Tag: staff
Farewell to Our 2019-20 Retirees
Celebrating the SMUS faculty and staff who are retiring this school year
Introducing Director of External Programs Craig Kelley
Meet Craig Kelley, the new Director of External Programs at St. Michaels University School
#SMUSLearns at Spring Break
SMUS teachers and staff share resources, activities and tips to have a great Spring Break
300+ Years of Service
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by educators and administrators who retired in 2019
Introducing Adrienne Davidson, Director of Advancement & Campaigns
Get to know Adrienne Davidson, our new Director of Advancement & Campaigns
A Lifetime of Learning
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Peter Gardiner, former teacher and member of the advancement and alumni relations team.
2019 Retirees: Sharon Buckingham
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Sharon Buckingham, former University Counselling administrative assistant.
2019 Retirees: Paul Leslie
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Paul Leslie, former Director of Admissions.
2019 Retirees: Michael Murgatroyd
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Michael Murgatroyd, former Director of Finance and Administration.
2019 Retirees: Jennifer White
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Jennifer White, former executive assistant to the Head of School.
2019 Retirees: Janice Iverson
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Janice Iverson, former Senior School receptionist.
2019 Retirees: Evelyn Zapantis
Learn more about the outstanding contributions to SMUS by Evelyn Zapantis, former Boarding Services coordinator.
Saying Goodbye to Our 2018 Retirees
We say farewell to the faculty and staff who retired in 2018 and look back on their time at our school
Introducing Chief Financial Officer Rita Lord
Meet Rita Lord, the new Chief Financial Officer at St. Michaels University School
Introducing Our New Alumni Relations Officer
We are pleased to introduce Denise Rees, our new Alumni Relations Officer
Head’s Up: An Interview with Mark Turner
Grade 12 student Samina Makhanbetazhiyeva interviews Head of School designate Mark Turner about his passions, challenges and future role at the School.
Bob the Builder
We look back at the legacy of recently retired Head of School Bob Snowden, after serving 22 years in the leadership role at St. Michaels University School
The Jag: An Interview With Alex Cecill
The Jag student newspaper sits down with teacher Ms. Alex Cecill to talk about her experience running in the New York City Marathon
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Amy Stark
Middle School Humanities teacher Ms. Amy Stark is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Andrew Murgatroyd
Senior School math teacher – and 2002 grad – Mr. Andrew Murgatroyd is highlighted in this week's Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mrs. Beth Johnston
Chemistry teacher Mrs. Beth Johnston is highlighted in this week's Teacher Feature. She's also opening up her classroom as part of Fall Spark Open House on Oct. 20
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mrs. Sarah Donatelli
Middle School teacher Mrs. Sarah Donatelli is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: Simon Ibell ’96 Remembered at Vikes Championship Breakfast
The Times Colonist highlights the annual UVic Vikes breakfast, where teacher and coach Ian Hyde-Lay delivered the keynote address on behalf of and in memory of alumnus Simon Ibell
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Eliot Anderson
Mr. Eliot Anderson, Director of the Senior School, is highlighted in the latest SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: SMUS Shortlisted for Prism Award for Coaching
The Saanich News highlights SMUS being named a finalist for the International Coach Federation's Prism Award
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mrs. Shannon Williams
Middle School teacher Mrs. Shannon Williams is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Named as Finalist for International Executive Coaching Award
St. Michaels University School was named a finalist for the international Prism Award, awarded by the International Coach Federation
SMUS in the News: Ian Hyde-Lay to Represent Simon Ibell ’96 as Vikes Keynote...
SMUS basketball coach Ian Hyde-Lay will represent the late Simon Ibell as the keynote speaker at the University of Victoria Vikes breakfast in September
SMUS Bids Farewell to Three of the Best
With almost 75 years of combined teaching experience at SMUS, we wish Jim de Goede, Lisa Hyde-Lay and Lindy Van Alstine a fond farewell....
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
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Lindy Van Alstine
Middle School science teacher Ms. Lindy Van Alstine, who retires this year after 26 years at SMUS, is featured in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Dream Big Stories: Ms. Bernadette Abrioux
Math is a tough subject. It's the one students tend to struggle with the most. But Senior School math teacher Ms. Bernadette Abrioux feels she...
SMUS in the News: SMUS Bids Farewell to Bob Snowden
The Saanich News writes about Head of School Bob Snowden's retirement after 22 years at SMUS
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Andy Rodford
Mr. Andy Rodford, Director of the Senior School and next year's Acting Head of School, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS 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: Ms. Dariol Haydock
Middle School assistant director Ms. Dariol Haydock is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Announces Mr. Mark Turner as New Head of School
St. Michaels University School is pleased to announce Mr. Mark Turner has been appointed as the new Head of School.
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Evan Fryer
Senior School math teacher, Senior boys soccer coach and Barnacle houseparent, Mr. Evan Fryer leads a very busy life inside and outside of SMUS.
Since...
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Matt Keil
Grade 5 teacher Mr. Matt Keil is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Dream Big Stories: Ms. Nikki Kaufmann
Ms. Nikki Kaufmann talks about how SMUS's annual Dream Big fund has a direct impact on the school's athletics program and student population
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Zyoji Jackson
Middle School teacher and senior houseparent Mr. Zyoji Jackson is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Mike Jackson
Senior School science teacher Mr. Mike Jackson is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Alison Galloway
Grade 3 teacher Ms. Alison Galloway is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Amanda Chen
Middle School Humanities and Mandarin teacher Ms. Amanda Chen is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Dream Big Stories: Ms. Susan Vachon
Ms. Susan Vachon talks about how SMUS's annual Dream Big fund has a direct impact on the education students receive – in this case Learning Resources
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Susan MacDonald
Senior School English teacher Ms. Susan MacDonald is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Jennifer Leyh
Grade 1 teacher Ms. Jennifer Leyh is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. George Floyd
Middle School science and technology teacher Mr. George Floyd is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Peter Butterfield
Choir teacher and boarding houseparent Mr. Peter Butterfield is covered in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
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: Mr. David Kerr
Senior School teacher Mr. David Kerr is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Dream Big Stories: Rev. Keven Fletcher
Rev. Keven Fletcher talks about how SMUS's annual Dream Big fund has a direct impact on the education students receive – in this case character education
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Shona Lazin
Kindergarten teacher Ms. Shona Lazin is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Sarah Beeston
Ms. Sarah Beeston, a SMUS alumnus, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Mike Danskin
Middle School teacher – and SMUS lifer – Mr. Mike Danskin is highlighted in this week's Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Kevin Cook
Mr. Kevin Cook, our Director of Service, is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
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: Ms. Nancy Mollenhauer
Middle School teacher Ms. Nancy Mollenhauer is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Ruth McGhee
Ms. Ruth McGhee is no stranger to the SMUS neighbourhood. She was born and raised in Victoria, and her childhood home was three houses down...
SMUS in the News: Nancy Mollenhauer Inducted into Victoria Sports Hall of Fame
Middle School teacher Nancy Mollenhauer is inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Marcelle Kitengie
Junior School teacher Mr. Marcelle Kitengie is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Senior School Library Named in Honour of Bob and Joan Snowden
Senior School library is named and dedicated in honour of Head of School Bob Snowden and his wife Joan for their contributions to the school
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Adrian French
Get to know Director of Learning Mr. Adrian French in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Shawn Zhang
Get to know SMUS's newest Middle and Senior School Mandarin teacher, Mr. Shawn Zhang, in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Ask SMUS: “What Does a Director of Academics Do?”
Director of Academics Ms. Denise Lamarche answers a commonly heard question: "What do you do? And how is your job different from the Director of Learning?"
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
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Jordan Tessarolo
From studying biochemistry to playing in a professional ultimate frisbee league, get to know Senior School math teacher Mr. Jordan Tessarolo in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Crystal Vaughan
Get to know Middle School counsellor Ms. Crystal Vaughan in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Eric Donatelli
Get to know physics teacher Mr. Eric Donatelli in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Head of School Bob Snowden Announces Retirement
After 22 years at SMUS, Head of School Bob Snowden will retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year
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...
SMUS in the News: Bruce Kuklinski as Rugby Citing Commissioner for Rio Olympics
August 8, 2016
Bruce Kuklinski
Chek News
Game On! – July 31, 2016 (skip to 8:35)
Saanich News
St. Michaels athletics coach will referee at Olympics
Times Colonist
Victorians play key roles...
Teacher Bruce Kuklinski Sets His ‘Cites’ on Rio Olympic Rugby
Middle School teacher Bruce Kuklinski heads to Rio de Janeiro to work as a citing commissioner for Olympic rugby sevens games
SMUS in the News: Feeding Our Future Program Helps Low-Income Youth in Victoria
July 15, 2016
Sodexo's Feeding Our Future program
Victoria News
Program helps feed youth from low-income families in Victoria
CTV Vancouver Island
July 14 – CTV News at 6...
SMUS in the News: Victoria Teacher Works with Disney Illustrator to Create Children’s Book
May 8, 2016
CBC News
Teacher Dorothy Hawes
Ogopogo Odyssey': Victoria teacher works with Disney illustrator to create children's book
Engagement
Our Vancouver Alumni event last week was a great example of what engagement means at our school – so those of you who were...
Student Life
Our boarding past and present has done a lot to shape SMUS. By far the most ubiquitous legacy – and the one students are...
SMUS in the News: Bill Greenwell Courtside as Steve Nash ’92 Honoured
December 25, 2015
Cowichan Valley Citizen
Bill Greenwell (former basketball coach), Steve Nash '92
Former coach is courtside as Steve Nash honoured
THE JAG: Meet Hinton Chair Mr. Bruce Maxwell
by Sara Owen-Flood
Mr. Maxwell is the new Hinton Chair at SMUS teaching History 9 and Law 12. You may have seen him coaching the Junior...
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...
Professional Development: The Teachers Become The Students
Before students come back to campus ready for school, members of our Junior, Middle and Senior School faculty arrived ready and eager to learn....
SMUS in the News: Nancy Mollenhauer’s Athletic Achievements Recognized at UVic
CHEK News
August 26, 2015
Nancy Mollenhauer
New Walk of Excellence at University of Victoria's Athletics Complex
Leavers’ Chapel Marks Last Days for Grade 12 Students
Before the Class of 2015 finishes at SMUS, the Grade 12 students were treated to their final chapel service. Weekly chapel is always a...
Weekend Garden Party to Fundraise for All-Girls’ School in Malawi
by Becky Anderson, Director of Leadership
Our school is committed to learning, leading and serving. These themes are woven through all aspects of life at...
Personalization… more
Personalization and the excellent teacher student
It’s important to put the emphasis where it belongs. More than a little harm has been done by the...
Harvard Instructional Rounds at SMUS
At SMUS we believe in life-long learning, and that extends to our teachers as well. From one-on-one mentoring and coaching to cross-campus collaboration between...
Leadership and the 360 Review
Parents and students who have been at the School for some time will know that the theme of leadership is woven colourfully and powerfully...
A Day Aboard CCGS Tully with Ocean Networks Canada
SMUS Science department head Mike Jackson spent September 17 with an Ocean Networks Canada dive team on the CGCS Tully in the Saanich Inlet.
SMUS in the News: Building Education in Malawi
Saanich News
June 18, 2014
Dariol Haydock
Saanich teachers building education in Malawi
SMUS in the News: Ian Hyde-Lay Named Coach of the Year
The Province
June 16, 2014
Ian Hyde-Lay
Coach of the Year: Ian Hyde-Lay
Wind and Weather
I am an early riser. This morning at about 5:30 I was outside. The only illumination at this time, in mid-February, is provided by...
Recognition, far and wide
When Grade 11 student Ann Makosinski was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the “Top 30 under 30” who will change the world...
SMUS in the News: Heather Clayton on Real Parenting
CFAX 1070
November 16, 2013
Director of Learning Heather Clayton
Real Parenting on CFAX (beginning at 34:50 mark)
The Grounds
If you arrived at the school this morning before classes, you would have seen the sun shining down on the empty field, the grass...
In Memory of David Gauthier
by Laura Authier
Another op’nin, another show
In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo’
A chance for stage folks to say hello!
Another op’nin of another show…
Four weeks, you rehearse...
Pitt Meadows, and remembering
You know you are no longer in Vancouver when you are enveloped in the scent of horse farms, that combination of hay and manure,...
Remembering Felicity
Students and staff received some sad and shocking news this week, as Felicity Tallboy, one of our Learning Resource staff, passed away suddenly on...
Felicity
I might be the only member of staff who once taught Latin, but I should check with my colleagues in the Language Department just...
Accreditation
One of our Senior Math teachers, Deanna Catto, just returned from a four-day accreditation visit to another member school of CAIS, the national organization...
SMUS in the News: Victoria’s Kuklinski Gains Valuable Experience at Twickenham
BC Rugby
December 5, 2012
Bruce Kuklinski, Middle School faculty
Victoria's Kuklinski gains valuable experience at Twickenham
The Learning Institute: A Look at Student-Centred Education
The Learning Institute is a petri dish for teachers to test out new approaches and techniques that they believe will improve their effectiveness in...
SMUS in the News: Conductor sees real role as challenging singers to soar
Times Colonist
June 7, 2012
Peter Butterfield, faculty
Conductor sees real role as challenging singers to soar
Professional Development
Professional development and personal development are usually one and the same.
This morning I was speaking at length with one of our Senior English teachers,...
SMUS French Teacher Honoured
by Xavier Abrioux, Director of the Middle School
This week, Middle School French teacher Karen Oraas was celebrated at a ceremony at the legislature. Karen...
SMUS in the News: CBC nods for Dad, daughter
March 6, 2012
Times Colonist
Terence Young, faculty
CBC nods for Dad, daughter
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,...
Another excellence
We talk about passion and compassion in the same breath at our school. When I try to make my point a bit more graphic...
Teacher Susan Stenson Recognized by Prime Minister
Hinton Chair Susan Stenson, who began teaching at SMUS this September, was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the Prime Minister's Awards for...
SMUS in the News: Henry John Pemell Schaffter
The Globe and Mail
October 31, 2011
Henry John Pemell Schaffter
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/lives-lived/henry-john-pemell-schaffter/article2220229/
SMUS Teachers Enjoy Professional Development
This Tuesday, SMUS hosted Dr. John Medina, the New York Times bestselling author of Brain Rules, to talk about his findings into how children...
Leslie Hinton
Our school seeks the excellence in all of us. Students who have passed through our Junior School, and many others, will recognize this phrase...
Bon voyage
When thinking about the setting in which our teachers teach, I have always hoped it will be a place where they will grow and...
SMUS Teacher Recognized by Stanford University
Senior School mathematics teacher Linda Rajotte was recently honored by Stanford University for her ability and influence as a teacher. Brandon Ewonus '10, who is...
SMUS Teachers Spend a Day as Students
by Erin Anderson, editor
To start the new year, our faculty for Grades K-12 spent a day expanding their repertoire of teaching tricks and techniques....
Lost and Found
Yesterday at lunch I was sitting, as usual, with some of my teaching colleagues in the Dining Hall, and the conversation turned to ideals...
November 11 – Reprise
Some of you may have read my entry on Remembrance Day, two weeks ago. In the past couple of weeks I have received a...
The Flowers of the Forest
To those who like their skirl, the bagpipes swell a poignant place in the heart’s cavity. Every Remembrance Day, one of our staff members,...
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...
Birthdays
On television in Wales (and in Welsh, of course) there is a program that corresponds roughly to an English language program called “This is...
New Head of Brown Hall Cooks Up Changes
by Erin Anderson, editor
Students might notice the food at Brown Hall is a little different this year. Paula Henchion, who was previously our executive...
Meet our New Director of Learning
by Erin Anderson
Last year, SMUS created a new position to examine how well the school's practices matched with new research into how our brains...
What’s New at SMUS?
by Erin Anderson, editor
Over the summer, SMUS certainly wasn't idle. As our summer programmes filled the campus week after week, we also found the...
Fresh Faculty
September always brings a crop of new students, eager to learn, but it also brings many new teachers, house parents and support staff. Here...
Staff Summers
Every year, our faculty and staff spend July/August away from SMUS, but that doesn't mean they are idle. International travel, outdoor sports, professional development...
Teachers Take Lessons
Before students returned to campus this week, their teachers took some time to learn themselves, devoting a day to professional development. Global responsibility was...
Hinton Chair Settles Into SMUS
Every year, the Hinton Chair position allows SMUS to bring in an excellent teacher for one year, creating an opportunity for new ideas, collaboration,...
Rowing Its Own Reward
Last weekend, our rowing coach Susanne Walker Curry was named the Female Coach of the Year by Rowing Canada Aviron, the national governing body...
Teachers Awarded for Use of GIS
Last week, two of our teachers received the Award of Excellence from ESRI Canada, in recognition of their work integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS)...
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...
Terence Young Wins Prime Minister's Award
Terence Young, head of the SMUS English department, has been given a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the highest honours in...
Celebrating Four Stellar Careers
This week, the Board of Governors honoured four extraordinary members of our community for their service and dedication to the school. David Fisher, Cliff...
Jeff Hunt Runs the West Coast Trail
This September, Athletic Director and the writer of the Athletics Week-in-Review Jeff Hunt tackled the West Coast Trail, a 75 km backpacking trail along...
Staff Summers Part II: Kayaking around Vancouver Island
Three SMUS staff once again spent part of their summer together paddling the shores of Vancouver Island. Last summer, Mike Jackson; Head of Science...
