Friday July 30, 2010 – Blyth Academy Lawrence Park

Blyth Academy acquires the assets of North Toronto Academy.

Sam Blyth announced today that Blyth Academy (Lawrence Park) has acquired the assets and real estate interests of North Toronto Academy.

The acquisition will more than double the space and add significant scope to the facilities of the new Blyth Academy site in Lawrence Park. Located immediately opposite to Blyth’s site at 3284 Yonge Street, students will be able to move easily between the two locales.

Blyth Academy offers a first class boutique education environment at the high school level: Grades 9-12. It operates in four locations: Yorkville, Thornhill, Blyth @ the ROM, and Lawrence Park. This year Blyth Academy will enroll more than 3000 students and offer accredited courses in 28 countries around the world as well in the Greater Toronto Area.

Friday July 30, 2010 – Blyth Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship

Blyth Scholars and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust are pleased to announce that together they will be offering four fully-funded scholarships for Canadians entering the undergraduate program at Cambridge University from 2011. These scholarships are the most sought after and valuable undergraduate awards available to Canadians.

The scholarships will be available to both graduating high school students and to university students in Canada who demonstrate financial need and who apply to enter Cambridge from the fall of 2011onwards. Canadian citizens and landed immigrants to Canada are eligible to apply as well as students whose first language may be other than English.

The scholarships are tenable at any undergraduate college at Cambridge University and in any subject other than Medicine or Veterinary Studies. One of the four scholarships is designated for Pembroke College.

The awards will cover all of the costs of tuition and maintenance as well as airfares for a three year undergraduate degree. There are no fees applicable to the scholarship application and students who demonstrate financial need may apply for assistance in meeting the university and college application fees.

Applications are due October 1st, 2010 for the academic year 2011-2012. More information can be found at www.BlythEducation.com

The Cambridge Commonwealth Trust is the main scholarship and bursary funding agency of Cambridge University. Blyth Scholars is charitable funding arm of Blyth Academy which is one the leading private schools in Canada.

Cambridge University is one of the leading academic institutions in the world. Presently celebrating its 800th anniversary, the university’s graduates and affiliates have won more Nobel Prizes than any other institution in the world.

Also, qualified students who are applying to Cambridge University, but who are not seeking financial aid, may be interviewed in Canada for the first time. These interviews will be conducted by Cambridge University Admission Tutors at Blyth Academy in late November/early December annually from 2010.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - Blyth Bhutan Scholarships

Blyth Academy is pleased to announce Gaki Wangmo Wangchey and Yeshi Choden as the first Blyth Bhutanese Scholars. Gaki and Yeshi have been selected to study at Blyth Academy in Toronto for grade 11 and 12. The scholarship includes tuition and accommodations for two years and one round trip flight to Bhutan per year of study. Both scholars have outstanding academic backgrounds and are active within their communities.

Gaki Wangmo Wangchey

Gaki is presently studying in Grade 11 at Phuentsholing Higher Secondary School and enjoys participating in all the school activities, especially debates, dramas and community service. She is an active member of Y-VIR (Youth Volunteer in Action) in her town. Throughout her school life she has demonstrated her leadership qualities in various ways, such as school house captain, Nature Club Prefect and taking initiative in many other activities. In her spare time, Gaki enjoys reading, playing sports like table tennis and badminton, and listening to music.

Gaki is very eager to explore new horizons in her life and is looking forward to making new friends at Blyth Academy, experiencing a different culture and bonding with her host family, all while taking advantage of the academic excellence of her new school.

Yeshi Choden

Yeshi Choden, a grade 11 student of Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, Thimphu is the youngest of three children in her family. She is also very fond of reading, listening to music, surfing the internet, gardening and traveling. She is the family volunteer for any community service proposed by the City Municipality.

Yeshi has always excelled in academics and was personally awarded by His Majesty the King when she graduated from junior high school. Similarly, she has been recognized throughout her student life in various activities like debates, cultural competitions, art competition and science exhibitions. As a member of the School Scouts Club she has been involved in many of its voluntary activities.

To her friends and teachers, she is one who is not afraid of taking up challenges and committing herself to any task assigned. Yeshi believes that Blyth Academy and living with her Canadian host family will unquestionably enhance her goal towards being a doctor one day.

Friday, June 25, 2010 - International Summers at Rideau Hall

The International Summer's Culinary Arts team is in Ottawa this week cooking for the Governor General at Rideau Hall. The team is in Ottawa for the National Table Awards.

From left to right: Chef Louis Charest, Paul Finkelstein, Laura Pol, Carly Hill, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Jeramy Thammavongsa, Katelynn Berger, Claire Spackman, Brandon Smith, Amanda Finkelstein.

BLYTH ACADEMY INTRODUCES TORONTO’S FIRST INTERACTIVE STOREFRONT WINDOWS

TORONTO – June 21, 2010 – Blyth Academy and Interactive Research Lab are pleased to announce the installation of two completely interactive touch storefront windows. The two windows were installed and went live this weekend and can be viewed at the Yorkville Campus, 146 Yorkville Ave (at Avenue Road) and at the Lawrence Park Campus, 3284 Yonge Street (north of Lawrence).

The interactive windows provide prospective and current students with in depth access to information on Blyth’s schools in Toronto and 24 campuses around the world. The technology allows for instant touch response and the ability to send emails containing Blyth brochures in real time to your smart phone or Blackberry. Its high resolution colour display is powerful and can be viewed easily in bright daylight as well as at night time.

“The live and interactive storefront windows will provide the community with a unique around-the-clock ability to explore and interact with the Blyth world from the street level,” said Sam Blyth, Chair, Blyth Academy. “These interactive windows represent our continued commitment to innovation and technology.”

In November 2009, Blyth Academy, in a partnership with Sony Canada, was the first school in the world to announce that it would provide all full-time students with a personalized Sony® Reader Digital Book. Since the announcement in the Fall, the Sony Reader program has been successfully implemented and Readers have proven extremely useful in the academic setting, offering students both educational and organizational benefits.

For information, and to schedule an interview, please contact:

Brandon Kerstens
Director of Development
Blyth Academy
brandon@blytheducation.com
416-960-3552

Thursday, May 27, 2010 – Blyth Alumni

Cara Davis, graduate of the Blyth Culinary Arts summer program in Italy, has won gold at the Provincial and National Skills Canada Competition for her culinary skills.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 – Faculty and Staff

Clare Glassco, 2010 program manager for Spain and former program manager for Australia, Ecuador, and Egypt, has recently won a Social Sciences Humanities Research Council award to further her studies in migrant workers in Canada. Congratulations Clare!

Thursday May 13, 2010 – Blyth International Summers

We are thrilled to announce that with a current registration of over 940 students across our 25 programs, we anticipate our biggest enrolment year to date.

Also looking strong are our three new programs this year: the Grand Tour, which will visit ten cities in Europe, Fashion, Photography & Design in London, Barcelona, Milan and Paris, and Greece, which will take our students sailing the Aegean on a flotilla of yachts.

There is still time to register for Summer 2010, but some programs have already filled and space is limited in others. Act quickly to ensure you are not disappointed!

Tuesday, April 22, 2010 - Thimphu, Bhutan

Sam Blyth presented the Minister of Education, His Majesty’s Government of Bhutan, with two full scholarships for Bhutanese students to attend Blyth Academy, Toronto.

The Ministry of Education will advertise the scholarships this spring and select two students who have completed Grade 10 in Bhutan. The successful scholars will attend Blyth Academy for two years and receive a full grant for tuition, maintenance, and airfare.

“The scholarships reflect Blyth’s ongoing commitment to Bhutan both through its schools and through the Bhutan Canada Foundation.” said Sam Blyth. “These students will add to the quality and diversity of the school and we greatly look forward to them attending Blyth Academy in September.”

Monday, April 19 - Grand Re-Opening of Blyth Academy Thornhill

Blyth Academy Thornhill is moving to an expanded and enhanced facility on the second floor of the Thornhill Square Mall, at Bayview and John, and invites you, your friends, and family to view the new facility at an Open House on Thursday, April 29 from 7 pm to 9 pm.

In addition to our regular course offerings from grade 9 through 12, our 2010-2011 curriculum at Blyth Thornhill will offer interested grade 11 and 12 students an opportunity to explore a challenging and creative new focus: a one to two year package of academic and optional courses related to the Arts, Media, and Technology.

For more information, please call the Thornhill campus at 905-889-8081.

Monday, April 12 - Blyth International Summers

This year 80 students received scholarships or bursaries to participate in our international summer programs.

“Our financial aid to these students reflects our commitment to access to international education for Canadians. As well, these awards have attracted a very high caliber of student who will enrich the quality of the student body and enhance the experience for all” - Sam Blyth, Chair, Blyth Academy.

Wednesday, April 7 - Blyth Academy Lawrence Park

Sam Blyth, Chair, Alex Mackinnon, Principal and the staff of Blyth Academy are delighted to announce the opening of Blyth Academy’s newest venue in Lawrence Park. Conveniently located on Yonge Street just north of Lawrence Avenue, the school is now accepting students for both summer school and for September 2010.

For information on admissions please contact Nili Isaacs at nisaacs@blytheducation.com or at 416 960-3552.

Friday, March 19, 2010 - Blyth Students become the first group of students to do community service work in the Kingdom of Bhutan

Thirteen students have just returned from what they described variously as an “awesome”, “life changing” experience in the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. During their 10 days in the country they worked in schools and local communities alongside our Canadian teachers teaching and mentoring local children.

As they travelled across the country they attended festivals, were welcomed into local homes and hiked and explored the world’s best preserved ecosystem.

On their final day they climbed to the “Tigers Nest” a monastery high above the Paro Valley. En route they were joined by HRH, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, who addressed the group as one former Canadian school student to another.

Welcome home!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 – Nancy Strickland, Bhutan Canada Foundation, to Receive Honorary Degree

Sam Blyth, Blyth Academy, and the Bhutan Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Nancy Strickland, Executive Director of the Bhutan Canada Foundation, will receive an honorary degree from Trent University in June 2010.

On behalf of Senate, the president of Trent University announced today the outstanding individuals who will receive honorary degrees at convocation ceremonies on June 2, 3, and 4, 2010.

“The University Senate was unanimous in its approval of these five distinguished individuals as Trent University's honorary degree recipients for 2010,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor at Trent. “Each of these notable Canadians has made meaningful contributions to society, advancing the interests of humanity through education, be it through politics, research, post secondary education, or international work. No doubt their comments will be an inspiration to the graduates at the University’s 43rd convocation ceremonies in June 2010.”

Nancy Strickland
Thursday, June 3 – Morning Ceremony

A global citizen committed to international development, Nancy Strickland, a geography major, graduated from Trent in 1978. Ms. Strickland is the founding Executive Director of The Bhutan Canada Foundation which is a newly established NGO focusing on educational links between Bhutan and Canada. She started her international work with World University Service of Canada (WUSC) as a geography teacher in rural Zimbabwe and then taught in Eastern Bhutan and later in the High Arctic of Canada. From 1992 to 2008 Ms. Strickland worked for the University of New Brunswick and headed the CIDA-funded Canadian Cooperation Office in Bhutan. In 2003, she was honoured with the WUSC Alumni Award in recognition of her consistent commitment to international development. Ms. Strickland has assisted in the production of a number of textbooks and wrote a children’s book about rural Bhutan entitled Going Home in the Rain, which she dedicated to the children of Bhutan.

For a complete list of honorary degree recipients throughout Trent University’s history, please visit www.trentu.ca/administration/senate_hongrademinent.php

For more information on Nancy Strickland and the Bhutan Canada Foundation please visit: http://www.bhutancanada.com/HOME.html

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 – Blyth in the Community
Blyth Academy would like to congratulate its students for their ongoing involvement with community service projects. Here are just a few of the exciting projects that students have taken part in over the winter months:

Project Haiti - In January, following the Haiti’s earthquake, Blyth students were quick to respond to the tragedy by splitting into groups to carry out a number of fundraisers, raising over $500 in just one day.

Ice Fest - On February 20th and 21st, Blyth Students volunteered their time to help coordinate Ice Fest, an annual “made-in-Canada” ice carving completion that takes place in the Village of Yorkville Park. Over the course of the weekend students helped more than 15,000 visitors enjoy the uniquely Canadian ice sculptures including carvings of a polar bear, a mouse, geese in flight, beavers and even an Inukshuk.

Habitat for Humanity - After several weeks of fundraising, 23 students spent Friday, February 19 constructing homes for Habitat for Humanity.

January 5, 2010 – Toronto – Blyth Academy is pleased to announce Chen Sun, of A.B. Lucas S.S. in London, Ontario; Ryan Peng, Centennial Collegiate, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Ryan Pepin, Port Moody Secondary School, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia are the national winners of this year’s Blyth Cambridge Scholarships. The scholarship, which comes with admission to Pembroke College, Cambridge University, will provide our scholars with funds covering tuition, books, housing, living, and travel expenses. For more information on the scholarship please visit http://blythscholars.com.

Click here to view the complete story from the London Free Press

Toronto – December 22, 2009 – Blyth Academy is pleased to introduce The Duke of Edinburgh’s Leadership Award to all of its International Summer Programs and at both of its full-time Academies. Whether students are already involved in, or are new to this award program, Blyth will help them obtain hours towards their bronze, silver, or gold medal. A broad range of activities will be coordinated on each Blyth program to ensure students can fulfill award requirements in all four areas: community service, personal skills development, physical recreation, and adventurous journey. The addition of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award reflects Blyth Academy’s goal of producing successful, well-rounded individuals.

About the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh K.G. K.T. The Award came to Canada in 1963 and currently runs in 126 countries around the world. To date almost 6 million young people have challenged themselves by participating in The Award.

The Award is a programme that encourages youth to be active, to participate in new activities and pursue current interests in four different areas. It offers you the opportunity to set goals and achieve results in fun and challenging ways. To learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award click here.

BLYTH ACADEMY IS FIRST IN THE WORLD TO ANNOUNCE THE SUPPLY OF SONY READERS IN PLACE OF PRINTED TEXTBOOKS

TORONTO – November 17, 2009 – Embracing the benefits of electronic reading, students at Blyth Academy are today beginning the transition from using traditional printed textbooks to digital textbooks read on the Sony® Reader Digital Book. Blyth Academy is the first high school in the world to announce that each student will be supplied with an e-Reader in place of printed textbooks.

From history class to political science, each student will have access to all of his or her course content using leading edge digital technology from Sony and publishers like Pearson Canada. The students will use Sony Readers that are pre-loaded with course textbooks, outlines, assignments, reference materials, background reading and personal timetables.

“My Sony Reader helps me get organized,” said Michael Tyrrell, student at Blyth Academy. “I have all my textbooks and class material on it - it’s really cool. I feel like somebody just personalised school to fit me.”

Blyth Academy selected the Sony Reader Touch™ Edition because it’s easy to use with intuitive touch screen navigation, and its open format provides students with access to content from numerous sources.

“We’re excited about how the Sony Reader can enhance a student’s learning experience,” says Tim Algate, Reader Product Manager with Sony Canada. “We’ll be listening to these students, using their feedback to evolve our Reader offering for education.”

The school has compiled a library of digital content from textbook publishers like Pearson and other class material and literature in digital format. Blyth will give students access to digital assets for university admission, offering everything they need to chose and apply to any university.

“The digital content we’ve acquired, coupled with the students’ Sony Readers, will dramatically improve student access to textbooks, collateral material, literature and reading in general,” said Sam Blyth, Chair, Blyth Academy. “Our student survey shows that they are twice as likely to read a book available in an e-book format as in hard copy form.”

Helping lead the way in delivering digital content for education are publishers like Pearson Canada.
“Pearson Canada is taking students beyond the four corners of the printed textbook,” said Anne-Marie Scullion, Vice President of Marketing Field Services, Pearson Canada. “Our focus is on developing flexible and adaptive content to engage students in a 21st century learning environment.”

Students will also have access to more than half a million free e-books from Google through the Sony eBook store at www.ebookstore.sony.com, as well as the e-books offered by the Toronto Public Library.

About Blyth Academy
Blyth Academy is one of Canada’s largest providers of private education. It owns and operates three high school campuses in the Toronto region and operates international accredited programs in 28 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.blytheducation.com.

About the Sony Reader
The Sony Touch Edition™ Reader is a portable electronic reading device that can store up to 350 eBooks, and allows access to multiple file formats. Its award-winning industrial design features an E Ink® Vizplex™ electronic paper display that mimics the look of ink on paper. The Reader features a six-inch touch screen panel that enables page turning, highlighting and note taking with the swipe of a finger or by using the included stylus pen. Readers can take handwritten notes with the stylus pen or type with the virtual keyboard. It includes an integrated English Dictionary that allows you to look up a word by simply tapping on it. It also offers five adjustable font sizes, as well as media expansion slots, making your portable library virtually limitless. Visit www.sonystyle.ca/reader for more information.

About Pearson Canada School Division
Every day Pearson resources touch the lives of teachers and students in Canadian classrooms. Our research-based print and digital programs, assessment tools, and educational services are designed to help teachers make a lasting impact on learning for every student. Pearson is Canada's leading educational publisher, developing resources for all core curriculum subjects K-12: Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and French as a Second Language. We see the diversity of Canada’s students as a strength and are committed to developing a full array of core curriculum, supplementary, assessment, professional, and early learning resources to help students of all ages learn at learn at their own pace, and in their own ways. Visit www.pearsoncanada.ca/school for more information.

For information, and to schedule an interview, please contact:

Click here to watch the Blyth Academy news clip from CTV National News

Blyth Academy and Pembroke College would like to congratulate the following applicants who have received National Interviews for a Blyth Cambridge Scholarship:

• Victoria Breda, Holy Cross Catholic Academy, Woodbridge, ON
• Mary Louise Chabot, Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Victoria, BC
• Brandon Ewonus, St. Michaels University School, Victoria, BC
• Sarah Lane, Villanova College, Richmond Hill, ON
• Kelly Ann O’Connor, Elmwood School, Ottawa, ON
• Ryan Peng, Centennial Collegiate, Saskatoon, SK
• Patrick Quinton-Brown, Sinclair Secondary School, Whitby, ON
• Chen Sun, A.B. Lucas Secondary School, London, ON

Blyth Academy
Last summer Blyth Academy incorporated Blyth International Summer Awards into each of our programs. We congratulate the following students on their outstanding 2009 achievements.

The Chairman’s Award for Academic Excellence: Awarded to the top academic student on the program.

Ari Zagdanski - International Business
Yuna Yoon - Spain
Robert Trench - Film Studies
Zach Barnes- Culinary Arts
Victoria Breda- Egypt
Hillary Abramsky - Amazon
Caleigh Gruner - Costa Rica
Olivia Petersons - Costa Rica
Madison Abernethy - Costa Rica
Iain Reid Costa - Rica
Mike Holmes – Italy and Greece
Michael Harvey- Playas Del Coco
Andrei Dan – Hawaii

The Principal’s Award for Citizenship: Awarded to the top citizen of the program who shows enthusiasm, compassion for others and a role model for other students.

Alexander Bleeker - International Business
Brandon Clarke - Australia
Suzanne Tillman - Spain
Laura Katz - Culinary Arts
Joanne Roitman - Film Studies
Gareth Mandin - Egypt
Emma Dawkins - Costa Rica
Martin Hough and Elena Koskinas – Playas Del Coco
Patrick Boelsterli - Amazon
Maddy Dawson - Italy and Greece
Torrey Sirdevan- Hawaii
Reilly Kostic- France
Rebecca Lee - France

The Director’s Award for Community Service: Awarded to the individual viewed to have been the top contributor to the program through leadership and high endeavor.

Christopher Conery- International Business
Amanda Nimmo - Spain
Sami Cooney - Film Studies
Cara Davis - Culinary Arts
Sarah Krapez - Egypt
Michelle Millar - Italy and Greece
Matthew Powell - Amazon
Reegan Connor - Cost Rica
Max Bertram and Jasmine Thagard – Playas Del Coco
Sean West – Hawaii
Lydia Lim- France

Blyth Academy would like to congratulate all our graduates on their outstanding academic achievement and 2009 University acceptances. We know with confidence that you will bring the knowledge and Blyth experiences you have earned with you, into your futures. In addition, 50% of all our graduating students received university entrance scholarship offers that where equal to or greater than their total Blyth tuition commitments.

Please click here for a Complete List

As seen at MACLEANS.CA, June 16, 2009

Sam Blyth, director of the co-ed Blyth Academy in Thornhill, Ont., shudders at the thought of a stand-alone class for poise and presence: “There are all kinds of things,outdoor things, kids that age could be doing in the summer. Let them participate, don’t just modulate their behaviour.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THIS ARTICLE

Blyth Italy/Greece group to have an audience with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XV1.

On July 8th  150 students and staff on our Greece/Italy program will have the honour of an audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XV1 at the Vatican.

Special Announcements

Blyth Academy @ the Royal Ontario Museum

 We are delighted to announce that we have recently reached an agreement with the Royal Ontario Museum which for the first time will allow students to take high school credit courses at the ROM.

The courses, which will be accredited by Blyth Academy, will be taught by our faculty together with both educational and curatorial staff at the museum. Uniquely this program will allow student to access to both the public galleries and vaults and the ability to handle artifacts as they work with ROM staff.

Blyth Academy full time students will be able to take up to 2 credits a term at the ROM. During the summer and evening s and Saturdays in the fall the program will be open to students from other schools. Course are accredited at grades 9-12 and will include the following amongst others:

Earth and Space Sciences
Classical Civilization (including the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Visual Arts and Environmental Design
Native Studies
Anthropology
Modern Western Civilization
Biology

For more information please contact our office at 416 960-3552 or email info@blytheducation.com

April 3,2009

   Blyth Academy to sponsor the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum.  Sam Blyth, Chair, Blyth Academy is delighted to announce that it will sponsor the forthcoming exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Royal Ontario Museum. 

   In 2008 Blyth sponsored the Darwin exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum. The sponsorship of the Dead Sea Scrolls signals Blyth’s continued support of the ROM together with its belief in the power of exploration and discovery in the field of education.

The following article appeared in the Globe and Mail on March 24, 2009:

Blyth Summer Academy in Ottawa:

Blyth Academy is happy to announce that it will be offering accredited courses at its new Ottawa summer school in July and August, 2009.

Blyth’s new summer school - using the facilities of both Ashbury College and Elmwood School - will be opened to both girls and boys, in the heart of Rockcliffe Park. The program also offers a limited amount of residential accommodation.

Blyth brings to Ottawa the high quality education, specialized faculty and the ideal, small class learning environment that have ensured our graduates’ continued post-secondary university success. A wide range of courses grades 9-12 will be available.

Bringing Blyth’s affordable private education to Ottawa, course fees are only $895, (plus a $95 one time registration fee.) Students enrolled in multiple courses, or participating in our international summer education programs, are eligible for discounts.

An additional benefit is the opportunity for students to take part in Blyth’s industry leading accredited community service program.  Students participate in unique and beneficial community support projects that can be used to fulfill graduation requirements.

Please visit our website again for additional information and further updates about Blyth Academy in Ottawa.

New Academy Staff!

We are delighted to welcome John MacPhail to our staff. John will teach History for us this summer in France and is the second member of our staff to receive the Governor General’s Awards for Excellence in the Teaching of History. An in depth bio will be available shortly.

Changes in our Guidance Department at Yorkville and Thornhill:

Ms. Nili Isaacs B.A., B.Ed (McGill) M.Ed. (University of Toronto) We are pleased to announce that Ms. Nili Isaacs will be joining Blyth Academy – Yorkville as Head of Guidance and Administration. Ms. Isaacs, a dynamic young educator, received her undergraduate education at McGill University and received her Master’ Degree from the University of Toronto specializing in Guidance and Counseling Psychology. She has been a teacher and guidance counselor for over seven years. She has international experience being a member of the staff at an inner city school for 4 years in London, England as a teacher and guidance counselor. She has experience in counseling at both the private and public school systems and for the past year was an integral member of the Guidance department of Jarvis CI. Her expertise and energy will serve our student body well. She will be taking over the duties of Gwim Philipp and can be contacted at:  nisaacs@blytheducation.com    Her phone number will be 416-960-3552 ext 18.

Ms. Sarah K. Davis B.A., M.A. (University of Iowa, USA). We are pleased to announce that Ms. Davis will be joining Blyth Academy – Thornhill as Head of Guidance and Administration. Ms. Davis received her high school education in Canada before pursuing her undergraduate education in the United States earning a B.A. in English. She continued her schooling at the University of Iowa obtaining a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Rehabilitation and Student Development. Following this, Ms. Davis put her formal education to good use as a teacher and guidance counselor at the high school level in the USA and in England for six years. She has also worked in the field of Gifted Education. Ms. Davis has now relocated to Canada where she has worked as a youth counselor. She is well traveled and is fluent in English, Spanish and French. As an energetic educator, we know our student body will be well served by her expertise and broad range of experience. She will be taking over from Ms. Alexandra Patino on March 23, 2009 at Thornhill.

We are delighted to announce the following appointments to our full and part time Academy. They will take up their various roles with us in April or during the summer and fall.

Dr. David Moody Ph. D. (Cambridge) a young dynamic instructor and award winning teacher. Dr. Moody will be joining our Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics department.

Dr. Cynthia Morin Ph. D. (McMaster University) a native of Quebec, educated in Ontario, Dr. Morin brings to Blyth Academy an impressive resume of teaching both high school and University and research here and abroad (University of Utrecht). Dr. Morin will be in joining our Biology and Mathematics departments.

 Dr. John Vervaeke Ph. D. (University of Toronto) Nominated for the Prime Minister’s Best Teacher award (2006) and Best Lecturer in Ontario, TVOntario Big Ideas (2006), Dr. Vervaeke is a published author in Philosophy and Psychology. His real passion is working with young people and he has taught high school for several years. Dr. Vervaeke will be joining our Philosophy and Social Science department.

 Michael Helfield M.A.(Queen’s) earned his undergraduate degree at McGill University. An award winning Classics scholar, Mr Helfield will bring a youthful energy to Blyth Academy. He will be joining our Classics and History department. 

Mr. Robin Benmergui M.A. (University of Toronto) has had an illustrious career in public education, both in teaching as a Head of English, and as an admired administrator. His years of experience will be an asset to our student body. Mr. Benmergui will be joining our English department.

Blyth Academy Thornhill and Yorkville:

Still unsure what to do for March Break? Why not come to Egypt or Costa Rica with Blyth Academy.  Book soon as the deadline is approaching!

Students at our Yorkville campus are in the process of arranging a fashion show in conjunction with a number of Yorkville and Hazelton lanes Boutiques.  We will be posting the date shortly.

Students at Thornhill campus will be heading of to the Royal Alexandra Theatre this month to see Medea, a story of obsession and revenge from the play by Euripides.

Enrollment continues to increase as parents and students assess the quality and value proposition offered at our schools. Increasing numbers of grade 11 and 12 students are opting to do their final year in two or three terms in order to create a mini gap year. Families with children in private schools save about $15,000. in tuition fees while keeping their students in a private school setting with excellent teaching. We still have a few spaces available for the February term at Yorkville and Thornhill. Please call us as soon as possible if you are interested. We will be opening another school in Burlington/Oakville in the summer of 2009. More information will be available shortly. Our next part time session begins in February as well. Please call us if you need help.

International Summers:

We are excited to announce that Blyth International Summers has hit a record high in student enrollment.  Some programs are nearly sold out, so act fast to get the program of your choice.

The administrative staff for our Summer Programs are hard at work coming up with new and exciting optional excursions for this summer.  Feel like hiking or horseback riding in the Pyrenees?  What about swimming with Sting Rays or Dolphins?  Or maybe a night in a Castle is more your thing.  Stay tuned to your program page in the New Year for all of these exciting opportunities and more! 

We have 22 programs available for this summer and happily enrollment is very strong. We estimate more than 1000 students will take part. New programs in the Culinary Arts in Italy, Film Studies in LA, the Performing Arts, Egypt and International Business (NYC, Dubai, and Shanghai) have all been very well received. Our programs in Italy, Greece and France are getting very full-if you are looking at these programs in 2009 please let us know as soon as possible.

March Break:

Still unsure what to do for March Break this year? Why not come to Egypt with Blyth Academy. 

We still have space on our programs to Egypt and Costa Rica. These are fun, safe and excellent alternatives to the ‘grad trip’ phenomena and also offer the opportunity to do community service for credit.

Blyth Community Service

Community Service Internships in Bhutan

Blyth has been actively involved in Bhutan since 1988 when Sam Blyth led an expedition to the country that included the former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

As well as our programs to Cuba, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Egypt and Tanzania we are happy to announce a new opportunity for both high school and university students to do volunteer teaching in Bhutan in the spring and summer of 2009. This is a unique opportunity which will see our students working in teams teaching young Bhutanese and leading activities.

Bhutan is a small Buddhist country in the Eastern Himalayas with a population of under 700,000. It is one of the most traditional, peaceful and beautiful places on earth and I will be leading a trip there in May 2009. It will be my fifth visit to Bhutan and will coincide with the opening of the Bhutan Canada Foundation which will be supported by Blyth. The trip will provide a unique opportunity to meet some of the top people in the country as well as provide unique access to sites around the country. If you are interested in accompanying me please drop me a line at the address below.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year,

Sam Blyth                                       

Managing Director, Blyth Academy.                        

samblyth@blytheducation.com