Tag: community
The Best School Year Ever Scholarship Contest is Back!
The Best School Year Ever® contest is back, and this year we’re awarding four boarding scholarships to live and learn at SMUS
How to Prepare Your Child for the New Normal at School
Carole McMillan offers tips to help ensure your child's transition back to school is smooth
Black Lives Matter Today, Tomorrow, and Every Day After That
Abby Samuels '20 and Yacine Sy '19 respond to current events that highlight the Black Lives Matter movement
Helping Students Discover Their Excellence
Shara Campsall, Assistant Director of Advancement, highlights how students seek and discover their excellence at SMUS
Helping Students in Uncertain Times
Our community continues to step up to help support students through the Financial Aid Relief Fund
PHOTO GALLERY: Junior School Spirit Parade
Enjoy photos from our Spirit Parade, which saw our Junior School community celebrate through the streets of Oak Bay
Staying Connected While Worlds Apart
'I didn't think boarding would come home with me. It makes it feel like we’re ... still together but just on a screen.'
‘Goodnight SMUS’ Connects Our Community
Chaplain Keven Fletcher launches a nightly touchstone for Junior School families to help keep everyone connected
Giving Back to Make a Lasting Impact
Members of the SMUS community step up and give back during the COVID-19 pandemic
Floreat! SMUS Unveils Bold New Strategic Plan
We are delighted to introduce Floreat, St. Michaels University School's 2020-2030 strategic plan
Connections and Kindness in Challenging Times
Shara Campsall highlights a gift from a SMUS family that is supporting healthcare workers
SMUS is Fueled By Doing What You Love
Deputy Head of School Andy Rodford highlights the importance of doing what you love
Share Your Talents On Stage With Us for ‘The Armed Man’
Join our Senior School musicians on stage for a performance of 'The Armed Man'
Introducing Floreat
We are delighted to introduce Floreat, St. Michaels University School's 2020-2030 strategic plan.
The Rewards of Hosting an International Student
Dawn Wilson, Director of Education Extension and International Programs, writes about why it's so rewarding to host an international homestay student
Our Most Popular SMUSpaper Stories of the Past Decade
We look back at the 10 of the most-read stories on the SMUSpaper from the last 10 years
Ringing in the Winter Break as a Community
The final days before Winter Break are filled with traditions that bring us together as a SMUS community
Celebrated Storytellers Talk First Nations History and Respect
Authors Roy Henry Vickers and Robert 'Lucky' Budd spoke with students about First Nations history and respect
Mark Finamore Wins ‘Power of Youth’ Contest for Coffee Fundraiser
Grade 12 student Mark Finamore wins $2,500 for the Me to We Club to help tackle homelessness in Greater Victoria
GALLERY: A Week of Community and Service
Check out a gallery of photos from the past week of events that highlight community and service
GALLERY: First Week of the 2019-20 School Year
The first week of school has been jam-packed full of fun and memorable moments for students and teachers
Introducing Adrienne Davidson, Director of Advancement & Campaigns
Get to know Adrienne Davidson, our new Director of Advancement & Campaigns
Reflections From Our Outgoing Head Prefects
Grade 12 leaders Morgan Warner and Ewan Halliday look back on their year as heads of the Prefect Council
SMUS in the News: Students Raise Awareness on World Oceans Day
Grade 4 students took part in World Oceans Day by helping to educate the public about the impact humans have on our oceans
Sunsets and Smiles
This past Sunday our boarding community gathered for the first of what will be several “this is the last time we do this together...
David Kim ’05: Helping Students Reach Their Full Potential
David Kim is the person he is today because generous donors supported financial assistance that allowed him to get a SMUS education
Sun Shine
The new Sun Centre student commons and dining hall is at the heart of student life and community
Brown Hall Upgrades Bring New Opportunities
The school's former dining hall underwent a seismic upgrade this school year, which brings with it the creation of newfound space for our community
The Lasting Impact of Financial Assistance
Financial assistance helps bring amazing students to SMUS, and a SMUS education has a lasting impact on their lives
The Next Generation of City Planners
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of School Ties.
by Kyle Slavin
If you were given the challenge of redesigning an important urban space,...
Helping Our Head of School Provide Opportunities
Head of School Mark Turner reflects on the Annual Appeal and how it impacts every student and every opportunity
SMUS in the News: Diya Courty-Stephens ’19 Wins Philanthropy Award
November 16, 2018
Diya Courty-Stephens '19
CTV Vancouver Island
Teenage trio aims to help save two global problems at once
Victoria News
Local leaders of all ages honoured at...
Lest We Forget
When it comes to tradition, few events at our school stand equally with our Remembrance Day ceremony.
It draws from our past as a cadet...
Lest We Forget: Remembrance Day 2018
The SMUS community gathered to celebrate Remembrance Day and honour the men and women who fought for our country
Past, Present and Future
In light of our Founders' and Scholars' Dinner this week, Mr. Keith Driscoll writes about the past, present and future of our school community
Every Student, Every Opportunity
Shara Campsall provides an introduction to this year's Annual Appeal campaign: "Every Student, Every Opportunity".
Grade 12 Student Wins Youth Philanthropy Award
Student Diya Courty-Stephens is nominated for a philanthropy award for starting an organization that aims to reduce food waste
What is School Spirit?
The Prefect Council enlists students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 – and our Head of School – to define 'school spirit' at SMUS
SMUS in the News: Junior School Student Inspires Orange Shirt Day Action
The Oak Bay News highlights Orange Shirt Day at the Junior School, spearheaded by one of our Grade 4 students
Gratitude and Community at Thanksgiving
Incredibly, the Thanksgiving Weekend is already upon us. I am sure that everyone can agree that the opening weeks of the school year are...
The Importance of Boarding
Mr. Mark Turner discusses why boarding students are important for the whole St. Michaels University School community
Good Neighbours: Marking Orange Shirt Day at SMUS
Rev. Keven Fletcher writes about marking Orange Shirt Day and our commitment to building authentic relationships with our local peoples
New Junior School Playscape Emphasizes Imagination
Upgrades to the SMUS Junior School playscape this summer highlight the importance of "open-ended", imaginative play
Foundation Fortnight
Head of School Mr. Mark Turner writes about the "looking, listening and learning" he has been doing this school year
The Joy of Community
Mrs. Becky Anderson, Director of the Junior School, writes about the importance of 'community' at St. Michaels University School
Sun Centre Grand Opening Kicks Off the New School Year
The Sun Centre, our new dining hall and student commons, has its grand opening to mark the start of the 2018-19 school year
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About SMUS Chapel (Part 3)
The last in Rev. Keven Fletcher's series on SMUS Chapel touches on getting more out of Chapel
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About SMUS Chapel (Part 2)
This week's article in a series by Rev. Keven Fletcher delves into what happens during weekly Chapel services.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About SMUS Chapel (Part 1)
Rev. Keven Fletcher answers some questions about the history and context of chapel in the first in a series on SMUS Chapel
Grade 2 Students Give Back With Souper Bowls
Grade 2 students bought a bowl and visited Fired Up! to paint their one-of-a-kind dish, which will be donated and used at the Souper Bowls of Hope.
Head’s Up: An Interview with Mark Turner
Grade 12 student Samina Makhanbetazhiyeva interviews Head of School designate Mark Turner about his passions, challenges and future role at the School.
Bob the Builder
We look back at the legacy of recently retired Head of School Bob Snowden, after serving 22 years in the leadership role at St. Michaels University School
Ryan Taylor ’11: A Dream Big Profile
Alumnus Ryan Taylor '11 talks about the impact SMUS and financial aid had on his life – and why it inspired him to give back to the school
A Prayer of Remembrance
Rev. Fletcher's words from the Remembrance Day Service highlight why the day has a deep significance for our school
Remembrance Day: A Prayer for Humanity
Our Junior School community gathered for Remembrance Day by reading poems, stories and prayers to honour those who served their country
SMUS Named as Finalist for International Executive Coaching Award
St. Michaels University School was named a finalist for the international Prism Award, awarded by the International Coach Federation
A Celebration of Life for Simon Ibell
The SMUS community gathered together to celebrate Simon Ibell's life, his accomplishments and his legacy.
Community
In my talk at our Graduation Ceremony, I observed that the graduates probably know already that their strongest SMUS emotional tug, once they’ve gone,...
Boarding
When I was a boarding student, I wasn’t anywhere near as reflective as the students I heard today in our Closing Ceremony for Grades...
“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
Dream Big Stories: Ms. Bernadette Abrioux
Math is a tough subject. It's the one students tend to struggle with the most. But Senior School math teacher Ms. Bernadette Abrioux feels she...
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
Sid Boegman ’16 Returns to SMUS to Talk Gender Identity
The SMUS Pride Alliance celebrated Pride Day this week with a variety of fun activities in the quad. The highlight was a talk and...
Dream Big Stories: Mr. Duncan Frater
Choir teacher Mr. Duncan Frater talks firsthand about how the Dream Big annual fund helps students do more of what they love: the arts
American Friends, encore…
Last Thursday after our alumni reception in New York, a group of us were left in the room as a fire truck, lights flashing...
Why Facebook Doesn’t Replace Your High School Reunion
Here's 10 reasons why a high school reunion – or in our case Alumni Weekend – is an experience that a Facebook friendship will never replace
SMUS Talks Event Builds Student and Community “Connections”
Senior School students share what they learned from organizing and experiencing the inaugural SMUS Talks event
Dream Big Stories: Ms. Nikki Kaufmann
Ms. Nikki Kaufmann talks about how SMUS's annual Dream Big fund has a direct impact on the school's athletics program and student population
Gurpreet & Zareen: A Dream Big Profile
Alumni Gurpreet (Pete) Leekha ’89 and Zareen Charania ’96 talk about the impact SMUS and financial aid had on their lives – and why it inspired them to give back to the school
Love: Building Bridges in a Time of Divisiveness
Love. It’s an obvious topic for the week of Valentine’s. Easy.
Yet, when we look at what’s happening in the world, it feels as though...
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
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
Dream Big Stories: Rev. Keven Fletcher
Rev. Keven Fletcher talks about how SMUS's annual Dream Big fund has a direct impact on the education students receive – in this case character education
Engage, Inspire, Empower
It started out as colourful words on a page as we gathered around a table. Three words, “engage, inspire, empower”, were written in green...
At Home With Boarders Without Borders
Our annual Boarders Without Borders event sees boarding students invited into local homes for a home-cooked meal and an authentic Canadian experience
Grade 12s Return to Junior School for Lifers Assembly
Our Class of 2017 includes 19 Lifers – students who've been at SMUS since Kindergarten or Grade 1.
Middle School Lends a Hand and Enjoys Community Service
Our Grade 6-8 students headed into our community this week to engage in meaningful service work as part of our annual Community Service Day
Disruption
Next week we are convening a group of alumni, parents, staff and students to explore the future of the School. The title for this...
Cultural and Service Trip: Volleyball Tour to Cuba
Right before school started, I traveled to Havana, Cuba along with 12 of my classmates – and volleyball teammates – led by coaches Bendfeld and...
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
Head of School Bob Snowden Announces Retirement
After 22 years at SMUS, Head of School Bob Snowden will retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year
6 Tips for New Boarding Students – from Veteran Boarders
The six Grade 12 students elected Heads of our boarding houses offer advice to new boarding students
10 Tips for Starting High School on the Right Foot
Head of Counselling Ms. Carole McMillan offers advice for starting high school on the right foot
SMUS in the News: Feeding Our Future Program Helps Low-Income Youth in Victoria
July 15, 2016
Sodexo's Feeding Our Future program
Victoria News
Program helps feed youth from low-income families in Victoria
CTV Vancouver Island
July 14 – CTV News at 6...
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...
SMUS Says Goodbye to Our Retiring Teachers
SMUS is saying goodbye to a number of longtime familiar faces this, year as five teachers – with more than 100 years of combined...
SMUS in the News: Sean Lider ’16 is a Giving Grad
June 14, 2016
Saanich News
Sean Lider '16
Giving grad
Reflections from the Outgoing Head Girl and Head Boy
Outgoing Head Girl and Head Boy – Sarah Jones and Jasper Johnston – reflect on their time as school leaders and heads of SMUS's Prefect Council
Walk for Water Promotes Global Awareness at the Junior School
"If I suddenly said you couldn't drink the tap water, you couldn’t get any clean water, does anybody know where you would go for...
Alumni Weekend is a Celebration for the Whole Community
Don't be fooled by the name – Alumni Weekend is a celebration of (and for) our entire community, not just students who've graduated already.
Alumni Weekend is...
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...
SMUS in the News: Kindergartener Receives Special Community Award
Tate Parker, Kindergarten student
April 1, 2016
CHEK News
Blanket BC Society gives Community Service Award to "Sleeping Bag Tate"
Victoria News
Five-year-old recognized for helping his community
Middle Schoolers Make a Lasting Difference on Community Service Day
Last Friday, the entire Middle School spent the day out of the classroom and lent a helping hand in the community. Community Service Day at...
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)
Engagement
Our Vancouver Alumni event last week was a great example of what engagement means at our school – so those of you who were...
SMUS Community Gathers for Fun Christmas Celebration
As with any family, the holiday season just doesn't feel complete unless everyone gathers together for some fun and merriment. And at SMUS, that...
New Countries
I wrote last June about the Takatuf Scholars program, which last year brought two students from Oman who are part of a cohort of...
Junior School Celebrates New Students at Welcoming Assembly
Last Friday, the Junior School ceremoniously welcomed all our new students to the school with an address from Head of School Mr. Bob Snowden,...
New Head Girl and Head Boy Aim to Strengthen Cross-Campus Community
We may only be a couple of weeks into school, but some students – Sarah Jones and Jasper Johnston, in particular – have been thinking...
Here we go…
All summer, there is not much noise on the Richmond Rd. campus - apart from the occasional siren on its way to the Jubilee...
The SMUS Chapel: Reworking Space for Our Growing Community
More than half a century ago the school community came together to do something extraordinary: build the Chapel.
In the early 1960s, the school –...
Sodexo and SMUS Help Feed Hungry Children This Summer
St. Michaels University School and Sodexo, the food service organization that runs Brown Hall, have partnered up once again this summer to fill a hunger gap in Greater...
Weekend Garden Party to Fundraise for All-Girls’ School in Malawi
by Becky Anderson, Director of Leadership
Our school is committed to learning, leading and serving. These themes are woven through all aspects of life at...
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...
Oman – the Takatuf Scholars
The country of Oman forms what you might call the “ball of the foot” of the Arabian Peninsula: on the southeast corner, at the...
Building Sweet Friendships on Service Outings to Care Home
by Kathleen Cook, Assistant Director of the Junior School
As a part of a school-wide commitment to external community service for all the students at...
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....
SMUS Students Sell Prayer Flags to Raise Money for Nepal
Grade 8 students Georgia Haydock, left, and Anna Considine hang handmade prayer flags in the lobby of the Middle School.
If there's one thing that...
Relive Your Glory Years at Alumni Weekend
by Jason Penaluna '91, SMUS Alumni Association trustee
We are just one day away from the kick-off to Alumni Weekend 2015 (May 1-2)! SMUS is so excited to...
Just like when we were there
Some students get homesick when they arrive in September. They hanker for the places and community they have left behind for this new and...
Student’s Connection to Vanuatu Strengthened By Natural Disaster
It was just last summer that Grade 9 student Finn Goodyear and his family were on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu. There, they stayed...
Students Make Meaningful Connections to Local Charities
A trio of students earned $5,000 for the Bridges for Women Society last week as part of a service project in their Planning 10...
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...
Musicals
Even when you go to yearbooks from fifty or a hundred years ago, a few prominent pages are devoted to the school musical. Depending...
SCHOOL TIES: In Their Own Words
In September, 1978, 35 girls made St. Michaels University School history. They walked through the doors to form the first co-ed class.
From Surviving to Thriving: Grade 8 Students Shine as Leaders
Last Friday, Grade 8 students from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland descended on SMUS to participate in a unique, student-organized leadership conference, From...
Athletic Review
Last week we sent out the summary of our recent Athletic Review, as promised before Christmas. (Read it here.) The document has elicited some...
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...
11-Year-Old Takes Over Junior School as Principal for a Day
If ever Junior School director Nancy Richards needs a day off, she now knows she can put her trust in an 11-year-old to hold...
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...
Young Hearts Help Buy Farm Animals for Christmas
While most Canadians, at some point in their childhood, probably rifled through the Sears Wish Book in search of the perfect Christmas present, the students at...
Treasured Boarding Experiences are a Hot Commodity
This is the final part in a series of candid blogs written by our 2014-15 Best School Year Ever winners on the Good, the Bad and the Surprising of their boarding...
The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear
Every family has Christmas traditions. For the SMUS family, our tradition is a very large gathering (everyone from Kindergarten to Grade 12 comes together)...
A Whale of a Book Sale
by Tanya de Hoog
On Thursday, December 4, Grade 4 students hosted a book sale to raise funds in support of the Adopt a Killer...
Boarding Community is Full of Good Surprises
This is the fourth part in a series of candid blogs written by our 2014-15 Best School Year Ever winners on the Good, the Bad and the Surprising of their boarding...
Global Issues Are Everyone’s Responsibility
by Livia Newman, Grade 10
One hundred and three students, teachers and parents took time out of their busy schedules last Friday to attend the...
The Challenges of Living as a Boarder
This is the third part in a series of candid blogs written by our 2014-15 Best School Year Ever winners on the Good, the Bad and the Surprising of their boarding...
Building Lasting Friendships is Intrinsic to Boarding Life
This is the second part in a series of candid blogs written by our 2014-15 Best School Year Ever winners on the Good, the Bad and the Surprising of their boarding...
Celebrating Basketball with the SMUS Community
The 2014-2015 basketball season gets underway Saturday, November 22 with a Celebration of SMUS Basketball, a full day's worth of games featuring SMUS athletes from...
SMUS Students Recognized for Leadership in Philanthropy
On Tuesday, students from our Junior and Senior Schools were recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals during the National Philanthropy Day Awards ceremony at...
Middle School Choir Joins Victoria Symphony to Remember World Wars
From the balcony of the majestic Royal Theatre, as Maestra Tania Miller conducts her Victoria Symphony on the stage below, the melodic voices of...
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...
Vibrant Boarding Community is My Second Family
This is the first part in a series of candid blogs written by our 2014-15 Best School Year Ever winners on the Good, the Bad and the...
Remembrance Day: We Need to Remember
Remembrance Day at SMUS is steeped in tradition as a way to honour those who served our country; those members of our community –...
"Howdy partner!" Barn Dance Strengthens SMUS Community
Barn dances have long been associated with socializing and community-building. And that's no different at SMUS, as our Junior School hosted its annual Barn...
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....
A Junior School Tribute to Grandparents
Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
Over 200 grandparents and grandpals were honoured at the first Grandparents’ Day in the history of the Junior...
Funding Big Dreams
Did you know that tuition at SMUS accounts for approximately 85% of our total budget? The extra 15% is raised annually via our Dream...
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Roommates
One of the greatest parts of attending boarding school is living with a roommate from another country. Each roommate pair at SMUS is specially...
Junior School Serves up BBQ Fun
On Friday, September 5th the Junior School community gathered for a Welcome Back barbeque. Over 500 people, including parents, grandparents, children and teachers gathered...
Simple Things
Each September, you only get one chance to make your first address to the students, in my position. Sort of like remembering you only...
SMUS Welcomes the World
by Paul Leslie, Director of Admissions
Dear SMUS Team:
Congratulations to all on an excellent and well organised orientation week. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and...
True Colours at the Middle School
Students and faculty were abuzz with opening week excitement as the Middle School opened its doors for the new year. WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)...
The Best School Year Ever
This phrase is a very ambitious one. At the same time it speaks the aspiration of every student at the School this week, Kindergarten...
SMUS in the News: Building Education in Malawi
Saanich News
June 18, 2014
Dariol Haydock
Saanich teachers building education in Malawi
Mother’s Day Celebration
by Allison and Anna Fowler, mother and daughter
As students progress from grade to grade within the Junior School there are traditions that each grade...
Service Day: Fundraising for Nicaragua
Throughout the year, Service Days offer students a chance to shed their uniform in exchange for a small donation to a good cause. Next...
#WeAreGirlRising #BringBackOurGirls Event
It is a full time of year....sports, music, hobbies, and friends all taking a lot of our attention and energy.
While we go about our...
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...
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...
Alumni Weekend: Not Just For Alumni
by Gillian Donald, Alumni Associate
As the Easter weekend begins, we are only two weeks away from another major event: Alumni Weekend (May 2-4). Despite...
A New Extreme at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Internationally-recognized artist Chin Yuen has been working with SMUS students as part of the New Extreme program run through the Art Gallery of Greater...
A Blitz on Hunger
Updated March 6: The tally for the Peanut Butter Biltz House Challenge was 287 jars, surpassing the goal of 245 jars. Congrats to Bolton...
Wind and Weather
I am an early riser. This morning at about 5:30 I was outside. The only illumination at this time, in mid-February, is provided by...
Student Council Spreads the Love
by Catie, Grade 8
Our Middle School has many leadership opportunities, one of them being Student Council. Student Council organizes dances, service days and spirit...
Junior Students Bond With Seniors
by Kathleen Cook, teacher
As a part of a school-wide commitment to community service for all the students at SMUS, the Junior School regularly visited...
Financial Aid February
Financial aid is a big part of the Annual Fund, with over $300,000 last year going towards making SMUS education more accessible. For the...
The Best School Year Ever
Today is the Day of Silence organized by our student chapter of Amnesty International. Good thing, therefore, that I was able to say my...
Student Short Film Tops VFF Contest
http://vimeo.com/81909195
Grade 12 student Olivia Sorley took first place in the Senior student category for the Victoria Film Festival, which officially begins on February 7,...
Young Designers Revive House Shirts
The Middle School house shirts have undergone an overhaul thanks to some talented student artists. Every Middle School student submitted at least one t-shirt...
Recognition, far and wide
When Grade 11 student Ann Makosinski was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the “Top 30 under 30” who will change the world...
All We Want for Christmas is SMUS
It wouldn't be the holidays at SMUS without the annual all-school assembly. From chipmunks to kings, the traditional student-led skewering of the faculty, a...
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...
A Season of Giving
Our Middle School students put together 18 hampers to brighten the holiday for local families in need. Below, one of our students writes about...
Season of light, this year
I am surrendering to a temptation. As school breaks up for the holiday, an irrepressible cheer overflows from the corridors and from everyone’s cup...
Writing for Human Rights
by Dariol Haydock, Assistant Director of Middle School
On December 10, the Middle School held our second annual Amnesty International Write for Rights event. In...
Take a (Virtual) Tour Around Campus
We're not trying to put our amazing Admissions tour ambassadors out of a job, but our new virtual walking tour is pretty sweet. Click...
Nelson Mandela
Day after day for the past week, the mornings have been frozen, a rare thing for Victoria. Normally in December the daylight that drips...
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,...
Calgary
It never fails. Technology overflows our briefcases, desks, pockets, and dangles from our ears. But it is a risky thing to depend on. For...
Alumni Basketball: Student Side Keeps it Close
The winter term sports scene kicked off officially November 23 with the Alumni Basketball games. In the first of three contests, an older yet...
YALP: Local Activists Inspire Grade 8 Students
by Aysha and Taylor, Grade 8
Aysha: Inspiration
When I was younger, I would see people on the streets who looked ragged and scruffy. I never...
YALP: Keynote Speakers Provide Fresh Perspective
by Zachary Kahn, Grade 12
Seeing as I had never been extremely involved with local poverty and never having attended a conference like this, I...
Remembrance Day: A Collective Experience
Remembrance Day on the SMUS campus is marked with special ceremonies, traditions and this year, a first.
As you may have seen on the livestream...
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...
The stories of diversity
A school doesn’t cultivate a culture of diversity so that one particular group can begin to understand the rest who are different....
Shifting the Power
by Tessa Owens, Grade 11
From October 4-7th, hundreds of activists hailing from across Canada met in Victoria, British Columbia. They were united as part...
Thanksgiving, Canadian Style
The Top Five Canadian Thanksgiving Traditions
5. Watch sports on television
4. Get outside!
3. Give thanks for health, family and friends
2. Spend time with family
1. Eat....
Excellence in all of us
The information that sweeps over new parents has been flowing – and overflowing – for several weeks now. It does ebb, if any new...
Starting at SMUS: A Parent Perspective
One of the most important aspects to becoming a boarder at SMUS is the new boarder orientation. Sculpted by the Admissions team and aided...
Starting at SMUS: A Student Perspective
by Elaine, Grade 10 boarder, Symons House
Last Christmas, I got an email from SMUS and it gave me the email address of a girl...
Two Steps Closer to a Graceful Space
by Nancy Richards, Director of Junior School
Over the past week, our Junior School faculty, parents and neighbours have had opportunities to share their thoughts...
Terry Fox Run: A Canadian Tradition
Each September for the last 33 years, Canadians have run to remember one of our heroes: Terry Fox. Terry lost his leg to cancer...
The Mission
At this time of year I refer to our School’s Mission frequently. It is a time of numerous parent evenings, when they meet the...
All Aboard!
As students have written in recent Link Leader program posts, it's not always easy coming to a new school. Imagine, then, if you were...
Leadership Via Horsemanship
On Thursday, our new Prefects, Heads of House and Council Heads jumped the Clipper ferry to make the annual journey down to Silk Purse...
Follow Me: Link Leaders
Last week, we talked about our two student-led welcome programs for new students from the perspective of the newcomer. This week, two Grade 12...
Invitational Brings Community Together
by Peter Gardiner
What a glorious day!
On September 9th, approximately 100 golfers enjoyed the 8th Annual Alumni and Friends Golf Invitational at Cordova Bay.
The weather...
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...
Mindfulness
by Virginia Ronning, counsellor
The 21st Century learner has to keep up with a grueling pace of change, and it’s our job at SMUS to...
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...
An Olympian End
After a year of intense competition - both physical and mental - the house games season wrapped up this weekend with the House Olympics....
Alumni Return
It was a bright and beautiful weekend this past weekend, as alumni returned to campus for our annual Alumni Weekend. The SMUS community welcomed...
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...
Fun For All Ages
by Kathleen Cook, leadership coordinator
As a part of a school-wide commitment to external community service for all the students at SMUS, the Junior School...
Boarders Vs. the West Coast: A Lively Weekend
After the longer breaks, the boarding community comes back together with Community Weekends. This means our usual weekend activities are replaced with house activities...
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...
Black History Month
Students from around the world celebrated Black History Month in one of the most exuberant and power-packed chapel services of the year. We hear...
Mardi Gras, Brains & Badminton
With so much going on in the day-to-day life of the community, the chance to relax, have some fun and add a little competition...
Bonding Through the Buddy Program
At the Junior School, classes are paired together as a part of the buddy program. The intermediate students are all paired with a primary...
Diving Into Opera
More than 200 children and youth are involved in the production of Noye's Fludde by the Pacific Opera of Victoria, and several SMUS 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...
Live Streaming
This past week our Large Ensembles Concert made School history, as we tested our first official live-streaming of a School event. It was not...
A Celebration for All Ages
The holiday season is always a busy one at SMUS, but every year we make time to come together for a fun-filled assembly, featuring...
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...
Celebration and Contemplation in Boarding
by Kyus, Grade 10 boarder
The SMUS Christmas Gala was easily the best formal event I've been to in years! I always love an excuse...
Christmas Cheer Never Tasted So Good!
by Nina Duffus, Grade 2 teacher
The Grade 2 class has been learning weights, measures, baking, decorating, packaging, finance and sales skills - and a...
Best Coast Living: Surf. Bike. Home by Dinner.
Video by Zyoji Jackson, Middle School Teacher, Senior Houseparent
Music: Dirt (Jahzzar) / CC BY-SA 3.0
One of the great advantages to living in Victoria is the...
Junior School Barn Dance 2012
by Allison Fowler
Greetings y’all! It was so great to see so many students, parents, extended family, and teachers at this year's Barn Dance. 416 people came...
Remembrance
Yesterday we had our Junior School Remembrance Day service, an occasion appropriately pitched at those young children. Today we had the Remembrance Day Service...
We Day and CAIS Launch Leaders
Two major — but very different — events have given Middle School students a chance to sharpen their leadership skills. Several students travelled to...
Simon’s Struggle: Overcoming the Odds
SMUS recently hosted Simon Ibell '96, our 2012 Distinguished Alumnus (Philanthropy). Simon began his visit at the Junior School before going on to speak...
Higher Learning
This morning I was interviewed by a magazine; the subject was “The Ten Questions Parents Should Ask” when choosing an independent school. Very shortly...
Boarders Without Borders
by David, Grade 11 boarder
Boarders Without Borders was a great experience for me. I did it last year, and had a wonderful time, so...
New Year, New Chance to Give
As visitors to SMUS may have noticed, the Annual Fund for the year has begun. The banners are up on both campuses, the donation...
Junior School Kicks Up Its Heels
Junior School students, faculty and families were able to mix and mingle at the Barn Dance again this year, donning cowboy hats and plaid...
Thanksgiving in Action: Food for Thought
With so many reasons to be thankful, it is important to stop and show our gratitude. Each year, we give thanks by treating the...
Swimming, Slugs, Flashmobs and Fire: Boarding Hits the Town
This past weekend a full docket of activities topped the schedule in boarding. With trips to Commonwealth Pool for a swim, Fired Up! Ceramics...
Welcome to Our New Website
As many of you may have noticed, our website has been given a makeover during the summer. We're very happy with the result and...
Back in the day
When I talk to new boarding parents on opening day I like to tell them two things, that hopefully won’t get lost in the...
Boarding Welcomes the World
by Darin Steinkey, Senior House Parent
Imagine, if you will, what it's like to arrive on our campus as a student during Orientation Week. You...
Alumni, Parents and Friends Play for a Cause
This Monday, 112 golfers took to the Victoria Golf Club course for our annual Alumni & Friends Golf Invitational in support of the Alumni...
Junior School Cooks Up Family Fun
On Friday, September 7, the Junior School community gathered for the annual Welcome Back Family Barbeque. It was a beautiful, sunny evening and there...
Senior Students Strongest Link for Newcomers
Seeing a friendly face can really take the stress out of joining a new school. The Link Leader program aims to connect Senior School...
Middle School Caught Up in WEB
by Anna C, Grade 6
On September 5th, all the Grade 6 students gathered in the single gym to prepare for a whole morning set...
Summer Holidays
Here we are at the end of June, and people are thinking of taking trips south to experience some warmth. June is often an...
2011-2012 Boarding Year in Review
From a smoking hot opening day to the House Olympics, it was a stellar year in boarding. The video slideshow below shows the year...
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....
Olympian Efforts in Boarding
Video by Darin Steinkey; Photos by Chris Bateman
Music: Cold Cold Kiss by Oh! Belgium CC BY-SA 3.0
With the London Olympics just around the corner,...
Stories from the Annual Fund: Megan Parker ’11
Judy Pryce remembers vividly the phone call that changed everything for her daughter Megan Parker. As a new SMUS student in Grade 6, it...
Another Amazing Alumni Weekend
by Erin Anderson, editor
Alumni Weekend, an annual event where SMUS alumni return to campus, ran from May 4-6 and featured all kinds of events...
Stories from the Annual Fund: John Herpers ’64
John Herpers '64 knows from personal experience that the right school at the right time in a young person’s life can make all the...
SMUS Shows LGBT Pride
Video by Darin Steinkey
by Erin Anderson, editor
Last week, SMUS celebrated Pride with a lunchtime concert, Pride merchandise and a special presentation from Grade 11...
Black History Chapel Features Personal Stories
The Black community hosted a special chapel to celebrate Black History Month. With personal stories from Africa, Canada and the United States, to step-dancing...
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...
Stories from the Annual Fund: Cathy and Charley
by Erin Anderson, editor
Visitors to SMUS often comment on how beautiful our campus is. Part of that beauty can be credited to Cathy Beglau,...
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...
Black History Month
Whenever I write about what happens in Chapel, I wonder: do people outside our community read the description and find themselves totally disoriented? Chapel?...
SMUS Celebrates Chinese New Year
A Short History of Chinese New Year
From a speech delivered by Grade 12 boarder Thompson Wong in Chapel
Also known as the Spring festival, Chinese...
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like… January
by Erin Anderson, editor
Snow is still a pretty special event in Victoria, so it's not surprising that many people were excited to see the...
Stories from the Annual Fund: Susan Xu and George Luo
“Every year, we give to the Annual Fund,” says Susan Xu, a current parent. “Every year, we feel we should do more.”
In 2006, Susan...
Classic Dinner and Chapel Music for Boarding
Community dinners are an opportunity for boarding students and houseparents to come together around a meal and enjoy each others' company. The first community...
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....
A SMUS Holiday Montage!
December is full of holiday celebration at SMUS. From the delicious shortbread cookies baked in Brown Hall to the pile of snow brought in...
An Interview with Dr. Samantha Nutt
On Tuesday, December 6, Scholar in Residence Dr. Samantha Nutt spoke at SMUS as part of her book tour to support the release of...
SMUS Hands Out Christmas Hampers
Tis the season of giving and both the Middle and the Senior School embraced the holiday spirit by collecting toys and food for local...
Carol Service Brings Holiday Spirit
Every year, the Senior, Middle and Junior Schools hold a carol service, a celebration of the season that also encourages us to reflect on...
Stories from the Annual Fund: Jim Prentice ’49
Jim Prentice ’49 still remembers the freedom he experienced on the water as a youth. His life-long passion for boating and the outdoors is...
Students Dive Into Dodgeball
Students got some great exercise last week with a whole lot of dodgeball. Boarders began to practice their dodging skills through house games over...
A Uniquely Canadian Weekend for Grade 8 Boarders
Photo by Zoe Isberg
by Teresa Xu, Grade 8 boarder in Winslow House
This past week was amazing, especially the weekend activities. On Friday night, we...
SMUS Continues to Support Liberian School
Last year, the SMUS community came together to raise funds to help a school in Liberia get a new roof and a latrine. Now,...
Stories from the Annual Fund: Keith Driscoll
Keith Driscoll's multi-faceted role at SMUS is special, but it’s not unique. A Middle School teacher, coach, house parent, and now Director of Residence,...
Volunteers
The row of cedars out behind Reynolds House was ravaged by disease a few year ago and many had to be cut down. Just...
Remembrance Day at SMUS
Each year, our school holds a very special service for Remembrance Day. Combining drama, music, speeches and song, this ceremony helps us to reflect...
Reflections on Boarders Without Borders
by Evelyn Zapantis, Boarding Services
We had an all-time record of over 60 day families and 122 boarders for our annual Boarders Without Borders meal!...
A Howl of a Good Time in Boarding
It was a weekend full of Halloween-themed everything for boarders and house parents; from Brown Hall meals, to fireworks, to the boarding-wide talent show,...
Middle School Spends Day Serving Others
All the teachers and students at the SMUS Middle School spent their entire Thursday out in the community. From student musicians performing for senior...
SMUS in the News: Henry John Pemell Schaffter
The Globe and Mail
October 31, 2011
Henry John Pemell Schaffter
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/lives-lived/henry-john-pemell-schaffter/article2220229/
SMUS Kicks Off the Annual Fund
As the 2011-2012 Annual Fund officially launched this week, Director of the Annual Fund Lori Adam, explains this year's focus, the spirit of giving,...
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...
Boarders Aim for Soccer Victory
Photos by Cheryl Murtland, Becky Anderson, Craig Farish, Ian Robertson & Darin Steinkey
Music by Kevin Macleod
Grade 8 Weekend Wrap-up
by Mehrab Khazei, Grade 8 Boarder
Last...
Houseparents Offer Thanksgiving Food for Thought
by Keith Driscoll, Director of Residence
To give thanks causes us to stop for a moment and reflect upon what is going well in our...
First Spirit Week Peps Up the Middle School
The Middle School House Council organized the very first Spirit Week, incorporating all kinds of events. On Monday, students were able to write little...
A Grand Opening for Boarders
by Sydney Fraser, Grade 11
The first week at a new school tends to be overwhelming, and my first week at SMUS was no exception....
Boarding Community Comes Together
by Darin Steinkey, Timmis Senior Assistant House Parent
Summer on the Island may have been short on heat, but campus was smokin' over the Labour...
Middle School House Games
by Lindy Van Alstine, Middle School Teacher
Last Wednesday, the Middle School was a buzz of activity in eager anticipation of the annual end-of-year House Sports...
SMUS Celebrates Pride Day
The SMUS Pride Alliance celebrated Pride Day on May 17th, which was also the International Day Against Homophobia. Students could buy SMUS Pride t-shirts...
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...
Survey Leads to Changes at Brown Hall
Recently, Brown Hall conducted an in-depth survey of staff and students, to find out how happy they were with Brown Hall. Thanks to an...
SMUS Celebrates Mardi Gras
The International Council and the Modern Languages Department organized some Carnival celebrations at the Senior School this Tuesday. At lunch, students enjoyed a performance...
SMUS Community Lends a Generous Hand
This week’s silent auction fundraiser for Gwendolen O’Connor was a resounding success. SMUS parent Patricia O’Neill, speaking on behalf of the parent group dubbed...
Gwendolen’s Story
by Patricia O'Neill, SMUS Parent
Gwendolen is far from ordinary. Until last July, this angelic 16-year-old with her halo of golden curls and glorious smile...
Allocations Update
Written by Krista Schlosser
This is the first Allocations blog I have written; in fact, this is the first blog I have EVER written! I...
Honesty
I have the opportunity to teach a unit in Health and Career Education to almost all of the grade 9 students. I focus on...
Ideas that are pearls: balance
Some ideas are like that grain of sand inside the oyster, nestled in a spot where it absorbs the elements that coat it. In...
Reflections and Action – International Service Trips
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the heels of a motivating chapel...
Peace
The sound of students isn’t a gradual and controlled swell. It is an eruption. Once it erupts, it is constant, like one of those...
Middle School Adds to the Festival of Trees
by Robyn, Grade 7
Last week, a number of students from the Middle School went to the Fairmont Empress Hotel to take part in the...
Boarders Without Borders
Submitted by Shelley Austin, photos by Lisa Hopkins
The long circular driveway was clogged with cars at 5pm, Sunday Nov. 7, 2010. Boarders were streaming out...
Junior School Barn Dance
Submitted by Susan Ko
On October the 23rd, the Parents' Auxiliary put on a foot-stomping fun Barn Dance at the Junior School. We had over 300...
Quiz Night
On Friday, 5th November, parents, staff and friends organized themselves into teams to compete for the title of "Superbrains Champions Fall 2010" and for...
SMUS Students Get Spirited
by Erin Anderson, editor
This week was another fabulous SMUS Spirit Week, with some amazing new events.
In assembly on Tuesday, the entire school was dressed...
Boarders Get a Taste of Home
by Sophia Loers, Grade 11 boarder
Sunday evening. It´s cold outside. Four girls are waiting in the Symons foyer for their Boarders without Borders dinner....
Middle School Dedicates Day to Service
by Dariol Haydock, Director of the Middle School
Before our first Middle School service day, I must admit I wondered how it would work to...
Service Day: Woodwyn Farm
by Amita
On Thursday, November 4th the middle school had a service day. Everyone went out and did something for the community or the environment....
Service Day: Mount Tolmie
by Amanda
On November 4th, the Middle School had its very first service day. Every student in the Middle School split up in groups to...
Boarding Students Howl for Halloween
by Donna Williams, Senior School Strings Teacher and Winslow House Staff Member
On Halloween night the entire boarding community, some 250 students and over 30...
Friday night
Last Friday night we held our annual Victoria Alumni evening. Very well attended by about a hundred and thirty people at the Union Club,...
The Junior School Barn Dance Builds Community
by Nancy Richards, Director of Junior School
There is no better way of bringing a school community together than with an old fashioned country Barn...
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...
We Day Inspires and Empowers
by Emma Ronning and Kelly Adam, Grade 12
A stadium full of incredibly motivating speakers and 18,000 of the most passionate youth on the West...
Founders
We have a responsibility to both the past and the future. From the past, we are entrusted with the legacy of the school. To...
Junior Students Run for Terry Fox
The Junior School held the annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 24th. All the students divided into house teams and wore their house...
New Head of Brown Hall Cooks Up Changes
by Erin Anderson, editor
Students might notice the food at Brown Hall is a little different this year. Paula Henchion, who was previously our executive...
SMUS: Where Everyone Belongs
by Owen, Grade 8
Where Everyone Belongs or WEB is the name of a newly developed leadership programme for Middle School students. The WEB leader...
Junior School Welcomes Families with Food
by Kathleen Cook, Admissions
The Junior School celebrated the beginning of another year that past Friday with its traditional welcome barbecue. All families, staff and...
Terry Fox Run and Documentary
Most Canadians know the story of Terry Fox, one of Canada's most well-known heroes. His support of cancer research, in the form of a...
New Year, More Students
by Sue Saunders, Director of Admissions
The first week of September is an exciting time, especially for admissions. We welcome the families who we have...
Boarding life
Five or six years ago on the first day of school, one of our German parents, who had just dropped his son off in...
Colourful End to Middle School Games
by Nancy Mollenhauer, teacher
It was finally a warm June day when the Grade 6 and 7 students headed out on to the fields with...
Students Entertain Seniors
See slideshow
This week, one of the Middle School exploratory classes visited the Luther Court Society care facility, where they performed music for a very...
Students Give Hugs
See slideshow
Last week, seven SMUS students spread a little love by giving away hugs to anyone who wanted one. The group of volunteers were...
Earth Week Grows at SMUS
Senior and Middle School students have been taking action on issues of sustainability in honour of Earth Week. Each day of the week was...
Grade 4 Students Give
Our Grade 4 students have been preparing for Spring Break for weeks, assembling supplies to send along with a few of our Senior School...
Junior School Kicks Up its Heels
The bi-annual Barn Dance brought many families to the Junior School last weekend to participate in one of the Parents’ Auxiliary’s most popular events....
Parents' Auxiliary Christmas Evening Celebration a Festive Success
Last Saturday, over 300 SMUS community members, including faculty and students from all three schools, came together for an evening of dinner, dancing and...
Junior School Cooks Up a Big Welcome
Junior School marked the end of the first week of classes with an evening barbeque on Friday, September 7. New and returning families arrived...
