. -
1995
On the occasion of the five-year anniversary marking their graduation from TFS, the Class of 1991 introduces Seja’s Run, to honour the memory of their classmate. Seja von Wersebe, who died at the age of 16 from complications related to asthma. Funds collected from the run are directed to the Asthma Society of Canada. -
1995
TFS makes the IB Diploma Program mandatory for students in Levels IV and V. Unusual at the time, compulsory IB Diploma programs can still only be found at a handful of schools in Toronto. -
1995
After 24 years at 1293 Meredith Avenue, the school buys the building from the City of Mississauga. Plans are made for a renovation, supported by fundraising events. -
2001
Where are all of our facilities such as La Terrasse, the Senior School gym, the pool, and the additional classrooms in this aerial shot from 2001? They did not yet exist!
The Master Site project would add no less than 100,000 square feet to our school! -
2001
TFS' six houses are named after the first award winners of the Anna Giles Medal and the Governor General's Bronze Academic Medal.- Matthew Maloney '76 (Governor General's Award)
- Diane Campbell '77 (Governor General’s Award)
- Kathy Giles '77 (Anna Giles Medal)
- Arlene Hofstader '77 (Anna Giles Medal)
- Greg Sharp '77 (Anna Giles Medal)
- Nicholas Volk '78 (Anna Giles Medal)
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2001
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Master Site Project with Head of School Jean Brugniau and Tuffs, the new TFS mascot! -
2003
As part of TFS’ official plan, the Mississauga campus sees a significant increase in the number of classrooms and the addition of a new gym. Legendary Mississauga Mayor “Hurricane” Hazel McCallion attends the opening. -
2008
In 2008, TFS’ Alumni Association (TFSAA) announced its first Alumni of Distinction Award, recognizing an alumna/alumnus who has made a difference in the community and in the world. -
2008
Further investing in athletics, the old field behind the Senior School is turned into a state-of-the-art, artificial turf, FIFA-regulation sized Play & Sports Field. -
2009
To celebrate the construction of our new Play & Sports Field, as well as an outdoor student common at the Mississauga campus, TFS holds its 'Allez' gala at the Liberty Grand. -
2010
TFS begins implementing the Primary Years and Middle Years programs of the IB. -
2010
Honouring our diversity and unity, and the many cultural backgrounds of our community, TFS holds a Carrousel des nations. A fundraising event for everyone – parents, children, staff and friends – it features a Parade of Nations, global food stations and an internationally themed showcase of student talent. -
2011
Toronto French School is renamed TFS – Canada’s International School, to better reflect the school’s program and community. -
2011
International weeks are held at La p’tite école, to help students explore and understand the many world cultures represented at the school. -
2012
TFS celebrates 50 years – Our Incredible Journey! -
2013
Since 2013, TFS has honoured its students’ countries of origin by flying international flags in front of the Toronto and West campuses on the first day of school. -
2016
In 2016, as part of the school's evolution, a new mission, vision, values and motto are introduced. -
2016
26 years after the first Kermesse, a new Parents’ Association tradition is born: le Marché d’hiver, bringing with it incredible holiday spirit! -
2016
The first Guinguette at La p’tite école. -
2017
Established in 2017, the Grad Walk quickly becomes a beloved graduation milestone. -
2017
TFS would not be TFS without its donors. This wall is a beautiful and lasting tribute to our cumulative giving society whose extraordinary generosity and long-term support and belief in TFS have helped it become the great school it is today.
