Tag: Junior School
Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Our community recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to reflect and learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the residential school system
GALLERY: Kicking Off the 2021-22 School Year
Check out photos from the first days of school at our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
Meet Our New SMUS Faculty
Meet the 14 educators joining our teaching community for the 2021-22 school year
SMUS in the News: Sibling Storytellers and Artists Co-Write Children’s Novel
Students Haley and Jacob Paetkau, and their mom Jean, co-wrote and illustrated "Rumpa and the Snufflewort," a children's book
2021 Retirees: Nina Duffus
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Junior School teacher Nina Duffus
2021 Retirees: Tessa Lloyd
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Junior School counsellor Tessa Lloyd
Junior School Closing Ceremonies and Year-End Fun
Our Junior School community celebrates the end of the school year with Closing Ceremonies and a variety of fun activities
Grade 2 Students Raise $6,000 to Help Others Access Clean Water
Students are inspired to fundraise to build a well for a community that doesn't have access to clean drinking water after learning about the water cycle
Reflections from the Class of 2021 Lifers
Lifers from the Class of 2021 share memories and reflections on being a SMUS student for their entire education
Grade 5s Present a ‘Super Happy Awesome’ Virtual Musical
Hear from some of the performers ahead of this year's Junior School virtual musical, Super Happy Awesome News
GALLERY: Moments from May
Check out a photo gallery featuring shots of our Junior, Middle and Senior School students from the past few weeks
Values and Sports
The Olympic Club is about more than athletics, as students learn important history and develop skills in critical thinking, creativity and more
Building Empathy with Cardboard, Glue and Sparkly Jewels
Alison Galloway highlights how hands-on projects help students develop our Portrait of a Learner traits
Encouraging Children to Find Their Creative Spark
Art at the Junior School helps foster the innate ability for students to express themselves visually through the language of art
GALLERY: Back from Spring Break
Check out a photo gallery featuring shots of our Junior, Middle and Senior School students from the first week back after Spring Break
GALLERY: Spring Has Sprung
Check out a gallery of photos from our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools showcasing what has been happening in the weeks leading up to Spring Break
Reading Aloud to Children is a Great Way to Build Literacy Skills
Reading to children is one of the most important gifts we can give children to help them grow as readers and learners
Kindergarten Expeditioners
Kindergarten students take their learning outdoors, where they show curiosity and a sense of wonder about the environment and their place in the world
GALLERY: Final Days of February
Check out a gallery of photos from our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools showcasing some of the learning and happenings during the past couple of weeks
Outdoor Education Inspires Young Writers
Grade 4 students use their outdoor education trips as inspiration to help build their writing and storytelling skills
How to Sustain Your Child’s Emotional Health at Home
Counsellor Tessa Lloyd offers suggestions for parents to support their child's emotional well-being during the pandemic
Highlights from Our Expanded Outdoor Education Program
Jamie Pope highlights how our expanded Junior School outdoor education program complements classroom learning
GALLERY: The First Week of 2021
Check out a gallery of photos from the first week back at our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools.
SMUS in the News: Grade 2 Singers Earn Second Place in Canadian Music Class...
Grade 2 singers earn second place in the Primary Vocal category of the Canadian Music Class Challenge
Junior School December Concerts
Enjoy our Primary and Intermediate concerts, featuring great music from our Junior School students
GALLERY: Countdown to Winter Break
Check out a gallery of photos from the last couple of weeks at our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
Reflection and Honour
Watch the 2020 Junior School Remembrance Day Service as we highlight this important day in our country's history
Everything I Need to Know About Leadership I Learned in Grade 5
The Grade 5 leadership assembly is key piece of our leadership program as we help students develop the skills to be the leaders of tomorrow
GALLERY: Happy Halloween from SMUS!
Check out photos from this year's Halloween festivities at SMUS
PHOTO GALLERY: Welcoming Autumn on Campus
Check out a gallery of photos from the first few weeks of autumn at our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
PHOTO GALLERY: First Week of the 2020-21 School Year
The first week of school has been a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a school community
Meet Our New SMUS Teachers
Meet the four teachers joining our community for the 2020-21 school year
Watch Robot vs. Jeremy, A Grade 5 Sci-Fi Musical
Junior School community comes together to write and film an original movie during COVID-19 isolation
2020 Retirees: Sharon Goodman
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Junior School learning resource teacher Sharon Goodman
2020 Retirees: Diana Nason
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Diana Nason, Junior School librarian
2020 Junior School Closing Ceremonies
Our Junior School community celebrates the end of the 2019-20 school year at our virtual Closing Ceremonies
Reflections from Our Class of 2020 Lifers
Lifers from the Class of 2020 reflect on being a SMUS student for their entire education
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
Welcome to Wonder Wednesday
Margaret Lincoln highlights the Junior School's Wonder Wednesdays during remote learning
‘Goodnight SMUS’ Connects Our Community
Chaplain Keven Fletcher launches a nightly touchstone for Junior School families to help keep everyone connected
Health and Wellness Week at Home
Students and teachers share tips to help you stay happy, healthy and well in times of change
Imagination is the Language of the Soul
Alison Galloway highlights how STEAM and social-emotional learning go hand in hand in the Imagination Lab
Virtue of the Month – Detachment
Junior School counsellor Tessa Lloyd highlights detachment as the Virtue of the Month
Compassion, Empathy and Community Engagement
Kathleen Cook highlights how compassion and empathy are woven into Junior School lessons
GALLERY: Junior School Celebrates Global School Play Day
Junior School students have fun participating in Global School Play Day
How to Help Children Fall in Love with Reading
Learn five great tips on how to support your child in developing a love of reading
Flying Cars and Other Predictions
Becky Anderson, Director of Junior School, looks ahead to the year 2030
Virtue of the Month – Excellence
Junior School counsellor Tessa Lloyd writes about January's Virtue of the Month: Excellence
SMUS in the News: Counsellor Tessa Lloyd Talks Modern Fatherhood
Author and Junior School counsellor Tessa Lloyd talks about her new book, Forty Fathers, on Global News BC
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
Carol Service: Traditions and Rituals Connecting a Community
The SMUS community gathers for the annual Carol Service to enjoy music and thoughtful student reflections
SMUS in the News: Tessa Lloyd on Fatherhood and Famous Canadian Dads
Junior School counsellor Tessa Lloyd speaks with Global News's The Morning Show about her new book, Forty Fathers
Remembrance Day: ‘Today We Remember Them All’
The SMUS community gathered to celebrate Remembrance Day and honour the men and women who fought for their country
Virtue of the Month: Peacefulness
Junior School counsellor Tessa Lloyd writes about November's Virtue of the Month: Peacefulness
SMUS in the News: Students Celebrate Victoria-Hosted Pan Am Cross Country Nations Cup
SMUS hosts the announcement of the Pan Am Nations Cup to coincide with the international cross country event in Victoria
Athletics Week in Review: October 15
Cross country, field hockey, soccer and volleyball are highlighted in our latest SMUS Athletics Week in Review
GALLERY: A Week of Community and Service
Check out a gallery of photos from the past week of events that highlight community and service
5 Public Speaking Tips for Children
Speeches from our Grade 5 students highlight how young children can gain the skills to be confident public speakers
Athletics Week in Review: September 25
Cross country, field hockey, soccer and volleyball are highlighted in the latest Athletics Week in Review
Leading and Learning at the Junior School
Mrs. Becky Anderson, Junior School Director, writes about the SMUS-hosted Reggio-Inspired Summer Institute that drew educators from all over BC
Virtue of the Month: Friendliness
Character development is a central component of your child’s education at SMUS. At the Junior School character education is woven into everything we do....
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
Meet Kenzi and Max, Our 2019-20 Head Prefects
Meet Kenzi and Max, the two Grade 12 students who were elected to be our Head Prefects for the 2019-20 school year
2019 Retirees: Gordon Chan
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Gordon Chan, former Junior School teacher and IT coordinator.
2019 Junior School Closing Ceremonies
Students, teachers and families come together for Closing Ceremonies that mark the end of the 2018-19 school year
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
Grade 5s Bring Ogre-the-Top Musical to the Stage
We chat with a few of the talented young performers in this year's Grade 5 musical, Shrek the Musical JR.
Outdoor Education: Learning to Build a Connection with Nature
Our outdoor education program blurs the line between learning and building a connection with nature
Alumni Entrepreneurs Inspire Our Grade 3 Inventors
SMUS grads Joseph and Jure Erlic, inventors of HoopLight, speak with our Grade 3 students about inventing a product
Beyond the Classroom Walls
As we may recall from our own educational experiences, there is so much worthwhile learning that happens outside the traditional classroom: in the art...
Fun Outdoor Activities for Spring Break
Mr. Jamie Pope highlights fun activities to enjoy outdoors during Spring Break
Students reflect on Global Play Day
On February 8, students at the Junior School celebrated Global Play Day. Global Play Day is an opportunity for the Junior School to highlight...
Athletics Week in Review: February 15
Though winter weather threatened to interrupt various school sporting competitions, SMUS teams completed their respective commitments with rowing involved in two erg competitions, all basketball teams...
Walk Around SMUS in Our New Virtual Campus Tour
Tour around St. Michaels University School using our newly updated Virtual Campus Tour
How Our Community Supports Students in the Classroom
Many projects at SMUS that support student learning in the classroom would not be possible without the support of the Annual Appeal
The Top 11 @YourSMUS Instagram Posts of 2018
We highlight the 11 most popular @yourSMUS Instagram posts of the past 365 days!
Primary Students Share ‘Holiday Memories’ in Concert
Junior School students reflect on the recent Primary Concert that celebrated the holiday season through song and dance
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
Carol Service Brings the SMUS Community Together
The SMUS community gathers for the annual Carol Service to enjoy choir performances and thoughtful messages about the holiday season
Children Researching Their World
As we look ahead to the Junior School Parent Coffee Talk about Reggio-inspired learning next week, we are presented with a good opportunity to...
There’s More to Math Class Than Solving Equations
Math at the Junior School is all about teaching the fundamentals so students learn and understand how to problem-solve
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Gordon Chan
Junior School teacher Mr. Gordon Chan is highlighted in the latest SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: Grade 3 Student’s ‘Levidrome’ Pitch Still Going Strong
One year after first pitching his word 'levidrome', Grade 3 student Levi continues to push to get the term added to the dictionary
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
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
The Joy of Community
Mrs. Becky Anderson, Director of the Junior School, writes about the importance of 'community' at St. Michaels University School
Meet our 2018-19 Head Girl and Head Boy
Meet Morgan Warner and Ewan Halliday, elected Head Boy and Head Girl for the 2018-19 school year at St. Michaels University School
2018 Junior School Closing Ceremonies
To mark the end of the school year, two Grade 5 students wrote a prayer with Rev. Keven Fletcher that highlighted what they are thankful for at the Junior School
Grade 5 Opera: Performers Reflect on The Barber of Seville
Our talented Junior School performers reflect on this year's Grade 5 opera, The Barber of Seville
Athletics Week in Review: May 15
Track and field, rowing, rugby, soccer, sailing, badminton, tennis and golf feature in this week's review.
SMUS in the News: Let’s All Say ‘Levidrome’!
The Times Colonist highlights the continued push to get Grade 2 student Levi Budd's word 'levidrome' into the dictionary
Tales From Our Grade 4 Authors
Grade 4 students learned about metafiction to inspire them to write and illustrate their own stories – which were then published as a book!
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.
Athletics Week in Review: January 30
Basketball at the Junior and Senior Schools are highlighted in the latest SMUS Athletics Week in Review
Facilities Upgrades Revitalize School Spaces
Renovations and upgrades to classrooms and other facilities over the winter break have brought new life to some learning spaces.
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.
SMUSTube Celebrates Anniversary With Milestones
SMUSTube celebrated it's 10th anniversary in 2017 by reaching a number of milestones.
Carol Service: A Time to Unwind
Students from our Junior, Middle and Senior Schools gathered to celebrate the season with songs and reflections.
Buddy Reading Club Promotes Literacy and Friendships
Grade 2 students take the bus to the Richmond Road campus and spend time reading with their Senior School counterparts.
“I’m Looking Forward to Being a Lifer”
Two Junior School students reflect on stories they heard at the Grade 12 Lifers Assembly.
Athletics Week in Review: December 4
Catch up on the latest SMUS Athletics as the basketball season gets underway
SMUS in the News: Oxford Responds to Grade 1 Wordsmith’s ‘Levidrome’ Quest
A rundown of the latest news stories highlight Grade 2 student Levi's quest to get the word 'levidrome' added to the dictionary
SMUS in the News: Student’s “Levidrome” Pitch Gains Momentum with William Shatner, Urban Dictionary...
Grade 2 SMUS student Levi's progress to get 'levidrome' into the dictionary is chronicled in a series of Oak Bay News articles
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
Why the Playground is an Important Classroom
We explore why the Junior School playground is an important classroom for children to develop skills that are hard to teach in a purely academic setting
SMUS in the News: Grade 2 Student Pitches ‘Levidrome’ as a New Word
A Grade 2 SMUS student wants to get 'levidrome' into the dictionary. The Times Colonist highlights the definition and story of how levidrome came to be
Ask SMUS: Why Are There No Letter Grades On My Child’s Report Card?
Director of Academics Ms. Denise Lamarche talks about the shift this year to have no letter grades on Middle School report cards
Athletics Week in Review: September 27
Cross-country, squash, field hockey, volleyball and rugby are highlighted in this edition of the SMUS Athletics Week in Review
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Kathryn Humphries
Junior School music teacher Ms. Kathryn Humphries is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
New Spaces at SMUS
Students and teachers returned to St. Michaels University School this week to find some big changes had occurred over the summer.
Meet SMUS’s 2017-18 Head Boy and Head Girl
Meet Sean Finamore and Aysha Emmerson, elected Head Boy and Head Girl for the 2017-18 school year at St. Michaels University School
2017 Junior School Closing Ceremonies
Junior School staff and families celebrated the end of the year on Thursday by wishing the best for the Grade 5 students who will...
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Bob Snowden
Head of School Mr. Bob Snowden, who retires at the end of this school year, is highlighted in the SMUS Teacher Feature
Athletics Week in Review: June 2
Tennis, golf, cricket and track and field are covered in this edition of the SMUS Athletics Week in Review
Grade 5 Students Stage Tale As Old As Time
The SMUSpaper sits down with Grade 5 students who are ready to perform "Beauty and the Beast Jr." this week at the McPherson Playhouse
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Emily Deslaurier
Junior School French teacher Ms. Emily Deslaurier is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Young Singers Rock Out for Choral Concert
Grade 4-8 students took to the stage for a Choral Concert this week that was more like a rock show than a choir performance
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
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
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Mark Turner
Our newly introduced Head of School Mr. Mark Turner is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Matt Keil
Grade 5 teacher Mr. Matt Keil is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
GALLERY: Junior School Students Photograph Health and Wellness Week
Check out the gallery of photos taken by Kindergarten to Grade 5 students during Health and Wellness Week at the Junior School
Grade 4 Student Becomes Principal for a Day
Grade 4 student Mr. Wil Woods becomes Principal for a Day at SMUS, and tries to ensure all students have a fun day, too
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Alison Galloway
Grade 3 teacher Ms. Alison Galloway is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Athletics Week in Review: February 24
Squash, basketball and swimming are covered in this week's SMUS Athletics Review
Lieutenant Governor of B.C. Visits the SMUS Junior School
The Lieutenant Governor of B.C. visited our Junior School and took
Athletics Week in Review: February 16
Volleyball, basketball and swimming are covered in this week's SMUS Athletics Week in Review
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Jennifer Leyh
Grade 1 teacher Ms. Jennifer Leyh is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
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
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Becky Anderson
Ms. Becky Anderson, Director of the Junior School, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Shona Lazin
Kindergarten teacher Ms. Shona Lazin is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Putting the “Service” in Christmas Carol Service
Our annual Christmas Carol Service brings the community together for a beautiful evening of music and student reflections
GALLERY: SMUS Community Comes Together for Christmas
Students and staff gathered together to celebrate Christmas, sing some carols, have some laughs and enjoy the holiday season
Grade 4 String Musicians Make Their Public Debut
After just three months of learning music, our talented young strings musicians took the stage this week and showed off their skills
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Kevin Cook
Mr. Kevin Cook, our Director of Service, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
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.
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Jennifer Fisher
Junior School strings teacher Ms. Jennifer Fisher is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Marcelle Kitengie
Junior School teacher Mr. Marcelle Kitengie is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
GALLERY (Oct. 22-28): Family Fall Fest, Togas and Motocross Racing!
Across our school in all areas – athletics, academics, arts and more – our students were very busy these past seven days.
Junior School Runners Cap Off a Great Cross-Country Season
The sound of feet splashing through puddles, the smell of damp grass, the splatter of un-washable mud stains on SMUS sports T-shirts can only...
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Adrian French
Get to know Director of Learning Mr. Adrian French in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
GALLERY (Oct. 7-14): Seattle Trip, Cross-Country, Sculpting and More!
It was a short school week this week, thanks to the Thanksgiving long weekend.
A large group of boarding students travelled to Seattle for the long weekend to...
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
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Tawnya Mullen
Get to know Kindergarten teacher Ms. Tawnya Mullen in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
“There’s No Such Thing as a Born Leader”
At St. Michaels University School, we believe the idea of the born leader is a myth. What we do believe is leadership is a skill all students can learn.
GALLERY (Sept. 19-23): Terry Fox Run, Outdoor Ed, Volleyball and More!
Here are a handful of photos from the week of Sept. 19-23 at St. Michaels University School.
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."
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
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...
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 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)
Grade 5 Opera “Die Fledermaus” Hits the McPherson Stage
The story of Die Fledermaus can be a bit confusing, so to prepare you for the Grade 5 opera (running Thursday and Friday at...
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...
SMUS in the News: Small Voices Tackle Big Show (Grade 5 Opera)
May 26, 2016
Monday Magazine
Grade 5 Opera "Die Fledermaus"
Small voices tackle big show (p. 31)
https://issuu.com/blackpress/docs/i20160526074301142/31
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...
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...
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...
Celebrating 10 Years Since Grade 5 Opera Debut
It's been a decade since 11-year-old Lindon Carter stood onstage at the McPherson Playhouse in SMUS's first-ever Grade 5 opera, Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus.
"That was a...
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...
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...
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...
Running Club Highlights Fun Fitness in Non-Competitive Environment
Even before the sun rises, a large group of Junior School students is spending three mornings a week getting a fun fitness session in before classes...
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
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...
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...
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...
Valentines and Virtues at the Junior School
Valentine's Day at the Junior School is a wonderful day to highlight friendship and how much we care about one another. So it makes...
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...
Virtue of the Month – Caring
St Michaels University School
Tessa Lloyd, Junior School Counsellor
Virtue of the Month for February/March
Caring...
It’s a wholesome, old-fashioned virtue that should never go out of style....
Grade 3s Develop Fine Motor Skills in Quilting Club
Quilting may not necessarily seem like the kind of skill that a 21st-century learner would want to develop. It's a really low-tech and finicky process,...
SMUS Head Boy Talks “Excellence” at the Junior School
On Friday, SMUS Head Boy Jasper Johnston visited the Junior School and spoke during assembly. He spoke from the heart to the K-5 students...
Young Swimming Club Athletes Dive In To Swim Jamboree
On Monday, the Grade 4 and 5 members of the Junior School swimming club participated in the ISEA Swim Jamboree at Saanich Commonwealth Place. The...
Talking Virtues and Excellence in Junior School Chapel
Our Junior School isn’t shy about promoting character.
Inspired by the work of The Virtues Project, we take a closer look at a particular value...
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...
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...
Primary Students Spread Christmas Cheer at Concert
In what is probably the most adorable show of the Christmas season, our Junior School played host this week to two performances of the...
Music, Reflections Bring Christmas Carol Service to Life
Against the backdrop of the majestic Christ Church Cathedral, our annual Christmas Carol Service is a wonderful way for our school community to assemble and get into...
‘Tis the Season for Service Learning at the Junior School
Student leaders at our Junior School are busy like elves, collecting money and items as part of a variety of fundraising drives to make...
SMUS at the Olympics
I have talked a bit about my travel this term; now for someone else’s. To the right is a picture taken yesterday in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Unless...
SMUS in the News: Kindergartener Tate Parker Collecting Sleeping Bags
November 30, 2015
Tate Parker (Kindergarten, Class of 2028)
Victoria Kindergartener collects sleeping bags for homeless (CBC)
Fairfield boy collecting sleeping bags for homeless (Victoria News)
Kindergartener giving away...
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...
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...
Honour and Remembrance at the Junior School
Heartfelt poetry, recitations, storytelling and music is how our Junior School students honoured Remembrance Day this week. The Tuesday morning service was a touching tribute...
Grade 5 String Orchestra Performs at Junior School
On Friday morning, Grade 5 students brandished their bows – the musical tool, not the arrow-shooting weapon – to serenade classmates, teachers, parents and grandparents...
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...
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...
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...
Grade 5 Students Share Insight into Qualities of Leadership
Last week, each of our Grade 5 students bravely stood up in front of the whole school (plus a large crowd of proud parents)...
Junior School Students Lead Delicious Leadership Initiative
At St. Michaels University School, the leadership program is based on the understanding that every student is a leader and each child is involved...
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,...
Kindergartners Choose What They’re Most Excited About This School Year
Do you remember your first days of Kindergarten? After a day or two of realizing just how awesome it is getting to learn and...
A Joyful Return to the Junior School
Students were all smiles (okay, a couple of them were a little sad to say bye to mom and dad) to return to the...
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...
Lifers Look Back on 13 Years at SMUS
September 5, 2002. Avril Lavigne's "Complicated" was sitting atop the charts, kids everywhere were anxiously awaiting the release of the second Harry Potter movie,...
Grade 3 Students Embrace Their Inner Poets
Grade 3 students have been learning the basics of writing poetry all term. Each week, as they learn more and more about poetry, they create...
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...
Junior and Middle Schools Get Together for a Choral Evening
It's a great time of year for concerts. The kids have been practicing and are at the height of their musical ability. Everyone is...
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....
Young Artists Put Works on Display at ISA Art Show
SMUS students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 hung their hard work and dedication for all to see, at an art show last weekend hosted...
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...
Cross-Campus Strings Show Highlights Musicians of All Ages
by Darin Steinkey
Some people are surprised to hear that SMUS students begin learning to play stringed instruments in Grade 4. The real surprise, to...
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: Moving Bodies, Active Brains
by Tanya de Hoog, Junior School program specialist
On Tuesday, Junior School teaching faculty welcomed guest speaker Colleen Politano, a highly respected and longtime Victoria...
Back to School, Back to Learning the Virtues: Compassion
by Tessa Lloyd, Junior School counsellor
Compassion, according to German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, is the “basis of morality.” If kindness is an act, compassion is...
Grade 4 Students Teach Mindfulness at the Senior School
by Ms. Heather Sandquist
Mindfulness has become an integral part of many of the classes at the Junior School. A number of teachers incorporate various...
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...
SMUS’s Club Hub: Buddy Reading Club
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...
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...
Junior School Students Look Forward to a Musical Experience
After months of practicing dance routines, memorizing song lyrics and skits, and run-throughs of That's Entertainment!, the Junior School is proud to present the...
Grade 5 Students Rise to the Challenge of Staging a Musical
Putting on a school musical is never just a walk in the park. They're always a lot of fun and very rewarding, whether you're...
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...
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...
Athletics Week in Review: January 21
A busy January week featured, as usual, a lot of squash and basketball.
This past weekend 16 members of the Senior School squash team traveled to the...
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...
A New Year, A New Virtue: Purposefulness
by Tessa Lloyd, Junior School counsellor
When we utter the wish “Happy New Year!” are we imagining happiness occurs by luck or by design? One...
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...
Welcoming Winter with Artwork
The students at the Junior school celebrated winter through their art before they left for winter break!
The Grade 5 students made snowflakes out of...
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...
Primary Students Jingle All The Way Onstage
To cap off the holiday season, our Junior School hosted its annual Primary Christmas Concert this week, much to the delight of proud parents...
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...
Carol Service Brings Reflections on the Holiday Season
Our annual Carol Service is a joyous opportunity for members of the SMUS community to gather and reflect on what the holiday season means to...
Grade 4 Musicians Make Live Performance Debut
Playing a stringed, bowed instrument is no cake walk. It takes a lot of practice to get the technique correct, and a lot of...
Grade 5 Students Bow and Pluck to Make Beautiful Music
Even the most famous rock stars get butterflies in their stomachs before they go onstage and put on a memorable show. But when our Grade 5 students...
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...
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...
Remembrance Day is a Time for Honouring and Understanding
On Wednesday, our Junior School hosted its annual Remembrance Day service, featuring beautiful songs, evocative poetry and rich storytelling. Every year, our Head of...
Happy Halloween!
Fuelled by tons of fun activities (and maybe a little bit of candy), Halloween at SMUS is always a great event!
The festivities kicked off...
"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...
Open House: 10 Good Things about the Junior School
Kathleen Cook, Assistant Director of the Junior School
On Friday, October 24 the Junior School welcomed many visitors to the Open House. As a part...
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...
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...
The Grade 5 Class Takes the Lead
On Friday, October 3rd the Grade 5 students participated in a special Leadership Assembly. Ms. Richards, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Cook spoke about leadership...
Junior School Virtues in Practice
by Sara Ritchie, Junior School Learning Resource Teacher
Students in Grades 4 and 5 each spent one day at Camp Pringle on beautiful Shawnigan Lake....
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...
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...
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...
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...
New Students and Spaces at Junior School
There were lively conversations, smiles and hugs at Junior School on Wednesday as students and parents alike returned for another year, eager to meet...
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)...
Junior School Closing Ceremony
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
The Junior School Closing Ceremony provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon the past school year,...
Grade 5 Opera: The Gypsy Baron
The curtain has fallen on the Grade 5 opera production of The Gypsy Baron. Our young cast gave two great performances at The Royal...
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...
SMUS Lifers Go Back to Kindergarten
by Claire Williams, Grade 12
As lifers, we have 12-13 years of SMUS behind us and the Junior School was a big chunk of that....
Grade 5 Students Prepare for Opera Debut
On June 4, our Grade 5 students will take the stage at the Royal Theatre to present The Gypsy Baron, an operetta by Johann...
Young Voices, Old Songs at Choral Concert
Our Junior and Middle School choirs teamed up for a concert this week, filling Christ Church Cathedral with their lovely voices.
For the Grade 4...
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...
Earth Awareness Week
Following a wonderful student-led assembly to kick off Earth Awareness Week at the Junior School, the children have all been involved in a week...
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:...
A Grade 2 Musical
by Sierra
I am doing a musical called The Drum and it is about Jordan, a little girl who wants a drum. Jordan is given...
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...
Easter Arrives at the Junior School
Easter is a fun holiday for our younger students and our Junior School teachers arranged some exciting craft opportunities just in time for the...
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...
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...
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...
Squash: BC Junior Closed Tournament
Twelve members of the SMUS squash team travelled to Abbotsford March 1-2 to participate in the BC Junior Provincials. The players' skill, hard work...
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...
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...
A Visit from an Olympian
As the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games continue, the Junior School hosted an Olympian from the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. Jon Beare, a...
Inspiration at the Vancouver Island School of Art
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
This week, the Grade 5 students had the opportunity to attend an art show at the Vancouver Island School of...
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...
Celebrating Chinese New Year
In honour of the lunar new year, the Grade 1 classes took a field trip to Victoria's historic Chinatown to learn about Chinese culture...
Grade 5 Athletes Get Into Squash
Racquet sports are considered to be an important part of the Junior School Sports Program and over the past few months our Grade 5...
Junior School Gets Greener
by Diana Nason, librarian
We introduced the recycling and composting program a few years ago and the students have been quite committed. Recycling is a...
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...
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...
Tiny Voices Perform Holiday Tunes
Our Junior School hosted their own very special Christmas concert this week. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 performed a few fun holiday pieces...
Strings Musicians Review Concerts
Recently, both our Grade 4 and 5 Strings students gave performances at the Junior School. Below, young musicians talk about how it feels to...
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...
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....
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...
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....
A Hectic Halloween
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 had a very happy Halloween, showing off some amazing costumes and enjoying all sorts of spirited activities.
Both the...
Seasonal Art
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
There have been a variety of art projects adorning the walls of the Junior School this term.
The Grade 5 students...
Throwing the Doors Wide Open
Eager to show their pride in the school, our Grade 5 leaders have been touring prospective parents around the Junior School. This is what...
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...
Junior Runners Hit Their Stride
The sound of splashing through puddles, the smells of damp grass, the sight of falling leaves can only mean one thing: The cross-country running...
What Does Leadership Mean to You?
Grade 5 students have a large leadership role at the Junior School. To commemorate this, we have an annual assembly where each student shares...
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...
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...
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...
Our Growing School
by Nancy Richards, Director of Junior School
The school year is off to a fantastic start and everyone at the Junior School is talking about...
A Junior Welcome
Our Oak Bay campus was a bustling place as our students returned to school and two new classes of kindergarten students arrived. Our Grade...
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....
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....
iSpy: A Musical
by Stephanie Geehan, teacher
It has been a lot of fun putting together this musical. The journey began around this time last year, when I...
A Lesson in Poetry
by Devon, Grade 4
A week ago, a Grade 12 student named Lindon Carter came to the Junior School to perform a song for us...
Art Round-Up
by Angelina Agathoklis, teacher
Many different pieces of art have adorned the walls of the Junior School this year. The Grade 5 students have drawn...
Campuses Unite in Song
by Darin Steinkey
I love shooting pictures at Christ Church. Although it's dark, the light is usually fairly even and the performers are set against...
Off To the Races
by Gary Barber, coach
On your marks! The sports field has been cut and the running track has been freshly painted.
Get set! The Junior School...
Athletics Review: Coach K’s Cup
This week's AR is proud to document recognition for one of our coaches. Bruce Kuklinski has supported rugby on the Island and beyond for...
Active Mindfulness
by Heather Sandquist, Grade 4 Teacher
As a member of our Heath and Wellness committee, I fully appreciate the opportunity for mindful moments. Early in...
The Moral of the Musical
by Sharon Goodman, teacher
Our Grade 2 students recently performed The Cuckoo, a Mexican folktale that tells the story of how the Cuckoo lost her...
Cross Campus Strings: Firsts and Finals
In the opening show of concert season at SMUS, the Cross Campus Strings featured appearances (musically, anyway) from Mahler, Saint-Saëns, the League of Legends...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Buddies With Books
Our reading buddies program brings Junior School kids to the Senior School throughout the year to share their favourite books with older SMUS students....
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...
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...
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...
Fun on the Courts
by Gary Barber, PE teacher
Racquet sports are considered to be an important part of the Junior School sports program and over the past few...
What is an Orffestra?
Orff music instruction at the Junior School is a lively, child-centered approach to music that incorporates singing, dancing, acting and playing instruments
A Virtue to Inspire Improvement
The Junior School virtue for January is especially appropriate for the beginning of a new year: commitment. As countless adults set New Year's Resolutions,...
New Year, New Clubs
by Kathleen Cook
The clubs and activities at the Junior School will continue this term, with several new offerings for the children. Teachers and guest...
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...
Holiday Songs Brighten Winter Season
Carols are a staple of Christmas celebration, and with a student body packed with amazing singers, it seems only natural that SMUS contributes a...
Former Students Get Junior School Swinging
by Tim, Grade 10 percussionist in the Swing Band
On November 29th, 30 keen Senior Swing Band students accompanied Mr. Reid to the SMUS Junior...
Songs and Stories for the Season
The SMUS community filled the historic Christ Church Cathedral for its first all-school carol service. There were 300 performers, three schools and a packed...
Envisioning a Better World
The Junior School Service Committee annually organizes a Kindergarten to Grade 5 service project to raise money toward the purchase of a stable filled...
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...
Never Too Young for Strings
by Angelina, Grade 5
On November 20, the SMUS Grade 5 students played a concert at the Junior School. To demonstrate our learning, we played...
We Mark Their Sacrifice and See Our Promise
by Keven Fletcher, Chaplain
If you were to pick up pen and paper and write a letter setting out your life this week…
If you were...
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...
SMUS Runners Get Olympic Inspiration
by Gary Barber, coach
Falling leaves and crisp autumn air have been the perfect seasonal partners for another Junior School cross-country running season. Racing...
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...
Open House Ambassadors Share Their Favorite Things
On Friday, the Junior School will welcome many Open House visitors, who will be greeted by our Grade 5 students. As our school leaders,...
Recognizing Our Young Leaders
On Monday, the Grade 5 students participated in a special Leadership Assembly. Ms. Richards and Mrs. Cook spoke about Leadership at the Junior School...
Ted Harrison Inspires Young Artists
The school year at the Junior School has started off with a variety of art projects. The Grade 5 students created clay leaves, the...
Students Get a Taste of Nature at Camp Pringle
by Sara Ritchie
The Grade 4 and 5 students challenged themselves in a number of outdoor activities this week at Camp Pringle on Shawnigan Lake....
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...
Double the Fun at the Junior School
by Nancy Richards, Director
It is an historic week for SMUS as another Kindergarten class is added to the Junior School! Thirty-five four- and five-year-olds...
Junior School: Inspiration and Virtues
The Junior School Closing Ceremonies is always a special occasion. For the Grade 5 students, it marks their transition into the Middle School; for...
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....
It’s Right to Play!
by Shanna Fong, Grade 11 student
Last Friday, both the Senior School PE students and Junior School kids shared an afternoon of activities and games...
Choirs Present Movie Songs and Latin Classics
by Erin Anderson, editor
Last Tuesday, young voices filled the already crowded Christ Church Cathedral, as students from Grade 4-8 performed a range of choral...
Students Prepared for Opera Opening
by Duncan Frater, Director
On May 28 and 29, the Grade 5 students will take the stage at the Royal Theatre to perform an abbreviated...
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...
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,...
Virtue of the Month for May and June 2012: Kindness
Kindness. Where does it fit in our fast-paced, competitive and wired world? The answer is “everywhere... “.
We are all so very busy balancing competing...
SMUS Expands to Welcome a New Class
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
This week, a very special event took place at the Junior School. We enthusiastically welcomed the kindergarten...
Grade 2 Class Stages Mini-Musical
The Grade 2 class is presenting a mini-musical called A Race to the Finish on Friday. They have worked with Mrs. Duffus and Mrs....
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...
ISA Art Show Highlights Junior and Middle Artwork
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
Anyone can attend the annual Independant School Association art show this Saturday and you can see plenty of SMUS pieces...
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...
The Virtue of Understanding
Junior School Counsellor, Tessa Lloyd, shares with us the Virtue of the month for March/April 2012.
What would the world be like if we were...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Victoria Film Festival Features SMUS Pictures
The 2012 Victoria Film Festival runs from February 3–11 and includes two pieces from the SMUS community: Figaro on the Go, a documentary created...
Chess Champion Challenges Junior Students
by Tessa Lloyd, Junior School counsellor
From September to December, students had the opportunity to participate in Chess Club. Their teacher, Lynn Stringer, came each...
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...
Back to School with SMUS Faculty
If you're like me, when you hear the phrase "back to school," you think of Rodney Dangerfield's 1986 return to college. Unlike the movie,...
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...
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...
SMUS in the News: Elementary Students Help Battle Cancer
CTV News
December 9, 2011
SMUS Grade 2 class
Elementary Students Help Tristan Taylor in his Cancer Battle
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...
Primary Students Give Holiday Show
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 performed at a special tea for the grandparents and other guests last week. It was a wonderful and...
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...
Grades 1 and 5 Buddy Up for Art
by Lucas and Marcus
Grade 1 and Grade 5P joined together for a leaf project. We gathered lots of leaves and the teachers showed us...
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...
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...
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...
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....
Junior Students Get Spooky for Halloween
The children of the Junior School are eagerly anticipating a wonderful afternoon of Halloween activities on Monday. This week they have been preparing for...
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...
Junior School Artists Decorate Their School
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
The Junior School students studied the artwork of a variety of artists this term. The Grade 5 students looked at...
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,...
Grade 5 Students Talk Leadership
Grade 5 students shared their thoughts on leadership at the annual leadership assembly, where the Grade 5 students are acknowledged for their role as...
Teamwork Training at Camp Pringle
by Sara Ritchie, teacher
This week, students in Grades 4 and 5 spent an exciting day at Camp Pringle on Shawnigan Lake. With a focus...
Junior Runners Start Their Season
by Gary Barber, Junior School Assistant Director
The Junior cross-country team is off and running! Last Monday the first race of the season was held...
SMUS Leadership Definition
I feel that is important to begin each year with intention and clarity. With that in mind, I look to our leadership definition to...
Junior Students Describe Their First Week Back
The Junior School began its year with a welcome barbecue and all kinds of activities to help students settle back into the classroom. With...
Extracurricular Clubs Debut at Junior School
Junior Students will have even more things to do this school year. Though there have always beens lots of things happening on campus, this...
Junior School Closing Ceremonies
Director of Junior School Nancy Richard's Speech
As educators our image of the child, especially of young children, is changing. They are much wiser than...
SMUS Raises Funds With World Partnership Walk
The World Partnership Walk was held on Sunday, May 29. Many families from SMUS gathered at Beacon Hill Park for this annual event in...
Senior and Junior Students Stay Fit Together
Last week, students from Grades 2-4 came to visit the Senior School campus to take part in some fun and games with a few...
Grade 5 Musical Is a Magical Show
by Nancy Richards, Junior School Director
The opening night of “Pirates in Wonderland” at the Junior School was a tremendous success! The Grade 5 classes...
Choral Concert Features Many Voices
Students in Grades 4-12 sang in the Cross-Campus Choral Concert at Christ Church Cathedral last night, performing a wide range of pieces. The youngest...
Junior Students Learn Teamwork Outdoors
The Grade 4 classes spent a beautiful day at Camp Pringle on Shawnigan Lake developing teamwork skills and trying new activities. Students challenged themselves...
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...
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...
Junior School Fundraises for Japan
On Thursday, May 5, Japanese Children’s Day, the Junior School held a special service day to honour the people of Japan. Children were prepared...
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...
Junior School Girls and Boys Love Rugby
by Marcus, Grade 4
There are many sports that SMUS offers but my favourite is rugby. Rugby is one of the most traditional sports that...
Grade 5 Students Build a City Scape
by Angelina Agathoklis
The Grade 5 students were asked to create clay skyscrapers that incorporated elements from ancient structures. Stonehenge, the pyramids of ancient Egypt,...
Grade 2 Class Makes Easter Creations
by Shae and Devon
When the Grade 2 class made Ukrainian eggs, we had to use a tool called a kistka. We put beeswax in...
Junior School Students Put on a Musical
by Marina
The Grade 2 class did a musical called Stone Soup. We performed it for the Junior School and our parents on April 15th...
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....
The Junior School Green Team
Sustainability is one of the Five Streams of Leadership at SMUS.
Before the break, anticipating Earth Week in the middle of April, I had the...
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...
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,...
Junior School Students Share Photos
by Kathleen Cook (on behalf of the Junior School Service Committee)
The Grade 5 children were invited to participate in an exciting International Photography Project...
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...
Student Selects Tanzanian Schools for Service Day
On Thursday, February 3, 2011 the Junior School held a Service Day in support of school building in Tanzania. This is a student-led initiative...
Junior School Overflows with Student Art
Our Junior School artists have been busy brightening up their school recently, working in different media and styles. The Grade 5 students created some...
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...
Junior School Celebrates The Season
The Junior School has been very busy this month with many holiday events. This week, they held their own carol service, complete with a...
Junior School Sends Stockings to Dominican Republic
by Megan, Imaan, Amrit, Nick P, Lindsay and Chloe, Grade 5
For the past five years our Grade 5 classes have provided these stockings to...
Grade 5 Students Build with Gingerbread
To celebrate the holiday season, the Grade 5 students at the Junior School used some architectural know-how to build gingerbread houses this week. Using...
Junior School Students Learn to Save Lives
by Nicky Newsome, Grade 5N teacher
The Junior Lifeguard Club has completed another successful year! Students in Grade 4 and 5 participated in a six-week...
Junior School Students Love Buddy Reading
There is excitement in the Senior School library on Mondays, as the Junior School students arrive to meet their senior buddies for buddy reading....
Grade 2 Bakers Whip Up Some Gingerbread
by Amalia, Grade 2
We are making delicious gingerbread in Grade 2! We got to mix the dry dough in our class and we did...
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...
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....
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...
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...
Grade 5 Students Talk Leadership
by Kathleen Cook, Junior School staff member
On Friday, October 15th, the Grade 5 students participated in a special Leadership Assembly. Ms. Richards and Mrs....
Middle School Cellists Play with a Special Guest
by Athena and Keeley, Grade 8
On October 17th, Desmond Hoebig, a professional cellist, came to the Junior School with us. He played the Schumann...
Junior School Explodes with Colour
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
Adorned by the artwork of the students the Junior School halls have come alive with colour. The Grade 3 students...
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...
Junior School Virtue: Gentleness
by Tessa Lloyd, counsellor
Who wants to be gentle these days? If we look for role models in the media who practice this virtue, they...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Junior School Students Debut Opera
by Erin Anderson, editor
Our Grade 5 students took to the Royal Theatre stage for two performances of The Barber of Seville, a Rossini opera...
Bookfest Fun for Junior Readers
Introduction
by Matthew, Donovan and Joshua
On Saturday May 1st, we went to Bookfest in Nanaimo. Bookfest is a celebration of authors and their books. It...
Junior Students Walk for the World
by Diana Nason, Junior School librarian
SMUS and the World Partnership Walk hosted the Global Village Lunch at the Junior School on Thursday, May 13th....
Grade 1 Students Go To Jail
by Amalia, Grade 1 student
When the Grade 1 class went to the Saanich Police and Fire Station, we saw Taz the police dog, we...
Grade 5 Students Ready for Royal Theatre
In just under two weeks, our Junior School will debut its production of the Rossini opera The Barber of Seville at the Royal Theatre....
Grade 2 Students Let the Bells Ring
by Mrs. Sharon Goodman
Several students from the Grade 2 class have been participating in a bell choir since January. Abby, Seung, Ben, Angelina, Joshua...
Grade 5 Students Examine the Legislature Building
by Gordon Chan, Grade 5 teacher
One of the highlights of the Grade 5 social studies programme is the annual trip to the Legislative Assembly....
New Videos on SMUSTube
by Erin Anderson, editor
Since 2010 kicked off, much has happened at SMUS and a few big events were captured on video. SMUSTube, our video...
Junior School Musicians Shine in Victoria Festival
by Mary Smith, music teacher
The city of Victoria is enriched annually in the early spring by the presence of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts...
SMUS Scholar in Residence: Linda Kavelin Popov
by Nancy Richards, Director of the Junior School
Last Friday, the Junior School staff and students were fortunate to have an opportunity to meet SMUS...
Elizabeth May Talks Politics with the Grade 5 Classes
by Elise, Hanna and Mattia
The Grade 5 students of the Junior School were lucky enough to have the leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth...
Grade 4 Students Write to Peers from Uganda
by Karen Dicks, a retired SMUS teacher
Students in Grade 4 recently made contact with Grade 4 students at Kibaare School (pronounced Chibaray) in southwestern...
Junior School Illustrates the Virtues
by Kathleen Cook, Chair of the Leadership Committee
This week, the students of the Junior School prepared for a very special visit by Linda Kavelin...
Grade 4 Students Sew Up Their Aboriginal Unit
by the Grade 4 classes
On Wednesday, April 14, Ms. Leslie McGary from the Native Friendship Centre came to teach us how to make potlatch...
Junior Students Try to Save the Farm
by Jamison, Grade 5
It was a really nice day out and it was the end of the day. Almost everyone brought a donation for...
Junior Students Jump for Health
by Matt and Ben, Grade 5
"Jump rope for heart was an event where two classes would go into the gym and skip rope for...
Grade 2 Students Party at Senior School
by Grade 2 students Ben Lupin, Julian Fitzgibbon, and Jonah Wilmott
The Grade 2 class went on a pyjama party field trip to the Symons...
Olympic Spirit Comes to the Junior School
by Erin Anderson, editor
This morning, just before the 2010 Olympics kick-off in Vancouver, the Junior School hosted its very own torch run and games....
Junior Students Ready for 2010 Games
by Mrs. Margaret Lincoln, Kindergarten teacher
The Kindergarten children have been learning about the origins of the Olympics. They are particularly knowledgeable about the different...
The Borealis String Quartet at SMUS
by Jonathan Sudul, Grade 5
On January 25, Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 string students heard a recital by the Borealis String Quartet. There...
Grade 4 Students Reflect on Canada's Identity
by the Grade 4J class
Jowi Taylor and Paul O'Brien's Six String Nation presentation inspired our Grade 4 students to think about a guitar in...
Junior School Funds Farm Animals Overseas
Last term, the Junior School began a fundraising initiative on behalf of World Vision. The students challenged themselves to raise as much money as...
Junior School Gets into the Spirit of Service
Even the youngest members of SMUS have been bitten by the service bug. This month, the Grade 5 students prepared stockings for children in...
Grade 5 Students Shed Light on History
by Laura Williams, Grade 5
The Grade 5 students used tin cans, nails, and hammers to make lanterns. This activity took place in language arts...
Musical Guests Play for Junior Students
by Grade 5 students Madison Liew and Elise Marchessault
On Friday, November 27th the Senior School Swing Band cam to the Junior School to perform...
Grade 2 Students Bake Up Some Holiday Cheer
by Grade 2 students Seung Choi, Jenna Sedgewick and Angelina Shandro
Over the past few weeks, the Grade 2 class has been baking gingerbread. We...
Free the Children Group Visits Junior School
by Madison Hadfield, Grade 10
When you were in Kindergarten, did you have any idea what clubs and councils you would join in nine years?...
Grade 5 Students Review Grade 5 Concert
by Grade 5 students Hannah Kitson, Elise Marchessault, and Katie McAulay
On November 24th at 11:00 am, the Grade 5 students gave a wonderful strings...
Junior School Service Applauded
This week, the SMUS Junior school was recognized for its many service initiatives at the annual Youth in Philanthropy awards. Grade 5 student Nick...
SMUS Remembers
The Senior School campus held a moment of silence this morning at 11:00 in honour of Remembrance Day. Though the school was unable to...
Senior and Junior Students Bond With Books
by Kelly Twa, Grade 12
Mondays are typically the worst day of the week: you’re tired after a busy weekend, you still haven't finished all...
Junior Students Collect Coats for Kids
by Grade 5 students Mattia Sanati, Alana Hawes, Jill Taylor and Sophie Jones
We volunteered to be part of the Coats for Kids drive. Since...
Grade 4 Students Explore Wetlands
by the Grade 4 classes
Last week, we visited Swan Lake to learn about habitats and what animals and plants do in their natural habitat,...
Grade 5 Students Take the Lead
by Kathleen Cook
On Friday, October 16th the Grade 5 students participated in a special leadership Assembly. Ms. Richards and I spoke about Leadership at...
Grade 3 Class Explores Space
by the Grade 3 class
Last week, we learned about our solar system with a trip to Victoria's observatory, where people use a giant telescope...
Grade 5 Students Time Travel
by the Grade 5 class
A few days ago, both of the Grade 5 classes and Mr. Chan, Ms. Newsome and Ms. Yorath want to...
Steve Nash Returns
It was an exciting morning on the SMUS campus, as Steve Nash '92 stopped by to talk to some of his former teachers, answer...
Annual Fund Raises Its Final Star
by Lori Adam, Director of the Annual Fund
At the beginning of the 2008/09 school year, the ambitious goal was set to raise $888,888 for...
Ceremonial End to the School Year
Last week, every SMUS student was honoured during the annual Closing Ceremonies, which are held by the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools.
The Junior School...
Ice Cream Day Keeps Students Cool
A tradition carried on this week as all SMUS students received free ice cream, handed out by a band of alumni at the Junior,...
Schools Partner with the World
On May 31, many SMUS families took part in the World Partnership Walk fundraiser. Both the Junior and Middle Schools are huge supporters of the...
SMUS Athletes on Track
The SMUS Junior School sent 75 athletes to the VISSA track and field championships this week, where they competed against other independent schools from...
Grade 1 Students Love Bugs
The Victoria Bug Zoo welcomed Ms. Galloway’s Grade 1 class this week, as the student followed up their insect studies with a field trip...
Grade 5 Students Go Greek
Our Grade 5 students wrapped up their study of Greek mythology this week by celebrating the ancient culture with presentations, games and feasts. Students...
Grade 4 Poets Present Work
See slideshow
This week, Grade 4 students took over local coffee house the Black Stilt and shared poems with their siblings, parents, grandparents and teachers....
Grade 5 Students Meet Middle School
This week, the Grade 5 students saw a little bit of what their next year at SMUS will be like as they visited the...
Alumni Weekend 2009
See slideshow
This weekend was Alumni Weekend, and many former students returned to the school to see old friends, watch a few sporting events and...
Grade 1 Students Go to University
See slideshow
This week, the Grade 1 class visited the University of Victoria in order to learn about post-secondary education. The students were able to...
Monstrous Praise for Junior Cast
See slideshow
This Friday evening will be the last performance of the Grade 5 production There’s a Monster in my Closet. Fortunately, earlier this week...
Monsters Come to Junior School
See slideshow
The Grade 5 students take to the stage next week in a production of There’s a Monster in My Closet, a musical comedy...
Concert Showcases Cross-Campus Voices
See slideshow
This week, choral students from Grades 4-12 performed at the annual cross-campus choral concert. The Christ Church Cathedral was filled to the ceiling...
Junior Students Give Rugby a Try
Just as the 1st and 2nd XV take to the field at Senior School, our Grade 4 and 5 boys and girls are also...
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 Students Lead Conferences
by Kathleen Cook
See slideshow
Each class in the Junior School has organized student led conferences during the final part of the second term. This gives...
Junior School All Souped Up
The Junior School marked the 100th day of school last week by collecting canned food for the Mustard Seed food bank. Every class had...
Used Uniform Shop Adopts Art
Visitors to the Used Uniform Shop will be able to enjoy some student artwork as the shop unveils a new mural this week. Designed...
Grade 2 Students Experience Boarding
Last week, the Grade 2 class went on a special trip to the Senior School to spend some time with the Barnacle/Winslow boarders. The...
Environment Club Covers Composting
Last week, the Junior School Environment Club had a special guest from the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre. In the first term of the...
Junior School Students Dive In
by Nicky Newsome, teacher
This Monday, swim club members from Grades 3-5 went to the Commonwealth Pool for the ISEA Swim Meet. Independent schools from...
Students Travel to the Centre of the Universe
The Grade 3 students continued their study of space this week as they visited the Centre of the Universe, an educational centre at the...
Grade 1 Students Have a Sleepy Morning
Grade 1 students wore their pyjamas to school one day this week and spent the morning reading books, playing games, drinking hot chocolate and...
Junior School Celebrates the Season with Service
Our youngest students are wrapping up 2008 with a series of concerts and service projects. This Wednesday, the kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2...
Parents' Auxiliary Celebrates with Boarders
by Brenda Moore, Grade 12 boarder
The much-anticipated Parents’ Auxiliary Christmas Evening Celebration commenced at half-past six on Saturday, December 6th in the school chapel....
SMUS Comes Together for the Holidays
Last week was our annual all-school assembly, where students from kindergarten to Grade 12 celebrate the season together, with songs and skits. Some of...
Grade 4 Students Search for Treasure
Our Grade 4 students visited the Senior School last week to spend their morning geocaching with the Grade 9 Geography students, using Global Positioning...
Students Journey to See Salmon
Students from all three schools visited Goldstream Park last week to witness the salmon run, a natural phenomenon in which an estimated 40,000 salmon...
Junior School Swings with Strings
Junior School has had a very musical month. The Grade 5 and Grade 4 Strings ensembles played their first concerts of the year, and...
SMUS Remembers
Last week, students, faculty, parents and alumni commemorated Remembrance Day with music, words and prayer. At the Senior School ceremony, we were honoured to...
Annual Fund Launches with Stars
The Annual Fund campaign kicked off this week as banners went up at both campuses and a new team of parent representatives was launched....
Grade 5 Students Go Underground
Our two Grade 5 classes have been learning about the history of slavery in the Unites States as well as the Underground Railroad, a...
Things Get Spooky at SMUS
Halloween took over the hallowed halls of all three campuses this week, as students and staff donned costumes, carved pumpkins and enjoyed a few...
Two Schools Buddy Up to Read
Our Reading Buddies programme resumed this month, with 15 Junior School students visiting the Senior campus library for reading sessions with the older students....
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....
SMUS Gets Ready for Spring
Spring Fair is returning to the school this year, after a long absence. The huge community celebration, which also acts as an important fundraiser,...
Junior School Fast on Its Feet
Since September, our Junior School students have covered a lot of ground. Last week, it was the Terry Fox run and this week the...
Grade 2 Students Make Peace With Dinosaur
Rainbow, the SMUSosaurus, joined Grade 2 students this week to help them learn about conflict resolution. The students are working on becoming the peacemakers...
Grade 5 Students Ready to Lead
Our Grade 5 students were honoured this Monday at the annual leadership assembly. The Junior School began holding leadership assemblies four years ago, both...
Imaginative Author Casts a Spell on Junior School
Visiting author Margriet Ruurs delighted Junior School students this week, teaching them all about how books are made and reading from a few of...
Junior Students Rewarded for Reading
This week at the Junior School, the students who participated in the summer reading program were recognized in a special assembly. Thirty-eight children reached...
New Students Bring Much to SMUS
Each year, our school seems to get even more diverse and 2008-2009 will be no different. Our 206 new students have come to us...
SMUS Staff Expands
This September, SMUS is welcoming new teachers, counsellors, house parents and staff. Here are just a few of the new people joining our school...
School Bells Sound Once More
All three campuses came alive this week as students returned from their summer holidays or arrived for their first year at SMUS. Our students...
Junior School Sports Day
Friday afternoon saw beautiful clear skies for the Junior School’s annual Sports Day.
Every year, the Junior School field is dotted with young athletes and...
Junior School Closing Ceremonies
Service Awards and Grade 5 Awards Assemblies
The Junior School concluded another fun and memorable year with their Service Awards, Grade 5 Awards, and their...
Students Say "Thanks"
With one week left to go, SMUS is already celebrating Annual Fund contributions to date of more than $842,000. The amount significantly exceeds this...
Red Cedar Readers Visit Their Favourite Authors
Last weekend, Junior School readers hit the road to Nanaimo to help celebrate the Island’s annual Children’s Book Fest. After reading and voting on...
Junior School Delivers Music and Magic
flute
Glittering costumes, beautiful singing and comical banter were all part of the Junior School’s latest masterpiece, The Magic Flute. Directed by music teacher Mr....
Alum's Contribution Lends Support to a New Generation of Drama Students
The St. Michaels University School chapel is a significant place for alumnus Andrew Sabiston ’82. Inside the chapel hangs a tapestry made by his...
Junior School Athletes on Track
This week, 65 Junior School students participated in the VISSAA Track Meet at the UVic Stadium. Every year the Victoria Independent Schools Sports Association...
Junior School Makes Magic
Next Thursday, patrons of the arts will be in for a surprise when they peer through their opera glasses and find the McPherson Playhouse...
Latin Fiesta Honours Linda Sipos, Raises Funds for Orphanage
This Wednesday evening, the Junior School was alive with vibrant Latin music, salsa dancing and games. The event, billed as the Latin Fiesta, gathered...
Award Winning Authors Visit Junior School
Last Thursday, the Junior School was proud to host two award-winning authors, Pamela Porter and Polly Hovarth. Polly Hovarth has won numerous awards including...
Grade 5 Students Get a Preview of Middle School Life
On Tuesday, Grade 5 students left their Junior School classes to spend an afternoon at the Middle School in order to get a taste...
Third World Meals for Junior School Children
On Sunday, May 25, the SMUS community will participate in the 24th Annual World Partnership Walk. The Junior School, which has raised more money...
Head of School Looks Forward to a Long Future at SMUS
SMUS Board of Governors Chair David Angus is pleased to announce that the Board has finalized a new multi-year contract with Head of School...
The Future of SMUS Rugby
On Monday, parents clutched their umbrellas and cheered on as rugby returned to the Junior School for the first time in 20 years. Despite...
Students Buddy-up to Share their Love of Reading
Grade 12 student Oliver Bild has a passion for promoting literacy, and as the head of the SMUS Library Council he was motivated to...
Junior School Students Learn about Fire Safety
The Oak Bay Fire Department visited the Junior School on Wednesday afternoon to educate the Grades 3 and 4 students about fire safety and...
Choral Concert
Parents, staff, faculty and students gathered at Christ Church Cathedral Wednesday evening for the Cross-Campus Choral Concert. Students in Grades 4 through 12 performed...
Très Bien to our Grade 4 French Students
Last week, the two Grade 4 classes performed Les Trois Petits Cochons (the Three Little Pigs), an evening presentation that showcased the students’ verbal...
Learning about BC's First Peoples
The Grade 4 classes have been studying Native culture in British Columbia as part of their Social Studies curriculum. As part of their learning,...
Bring Your Own Pyjamas
Last week, boarding students hosted an afternoon pyjama party in residence for the Grade 2 students as a way to build cross-grade and cross-campus...
Penguins and Dragons, Oh My!
It has been a busy few weeks at Junior School as the students participated in numerous activities tying into their classroom curriculum.
As part of...
A New Director of Annual Fund
This week the school welcomed Ms. Lori Adam, who joins the Advancement office as the new Director of the Annual Fund. Ms. Adam comes...
Making Reading Magical
Last week, Kindergarten teacher Ms. Margaret Lincoln made reading more than just fun for her students – she made it magical.
Celebrating their success in...
Junior School Kick-Starts a Sports Club
Sports at Junior School have been going swimmingly thanks to Sports Club – an after-school program dedicated to improving athletic skills. Once a week,...
Used Uniform Shop New to SMUS
This Thursday marked the grand opening of the Parents' Auxiliary Used Uniform shop located at the school’s Shelbourne Street facility. All proceeds from used...
Middle School Students Perform in Aladdin Jr.
Grade 6 students Cimarron Langois and Lindon Carter are currently performing in Kaleidoscope Theatre’s Christmas production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. This Tuesday, the entire...
Junior School Readers Help a Dragon
Since November, Junior School students have been reading more than ever before. A visiting dragon named Sam has been looking for some new scales,...
School-wide Assembly Caps off Busy Term with a Spirited Finale
With over 900 students, it’s rare to be able to get all of the SMUS population under one roof, but last Friday’s all-school assembly...
Christmas Carols Ring out at SMUS
From last Friday’s carol service to the primary concert at the Junior School, SMUS has been getting into the spirit with a lot of...
Holiday Activities for All
Just because classes are ending next Friday, that doesn’t mean that things will be slow at SMUS in December. Students from ages five to...
Kindergarten Class Dives into Ocean Studies
The youngest SMUS class has spent the first official month of winter under the sea, learning about its aquatic inhabitants through a wide range...
Grade 4 and 5 Students Make Strings Sing
The most recent assemblies at Junior School have been more musical than usual, as both the Grades 4 and 5 strings ensembles have treated...
Students Get Wise About Owls
by Kennedy, Grade 4
This week, both of the Grade 4 classes at the Junior School had a special visitor from the Swan Lake Christmas...
Ron Broda Draws Children into the Art of Illustration
Junior School students received a hands-on lesson in drawing and illustrating from one of the top five illustrators in Canada this week. Ron Broda,...
Health and Wellness Tip of the Week: Avoiding the Flu
As the chill of winter sets in, so do a few other things. Even the relatively warm winter of Victoria can help viruses take...
Students Shed Uniforms for Service
Students got to indulge in a little casual wear this week, as each school had its own Service Day, where students can donate two...
Information Evenings Educate Parents on SMUS
This week, Junior, Middle and Senior School each hosted an informative reception for prospective parents, students and families. The events are open to anyone,...
Book Sale Funds Used to Buy Books
This Wednesday was the first day of the second annual book sale, a fundraiser run by the Library Council. After over a month of...
SMUS Remembers
This week, the two campuses each held a Remembrance Day service in honour of the many people across the world, past and present, affected...
Grade 1 Students Go Batty
In the spirit of the season, Alison Galloway’s Grade 1 class has been spending a lot of their time studying bats. In preparation for...
New Board Chair, Governors Appointed at 2007 AGM
Thursday's annual general meeting marked the beginning of a new era in the St. Michaels University School Board of Governors. Stephen Martin, who has...
Parents' Auxiliary Cooking Up Plans for Christmas Dinner
With Halloween over, retail outlets aren’t the only ones moving their eyes forward onto the next holiday. The Parents' Auxiliary is excited for the...
SMUS Haunted by Halloween
All three schools celebrated Halloween today with food and festivities. As usual, there were many elaborate and creative costumes on students of all ages...
SMUS Opens up for Open House
Last Friday, staff and students welcomed 113 families to the campus for Open House, an annual event where parents, students, alumni and community members...
Junior School Explores Soil and History
Last week, Grade 2 and 5 students expanded on their studies with interesting day trips. Gordan Chan’s Grade 5 class ventured to Fort Langley,...
Grade 5 Students Take the Lead at Junior School
Wednesday was a special assembly for this year’s Grade 5 students, as they officially became the leaders of Junior School. The students each read...
SMUS Students Run for Terry Fox
Last Friday, Junior School children donned bandannas and took part in the 27th annual Terry Fox Run. The weather was chilly but the children...
Teamwork Triumphs Over Alligator at Junior School
Mr. Bob Snowden, Head of School, made a special appearance in Junior School’s assembly this Monday. Though Mr Snowden visits the Junior School every...
Health and Wellness Tip of the Week: Cliques and Bullying
With a new school year beginning, plenty of new transitions are taking place at St. Michaels University School. Students are moving up from the...
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...
