ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 2018
Our Mission TMS delivers a seamless, internationally-acclaimed educational experience designed to inspire and challenge students to discover the best of who they are and to achieve their full potential.
Our Vision To be embraced as an outstanding school with an unparalleled educational experience.
Our Promise TMS enables each student to define and realize success in university, career and in life through our unparalleled educational experience.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES It is an honour to serve the TMS Community as Chair of the Board of Trustees. The TMS Board of Trustees is made up of volunteers committed to offering our experience and skill sets to ensuring the long term health and sustainability of our beloved school. We seek to do this by partnering with the school leadership to consider the best strategic priorities for TMS. We work hard to keep the experience and needs of our students at the heart of all our decisions. It is my hope that you can clearly see that in all the new strategicallydirected programs and offerings at TMS over the last few years. We are excited to see such clear evidence that the journey offered at TMS is being understood as excellent, both through the experiences of our own families and the reputation of TMS with prospective families. Perhaps most visible and ambitious of all our efforts has been the beginning of our building project at the Lower School. We believe this will be transformational. You will see in this report that we have been wonderfully supported in this work by many TMS families and, as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I would like to encourage as many families as possible to consider adding their support to the Building our Significance Capital Campaign. I believe supporting the educational journey of our current students, your children, and generations of students still to come is a noble endeavour. The central work of a school though is not the building of spaces; it is the teaching and learning of our students. It is here where TMS truly shines. On behalf of the Board, I would like to publically thank our staff and teachers for their commitment of time and the warm care they offer our students every day. You will see from this report that 2017-2018 was a very successful year for TMS. Thank you for your ongoing support – it is very much appreciated. Phil Campione Chair, Board of Trustees
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL It is my pleasure to share with you the Annual Report for the school year 2017-2018. This report is an important opportunity through which we can share with you some central aspects of the school journey and life, offering important transparency and accountability. The year gone by reflects one of the most successful school years for TMS in recent history and tells a story of a school feeling a strong and humble confidence about the path ahead. We are committed to building innovative learning pathways for our students, growing the depth of our parent engagement and developing a wonderful campus. It has been exciting to see each of these strategic pillars strengthened. Our school has never been so sought after with applications to TMS at an all-time high. The last three years have seen us grow our student numbers to the point where we are now, in essence, full with waitlists at key entry points throughout the school. However, what is most exciting of all is the emerging vibrancy of our school community and culture. The closeness of our families to the school and our vision has been palpable and provides the lens through which this report should be read. Thank you for your commitment to TMS. Your partnership and the infectious outcomes of that partnership are the fuel that has propelled TMS forward over the last year and because of that, we are able to look back at such a successful year through this Annual Report. David Young Head of School
Significance Our Strategic Plan is called Significance. The word matters. We believe it to represent a desire to be more than merely successful but rather to stretch for something more, something that has an impact. As we look back through the lens of this Annual Report, there are several key pieces of evidence that we are advancing towards the goals laid out in our plan. We are building (at last!!) A very visible component of our strategic plan was our community’s desire to add meaningful, impactful and beautiful spaces to our school campus. We recognized that we had the opportunity to create spaces in which our students’ learning and our families’ connection to our community are enhanced. It is a bold part of our plan. It has been something we have talked about for what seems like a long time. As we reached the end of the 2017-2018 school year, we were thrilled to finally start the construction process after some delays and obstacles along the way. The process has been one in which we have been so grateful to have the interest and support of our community and it will be a thrill to open Phase 1 in the Fall of 2019. That is Significant. Building our Significance Capital Campaign As a school community, we have not previously been in the position to receive large support in any Capital Campaign. Relative to our history, we set ourselves the ambitious target of raising $2 million for Phase 1 of the build. At the end of June 2018, our community, through both Major Gifts and Annual Giving had raised $1.34 million in donations and pledges (we are excited to see this number grow to $1.5 million as of November 2018). 19 families have thus far pledged Major Gifts towards the Capital Campaign. Annual Giving shattered all previous records this year with a total of $145,000 given. This puts us within touching distance of our Phase 1 target by June 2019 and we feel that with the continued generosity and support of our TMS families over the 2018-2019 school year, we will reach that target. This speaks very clearly of an engaged community, one that is seeking to support the vision of the school in really impactful ways. It is hugely appreciated. That is Significant. Our students are thriving This year, TMS students won prestigious international and national competitions and earned recognition in a number of areas. They contributed meaningfully to their communities. Our School community values every child and celebrates the many ways in which our students move forward in their learning. When one of our students excels as an individual, it speaks to the journey and atmosphere of the School, and we celebrate together. Four TMS students progressed through the local, provincial and national levels of DECA competitions, the world’s largest youth business competition, to reach the prestigious international competition held this year in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a rigorous competition comprising tens of thousands of students. To our great pride, a TMS student won his section of the international competition beating out 3000 other competitors. A TMS student entered the MIT Hackathon, which is a global coding competition and proceeded to win. The complexity and depth of innovation needed to succeed in this environment was amazing. TMS hosted a French competition for independent schools in the GTA and three Upper Elementary students won in their level and went on to represent TMS at the provincial level. A TMS student entered CBC’s youth writing competition, a renowned venue for emerging young writers. Over 2000 students submitted their compositions and our student finished in the Top 10.
Lower School students launched York Region’s first partnership with 360°kids, creating a unique experience for students in Grades 4 to 6. Over 30 TMS Grade 6 students learned how it might feel to spend a night as a homeless youth sleeping outside overnight at TMS and raising money and awareness through the process. This endeavour has now spread to other schools in York Region using the model developed at TMS. TMS Upper School student leaders have become renowned for using the Stanford Design Cycle. So much so that they launched their Thrive Leadership Conference this year, hosting the student leadership teams of other CIS Ontario Schools. What is significant about these successes is not just the individual endeavour involved but that such a diversity of skill and ability is being cultivated and encouraged within the halls of TMS. These are some small evidences that a student’s many and varied passions can be honed at TMS. They are known and genuine excellence can emerge from that. That is Significant. We Are Known Strong enrolment is the life blood of a school. Retaining our families and growing a reputation as a community that other families want to be part of is important work. We have enjoyed a huge increase in retention amongst our current families while also seeing a substantial rise in the number of excellent applications across all parts of the School. We continue to welcome new families to TMS each year who come because they hear about our strong academics and focus on positivity, resilience and an entrepreneurial mindset. It means that we are full in virtually all levels of the School and enjoy wait lists in all our key entry points. This allows us to build a strong, vibrant community in which our student experience becomes well known. That is Significant. Partnerships We believe in the value of partnerships in adding dimension, meaning and value to our students’ learning and the opportunity for them to build networks. We have spent much time curating several very exciting partnerships. In the last year, computer science partnerships with the University of Waterloo have been built, an Innovation and Entrepreneurial Summer Experience is being designed with the Schulich School of Business, a student leadership travel exchange has been created with Cokethorpe School in Oxfordshire, England and a citizenship partnership has been developed with 360°kids in York Region. Several other partnerships are in the pipeline and we believe that individual students and groups of students will continue to benefit from this strategy. That is Significant.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TMS is an independent not-for-profit school dedicated to providing an unparalleled education to its students and where each student is known. Each year the Board reviews and approves management’s operating and capital plans for the coming year within a strategy that considers the long-term stability of the School. The Finance Committee is responsible for approving the fiscal budgets and ensuring that appropriate reporting, auditing, and systems are implemented and executed. The Committee also recommends objectives that secure the long-term financial stability of TMS. Operating results in 2017-2018 continued to be very positive, due to strong enrolment and careful cost control. The School is now in a debt free position. This financial strength is allowing TMS to look forward to the future, and to implement strategic spending initiatives to support the School’s Strategic Plan. $2.8M has been dedicated toward upcoming initiatives. In financial terms, by far the largest near term project is the Facilities expansion which started in June 2018 at the Lower School. This project will provide more space for our students, including a new much larger Gym, new Main Entrance, Atrium and Grove. Opening is scheduled for the Fall of 2019. Operating funds will cover only part of our exciting plans; the Building our Significance Capital Campaign currently underway is also vital to financing our School’s future. The School is grateful that the Campaign already has pledges for well over half of its goal. I hope you have an opportunity to support this Campaign as generously as you can. Moreover, the School appreciates your continued support through Annual Giving since it is an important supplement to tuition. The School expects Annual Giving to grow in future years, as these charitable tax-receiptable donations are a very effective way for families and friends to assist TMS. Deborah McMillan Chair, Finance Committee
2017-2018 Summarised Operating Results Revenues Tuition Fees
18,234,688
Program Fees
1,070,170
TMI Fees
560,238
Rental and Sundry
215,973
Total Revenues
20,081,069
Expenses Salaries & Benefits
14,021,801
General & Administrative
1,072,970
Building & Facilities
1,048,317
Academic
1,198,314
Interest
104
Depreciation
648,679
IT/Computer Expenses
324,647
Total Expenses
18,314,832
Debt Repayment
-
Initial Registration Fees
595,000
Investment Income
308,738
Donations and Fundraising
160,682
Net Surplus to Building Fund
B
2,830,657
C D D
E F
G
C B
A
A
Revenue A - Tuition Fees B - Program Fees C - TMI Fees D - Rental and Sundry
Expenses A - Salaries & Benefits B - General & Administrative C - Building & Facilities D - Academic E - Interest F - Depreciation G - IT/Computer Expenses
BUILDING OUR SIGNIFICANCE Building our Significance means excellently providing a venue within which students, families and staff can find a home. At TMS this means developing intentional spaces through which excellence in learning can occur in ways that realize TMS’ vision and values and facilitate Knowing and Growing our Significance. We do important and valuable work in building a foundation of support for our students. Our campus and spaces are important. They tell our story, they inspire our work, they allow our innovations and they combine to become our place, our home. A campus should be the foundation on which an amazing school can prosper. We are delighted with the decision to move forward with a Campus Master Plan that will allow us to genuinely establish TMS as a leading independent school. Phase 1 of this work will begin at the Lower School with the building of four new spaces: Atrium, Entrance, Gym and Grove. We would like to thank all donors who have supported the campaign so far, with a special mention of those families who have made leadership gifts (over $25,000) towards Building our Significance: Bajaj Family
Fiorini Family
A. and J. Baldassarra and Family
Guglietti Family
M. and M. Baldassarra and Family
Lew Family
Campione Family Cortellucci Family Coyle and McCann Family Dell’Elce Family Durisin Family Fazel Family
Kanargelidis Family Lo Family McMillan Family Muzzo Family Niem Family Sonego Family Anonymous TMS Family
ANNUAL GIVING Annual Giving is a way to financially support a specific need at the School. In the past, Annual Giving has gone to pay for items of great benefit to both students and parents such as new audio visual equipment. As part of our Strategic Plan, all donations from now to 2021 will support the TMS Building our Significance Capital Campaign, a key component of the Campus Master Plan. We would like to thank the following individuals for their support of the Annual Giving Program: Adams Family
J. Zhang and Family
Alves Family
Jesuthasan Family
Arif Family
Jin Family
Arshad Family
Joseph Family
Bilwani Family
K. Yu and Family
Bozzo Family
Kanargelidis Family
Budd Family
Kyeremeh Family
S. Cai and Family
L. Li and Family
X. Cai Family
A. Lai and Family
E. Chan and Family
Y. Lai and Family
D. Chang and Family
Langenhoven Family
L. Cheng and Family
E. Lee and Family
S. Cheng and Family
S. Lee and Family
E. Cheung and Family
Lew Family
Chung Family
A. Li and Family
Cole Family
Z. Liang and Family
Cordner Family
Z.Y. Liang and Family
Coyle and McCann Family
J. Lin and Family
Cui Family
V. Lin and Family
D. Zhang Family
B. Liu and Family
De Bartolo Family
M. Liu and Family
de Mello Family
Z. Lin and Family
Ding Family
X. Lu and Family
D’Souza Family
Luthra Family
Eastwood-Bilé Family
LV Family
Eng Family
J. Ma and Family
Feng Family
T. Ma and Family
Ferreidooni Family
Martin Family
Ferrier Family
McLean Family
Gaudio Family
McLean-Beck Family
Ghassai Family
McMillan Family
Goldberg Family
Minas Family
Gorener Family
Moussa Family
Gu Family
Nezarati Family
D. Guo and Family
Ng Family
F. Guo and Family
Nguyen Family
He Family
Niem Family
Heidar Family
Niu Family
Holmes Family
Parody Family
Hosseini Family
Pastoor Family
Huang Family
Qian Family
Humphrey Family
Qiu Family
Reisman Family
K. Wang and Family
Reynolds Family
W. and N. Wang and Family
Rovazzi Family
W. and X. Wang and Family
Ruscica Family
W. and Y. Wang and Family
Russo Family
Z. Wei and Family
Sconza Family
Wheeldon Family
Seamone Family
Y. Wong and Family
E. Shen Family
Wu Family
H. Shen Family
Xia Family
Shi Family
M. Xiao Family
Shou Family
D. Xie and Family
Siu Family
Z. Xie and Family
J. Sun and Family
Xing Family
Y. Sun and Family
Xue Family
Tang Family
C. Yang Family
S. Thomas and Family
R. Yang and Family
T. Thomas and Family
Y. Yang and Family
Tian Family
Yannakis Family
Tieu Family
Yin Family
Tin Family
Yip Family
Tomasso Family
Young Family
Tripathi Family
Youssef Pour Family
Visuvaratnam Family
H. Yu and Family
Vivekanandrajah Family
P. Yu and Family
Waisman Family
P. Zhang and Family
B. and H. Wang and Family
Zhao Family
B. and Y. Wang and Family
Zheng Family
D. Wang and Family
Zhuang Family
THE GIFT OF TIME Time is a way to define and celebrate meaningful volunteer opportunities. We welcome the involvement of parents to help with a range of activities and events and to be active participants in the daily life of the School. Each day the experiences of the students at TMS are enriched by the involvement of our countless volunteers. TMS wishes to thank all the parents, alumni, staff, students and friends who have given so readily of their time and expertise. We would like to recognize all our dedicated volunteers who devote a significant amount of time.
TMS VOLUNTEERS Classroom and Grade Representatives TMS recognizes and appreciates the efforts of the parent volunteers who have worked throughout the year to keep TMS families informed of the many classroom and school wide initiatives at both campuses of TMS. Caroline Chong Yen
Natasha Merali Ladaak
Maria Churchill
Saadat Naghshbandhi
Nicole Cortellucci
Shelina Nathoo
David Dancey
Ruta Nikfar
Dina DeCotiis
Michelle Omimi
Zein Dhanidina
Daniela Pacitto
Anand Doobay
Yvonne Poon
Nalini Doonauth
Yalda Riahi
Jacky DuFour
Leslie Richardson
Pia Galati
Anne Rickwood
Angela Groza
Simmi Sakhuja
Karen Hencher
Monika Samant
Marisa Heydari
Pearl Shiozaki
Matt Humphrey
Shilpy Singh
Victoria Jurincic
Tamila Torabitekyeh
Joanie Kan
Mirella Totera
Angela Kapur
Career Day 2017 Career Day 2017 involved the support of a number of professionals, both TMS parents and community partners. We thank the following for lending us their expertise. Kashif Arshad
Cathy Ierullo
Amin Babul
Alexandra Jevremovic
Mary Bayliss
Michael Jurincic
Ivana Bessai
Muhammad Kermalli
Anu Bidani
Jessica Rawlley
Lucas Chang
Yalda Riahi
Steve Falk
Monika Samant
Michael Foti
To Ahn Tran
Pizza Lunch Volunteers TMS would like to recognize the efforts of our many enthusiastic volunteers who do such a wonderful job coordinating the School’s monthly Pizza Lunch program. This program would not succeed without the generous efforts of the Pizza Lunch Coordinator Lucienne de Mello and our Pizza Lunch Volunteers throughout the year.
2017-2018 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Phil Campione (Chair) Greg Kanargelidis (Secretary) Thomas Lo Deborah McMillan (Chair, Finance Committee) Yalda Riahi To Anh Tran
HEAD OF SCHOOL David Young
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Stuart Ferrie
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Kirsten Eastwood
ACADEMIC HEADS Nancy Coyle – Director, Toronto Montessori Institute Rachel Marks – Head of Elementary Carolyn Reid – Head of Toddler and Children’s House Blaine Seamone – Director of Teaching and Learning, Lower School Sheila Thomas – Head of Upper School
MANAGEMENT TEAM Silvana Fazzari – Director, Enrolment Management Richard Martin – Property Manager Fayyaz Masood – Controller Linda Raponi – Office Manager Rakesh Tripathi – Director, Advancement Abel Wong – IT Supervisor
www.tmsschool.ca LOWER SCHOOL
8569 Bayview Avenue, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3M7 Tel: (905) 889 6882 Fax: (905) 886 6516
UPPER SCHOOL
500 Elgin Mills Rd. E, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5G1 Tel: (905) 780 1002 Fax: (905) 780 8981