“Best Exploratory Ever” Pairs Middle Schoolers with Local Seniors
"I don’t know if there will ever be something at school that will impact me the way this did." Middle School students reflect on a unique partnership they made with residents at a local seniors home
Grade 10 Students Depart for Experiential Learning Pursuits
Grade 10 students head out on 'the pursuit' to immerse themselves in real-world activities and environments for experiential learning
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Lindy Van Alstine
Middle School science teacher Ms. Lindy Van Alstine, who retires this year after 26 years at SMUS, is featured in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: SMUS Students Bridge the Generations with Seniors
The Saanich News highlights a wonderful community project that connected our Middle School Exploratory students with seniors at a local retirement home
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Emily Deslaurier
Junior School French teacher Ms. Emily Deslaurier is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Middle School Tests a Flexible Schedule to Personalize Learning
For one day, May 10, the schedule was wiped clean and students had a modified schedule that allowed for longer, more personalized learning opportunities
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Andy Rodford
Mr. Andy Rodford, Director of the Senior School and next year's Acting Head of School, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: Students Participate in Mock Provincial Election
CTV Vancouver Island talks to Senior School students participating in a mock election ahead of the official B.C. election
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Dariol Haydock
Middle School assistant director Ms. Dariol Haydock is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Announces Mr. Mark Turner as New Head of School
St. Michaels University School is pleased to announce Mr. Mark Turner has been appointed as the new Head of School.
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Evan Fryer
Senior School math teacher, Senior boys soccer coach and Barnacle houseparent, Mr. Evan Fryer leads a very busy life inside and outside of SMUS.
Since...
SMUS in the News: Grade 8 Digital Detox and Ms. Lee’s ‘Talking With Strangers’...
Ms. Tanya Lee and her Grade 8 Communication Skills class are featured on Chek News
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Matt Keil
Grade 5 teacher Mr. Matt Keil is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
University Counselling: Thinking Ahead to Summer
Ms. Alison McCallum, head of University Counselling, offers some great advice for how to spend some of your time off in the summer
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Mike Jackson
Senior School science teacher Mr. Mike Jackson is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Dream Big Stories: Ms. Susan Vachon
Ms. Susan Vachon talks about how SMUS's annual Dream Big fund has a direct impact on the education students receive – in this case Learning Resources
Choosing the Right High School Courses at SMUS
Senior School students will soon pick their classes for next year. Find out everything you need to know to help you choose the right high school courses
AP Students Map Their Family’s Migration History
AP Human Geography students learn about migration by researching and mapping their family histories
Futures: Technology
“… and read these 50 pages for tomorrow.”
Teachers were able to introduce this innovation to education after the year 1440, when Johannes Gutenberg invented...
How Sleep Impacts Learning and Development
Listen to Director of Learning Adrian French discuss what happens when we sleep and why it is so important to learning and development
Digital Detox: Challenging Students to Unplug for the Weekend
"I just can't imagine living without my phone for a weekend." Middle School students and teachers lock their phones away for a digital detox
Ask SMUS: “Why Did the Senior School Timetable Change?”
The Senior School timetable change could be the start of a series of changes as we further explore how daily timetables and the academic year impact student learning
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. David Kerr
Senior School teacher Mr. David Kerr is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: Ann Makosinski ’15 Talks Forbes 30 Under 30 List
Ann Makosinski '15 talks with CBC, CTV and the Times Colonist about being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list
SMUS in the News: Ann Makosinski ’15 Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
Ann Makosinski '15, founder of Makotronics Entreprises, is named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Sarah Beeston
Ms. Sarah Beeston, a SMUS alumnus, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Mike Danskin
Middle School teacher – and SMUS lifer – Mr. Mike Danskin is highlighted in this week's Teacher Feature
Grade 10 Students Reflect on Experiential Opportunities
Three students write about their experiences so far in the unique Grade 10 experiential program
AP Students Travel to Bamfield for Hands-On Environmental Science
Grade 12 student Gina Brown writes about the AP Environmental Science field trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
UK Universities on the Ground: Snapshot Impressions
I had the great fortune to be in the UK this past summer for nearly two weeks, touring a dozen university campuses from London...
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Adrian French
Get to know Director of Learning Mr. Adrian French in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Ask SMUS: “What Does a Director of Academics Do?”
Director of Academics Ms. Denise Lamarche answers a commonly heard question: "What do you do? And how is your job different from the Director of Learning?"
East Coast Campus Visits Part II: Places and People of the Maritimes
SMUS University Counsellor Ms. Kate Knight visited universities on the east coast of Canada to learn about studying at schools in the Maritimes
How to Get a Great Letter of Reference from a Teacher
Asking a high school teacher for a letter of reference is a crucial step to help make your university or scholarship application stand out
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Dave Hlannon
Get to know SMUS's Director of Educational Technology, Mr. Dave Hlannon, in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
University Options: Look Beyond the Usual Suspects
Earlier this week, the CUE (Canadian Universities Event) came to Victoria. This annual event is a fair format with representatives from about 50 Canadian...
Digital Detox: Why Students Need to Unplug and Go Outdoors
"When we can do a five-day outdoor education trip and build in time away from technology, we're seeing that it’s really valuable for students."
Marching Toward Grad 2017
We hosted our annual Grade 12 Student and Parent Information Evening last week to help students and parents prepare for the year ahead. If...
GALLERY: Faces and Fun from the First Week Back at School
Here are a handful of photos from all of the fun events that kicked off the 2016-17 school year
Winding up to get back in the groove
Alison McCallum, Head of University Counselling, offers advice to Grade 12 students looking ahead at their post-secondary options
Carrying the Torch for Olympic Values
An opportunity to work with the International Olympic Commission has allowed the Junior School’s Gary Barber to share the spirit of Olympism with children...
The Graduating Class of 2016
Congratulations to the Class of 2016.
We are proud to add 151 names to the ever-growing list of SMUS alumni, as the graduating class officially...
2016 Middle School Closing Ceremonies
The annual Middle School Closing Ceremonies is a highlight of the school year – albeit held on the very last day of the year...
2016 Senior School Closing Ceremonies
On Friday afternoon, the Senior School Closing Ceremonies were held, marking the official end of the school year for the Grade 9-11 students. Among...
2016 Junior School Closing Ceremonies
For the youngest at our school, summer vacation started Thursday after each of the Kindergarten to Grade 5 students proudly crossed the stage, waved to...
The Pursuit – The Culmination of a Grade 10 Experiential Year
After extensive research and collaboration, SMUS faculty designed a unique program for Grade 10 students focusing on experiential learning. Weaving hands-on and real-world opportunities...
University Prep: Our Top 10 Tips for Summer!
We all know that lounging at the beach is great way to spend your summer vacation. But what else can you do that is...
Innovation Hour is “Personalized Learning at Its Best”
What is your passion? Every student at SMUS has a different answer to that question. For some their passion lies somewhere in the realm of arts or...
SMUS in the News: Grade 4 Students Explore the ‘Emerald Forest’
June 8, 2016
CTV Vancouver Island
Fish Eye Project presents The Emerald Forest (clip starts at 20:20)
Wear Your Colours
There was a fabulous array of colours, university names, and accessories in assembly yesterday! We invited the Grade 12s and the school faculty (K-12)...
University Preparation for the Class of 2016: Beyond the SMUS Bubble
We hosted two events on Tuesday, May 24 with the goal of helping grade 12 students and their parents prepare for the next phase...
Experiential Learning: Was Mr. Buckingham Murdered?
Was it Mr. Jackson in the lunch room with the knife? Or was it Professor Plum in the laboratory with the lead pipe?
It's early Monday...
Grade 3 Students Become Poetry Pros
Poetry, as the Grade 3 students in Mr. Brandon Hawes' class have learned this term, is much more than just putting pen to paper. There's the...
French Public Speakers Deliver at Concours d’Art Oratoire
"Tout ce qui brille n'est pas d'or." (All that glitters is not gold)
These were the closing lines of Grade 6 student Vienna W.'s speech. Her...
East Coast Campus Visits Part I: Places and People
The Fitbit monitor read 20,805 steps. It was one very full day of walking – walking to subway stops, through train stations, around university campuses,...
SMUS in the News: Ryan Totz ’16 Wins Four-Year Scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill
May 17, 2016
Saanich News
Ryan Totz '16
St. Michaels student wins prestigious scholarship
French Speakers Head Downtown for The Amazing Race
French students at the Middle School are learning about places, towns and how to effectively navigate a city using directions, so what better way to...
Grade 4 Students Try Their Hand at 3D Printing
The mechanical buzz of the 3D printer moving back and forth is what first catches their attention. Then once the students see (and learn...
Beyond the Bubble: Making a Successful Transition to University Life
University decisions are being finalized as I write; students are making plans about residence life and starting course selections for their first year at...
Teacher Dorothy Hawes’ Children’s Book Comes Full Circle at SMUS
If it hadn't been for a couple "serendipitous" moments courtesy of St. Michaels University School, English teacher Dorothy Hawes likely wouldn't be celebrating the launch of her children's...
Grade 6 Students Look to Solve Issues of Urbanization
As part of their City 2020 final project, Grade 6 Humanities students were presented with a driving question: “As urban planners, how can we...
Applying to a University in the United Kingdom
Studying at a university in the United Kingdom is highly specialized. Students focus on one specific area (for three years in England or four...
Summer School Options: Victoria and Vancouver
If you are looking to complete one of your Grade 10-12 courses this summer at summer school in Victoria or Vancouver, you have options....
Grade 7 Students Perform Shakespeare in the Park
The 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death was an appropriate backdrop for the Humanities 7 students to bring the magic of The Bard's words...
Eggs-periential Learning 2.0: Ducklings Hatch at the Junior School
On the heels of the recent exciting news that our Grade 2 classes successfully hatched a trio of baby chicks, we're proud to announce...
How personalized is the SMUS education already?
This year at Alumni receptions I have introduced a new element in the message from the School: in addition to news about favourite teachers...
Decision time
It’s decision time. Students know the results of many, but not all, of their university applications and they may experience a whole range of...
Kindergarten Students Learn to Measure with Senior School Buddies
It's always a special occasion when our Junior School students visit the Senior School campus for some hands-on learning, and that was especially true...
Lynn Lyons on Building Emotionally Healthy Kids
Licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist Lynn Lyons returned (by popular demand!) to SMUS during Brain Awareness Week this week to talk about building...
Brain Awareness Week: An Active Brain Keeps It Healthy and Well
Our annual Brain Awareness Week – now in its fourth year! – is a time for our community of students, parents and staff to...
Eggs-periential Learning: Grade 2 Classes Welcome Baby Chicks
Mr. Giggles, Cottonball and Fluffy are the three newest members of our Grade 2 population, after the trio of baby chicks hatched in class Tuesday...
Toward Personalization
Most parents and alumni who read School material, and this blog, will know that the theme of personalization has been a steady, increasingly visible...
My Week as a Gene Researcher
My interest in science began at a hospital when my grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes. I was intrigued by the thought that there were...
University Pre-Requisites: The Devil is in the Details
It was the week leading up to Spring Break, and they were knocking on my door in the University Counselling office with increasing regularity....
SMUS in the News: New Documentary Features Dr. Bri Budlovsky ’04
April 8, 2016
Dr. Bri Budlovksy (née Bentzon) '04
Oak Bay News
Doc. features Oak Bay-raised doc
Times Colonist
Former Oak Bay woman now a doctor in hospital reality...
SMUS in the News: Will Barry Wins The Best School Year Ever Contest
CBC News
March 28, 2015
Will Barry, Winner of the 2016-17 BSYE Contest
Rothesay student wins 1 year scholarship at St. Michaels University School in B.C.
SMUS in the News: Delphine Ji ’16 Becomes a Gene Researcher for a Week
Prince George Citizen
March 15, 2016
Delphine Ji '16
Federal grant for mushroom research at UNBC
(photo courtesy of the Prince George Citizen)
Ryan Totz ’16 Wins Morehead-Cain Scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill
One of the best parts about the work I do is the privilege I have to get to know so many incredible young people....
Standardized Testing for American College Applications
Standardized testing is a component of a student's application that some universities use to properly compare applicants from vastly different high school settings and...
Olympic Values, History Celebrated at the Junior School
Grade 5 students at the Junior School, under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Gary Barber, spent the last 10 weeks researching, studying and learning all things Olympic...
Learning and the Brain: Mindfulness and Technology
As technology becomes more prevalent in all of our lives, the challenge of being mindful and living life the way we want to also...
Grade 2 Arctic Studies Culminate in Inuit Games Celebration
All term, the Grade 2 classes have been studying the Arctic and the traditional ways of life of the Inuit people. From lessons on...
SMUS in the News: Lelia Hoube ’17 Reports for the CBC
CBC's Jeun'info C.-B.
March 2, 2016
Lelia Hoube '17
Pour la sauvegarde de la langue squamish (scroll down to the second to last video)
2015 Distinguished Alumnus: Michael Code ’67, Real-World Problem Solver
In a classic story of humble beginnings, human potential and hard work, lawyer Sarah Hudson ’00 uncovers the passion that fuels our 2015 Distinguished...
Robotics Club Takes Home Lego Trophies After Competition
Remember the days when you would sit in class, anxious to get home so you could keep building your latest Lego creation? Well, now...
Young English Students Become Published Authors
Two Grade 8 students will soon be able to put "published author" on their list of accomplishments, as both were named finalists in Polar...
Victoria – A Hub for Off-Campus Learning Opportunities
One of the many advantages of SMUS’s location is our ability to participate in opportunities that exist in a thriving city like Victoria. Looking...
Students Cram for World Scholar’s Cup Competition
A group of nine Middle School students will test their mettle this weekend as St. Michaels University School participates in the World Scholar's Cup...
Grade 5 Students Connect History and Outdoor Education
Last Thursday, our Grade 5 students went to Mount Doug Park to learn more about First Nations people. Taking them to Mount Doug was...
Learning and the Brain: Managing Stress and Anxiety in the Dark Months
As the short days of winter continue, Director of Learning Heather Clayton's latest brain session looked at managing stress and anxiety in the dark...
French Students Compete in Concours d’Art Oratoire
Months of hard work by nearly 200 French-speaking Middle School students culminated in the first two rounds of the recent Concours d'Art Oratoire. For...
Learning Through Play at the Junior School
A few minutes before sending his Grade 5 class out to play, Mr. Matt Kiel asked them a question: What is the point of play?
Students were...
Higher Learning and Life: A Look at Our Grade 10 Experiential Program
This September the school took a big step forward in offering a Grade 10 experiential program that blends into everyday classes, applies the lessons...
Career Day 2016: Preparation for Life After SMUS
On January 27, the Senior School hosted its 7th annual Career Day. Students in Grades 9 through 12 had the opportunity to learn about a...
SMUS in the News: Lelia Houbé ’17 Talks Aboriginal Youth Saving Their Language (en...
CBC Radio: Jeun'info
February 4, 2016
Lelia Houbé '19
Lelia talks (in French) about Aboriginal youth trying to save their language
Middle School Learning: Are Grades Necessary?
I recently visited a school in Manchester, New Hampshire. The school uses some innovative programming and I went to check out how things work...
Grade 8 Student Brings Harry Potter Magic into the Classroom
The Middle School will soon be transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, thanks to the passion and ingenuity of a Grade 8 student.
Jenna S....
Time to Think About Your Summer!
There may be a chill in the air, but the crocuses are blooming and days are staying lighter longer, all key signs prompting us...
Middle School Learning: How Much Screen Time is Too Much?
by Ms. Tanya Lee, Middle School personalization leader
In a recent Communication Skills class, I posed the provocative statement: The Internet has done more harm...
Syrian Refugees Talk Family, Compassion With SMUS Students
by Liza Weymar and Radha Raina, Grade 9 students
Last week in Modern Studies 9, our class had the fortune of meeting two Syrian refugees...
A panoply of choice!
As we look back on all that we accomplished in 2015, it is hard to believe that it is also the time to begin...
B.C. Curriculum Changes Reaffirm SMUS’s Technological Vision
by Ms. Maureen Hann, education technology specialist
In December, SMUS students participated in the Hour of Code, a worldwide initiative aimed at introducing school-aged children to...
Students Walk All Over Canada to Learn About Country’s History
What is in the humongous black tube? That was the mystery Grade 4 social studies students faced when they returned to SMUS after their winter holiday.
Before...
Exploratory: Freedom to Try Something New Without Being Graded!
Once every couple of days in the Middle School timetable, all students in Grades 6 through 8 step outside of the traditional classroom setting...
The waiting game
Many of our grade 12 students are now in a new place: the waiting room. Last fall, there was a flurry of tasks to...
Middle School Learning: The Power of Setting Goals
I read a quote the other day that read: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” I believe the same is true...
Law 12 Students Head to Court for Mock Trials
by Mr. Bruce Maxwell
The two Grade 12 Law classes participated in mock trials this week. One class experienced firsthand a criminal case, while the other had a civil...
Middle School Learning: Can Creativity Be Taught?
If creativity is a new generation skill, how can we teach it? Quite simply, I don’t think we can. I do believe, however, it...
Grade 2 Students Learn Real-World Math With Hands-On Lesson
Fifteen or 20 years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find a math teacher who hadn't told their class at some point during a conversation...
Middle School Learning: Addressing News in Age-Appropriate Ways
As I scrolled through my Twitter feed a couple of weeks ago, I was horrified to read about the events of the day before....
Math 10 Students Use Trigonometry to Solve a Crime
A newscaster (very much resembling math teacher Mr. Steve Bates) comes on the television to deliver breaking news.
"At precisely 7:47 this morning, Mr. Andy...
Surf, golf, and study…come to St. Andrews (but not for the weather!)
On a blustery Scottish day, I took the train from Edinburgh to St. Andrews to have a wee visit with my former advisee and...
Grade 1 Students Shoot For the Moon by Learning Through Discovery
Whoever first said, "Kids say the darnedest things" must have taught young students. When you're educating kids at that age, what adults consider to be...
Montreal Model UN Symposium Leaves a Lasting Impression
by Tayte Gossling, Grade 10
Last week, 16 SMUS students travelled to Ottawa and Montreal, under the supervision of Mr. Goodman and Ms. Knight, for the...
Middle School Learning: If You Build It, They Will Come
Does workspace impact creativity, innovation and productivity? Google, Facebook, Samsung and a number of other major companies believe so. In fact, the Harvard Business Review...
Genius Hour Inspires Students to Explore Their Passions
"We did it! We failed a couple of times but that's OK." That reflective comment, written by a pair of Grade 3 students, is tacked...
‘SMUS Reads’ Event Brings Community Together Around Literacy
At the start of the school year, every Middle School student was gifted a book. And not a math textbook or a dense history...
Middle School Learning: Finding Your Perfect Struggle
Imagine being good at everything you ever tried. You enter a basketball court, pick up a ball, take a shot and “swoosh” the ball...
THE JAG: Meet Hinton Chair Mr. Bruce Maxwell
by Sara Owen-Flood
Mr. Maxwell is the new Hinton Chair at SMUS teaching History 9 and Law 12. You may have seen him coaching the Junior...
Author Visits Brings Reading Excitement to Junior School
by Diana Nason, Junior School teacher/librarian
At the Junior School, we work hard to maintain a culture of reading. This means that reading for pleasure...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to be in Grade 12!
Fingers dog ear pages of an academic calendar. Eyes squint at the computer screen as the mouse clicks, scrolling through program choices and admission...
Post-Secondary Information for Parents
If you were unable to attend our information session held in the Chapel on Tuesday night, please visit the webpage below to view a...
Learning and the Brain: Sleep and Exercise
How are sleep and exercise crucial for learning in students of all ages? Using John Medina's book, Brain Rules, as a starting point, SMUS...
Grade 4 Classes Explore Their World Using Maps
At the Senior School, Ms. Kirsten Davel is well known for her geography expertise and for championing GIS mapping (geographic information system) as a fun and unique...
Middle School Learning: Providing ‘Voice and Choice’
The year is 1986. I take my seat in my Grade 6 class and wait patiently. My teacher rises from his desk and begins to tell us...
Middle School Tech Students Get Behind the Wheel of a Race Car
Last week, students participating in the Middle School's technology exploratory visited a very interesting workplace: VRX Advanced Simulators, located in the industrial park by Victoria...
7400 College Counselling Peers, 2 Campuses, and 1 Coalition
My University Counselling colleague, Timio Colistro, and I spent 4 days in San Diego last week attending the 'National Association of College Advising and...
A SMUS grad at UC San Diego
Len (SMUS Grad ’12) is in his fourth year of study at the University of California, San Diego, in the Jacobs School of Engineering....
‘We Need Students to Understand the Impact of Politics’
With the federal election less than two weeks away, the SMUS Review asked some of our politics and history teachers to write about why it's important to...
Exploratory is All About Your Passions and Trying Something New
The Exploratory program at the Middle School gives students in Grades 6 through 8 a chance to try new things, pursue their passions or...
Grad 2016, Start Your Engines!
In the world of education, September really is like everyone else's January: it's when we set new directions, make resolutions, and fine tune our...
Taking ‘Appropriate Risks’ to Make for a Great School Year
When Mr. Andy Rodford (Director of the Senior School) addressed students this week at the opening day assembly, he encouraged students to take "appropriate risks" over...
Middle School Library Gets Upgrade for 21st-Century Learning
Libraries aren’t what they used to be – just ask Middle School teacher-librarian Ms. Sarah Craig.
“Well, in classic libraries there was no talking, no...
Go to university in Norway? Hvorfor ikke?
One of the many reasons I love my job is because I get to live vicariously through my students as they find out about...
The perfect addition to summer vacation!
Wondering how to fill your time this summer? Want to get a jump start on narrowing that list of university choices?
Why not combine a visit...
‘This Has Been The Best School Year Ever!’
Last September, Santiago Mazoy, Alessandra Massa and Silke Kuhn began their school year at St. Michaels University School. The three finalists in our inaugural...
Congratulations to the Class of 2015!
An excerpt from a speech by Eva Grant, co-valedictorian
When I was going through the college application process last fall – and can I get...
Senior Students Celebrate School Year’s End
As the school year comes to an end, students and staff alike take the time to think back to September and reflect on all...
AP Students Get Behind-The-Scenes Tour of B.C. Legislature
by Olivia Roberts, Grade 11
On June 1, all three AP Comparative Government and Politics classes went on a field trip to visit the British...
Getting Ready for USA Applications
Grade 11 - Most applications to USA colleges and universities will be completed using the Common Application (https://www.commonapp.org/Login). This is where you create your...
Grade 5 Students Grow Out of the Junior School
This year's Grade 5 class enjoyed its final days at the Junior School this week. After spending the school year as the oldest students...
A day at the beach or 5 hours in an exam room?? Know your...
Standardized testing is a component of a student's application that some universities use to properly compare applicants from vastly different high school settings and...
Long summer days ahead
Ah, June. There is so much to do this month, and also so much promise for the two months that lie in wait. Some...
Going Around the World with Grade 6 Humanities Students
Grade 6 students took classmates and parents on a trip Around the World in 80 Minutes this week. The annual Humanities project sees students working...
Personalization: variations on a theme
In one of the first concerts I attended as Head of SMUS, our accomplished orchestra performed a challenging piece – and one of my...
SMUS in the News: Chris Hadfield’s SMUS Chat
Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield's digital visit to SMUS on Monday (May 25) piqued the interest of some of our local media. Two great stories, courtesy of...
Astronaut Chris Hadfield Talks Space, Music and Education with SMUS Students
Astronaut Chris Hadfield became the unofficial ambassador of science to the universe in 2013 when he took command of the International Space Station and gained international attention...
Museum Trip Makes First Nations Lessons Come Alive
The Royal BC Museum, right in our own backyard, is a treasure trove of our province's rich history and a great educational resource. That is why...
19 SMUS Grads Earn Dogwood Scholarship for Extra-Curricular Excellence
Nineteen Grade 12 students were recently announced as recipients of a $1,000 Dogwood District Award, recognizing their excellence in non-academic work.
The awards, which recognize achievement...
Personalization – the mechanics
For the past few weeks I have mused on the theme of personalization, wandering off on a number of tangents. Fortunately, for us at...
Students Deliver at French, English Public Speaking Competitions
Trophy shelves are a little heavier this month for a number of talented SMUS students who spoke their way to a fantastic finish at...
One road to med school
I had the opportunity to meet with one of our '09 grads, Colin, this morning to talk with him about his path from high...
Junior School Celebrates Being Environmentally Friendly
Kindergarten and Grade 5 classes are trying to make the world a little greener by drawing environmentally friendly messages on Thrifty Foods paper grocery bags....
Personalization… more
Personalization and the excellent teacher student
It’s important to put the emphasis where it belongs. More than a little harm has been done by the...
Summer study opportunities
AP season is upon us now and there is ever increasing talk of exams in June, but many students are also turning their minds...
Personalization and belonging
One of the fears of the personalization trend in education is that in the personalized school, with students following their own individual paths, they...
Art School in London – Leonard Liao-Briere, SMUS class of 2014
The AA is by no means what I had expected it to be. The school is absolutely crazy, no grades, no classes, no essays....
SMUS in the News: Lynn Lyons’ Brain Awareness Week Talk at SMUS
Times Colonist
April 25, 2015
Let kids feel uncertainty, learn to solve problems, author says
Watch the full video of Lynn Lyons' talk at SMUS on SMUStube.
Kindergarten Students Lead Their Parents Around School
Kindergarten students were all excited to take their parents around the school this week, demonstrating to them what they've learned this year and showing off some wonderful...
Personalization – our own garden
In last week’s blog entry I ruminated on the theme of personalization in education and in our School. I have used the word “garden”...
Grade 12 Student Uses Science Fair Project to Offer a Helping Hand
As 3D printers grow in availability around the world, so too will affordable 3D-printed products. And one of the more innovative and life-changing devices that makers...
University Counselling Parent Information Evening
On Tuesday evening, there were over 80 parents and students in the Lecture Theatre listening to our University Counselling team talk about the myriad...
Path to Personalization
My colleagues at SMUS had been using the word “personalization” for a couple of years when it also appeared in the new BC Education...
Brain Awareness Week: Junior School Inquiries
Junior School students spent Brain Awareness Week learning about the brain during daily assemblies and through in-class inquiries. Our youngest students are full of great...
Brain Awareness Week: Middle School Learns About Brain Injuries
A visit from UVic's Let's Talk Science outreach team was one of the big highlights of Brain Awareness Week at the Middle School. Not...
SMUS’s Club Hub: Reach for the Top
SMUS students have access to a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities that interest them. We offer more than 100 fun and rewarding clubs or councils that provide students...
The University of Guelph-Humber
Some record low temperatures were set in the Toronto area this winter (2015). On my visit to the University of Guelph-Humber on the west...
SMUS in the News: Ann Makosinski’s Latest Invention
Global BC
April 11, 2015
Ann Makosinski '15
Saanich teen's newest invention can use hot coffee to power devices
Middle School Students Gain Worldly Views at Model UN
Do you know what the German government's stance on drone use is? What about Finland's? Or the Philippines'? If you're curious, just ask the...
SMUS’s Club Hub: Math Challengers
SMUS students have access to a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities that interest them. We offer more than 100 fun and rewarding clubs or councils that provide students...
SMUS Students Earn Perfect Scores on Advanced Placement Exams
Grade 12 student Nick Scholz and 2014 grad Jennifer Park achieved something quite rare last year.
The two students are among only 285 in the world to...
Model UN Competitions Are Fun and Rewarding Experiences
by Jonathan Mostovoy, Grade 12
Last weekend I attended the Canadian High School Model United Nations (CAHSMUN) in downtown Vancouver. Being a veteran at these types...
Junior School Students Demonstrate Their Learning in a Personal Way
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
During the final two weeks of Term Two each year, Junior School students turn the traditional parent...
Best School Year Ever: And the Winner is…
It happened again. SMUS launched its second Best School Year Ever contest in October 2014 with the tagline: "Wanted: One amazing high school student." What...
100 Days of Learning and Service at the Junior School
It's been 100 school days since the first bell rang in September at our Junior School. Since that time, our youngest have grown as...
Grade 1 and 11 Students Become Fairy Tale Heroes
Once upon a time there lived a group of young princes and princesses learning about fairy tales in their Grade 1 class. Her Royal Highness the...
Hands-On Learning Through Exploration
Our Middle School Exploratory Program is a great way for students to expand their interests; where the thrill of learning something new becomes priority...
Meet the Best School Year Ever Finalists
The SMUS campus has been buzzing with Best School Year Ever chatter for months now. We launched the 2015-16 scholarship contest in late October,...
Experience the SMUS Community at Open House: February 20
by Paul Leslie, Director of Admissions
The SMUS Open House is an opportunity for families to visit our Junior, Middle and Senior school campuses and get...
Marine Biology and Philanthropy: A Visit to the Vancouver Aquarium
Grade 4 students headed across the water this week for a memorable visit to the Vancouver Aquarium.
This field trip was more than just a...
Transformed Grade 10 Program Opens Doors to a World of Experiences
On Tuesday, we hosted our Course Information Evening to provide insight and information to parents and students about the programs SMUS has to offer in the coming...
Navigating Your 21st Century Career
by Jake Humphries, University Counselling
Students graduating from high school today face a world of unparalleled opportunity that requires careful navigation and constant attention to...
Junior School Students Go Crazy for Science!
by Nina Duffus, Grade 2 teacher
It may not be the most common of career paths, but there are now 49 young sleuths at the...
Project-Based Learning: Grade 8 Students Turn Injustice into Service
Hard-working Grade 8 students had a financial incentive to do their best this week, as they became legitimate human rights advocates in an attempt to...
How to Rock a Networking Event
by Laura Authier, Director of Marketing and Communications
One of the most valuable tools I have in my professional kit is my network. In my...
Learning and the Brain: Executive Functions Part III
"It's impossible." "It's too hard." "I want to give up." "I don't think I can do it."
Do any of those sound familiar? All of us,...
SMUS Broadens Its Technological Scope
by Denise Lamarche, Director of Academics
One hour is all it takes to introduce children of all ages to coding and get them excited about...
Cambridge Update from Keiler Totz ’13
Life at Cambridge University has been an incredible experience so far. Any initial fears about moving to a new country and attending one of...
Happy SMUS Year! Looking Back at 2014
As is customary for most people at this time of year, the first days of January is a time for reflection; looking back at the previous 365...
A Sanctuary of Experiential Learning: Swan Lake Christmas Hill
Microscope Discoveries is a school program offered at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.
On a warm but rainy fall morning, Grade 6 students...
A Lesson in Baking, Math and Altruism
The sweet smell of fresh gingerbread cookie dough filled the hallways of our Senior School this week, as Grade 2 students rolled up their...
Language is an oral thing
Language is an oral thing. Socrates lamented the invention of writing, saying that it robbed language of its life. This was approximately 400 BC....
Helping your Child Transition to University
Written by Matthew Gardner, M.Ed, RCC , who is one of our SMUS personal counsellors.
The stress of adjusting to university or college is...
Wanted: Three Amazing High School Students
Last school year, we launched an unusual recruitment campaign: we made available a once-in-a-lifetime contest experience for North American high school students. Up for grabs...
Harvard Instructional Rounds at SMUS
At SMUS we believe in life-long learning, and that extends to our teachers as well. From one-on-one mentoring and coaching to cross-campus collaboration between...
Scholarship season is OPEN!
In addition to beginning work on university applications, many Grade 12 students are also currently deep in the throes of researching scholarship opportunities. This...
Junior Geocaching
On October 16th, Grade 5 students took part in a Geocaching event put together by Mr. Pope at the Richmond Road campus. Students used...
Project Based Learning: How has Immigration Shaped Canada?
by Tanya Lee, Middle School teacher
On October 6th, the Grade 6 classes took part in a panel discussion as part of their Humanities classes....
Robert DiYanni on Critical and Creative Thinking
Robert DiYanni, prolific author and NYU professor, held a series of workshops for faculty, parents and students on Thursday and Friday. His topics included...
Learn about American college options
Next week will be a busy week for students looking at their post-secondary options south of the border. Details about all university visits are included...
The Diversity of Living Things: A Visit from SeaQuaria
Recently, SeaQuaria, a local organization that brings sea life into the classroom, visited the Grade 6 classes to introduce the new critters that will...
Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA
Whitman College is a top Liberal Arts choice for SMUS students. Located in the southeastern corner of Washington state, close to the Columbia River,...
Tolmie’s Rugged Hill: A Grade 7 Perspective
by Angelina & Josh, Grade 7
On Thursday, September 11th, the Grade 7 Science students at the Middle School went with Mr. Floyd, Mr. Jackson...
Royal Holloway, University of London
Representatives from both Admissions and the Faculty of Law were here this morning to talk about the merits of this university 45 minutes outside...
Ready, set, apply!
http://youtu.be/eBE1isCvKyw?list=UUmtp7zgg7HYTtns7ySiXOmA
On Thursday, September 4, University Counselling hosted an information evening for Grade 12 students and parents to disseminate important information about what this year...
Canadian University Representatives on our Campus
Admission representatives from universities near and far have started their annual pilgrimage to Victoria, armed with viewbooks and information to give to prospective students. Here...
The Reggio-Inspired Classroom
by Nancy Richards, Director of Junior School
Thursday night was the Junior School Curriculum Night, an opportunity for parents to not only meet their son’s...
A Day Aboard CCGS Tully with Ocean Networks Canada
SMUS Science department head Mike Jackson spent September 17 with an Ocean Networks Canada dive team on the CGCS Tully in the Saanich Inlet.
Four Universities in New York State
Rochester and Syracuse are just an hour by air from Toronto, and Cornell and Colgate are both an easy drive from either of these...
New Year, New Brain Series
If you've never been to a Learning and the Brain lecture, well, you're forgiven. But you should sign up right away for the September...
SMUS in the News: Rud Recruited to SFU
SFU News
July 9, 2014
Matt Rud '14
Clan Add Rud to 2014 Recruiting Class
The Class of 2014
An excerpt from a speech by Lydia Kenzie, co-valedictorian
Allow me to speak to one particularly memorable day spent with all of you. Valentine’s Day,...
How to Download Images from the SMUS Photo Gallery
The SMUS photo gallery can be intimidating but if you refer to this post, you will have access to more than 200,000 (and counting)...
SMUS in the News: Ann Makosinski’s New Invention
CBC
June 17, 2014
Ann Makosinski
Ann Makosinski's New Invention: A body-heat powered headlamp
Looking ahead: applying to the UK
The UCAS (University and College Admission Service) has activated its apply system (Apply 2015) much earlier than usual. Just go to this link: http://www.ucas.com/apply/undergraduate Make sure...
Bug Unit Inspires Malaria Prevention Fundraiser
by Karen Dicks
The two Grade 1 classes at the Junior School have been studying bugs - the creepies and the crawlies, the exotic and...
Beyond SMUS: Reports on Post-Secondary Life
by Kaeleigh Fletcher '10
This past Tuesday marked the third year of SMUS’s “Beyond the Bubble” evening, a night dedicated to giving students and parents...
Grade 6 Classes Take a Trip Around the World
Each year, Grade 6 Humanities culminates with a year-end project called Around the World in 80 Minutes. In groups of four or five, students...
Post-Secondary Transition Talk Without the Fluff
The evening began with an intentionally playful process using a panel interview format à la Jimmy Fallon: there was no preparation of questions but...
Business Students Learn From TeaPops Success Story
Business 10 students recently had the chance to get advice from the entrepreneur behind DeeBee’s SpecialTea Foods. Dr. Dionne Laslo-Baker and her TeaPops, tea-based...
Exploring the Renaissance
Grade 8 students recently completed their projects on the Renaissance, which they presented to each other this week as a way to share in...
Hi-tech, Low-tech
Our Geography teachers are currently enjoying the fruit of their fine work with GIS technology in our program. Four years ago two of our...
Sending our chicks out into the world
As University Counsellors, we delight in our students’ successes and excitement about their post-secondary plans, but sometimes it is tinged with a little bit...
My Journey to Gene Researcher For a Week
by Cindy Kim, Grade 11
I was a sickly child, living in hospitals more than I did at home as my body attracted all kinds...
NYU Abu Dhabi: Where Magic Happens
When I was invited in April to visit NYU Abu Dhabi for a weekend, my first reaction was 'absolutely', thanks to my strong adventurous...
French Students Succeed at Concours d’Art Oratoire
by Valerie Pike and Mimi Brown
Fourteen students from the Middle and Senior School recently attended the British Columbia and Yukon division finals for Concours...
Found: Three Amazing High School Students
WANTED: One amazing high school student.
So said the tagline for SMUS's first Best School Year Ever scholarship contest. Who knew we'd find so many...
SMUS Ecuador and the Galapagos Trip
by Caryn Cooper, Grade 10
The 2014 SMUS Ecuador/Galapagos trip! Where to begin even writing about it? Begin at the beginning, you say? Very well...
In...
The Boundless Talent of Kenneth Oppel ’85
Alumni Weekend may end on Sunday, but one fairly famous alumnus will be on campus next week. Author Kenneth Oppel '85 will be speaking...
Grade 5 Students Go Greek
by Theo
Yesterday was Greek day and I have learned so much about Greek mythology! I learned a very interesting fact about my god Poseidon:...
Leveraging the Power of GIS in Geography 12
Geography 12 at SMUS has been completely redesigned, thanks in part to the ESRI Canada GIS in Education Grant awarded to our school recently....
And the BSYE finalists are…
Ever since January 15, when Kalkidan Amare, David Boroto and Ann Makosinski helped SMUS launch the Best School Year Ever scholarship contest, there's been...
Science 8 Students Look Into Hearts
Science 8 students partnered up for a major biology lab last week, where they concluded their study of the heart with a hands-on examination...
Grade 6 Scientist Becomes Teacher
Yesterday afternoon, the Grade 4 students had the opportunity to listen to Grade 6 student Larry Yu. The class is starting their Light and...
Here is something you can do if you were not accepted to the program...
Ryerson University in Toronto has just published its list of university programs that are not yet filled. If you were hoping to be selected...
Jobs 2020
The website CanadianBusiness.com includes various lists and rankings of future employment opportunities. Their recently published list, “Canada’s 100 Best Jobs” demonstrates some interesting trends....
Experiential Education
I imagine every reader of this blog has heard the phrase, “experience is the best teacher.” Usually when one has “learned by experience”, the...
Brain Awareness Week: Middle School
Many of the Brain Awareness Week events at SMUS focused on research, what we can do to improve our learning and how our brains...
Brain Awareness Week: Junior School
by Tori, Grade 5
This year Brain Awareness Week was lots of fun and I learned so much. I enjoyed learning about how my brain...
Looking ahead to summer
Sometimes students want to use the summer months to get ahead in some coursework, preview a course, or take advantage of a unique learning...
Public Speaking Champ Earns Trip to the UN
Since joining the SMUS community in 2011, Eva Grant has established herself as a strong voice in support of marginalized issues and has practiced...
Tech Club Engineers Some Fun
by Lucas Galloway, Grade 7
Before Spring Break, a group of 20 students from the Middle School Tech Club went with Mr. DeMerchant and Mr....
Recreating Rosa Parks’ Stand
by Amalia, Grade 5
We recently had an assembly where Mr. Snowden came and told us a story worth listening to over and over –...
An Alternative to Parent/Teacher Conferences
While Middle and Senior School parents get a chance to talk to teachers at Parent-Teacher Interviews, our Junior School parents hear about how things...
The Outsiders Inspires Song Battle
by Dalal and Jiawan, Grade 8
Have you ever read the The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton? If you haven’t read it, you should and if...
How to Build a Catapult
Grade 1 and 3 students paired up for a foray into physics, building small catapults as part of the younger students' study of fairy...
A Trip Into Victoria’s Past
by Gabriel, Grade 7
Our field trip was exciting and mysterious. Our Grade 7 Mandarin class explored Victoria's Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, in which...
A Cross-Campus Fairy Tale
by Cate, Grade 1
We were excited to have the Grade 11 Spanish class come to visit our Grade 1 class! It turns out that...
Ann Makosinski on the Tonight Show
We were surprised and excited to hear that Ann Makosinski appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night, appearing in a...
Medals for Math Challengers
by Saje, Grade 8
Academics are a large part of what we focus on at SMUS, but there is more to learning than just classes....
Connecting the Dots
In her final parent talk for the school year, Director of Learning Heather Clayton discusses personalized learning and how SMUS teachers use our growing...
Choosing A Course
Even though September 2015 seems a long time away, the time for students to plan their courses is, well, right now. For a peek...
Attending a Small University – Julian Allen, SMUS Class of 2012
Applying to University is a stressful, yet exciting time. The process provides you with the opportunity to explore your personality and identify a place...
Ryan Taylor, SMUS Class of 2011, comments on Colgate University
Colgate University, nestled in the heart of central New York, is an ideal school for students who love the close-knit and vibrant campus life...
Course Selection Information
The annual Course Selection Information Evening covers a range of topics related to everything from graduation requirements to special co-credit options for AP classes....
Life lessons from a career in media
I had the good fortune to listen in on the Career Day session offered by SMUS alum, Susie Wall, last Wednesday. Officially, she was...
Career Day: Listen, Question, Network, Repeat
Career Day is still a relatively new event on the SMUS campus, but one that is definitely growing in scope and interest. This Wednesday,...
Tynker-ing with Code
by Anna Miller, teacher
The next exploratory term at the Middle School is going to be an exciting one and a huge learning experience for...
Networking – An Essential Skill
Knowing that 80% of jobs are not advertised, networking has become an essential skill for our students.
In preparation for Career Day this past Wednesday students...
Climate Change Showdown
Our Middle School has had the environment on its mind this week. Last Friday, the Eco-warriors won a presentation from the BC Sustainability Energy...
SMUS in the News: Free School Year
Victoria News
January 24, 2014
Free school year in Victoria for best and brightest
Students on Ice in Antarctica
by Tessa Owens, Grade 11
This winter, I was lucky enough to participate in a two-week international scientific expedition to Antarctica called Students on Ice....
Malala Yousafzai: Activism or Exploitation?
Malala Yousafzai is the young Pakistani girl who the Taliban attempted to assassinate because of her activism for the right to education, especially for...
Animal Habitats On Display
Before the holiday break, our Grade 4 students hosted parents and fellow students for an exhibit of animal habitats. Each student researched a particular...
Bamfield Trip Fuels Environmental Science Experience
Way back in 2013, our AP Environmental Science students travelled to Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Soon after they returned, we received this great report...
Dream Big: Alex
Earlier this year, we unveiled the new motto for our annual fund. The money raised supports many aspects of school life but in particular...
Duke of Edinburgh Award Recipients 2013
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people ages 14-25, equipping them with life skills to make a...
What About Santa Fe?
Sitting on the high plains at an elevation of 7,000 feet and just to the west of the sangre de Christos mountains, Santa Fe,...
SMUS in the News: 30 People Under 30 Changing the World
TIME Magazine
December 5, 2013
Ann Makosinski
These Are the 30 People Under 30 Changing the World
Middle School Theatre, en Français
by Jo Ross, parent
The Grade 6 classes presented Boucles Rouges en route pour Mars for their family and friends. The play was a collaboration...
Les Roches and Glion in Spain and Switzerland
Les Roches, Marbella
If students who are interested in studying business want a programme in which they can learn to specialize in an industry while...
Baking For A Brighter Holiday
By Nina Duffus, teacher
Our Grade 2 students have continued their annual tradition of making and selling gingerbread. The 22 students have weighed, measured, rolled,...
Learning and the Brain: Cultivating Strengths
http://youtu.be/uEEj2m80o5k
How are our personal strengths defined? Often, other people - our parents, teachers and bosses - tell us what we are best at and...
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Australia is optimistic. Its people are positive and forward-looking. Business is good. And the weather’s great! International students would be lucky to study in...
Recitations: Keep Calm and Speak On
http://youtu.be/u4PmY8m8wl8
While the exercise of reciting a monologue in public is a rare occurrence, those who have this skill in their pocket when they need...
Education Comes Naturally
by Margaret Lincoln, teacher
The Kindergarten class's visit to the main campus was part of an integrated unit on features of local outdoor environments....
Authors Inspire Readers to Write
The Middle School has hosted two authors in the past fortnight: Eric Wilson and Kit Pearson. Both writers spoke to students about what makes...
Getting to the Heart of Anatomy at UVic
by Nicky Newsome, Grade 5 teacher
This week, we visited the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Victoria! Students were treated to fascinating pictures...
The SMUS Distinguished Alumni Series: Douglas Freeman
The SMUS Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes alumni who have excelled in their chosen fields and have been involved in their communities. This year's Distinguished...
A Deeper Understanding of First Nations Culture
by Angelina, Grade 6
On Tuesday, November 5th, the Grade 6 Humanities classes had the opportunity to visit the Royal BC Museum with Leslie McGarry....
Mathematics: The Key to the Universe
Professor Mike Miniou from the University of Waterloo recently spoke to Middle and Senior School students about the applicability of math in future careers....
Humanities 7: Connecting Skills for Enriched Learning
by Min MacLean, teacher
This year, the Middle School has a new course: Humanities 7. An amalgamation of English and Social Studies, Humanities 7 covers...
Dream Big: Our New Annual Fund
For over 20 years, the SMUS community has come together to support our school and our students through the Annual Fund. This year, the...
17 visits, one busy week!
Did you know that we had 5 university representatives on campus today, and we have 12 more coming in the next 4 days? It's...
Examining Introversion and Extraversion
Based on the best-selling book Quiet, Director of Learning Heather Clayton gives parents insight into how introverts and extroverts behave in different situations and...
A Look at Exploratory
Our exploratory program allows Middle School students to choose their own elective course. Each year, teachers come up with new activities and students select...
NACAC Toronto Conference and Thomas Friedman
Ms McCallum and I have recently returned from a trip to the centre of the universe, Toronto, where we attended the National Association for...
A university with butterflies, tunnels, and a superlab?!
I spent a day at Carleton University for a rapid-fire update about the Ontario universities. At the end of the day, a few counsellors...
38 Universities. One Night.
Tomorrow (October 8) universities from across the country will crowd into the SMUS gym to meet the students they hope will join their schools....
Compost Education
by Maggie S, Grade 2
Last week the Grade 2 class went to the Compost Education Centre. We learned how the compost cycle works. We...
Home of the bilingual Gee-Gees
With 41,000 students (36,000 undergrads) on a campus that is only 0.5 km by 1 km, you would think that it would feel squashed....
Writing Help Now Available On Demand
by Denise Lamarche, Director of Academics
Stroll past Crothall 108 between 3:30 and 4:30 pm, Mondays through Thursdays, and you might notice some students working...
Minnesota – 10,000 Lakes and Some Great Universities
Minnesota’s Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) are alive with arts and athletic activity – The Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves, (baseball, football, hockey,...
SMUS in the News: Ann’s Google Science Fair Win
Ann Makosinski '15
September 24, 2013
Global News
Victoria teen wins top honours at Google Science Fair for ‘Hollow Flashlight’
NBC News
Teens face down flu viruses, energy crises...
Language Games
by Jenna, Grade 6
In Japanese class this week, we had five Japanese university students come and spend the class with us. It was a...
A Joyful Approach to Education
by Nancy Richards, Director of Junior School
Last night was the Junior School Curriculum Night, an opportunity for parents to not only meet their son's...
An Early Start for Grade 12 Planning
by Greg Marchand
The University Counselling presentation for Grade 12 students and their parents that was held on September 12th was a great success with...
A Google Science Fair Summer
One of our students had a particularly exciting summer; Ann Makosinski was the sole Canadian out of 15 finalists in the Google Science Fair,...
SMUS in the News: B.C. teen’s ‘Hollow Flashlight’ project makes Google Science Fair finals
Ann Makosinski, Grade 10 student.
Global News
June 27, 2013
B.C. teen’s ‘Hollow Flashlight’ project makes Google Science Fair finals
Huffington Post
June 28, 2013
Ann Makosinski, Google Science Fair...
Graduation: A Rite of Passage
by Darin Steinkey, Senior Houseparent, Timmis House
There are different types of energy all rolled into one when it comes to a graduation ceremony. There’s...
A Fitting Close to the Grade 9 and 10 Year
by Darin Steinkey, Senior Houseparent, Timmis House
A colleague sitting next to me mentioned how much she enjoyed what she called the "lighter" closing ceremony....
Middle School Closing Ceremonies
The Middle School ceremony is always an interesting mix of perspectives. Students from Grade 6 are celebrating their first year at the Middle School,...
Junior School Closing Ceremonies
Director of Junior School Nancy Richards opened the Closing Ceremonies, sharing both the perspective of the teachers and the students on the past year....
Annual Fund Scholars: Dawit
Dawit Workie first came to SMUS in Grade 8, joining our boarding community and settling in to life not too far away from his...
Lifers
SMUS "Lifers" are students who have spent their school lives at SMUS. This year, Grade 12 lifers will finally be leaving the SMUS nest....
A Bilingual Look at Victoria
http://youtu.be/PRuPN_Kpnbg
by Serena Edwardson, teacher
Throughout the year, my French 10A class has been corresponding with a class from France and collaborating on various projects. My...
Exploring Exploratory
The Exploratory program is a unique Middle School offering that allows students to try new activities without an academic component. Bringing all three grades...
Brendan Snarr, SMUS ’05, PhD Research at McGill
Do you think fungus is only mushrooms, blue cheese, and beer?
Representing one of the most diverse kingdoms in taxonomy, fungi encompass everything from brewers’...
Science Challenges and Triumphs
by Lisa Hyde-Lay, teacher
This year, we entered three teams of four kids from Grades 6 to 8 in the All Science Challenge. Each had...
Oh to be young again!
When I was a teenager, I spent my summer vacations babysitting and bussing tables. Summer school was the furthest thing from my mind and...
Annual Fund Scholars: Kali
Albertan boarder Kali Salmas has made the most out of her two years at SMUS. A fixture in our music program, she's also made...
The Future of Careers
Career Week was a busy one this year, with two events running each lunch hour. Students had the opportunity to attend panel discussions of...
A Look at Ancient Japan Through Art
by Zach, Grade 8
On April 26, the Grade 8 Japanese class went on an amusing and educational field trip to the Art Gallery of...
No Batteries Required
Just in time for Earth Week, we spoke to Ann Makosinski, whose human-powered flashlight just won her a trip to the Canada-Wide Science Fair....
Bovine Role in Human Geography
What does milking a cow have to do with geography? Surprisingly, a lot. Our AP Human Geography class visited a local dairy farm as...
Speaking Out
This week, several students in Grades 6 & 7 attended a speech competition through the Independent Schools Association of BC. The Grade 6 students...
Building A Better Brain
SMUS held its first annual Brain Awareness Week from April 5-12 in order to educate our entire community about not only how our brains...
Storytelling
Grade 6 Humanities students have been working on developing their skills as creative writers. Through the writing process, students brainstorm ideas, organize their storylines,...
English language option in France
Sciences Po is an internationally renowned university in France composed of seven campuses, each with its own geographical focus area and dominant language on...
Model Students Replicate the UN
There's nothing unusual about SMUS students participating in a Model UN, but this week was the first time we involved some Middle School students...
Boning Up On Anthropology
As part of their animal study, the Grade 2 class visited UVic’s Anthropology Department, where they learned interesting facts about animal bones and teeth...
California road trip: 11 college campuses in 5 days
In early February, Rea Casey and I spent a week in Southern California visiting colleges with three other University Counsellors from BC independent schools. With...
Last but certainly not least…University of San Diego
I have to admit that by the end of our tour, we thought we might have seen all that Southern California had to offer...
University of California, San Diego
Back to California road trip: 11 college campuses in 5 days
Five Colleges in Claremont, CA
What a bargain! Seven colleges for the price of one! Welcome to the Claremont Consortium located in the beautiful town of Claremont just 56...
Cowboys, Samurai, and Manly Men – A Writing Seminar
Occidental College is located 8 miles from downtown LA, though I have to admit that we were never really sure where downtown LA actually...
Chapman University – Orange, CA
Located about an hour and a half drive on the freeway from Los Angeles, Chapman was a real gem of a place. The people...
Our First Stop – UCLA
UCLA is located very close to Beverly Hills and the campus visit was the first one on our itinerary. The campus itself is vast...
Physical Education…Online?
by Nikki Kaufmann, teacher
Physical Education (PE) online, that’s preposterous! After all, isn’t the opposite of being online what we are trying to achieve? Technically,...
Groupwork Goes in New Direction
by Ryan Dewar, teacher
During our study of Romeo & Juliet, the students used Google Docs to complete a set of analysis questions for each...
Mobile Lab Lets Students Teach
by Will, Grade 5
At school, we have been teaching our Kindergarten buddies art, math, writing and other things on the iPads that the school...
Beauty, brains, and brawn at USC
Imagine getting credit towards your university degree for a course that entails listening to a talk given by a theatre critic followed up with...
Let’s Get Mathematical: Q&A
The above question is a demonstration of number theory, a favourite of SMUS mathematician Andrew Kang. In honour of Pi Day, we have two...
Let’s Get Mathematical: The Challengers
For many, math may not be an exciting subject, but SMUS seems to have more than its share of avid mathematicians. Math contests bring...
Parents Get a Lesson on Learning
During the final week of the term, the Junior School parents are invited to the school to spend time with their child at a...
Annual Fund Scholars: Remy
Three years ago, Remy Furrer was told he shouldn't even bother going to high school. Now he is set to graduate and attend university.
When...
New Technology Turns Students Into Meteorologists
by Maureen Hann, technology coordinator
This week Grade 4 students had the opportunity to learn about green screen video technology as a way to present...
2012 Grad is Governer General’s Award Winner
Each year, SMUS is able to award one Governor General Award Bronze Medal to the graduating student with the highest academic average of the...
Fairy Tales Teach Espanol
by Alison Galloway, teacher
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want your children to be more intelligent...
SMUS in the News: Scholarship Benefits Portland Teen
Portland Observer
February 27, 2012
Paris Lowe '13
Scholarship Benefits Portland Teen
Conquering Concours
Middle School students put their language skills to work last week by participating in a long established French-speaking competition. Below, one of our students...
Early Investigation Helps Course Selection Success
by Denise Lamarche, Director of Academics
With the deadline for course selection at the Senior School less than a month away, now is the time...
The University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is one of Canada’s finest post-secondary institutions. Three campuses spread across the greater Toronto area serve more than 70,000 students...
Parents Tell Us: Why SMUS?
Why do parents choose SMUS for their kids? This week, the SMUS Open House will bring a lot of new families to campus, some...
Miraculous Marine Creatures
On a visit to the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Grade 6 students witnessed our amazing local marine life in action, including the camouflage abilities...
A Closer Look at Beautiful Things
by Kindergarten teachers
Young children have a natural desire to collect and study materials. We decided to use this natural desire to begin a project...
An Educational Exchange
Grade 11 student Kalkidan Amare didn't know quite what to expect when she signed up for our student exchange program and spent a term...
A Look Into The Eye
As part of their biology unit, Science 8 students get to dissect a real ocular specimen from some bovine donors. For their lab, students...
Diplomat Tony Quainton ’46 Talks Politics
by Athena Kerins, Grade 10
When I first learned about Mr. Quainton’s impressive career in diplomacy, I expected his speech to be very cagey. I...
Experiencing Japan (Without Jetlag)
by Madison, Grade 8
On Thursday, November 15th, I went to Vancouver with my Japanese class and the Japanese class from the Senior School. I...
SMUS in the News: Student Earns Full Ride to Cambridge
Victoria News
January 24, 2013
Keiler Totz '13
Student Earns Full Ride to Cambridge
Something to Talk About
by Tanya Lee, teacher
Literature circles allow students to develop their active reading strategies and “dig deeply” into their novels. By assuming different roles as...
A New Angle on Our City
Geography 10 students took a closer look at how Victoria works as a city on a field trip this week. Exploring the BC capital,...
SMUS Senior Wins Scholarship to Attend Cambridge University
Keiler Totz is still a little in shock. Even though he submitted a very strong application to the Blyth Cambridge Commonwealth Trust scholarship competition,...
Re-Examining Africa with Dariusz Dziewanski
by David Boroto, Grade 11
In my AP Human Geography class, we welcomed guest speaker Dariusz Dziewanski '97, a consultant in international development and alumnus...
Reptiles Return
Just before the break, Middle School Science students hosted some very special visitors from the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Accompanied by their...
Ahhh…January.
It’s a new year and things are cooking in the University Counselling Centre! To date, 37% of the graduating class is on record as...
SMUS in the News: BC Students Earn Scholarships to Cambridge
CBC News
January 4, 2012
Keiler Totz '13
Two BC Students Headed to Cambridge on Full Scholarship
A Play En Français
This week, Grade 6 students took to the Copeland stage to perform a play in French, as part of their language studies. Through music,...
Annual Fund Scholars: Charlie
With the end of the school term and 2012 fast approaching, it is a great opportunity to check in with the Annual Fund. Strong...
Mania Over Math
Math Mania, a new event at SMUS, brought a crowd of students and parents to the Middle School to enjoy games and puzzles for...
Brain Series II: The Surprising Science of Success
Heather Clayton's most recent talk in the Learning and the Brain Series examines the ideas of Carol Dweck and Paul Tough, who make some...
Conflict Unifies Global Politics Students
by Tessa Owens, Grade 10 student
Since October 22nd, Crothall 116 has been transformed into a time-warp portal whenever Global Politics 10 classes have convened....
And the Winner Is…
This year, we put our second annual Outdoor Education Photo Contest online and let everyone vote on the strongest photos. Thanks to everyone who...
AP Environmental Science: (Cold & Wet) Hands-On Learning
by Becca Clayton, Grade 12 student
There’s just something about digging your hands into what you’re learning (though you may have cold and wet hands...
Field Trip Yields Deeper Understanding of First Nations
by Terra, Grade 6
On Wednesday, the Grade 6 Humanities classes all set off to the Royal BC Museum. For many of us, the museum...
303 Million Jobs Worldwide by 2020
It is estimated that the number of jobs available in the Hospitality Industry will reach 303 million by the year 2020. When you see...
Outdoor Education Climbers Not Repelled by Long Trip
by Vivian Lam, Grade 11
For our out-trip, we (a group of 19 kids including the Grade 12 leaders) went to Penticton to rock climb.
Photo...
Interesting times in the Canadian post-secondary world
Here at SMUS, we are committed to preparing students for higher learning, whatever shape that may take. In this article printed in the Globe...
Mandarin Students Take In Chinatown
by Lucas, Grade 8
On Wednesday, October 17th, the Grade 7 and 8 Mandarin classes went on a very educational and entertaining trip to Victoria’s...
The Brain Series: Developing True Grit
by Darin Steinkey
SMUS Director of Learning, Heather Clayton, likes to talk about failure. In fact, she is so into failure that she used an...
Popular Merlin Author Inspires Students of All Ages
Last week, SMUS was honoured to host T.A. Barron, a multiple award-winning author whose Merlin series is being adapted into film by Warner Bros....
The Learning Institute: A Look at Student-Centred Education
The Learning Institute is a petri dish for teachers to test out new approaches and techniques that they believe will improve their effectiveness in...
Parent Presentation October 11, 2012
We were pleased to welcome more than 50 parents who attended the University Counselling Department's presentation on Thursday October 11, 2012. We gave an...
US College Fair in Vancouver – Oct 24, 2012
For students applying to US colleges this fall, or thinking of it for next year, you have the chance to take part in a...
Making Time for Books
by Ricky, Grade 8
I believe the Drop Everything And Read program, or DEAR, at the St. Michaels Middle School is very enjoyable and gives...
Changes to Scholarships – UBC and Queens
University of British Columbia
New this year - UBC's scholarship application process has changed! There is no restriction on the number of applications coming from...
Visitors Help Connect Language to Culture
Ten university students from Morioka, Japan came to Canada for two weeks to learn about and experience Canadian culture. The students visited our Japanese...
What do Coldplay, Ghandi and Alexander Graham Bell all have in common?
They all attended University College London!
UCL visitor, Travis Edwards, popped by for a noon hour visit today. While acknowledging that university rankings should be...
A Student’s Take on Scottish Schools
Last week, SMUS hosted three university events: our annual IvyPlus Presentation, an Australian Universities Presentation and a Scottish Universities Presentation. Below, one of the...
Ivy League take on testing (SAT, ACT, TOEFL/IELTS)
Following up on the blog last week about testing, it was interesting to hear one of the Ivy League presenters at SMUS last week...
All Hands on Deck for Outdoor Education Trips
As we are in the heart of outdoor education trips (a.k.a "out-trips") season here at SMUS, we thought we'd publish one of our favourite...
A Treasure Hunt Without a Map
by Ankit, Grade 8
This week, the Grade 7 and 8 students of St. Michaels University School embarked on a quest to find 18 geocaches...
PRA, SAT & ACT on our campus
'Tis the season for sharpening pencils, filling in bubbles, and reasoning your way through problems! Many students applying to a US college or university...
University of Miami – first college visitor of the year!
Palm trees, salsa, sunshine, sandy beaches are all obvious attractions at a Florida university but the University of Miami has much more than that...
SMUS is Number One in Advanced Placement Ranking
Our school recently received some truly outstanding news from the College Board: we have been ranked the number-one school in Canada for “equity and...
The Scots, The Ivys, and the Aussies
The week of September 17-21 will see visits from three wonderful groups of universities. These will be evening visits; all students and parents are...
Grads of 2012 Celebrate and Reflect
by Erin Anderson, editor
For the Grade 11 and 12 students, the end of the school year has a special significance. For Grade 11...
Diverse, Polite, Driven: Grades 9 and 10 Close Out Their Year
It was a night of music, awards and proud parents. The Grades 9 and 10 Closing Ceremony honoured the hard work of these classes...
Middle School Celebrates End of Year
The Middle School ended the year with a wonderful celebration of the wide range of experiences students had throughout the year. Director of School...
Connections across campus
One of the many benefits we have as a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school is the amazing relationships that are made across the grades....
AP Students Perfect Their Chemistry
by Christina Chwyl and Clayton Fair, Grade 12
Phenomenal flashes of light, crazy colour changes and shrilling sounds were abundant at the school's first “Chem...
Selby Knudsen, SMUS 2011, at Boston University
The Honors College focuses on expanding our base of education and exposing us to new ideas. The freshman year is based on two different...
Around the World in 80 Minutes
by Jasper Johnston, Grade 8 student
Last Thursday, all Grade 6 students took part in an evening event showcasing their work this year. "Around the...
Heading Outdoors: to Hope and Beyond
Photos by Kali Salmas
by Kali Salmas, Grade 11 boarder
Waking up to a beeping noise near my head, I stretched and immediately contracted into a...
A Demonstration of Parliamentary Debate
by Jim de Geode, Middle School teacher
This week, Mrs. Yorath and Ms. Eden’s Grade 5 classes were treated to a Parliamentary debate by four...
SMUS in the News: SMUS Student Puts Brain to the Test
May 24, 2012
Times Colonist
Eugene Tang
SMUS Student Puts Brain to the Test
Humanities Education & Leadership Program held at Stanford University
Welcome to HEAL SU, an educational mission seeking to encourage humanities discourse and liberal arts education across disciplines. The goal: to help future leaders solve...
Reflection: the Key to Experiential Learning
by Becky Anderson, Director of Leadership
“Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.”
- Confucius
I...
Greek Gods Rise at Junior School
by Olivia, Grade 5
We had a fun Greek festival. Before today we studied a Greek god or goddess of our choice. Using our knowledge,...
Halifax
Our travels took us from Sackville to Antigonish to Halifax, where the average age of a Haligonian is 28, thanks in large part to...
Spooky Stories From SMUS
by Sue Vachon, teacher
When you have a school that is over 100 years old, there are bound to be ghost stories that surface. This...
Smile, you’re at X
I’ll admit it. I was totally taken with St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The campus is beautiful, the facilities are all...
Mount Allison University: $6 to anywhere
Sackville is a very small town nestled in rural New Brunswick, about thirty minutes from the Moncton airport. The town doubles in population when...
Alumni and Students Connect Over Career Week
by Shayla Baumeler, Grade 10
This past week, the SMUS campus was flooded with returning alumni and community members. After weeks of planning and a...
McGill: something for (almost) everyone, in and out of the bubble
Over the past four graduating classes, we have had an average of 47 students apply to McGill University each year (that’s a little less...
Free rides, free spirits, and free lunches at Concordia University
If your parents are concerned about you getting enough vegetables while at university, let them know that Concordia University offers a free vegan lunch, Monday to...
A university whose star is on the rise
What do Johnny Reid, the premier of PEI and the inventor of the "smart board" all have in common? They all went to the...
Now that’s a big fish in a small pond.
Catching a sturgeon
Vancouver Island University is full of surprises! Located in Nanaimo, it has a quite a large campus and a total student population...
SMUS at UN Earth Summit!
Tessa Owens, in grade 9, has been committed to communicating her concern about the environment for a long time. Three years ago she was...
The Conflict Inside Our Cell Phones
by Sarah Graham, Grade 10
In the last couple of years a new blood diamond has come to light: blood minerals. Since the electronics boom...
Grade 7 Voices in the Wilderness
Pictures by Zyoji Jackson
by Sophie, Grade 7
On May 1, the Grade 7 science classes went on a field trip to Goldstream Park. While we...
A Look Beyond the Bubble
For many SMUS students, the transition to university can be a jarring experience. After years of enjoying small class sizes, strong support from teachers...
Everything Middle School parents want to know about University Counselling and applying to university
Dr. Whitney Laughlin, Director of University Counselling, will talk to Middle School parents 7 – 8 p.m. Monday May 7 in Copeland Lecture Theatre...
Career Week at SMUS: April 30 – May 4
Next week, SMUS is hosting a series of career events over lunch. The timetable has been extended to give students a chance to attend...
Compost Education Fertile Ground for Young Minds
by Margaret Lincoln, teacher
The Kindergarten children attended a compost education field trip at Beacon Hill Park on Wednesday. This event was put on by...
Update on UBC Admissions
Wednesday I attended a meeting of independent school counsellors in Vancouver with Andrew Arida, VP for Enrollment at UBC, to gain clarity on the...
Australian Universities
Riding the ferry across Sydney Harbour to Manly beach on a warm July day, it is hard to believe that it is winter. But...
Scholar in Residence: Gwynne Dyer’s Less Dire View
by Darin Steinkey, writer
In his first visit in five years, journalist, author and military historian Gwynne Dyer spoke about his book Climate Wars this...
Demi-Gods and Goddesses Descend on SMUS
by Elise, Grade 7
Learning about Ancient Greece doesn’t have to be boring. Before Spring Break, the Grade 7 students were given the creative assignment...
Parents and Students Get a Chance to Act
by Jennifer Fraser, English teacher
Next week, Scholar in Residence Kayte Summers, actor and drama therapist, will conduct two interactive workshops next week: an afternoon...
A Day on the Farm
by Cheryl Murtland, geography teacher
AP Human Geography students had the opportunity to experience first-hand the innovations in dairy farming. After studying a unit on...
SMUS French Teacher Honoured
by Xavier Abrioux, Director of the Middle School
This week, Middle School French teacher Karen Oraas was celebrated at a ceremony at the legislature. Karen...
A different kind of summer school
In this past Saturday’s edition of the Globe and Mail, I came across an advertisement for the “Quantum Crytography School for Young Students”. I...
Vive le Discours!
by Cam Culham, Junior Houseparent
Having worked in the boarding community as a Bolton house parent for nearly 19 years, one of the drawing cards...
Students Take Charge of Parent-Teacher Interviews
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
During the final two weeks of Term Two each year, the Junior School students turn the traditional...
SMUS in the News: The Long Awaited Return of Cooking in the Classroom
March 5, 2012
EAT magazine
Middle School, Ellie Shortt '05
The Long Awaited Return of Cooking in the Classroom
SMUS in the News: CBC nods for Dad, daughter
March 6, 2012
Times Colonist
Terence Young, faculty
CBC nods for Dad, daughter
100th Day of School Cause for Celebration
by Kathleen Cook
We had an amazing week with the celebration of 100th Day last Wednesday. The students have been bringing in soup cans for...
Career Education – Cannexus 2012
Phil Jarvis thinks that a “Perfect Storm” is coming in the career and jobs market in Canada and the world. Jarvis, one of the...
Which path will YOU choose?
In our roles as University Counsellors, Grade Advisors, and Planning/HCE teachers, particularly at this time of year, we have many conversations with students and...
Exploring Exploratory: A New Way to Learn
One of the unique programs at the SMUS Middle School, Exploratory classes, allow students to try out different activities in a relaxed atmosphere. Students...
The Brain Series Winds Up
by Erin Anderson, editor
Since September, Director of Learning Heather Clayton has hosted a series of talks to share her knowledge of the brain with...
Students and Parents Pick Up Literature Tips
by Melanie Edwards, parent
I was greeted with a warm welcome on Monday evening as I entered the Middle School library to attend Jocelyn Dimm's...
Cracking the SAT/ACT Code
by Zeyn Sen, Grade 10 student
When I heard that the director of the Princeton Review was coming to SMUS to talk about the SAT...
Pint-Sized Pioneers Dig History
Our Grade 3 class visited Helmcken House to experience life in colonial times. They also spent time in their classroom playing games and practicing...
UVic and SMUS Students Swap Stories
by Heather Sandquist, Grade 4H teacher
Our recent field trip to UVic was the culminating piece of our study of elements of design found in...
Snow, What Snow?
For years, SMUS students have been hearing me say that one factor in deciding which university to apply to is their tolerance for Winter: ...
Scholar in Residence Combines History and Performing Arts
Historical figure Harriet Tubman visited SMUS last week, in the form of veteran performer Leslie McCurdy. Starting her day at the Junior School, she...
Grade 8 Students Get Medieval
by Erin Anderson, editor
For her Social Studies 8 class, Anna Miller instructed her students to draw from what they had learned about the lives...
Mathematics Adds Up to More Than Numbers
Professor Mike Eden from the University of Waterloo spoke to Middle and Senior School students last week, giving them problem-solving tips and talking about...
Senior School Leadership Opportunities
It is time for you to take stock….reflect on what you have done this year so far that has challenged you, scared you, pushed...
Model UN: Suit Up and Move Out!
Saving the Committee One Resolution at a Time
by Kai Newman, Jennifer Park, Jacky San and Andrew Kang
This January, SMUS delegates participated in the annual...
Middle School Leaders Learn About UN Goals
by Jasper, Grade 8
On Saturday, January 20, I traveled to Mulgrave School in Vancouver, along with 14 other selected Grade 7 and 8 students,...
Parents and Students Learn About The Admissions Game
by Christine Wenzel, parent
This week, our University Counseling Department hosted Peter Van Buskirk, a dynamic motivational speaker and founder of The Admission Game. His...
Student Stories Inspired by Snowfall
A Day in the Snow
by Christian, Grade 4
A deer walks through the snow. The deer makes symmetrical foot prints while heading towards the pond...
Cracking the SAT/ACT: How to Get Your Best Score
Jay Rosner, Executive Director of The Princeton Review Foundation, will be speaking to Senior School students and parents (Grades 9 - 11) on "Cracking...
Upcoming Scholarships
With a possibility of snow flurries being forecast for this weekend, there is a corresponding flurry of scholarship possibilities for the winter term at...
SMUS Artists and Poets Show Their Eclectic Side
by Darin Steinkey
SMUS has partnered with Eclectic Gallery for a very unique show. Artists from Art Foundations 11/12 and poets from Writing 12 collaborated...
Special Speaker on US Admissions January 25th
Peter Van Buskirk, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Former Dean of Admission will be presenting on “ The Admission Game”, a lively interactive evening for:
Middle...
The Best SMUS Review Stories of 2011
by Erin Anderson, editor
Since we're embarking on a new year, we thought it was a good time to take a look back at the...
A Look Ahead at 2012
As the calendar year ends, we still have six months left in the school year, and those months are some of our busiest times....
SMUS in the News: Poetry comes to life
Oak Bay News
January 6, 2012
Visual Poetry art show; Alex Davies
Poetry comes to life
SMUS in the News: Visual Poetry with SMUS Students
Focus Magazine
January, 2012
Visual Poetry art show
Visual Poetry with SMUS Students (page 20)
A Memorable Afternoon of Middle School Recitations
Last week, the SMUS Middle School students performed at their recitations finals. Recitations - a long-held school tradition where students memorize poems, monologues and...
Reading Makes Students Buddies
by Zeyn San, Grade 10
The buddy reading program is designed to instil a love of reading in young children. It takes place once a...
Dual BA Program Between Columbia and Sciences Po
Dual degree programs and cross-registration work very well for students who have multiple interests. Wilfrid Laurier University and Waterloo University offer dual degrees in...
Kindergarten Class Swims Through Salmon Unit
by Margaret Lincoln, Kindergarten teacher
The Kindergarten students embarked on an inquiry unit to find out about the connection humans have to the journey of...
Learning and the Brain Part 2: Postgame
In the second of three evenings devoted to the adolescent brain, Director of Learning Heather Clayton focused on what makes learning effective and how...
Myths about Preparing for Medical Schools
“We are looking for great students, not great doctors.”
Many people assume the following about preparing for medical school:
1.You need to take a mostly science...
Teacher Susan Stenson Recognized by Prime Minister
Hinton Chair Susan Stenson, who began teaching at SMUS this September, was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the Prime Minister's Awards for...
St. Andrew’s/Edinburgh/Alberta Medical Program
The St Andrew's/Edinburgh/Alberta International Medical Program: An exciting new program is now available which allows applicants hoping to practise medicine in Canada to study...
UVic Professor Studies SMUS Students
Teacher Heather Sandquist's Grade 4 class have been taking part in an interesting experiment. Dr. Sylvia Pantaleo, an associate professor from UVic's Faculty of...
Have Snakes, Will Travel
by Darin Steinkey
As part of their Diversity of Living Things unit, Grade 6 and 7 science classes welcomed four visitors from the Travelling Snake...
Learning and the Brain Part II Preview
by Heather Clayton, Director of Learning
"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." - Albert...
Grade 6 Students Discover Ocean Life
At the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, SMUS students got a chance to see some local aquatic species up close. The centre has a variety...
Junior Students Get Creative
by Jane Rees, Grade 4 teacher
The students in 4J have launched their writing workshop and published their first piece. On Friday, Nov. 4th we...
Musings on Ontario Universities: Wilfred Laurier, Waterloo, Queen’s & OCAD
Late October in Ontario: crisp, sunny days, frost at night, and the leaves still turning.
Wilfred Laurier, Waterloo, Queen's & OCAD: four very different universities...
Students Sink Their Teeth into Bat Unit
The Grade 1 students spent their morning at Frances King Park, which is home to various species of bats. The students were capping off...
A Report From the Model UN
by Nicholas Loughton, Grade 9
This past weekend, members of the SMUS adventures in public discourse club participated in the UVic Model United Nations. All...
iSearch options for US Colleges
Like millions of others, I spend a little time with an iPhone and/or an iPad in hand. Okay, maybe more than a little. But,...
Grade 6 Students Explore Lake Life
Grade 6 students visited Swan Lake to learn about the various creatures, large and small, that live in and out of the water. Here's...
Dr. Lotus Vermeer ’86 Speaks to Junior and Senior Students
Last week, Dr. Lotus Vermeer '86 visited the Junior and Senior Schools to speak to students about her work in conservation and species recovery....
SMUS History Goes Online and Interactive
by Laura Authier
I love history. I love looking at old photographs and being surprised by what looks different and even more surprised by what...
Students Get a Lesson in Slam Poetry
by Julia Milden, Grade 11
An outlet to express views on life, relationships and experiences outside of academia or controlled forms of structured poetry, spoken...
New Requirements for Provincial Scholarships
This summer the Ministry of Education rolled out new eligibility requirements for Provincial Scholarships. The most notable change for SMUS students is that AP...
Term 1 – Senior School Clubs and Councils Schedule
There is so much going on at the school and it can be challenging to figure out where and when to be at different...
Why a Liberal Arts Education
In an economic downturn, the instinct is to turn towards “practical” courses that provide a student with a certain skill set. I would argue...
Learning Centre Students Take the Lead
Research suggests that kids who understand their strengths and weaknesses are more able to advocate for their own learning needs. For the past three...
Inside Open House
Next Friday, on October 21, SMUS is holding its first Open House of the year. Despite becoming a staple SMUS event in recent years,...
Junior School Builds Foundations for Personalized Learning
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
Prospective families visiting the Junior School as part of the admissions process often comment on the warm,...
SMUS in the News: The Innovators
October 11, 2011
Victoria Times Colonist (via Yahoo)
Dr. Patrick Gill '97
The Innovators: Tiny camera opens world of potential
A Parent Perspective on Heather Clayton’s Brain Series
by Dr. Lara Lauzon, parent
On Friday, September 30, as I was wading through my overflowing email in-basket I noticed an email from Laura Authier....
Contemplating the Ivy League
by Zachary Santella, Grade 12
Unlike many, the Ivy League schools haven't always been my dream post-secondary institutions. In fact, I hadn't considered them as...
California dreamin’
If you are considering applying to one of the University of California schools, you might consider registering for one of upcoming U of California...
What About “Down Under”?
There are some excellent universities in Australia and New Zealand. I recently visited two universities in Melbourne, Australia. Victoria University is an 11-campus technical...
Canadian vs. US Universities – Advantages and Disadvantages
This past Monday, I was interviewed on CBC’s “On the Island” on why, especially with a comparatively weak US Dollar, Americans would want to...
The ACT Comes to SMUS
How much do you like to take multiple choice tests (especially when – gasp – you think your ENTIRE FUTURE DEPENDS UPON IT!!)?
A. I...
The Proof is in the… Sandbox?
by Kennedy Aragon-Scriven, Grade 8
On Monday, September 12, the Grade 8 math classes got together — outside the classrooms — along with their teachers...
Scholarships – Getting Started in 2011-12
You will already know that the 2011 grads from SMUS earned a HUGE amount of scholarship money. Read on if you would like to...
The Class of 2011 Is Going Places
Last Saturday, SMUS honoured the Class of 2011 as well as the achievements of next year's grads at the annual Closing Ceremonies and Grade...
How to Obtain Final Transcripts
The University Counselling Centre works hard to make sure that students’ final transcripts get to their respective universities at the end of each school...
SMUS Student Takes Top Spot in French Speaking Competition
by Theresa Cho, Grade 10
On May 7th, I and a few other senior school students—along with some middle school students—went to Vancouver to participate...
Essay Contest Nominee Meets Former Canuck Captain
by Jessy Lok, Grade 10 boarder
I had been waiting for this news for a long time and when I finally received it, I was...
SMUS Mathematicians Win Big at Provincials
by Andrew Kang, Grade 9
For two years, I have competed in the Math Challengers events, in Grades 7 and 8. This year, going...
Kindergarten Class Teaches Parents About Marine Life
The Kindergarten children invited their parents to school to share their learning about our unit on "Our Big Blue Planet". The "big ideas" we...
Ahh! Summertime!
Summer Doldrums? Consider prepping for September 2011
As we are finishing another year, it may seem impossible that we should be considering September 2011, but...
Studying in the UK and Ireland
There is an international educator’s conference in Vancouver in early June and this has given us the opportunity to invite a number of university...
Scholar in Residence Kenneth Oppel ’85
Alumnus and Governor General Award-winning author Kenneth Oppel '85 returned to SMUS this week to speak to students at all three schools about his...
Grade 6 Students Learn Systems Theory
The Parents' Auxiliary brought in guest speaker Russel Horowitz to talk to Grade 6 students about systems theory and the problems humanity is facing...
Junior School Students Meet Author
by Diana Nason, librarian
We were fortunate to have Robin Muller visit the Junior School on Monday, May 9th on his way home to Toronto...
Let’s talk about TOEFL
It is Advanced Placement (AP) season around here and that has me thinking about all the different kinds of tests students take. Some are...
Grade 5 & 6 Students Build Edible Atoms
Grade 6 students hosted some special visitors from the Junior School this week when Grade 5 classes came to the Middle School to build...
Students Talk About Career Day 2011
by Madison Hadfield
The SMUS career event was a really cool afternoon that let SMUS students get in touch with professionals and learn about careers...
Class of 2011 Surpasses $2 Million in Scholarship Offers
For only the second time in the school’s history, an SMUS graduating class has surpassed the $2 million level in entrance scholarship offers. The...
Students Get Political as Election 2011 Approaches
As Canadians are preparing to vote next Monday, the past couple of weeks have seen a lot of political activity, including on the SMUS...
Grade 6 Students Present Space Stations
Last week, Grade 6 Science students created their own concepts for space stations and talked about their ideas with their classmates. After learning about...
Middle School PE Classes Learn to Cook
Cross-grade PE classes are doing something new this year. Thanks to the Middle School's burgeoning health and nutrition program, students are spending two classes...
SMUS Student Shining on Japan Exchange
by Dawn Wilson, Director of Education Extension
Keenan Manhas has been studying at Fukuoka Daiichi High School in Fukuoka, Japan since September of last year....
Niche Degrees in the UK
In all areas of research, business, and institutional services, specialization is becoming more and more common. Universities are responding to stated demand from students...
Grade 8 Student Ranks High in Geography Competition
One of our Middle School students got some exciting news recently - he placed within the top ten for the Great Canadian Geography Challenge....
SMUS Career Day 2011: Bigger and Better
Alumni Weekend has a new addition this year: an afternoon devoted to careers. Over 35 speakers – many of them alumni – will be...
Grade 4 Classes Share First Nations Knowledge
by Finn and Izzy
The Grade 4 students presented a gallery walk for their Social Studies project on a certain First Nations region of Canada....
SMUS Teachers Enjoy Professional Development
This Tuesday, SMUS hosted Dr. John Medina, the New York Times bestselling author of Brain Rules, to talk about his findings into how children...
SMUS Debaters Compete in Provincials
by Bonnie Moore, Grade 12
The morning of the BC Provincial Debate Championships, I awoke in complete darkness after having been unconscious for almost five...
Student-led Conferences
by Brandon Hawes
The primary student-led conferences were a great way for the students to demonstrate their learning. The dynamics of each grade reflected the...
University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
The University of Edinburgh is located right on the edge of the Royal Mile, a stretch of road that goes from Edinburgh Castle, perched...
University of St. Andrews (Scotland)
At the celebrations in February for the 600th anniversary of the University of St Andrews, Prince William said, “It is the greatest university on...
Go for a test drive!
If you have some time over the break, why not take advantage of a campus tour for one of more of the universities you...
Junior Students Make Books
Heather Sandquist’s Grade 4 class can now add author/illustrator to their resumes. The class is proud to announce the release of their professionally self-published,...
University of Oxford, England
There is little distinction between the University of Oxford and the town of Oxford. The academic buildings are strewn throughout the historic town that...
Alicia P. at the University of St. Andrews
While visiting the University of St. Andrews in Scotland last week, I had the chance to catch up with Alicia P. (Grad 2010) who...
AP French Class Performs Cyrano de Bergerac
This Tuesday, the AP French class performed an abridged version of the Cyrano de Bergerac tale. In full costume, the performers turned out an...
SMUS Teacher Recognized by Stanford University
Senior School mathematics teacher Linda Rajotte was recently honored by Stanford University for her ability and influence as a teacher. Brandon Ewonus '10, who is...
Environmental Science Students Examine Waste
by Kieran Hyatt and Hannah Nielsen, AP Environmental Science students
Over the past few weeks the AP Environmental Class had the opportunity to visit both...
Junior Students Workshop Their Writing
by Nicky Newsome, Grade 5 teacher
This year Grade 5 students have been participating in Writing Workshops. These are explicit writing lessons that have a...
Why Have I Not Heard From UBC Yet?
Every year, SMUS sends many students to Vancouver and the University of British Columbia. Last year, more students entered UBC than any other university....
Science 8 Class Examines the Eye
Grade 8 students spent some time examining the different parts of the eye through dissecting the eyes of cows. As part of their lab,...
Junior School Students Share Their Dreams
by Pam Yorath, Grade 5 teacher
The Grade 5 students have been studying Barbara Smucker’s acclaimed novel Underground To Canada and have completed a wide...
The Birkman Method
Last Sunday night the School Prefects gathered for a potluck in Wenman Pavilion with the goal of taking time to reflect on the first...
Waiting, waiting…
It used to be that students would rush home every day to see whether an admissions decision had arrived by mail, and decide when...
Dariusz Dziewanski ’97 Talks International Development
Alumnus Dariusz Dziewanski '97 returned to speak to AP Human Geography and Geography 11 students about Liberia, where he has has been living and...
Middle School Students Debut Businesses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcFar9uUfJ4
Performing in Senior School Recitations
by Sarah Khan, Grade 12
My palms were sweaty. Nerves had begun to take hold, and I had just discovered that my performance was to...
Middle School Students Perform Recitations
by Rachel, Grade 8
On Tuesday, November 30th, we had our Middle School Recitations. I was one out of 16 students who was picked to...
Exploratory: What’s Happening
by Amanda and Amita
Last exploratory, we spent our class visiting some of the other exploratory classes. We visited the cross-stitching, broadcasting, wood-working, games, house...
Grade 4 Students Learn About Underwater Life
by Terra
Before Nickolai, Rick, Jamie and Stephanie presented the VENUS project to my class, I never realized how advanced scientific technology had gone underwater....
Students Make Friends with Snakes
by Erin Anderson, editor
The Grade 6 science classes had an exciting morning this week, as the travelling snake program stopped by with two very...
Biology Students Create Incredible Edible Cells
by Laura Williams, Grade 6
On October 18th, the Grade 6 students did a cell lab in class. It was made up of an assortment...
Exploratory Students Take Over the Middle School Blog
by Erin Anderson, editor of the SMUS Review
On November 1, the Middle School began a new series of exploratory classes, where students can choose...
Grade 8 Class Learns Math Through Dance
by Mackenzie Valentine, Grade 8
Watching Michael Boston (the tap-dancer) I was amazed! His feet were moving so fast it was making my head spin....
New Technology for the Junior School Classrooms
by Jane Rees, Junior School Teacher
New technology at the Junior School is helping to engage pupils and motivate learners in the classroom. iBoards are...
Grade 6 Scientists Study Swan Lake
by Ben, Grade 6
I liked the Swan Lake field trip a lot. The beginning was fun when we got to catch animals and some...
Mrs. Snowden Reads to Kindergarten Class
by Mrs. Joan Snowden
I loved being able to read to the Kindergarten class. They were all so willing to share themselves with me: Hallowe'en...
Students Read Work With Renowned Poet
by Ali West, Grade 12
“If it’s words you’re after, I’m your man.” - Gerard Bierne
This sentence opens one of the widely-recognized poet Gerard Bierne’s...
Outdoor Adventures: Rock Climbing
by Bairavi Murugakumar, Grade 11
Some of the best memories of the year are from outdoor trips. This year I went rock climbing in Penticton....
Grade 11 Students Hit the Outdoors
by Meredith Witoski, Grade 12 trip leader
On Wednesday, September 29th at 7:45 am, I boarded a school bus with my Island Sampler Grade 11...
Something for everyone this month
Between now and the end of October, there are 15 university visits planned, in only 11 school days. If you are a SMUS student,...
Meeting the Needs of all Learners
by Nancy Richards, Director of Junior School
As the Junior School faculty find creative ways to ‘fulfill the promise’ in each student and class throughout...
Finding your inner zagger at CUE
There was excellent chi in the gym last night for the Canadian University Event (CUE): free flowing energy from the admissions representatives, the parents,...
California, here I come!
Applying to the University of California system as a non-California resident
There are 9 undergraduate campuses and one graduate school campus (UC San Francisco) that...
Investigating the Ivy League
by Olivia Krusel, Grade 12 student
When one mentions the Ivy League, it automatically evokes images of prestigious higher-learning institutions, dark wood-paneled libraries, and secretive...
Four Poets Read at SMUS
by Sydney Snape, Grade 12 student
Victoria is a fabulous place where writers and artists alike can gather and share their deepest secrets and most...
A day with St. George’s, University of London
With programs ranging from medicine (including nursing) and biomedical science to radiography and physiotherapy, St. George's, University of London (SGUL) is a top-notch place to go....
New Report Card Unveiled at Junior School
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
Last night’s Junior School curriculum night was well attended by parents and one of the highlights of...
News from U Miami and U San Diego
University visitors from two of the sunniest places in North America U Miami (Juan Alverez) and U San Diego (Maria Malloy) kicked off our university visits...
Is an Ivy League college your dream school?
SMUS is delighted to once again be the only stop on Vancouver Island for representatives from the “Ivy Plus” group of universities, which includes...
Meet our New Director of Learning
by Erin Anderson
Last year, SMUS created a new position to examine how well the school's practices matched with new research into how our brains...
What’s New at SMUS?
by Erin Anderson, editor
Over the summer, SMUS certainly wasn't idle. As our summer programmes filled the campus week after week, we also found the...
2010 Graduates Say Farewell to SMUS
by Erin Anderson, editor
The Senior School Closing Ceremonies captured the breadth of accomplishment within this year's graduates. From service to leadership to athletics and...
Math Competitions Add Up for SMUS Grad
by Brandon Ewonus, Grade 12
The Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO) is Canada’s premier national advanced mathematics competition and is staged by the Canadian Mathematical Society...
Middle School Closing Ceremonies
by Erin Anderson, editor
The Middle School wrapped up their year with student speakers, music and certificates. Students in Grades 6-8 were celebrated for their...
Junior School Closing Ceremonies
by Erin Anderson, editor
The Junior School marked the end of its school year with a ceremony devoted to virtues and a fond farewell to...
Grade 9 and 10 Students Celebrate the Year
by Erin Anderson, editor
Grade 9 and 10 students had their own closing ceremony, which celebrated their contributions to the Senior School over the past...
Junior Students and Alumni Celebrate Centennial
by Grade 4 students Josh and Triumph
The 100th year centennial celebration was a celebration for the 100 years that St. Michael’s School has been...
Western and the “Affiliates”
After touring the University of Western Ontario (London, ON) last week, I came away with an enhanced understanding of the university as a whole,...
The University of Cardiff
Situated in the largest centre in Wales, where we also find the Millennium Stadium (premier rugby facility), the Millennium Centre for the Performing Arts...
University College, Dublin
Situated a short bus ride from Dublin's busy city center, UCD is a vibrant, comprehensive university buzzing with activity; the general tone is Up...
Royal Holloway, University of London
My recent visit to RHUL convinced me that this college in the UOL collection is superb in every way! Royal Holloway boasts the top...
Residences at McGill
A student who'd just been accepted at McGill came into my office the other day to ask for my opinion about the different residences...
Royal Veterinary College (England)
I had the opportunity last week to sit down with Nina Davies, Head of Undergraduate Student Recruitment, at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), located in...
April: a month of opportunities
There are a number of events organized by the University Counselling Department this month. There will be annoucements to keep you in the loop but...
How many universities should I apply to?
The answer to this question really depends on the student. It's important for students to research their choices and be aware of their goals...
Researching business, architecture or engineering courses in the UK: a primer
If you are thinking of pursuing post-secondary studies in the UK, there are many considerations to be made. How long does the "course" (degree...
You Tube and University Admissions
Checking out university and college admissions videos has become as much a part of the student process in researching prospective post-secondary choices as leafing...
Decisions, Decisions
The Grade 12 class is entering a most exciting phase of their graduation year. The class as a whole has sent off 900 applications...
Camosun College in 2010: a great, local option
How little I knew about the 2010 version of Camosun College! Although the new information has been readily accessible, my understanding of what they...
Business / Commerce Programmes at Canadian Universities
Students who wish to enter a business programme in Canada have a number of choices. Many university business programmes are direct-entry from high school,...
So you want to be an architect…
Architecture is a key area of interest for many young adults considering a professional career path in a growing field. In order to train...
Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship
The Evans Caddie Scholarship, administered locally by the Victoria Golf Club is a very lucrative and generous tuition award ($50,000 over 4 years) tenable...
A Women’s College? Why would I want to do that?
During my recent visit to the Bay area, I had the chance to spend a morning at Mills College, a women’s college located in...
The Big Dig Scholarship
In 200 years, one of your relatives is going to be digging in what is now your backyard. They are going to find something...
Thinking of heading to “Nor Cal” for college?
Well if you are, you have a lot of choice! Yesterday I visited U California Berkeley in the morning, and Stanford University in the...
Some Observations from the Canadian Universities Event
McGill still requires that students take the credit for a first year course if they receive a 4 or a 5 on an AP...
Looking for an inside scoop?
If you are wandering (or wading) through college or university websites, you might want to add a different approach to your virtual touring. There...
What I have learned so far…
Well, after two months in the University Counselling office, I have had the opportunity to sit in on many university presentations. Most visits are a whirlwind...
Mr. Humphries has a new #1!
One of the great things about working in University Counselling at SMUS is that during visits to great universities, I am repeatedly inspired and...
Should I Write My Provincial Exam?
Now that all Grade 12 provincial exams, except English, are optional to write, the question of whether to write or not is a tricky...
The University of London
With 90,000 students studying an all-inclusive variety of subjects on 19 self-governing campuses, the University of London is a fascinating institution of higher learning. ...
NYU Abu Dhabi
I recently returned from a trip to New York having attended a counsellor session hosted by NYU Abu Dhabi. Along with over 50 other...
Find The Shoe That Fits
If all that mattered was how large a university is, then any top 100 list would read much differently than it does now. Simply...
Acadia University – Laptops and LEED
Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is one of the many smaller universities chosen by SMUS students. For several years now, one or two...
Washington University in St. Louis
WUSTL is a university of high ideals for high achievers with high hopes. Set in the fascinating hub city of St. Louis, at the...
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Fdn. Scholarship
The APEGBC offers a number of university entrance scholarships to graduating high school students who are entering UBC, UVIC, SFU and UNBC and are pursuing a...
Back to the blog
Bonjour de Montreal! Je m'excuse de n'écrivant pas.
Okay, so maybe my French hasn't gotten much better... but at least I'm trying right?
It's been far...
Dr David Lane: From French Literature to Eye Surgery
Dr. David Lane
Periodically, the school is fortunate enough to have alumni visit the school and make presentations to the student body...
St. Andrew’s Attracts Students Like a Magnet
If you’ve seen “Chariots of Fire”, you’ll recognize the beach. Behind the photographer is the town of St. Andrew’s, the centre point of which...
Miller Thomson Foundation Scholarship
The purpose of the Miller Thomson Foundation National Scholarship Programme is to encourage and promote the attainment of higher educational goals for individuals who...
Long overdue
...September. That’s pretty unacceptable. I'm sorry for neglecting to write for such a long time.
I hope to share much that’s happened since then, for...
Coast Capital Scholarship
Coast Capital Savings is offering 32 Citizenship Awards valued at $2000 each to students who take a leadership role in their community while successfully...
Dogwood/District Scholarships
The purpose of the Dogwood District Awards is to acknowledge superior achievement in four specialty areas: Fine Arts, Physical Activity and Leadership, Second Languages...
Is it Worth Applying to Harvard?
Recently I presented these interesting facts about Harvard applications to one of my Planning 12 classes.
Welcome to Boston University
With several dozen post-secondary institutions in the greater Boston area, “Beantown” is a student-oriented city. With a great transport network, featuring the ‘T’ line...
Stethoscopes, Lab Coats, and Cadavers.
I had spent the end of August and much of September hearing exciting stories from my friends who had all headed off to university...
Herstmonceux Castle
Hey guys, hope everythings going well back home! Sorry that I haven't posted anything in over a month, but I've been crazy busy over...
Yale?
So I'm here. It's unreal.
Sorry it's taken me so long. September is a crazy month. I came during the last week of August for...
Welcome to the Queen’s Family
Complete first week: check! Meet new people: check! Prepare for classes: check! Download Skype (completely free way to video call worldwide): check! Sleep: not...
Hello from England!
Hey everybody, so I came over to England two days ago for vacation with my family (my school doesn't start here until Sept. 3)...
Bienvenue a Montreal?
Well, I suppose I'll be the first to post...
I moved to Montreal exactly a week ago. I'm living in a condo two blocks away...