Journey for Life Campaign

The Journey for Life fundraising campaign supports the bold vision of St. Michaels University School’s key capital projects. 

Designed to support the school’s strategic plan, Floreat, the Journey for Life campaign builds upon a foundation of more than a century of progress to ensure that future generations of students flourish in an environment that provides them with a world-class education.

To make the Journey for Life campaign a success everybody in our community will be asked to come together in support of our Vision, our school and most importantly for our students. Through once-in-a-generation philanthropic giving we can build a sustainable future and strengthen the school’s reputation: in Victoria, Canada and around the world.

In addition to increasing the school’s endowment, Journey for Life will fund several crucial infrastructure projects over the next 10 years. These are needed if we are to meet the ambitious goals outlined in Floreat.

The projects on the Richmond Road campus are shaped by the Campus Master Plan, which includes the renovation of the boarding houses, expansion of the Middle School, as well as a STEAM expansion to the Science Centre at the Senior School.

Current Project

Boarding House Renovation

A student sits at a desk next to large storage cabinets

The initial phase of SMUS’ boarding house refurbishment kicked off at the beginning of summer 2023. As a pilot initiative, the Barnacle/Winslow common room and four rooms in Barnacle House underwent renovations to guide the planning of changes for the remaining rooms and houses. This marks the inaugural phase of a comprehensive boarding house renovation project spanning the next years, with an allocated budget of approximately $7 million. The transformative upgrades encompass modernizing the bedroom furniture, enhancing private washrooms, introducing a new furnished social space, implementing energy-efficient lighting and heating, and revitalizing the common rooms, foyers, and entrances. Over the winter break, renovations of the entryways, common rooms and houseparents' offices, have now also been completed for Harvey/Symons and Bolton/Timmis houses.

This first phase of the boarding house renovation was made possible by an extraordinary $2-million donation from an anonymous donor. This generous contribution aims to elevate the living and studying experience for students in their home-away-from-home. Over the three-year project duration, the focus will extend to revamping bedrooms, introducing new furniture, upgrading private washrooms, and creating an inviting, furnished social space. Additionally, improvements in flooring, as well as the integration of more energy-efficient lighting and heating, are integral aspects of the comprehensive renovations.

To date, the renovation of the common rooms, foyers and entrances has already brought a better experience for students, houseparents and families. With the new furniture and improved design of these spaces, these areas have never felt more welcoming and like home. But more still needs to be done in order to upgrade the entire boarding facilities and we need the help of the SMUS community to complete this project.

Help us transform our boarding houses into better learning and living spaces! We extend an invitation to lend your support for this significant campus renovation. If you would like to give a donation, pledge a gift over a number of years, or learn more about the project, contact Joanna Verano, Acting Director of Advancement, at [email protected].   

Completed Project

Junior School Annex

Students play on the field behind the Annex

The Junior School Annex, the first capital project in the Campus Masterplan, was completed at the end of summer 2023, in time to welcome students for the 2023-24 school year. This expansion and much needed additional space provides new classrooms and new opportunities for modern teaching and learning. To learn more about the Annex project, please visit the Annex webpage.

Thank you to all our donors and families who have supported the Junior School Annex Project. 

Learn more

Journey for Life logo

Why ‘Journey for Life’?

Throughout the history of St. Michaels University School, from our two founding schools, one clear principle stands out  – that the school offers outstanding preparation for life. 

The word ‘life’ is intentional.  It is essential to the fabric of the school that students learn the skills they need to follow their life’s path, rise to challenges and become leaders in adversity. As a school and as a community, we forge relationships in Values of Respect, Honesty, Courage and Service that we pass onto each new generation. These Values alongside our Mission and Vision serve each student on their personal journey. This begins while they are at the school and continues toward graduation when they become alumni, and then long into the future.

The journey of our school is reflected in our shared experiences of this mission. We look back on more than a century of progress and thank those who came before us; those who through their dedication and philanthropic generosity made a lasting impact on the life of the school and everyone who came after. We make a commitment that when we are given the same opportunity that we continue the journey by building upon their legacy and providing for the next generation.

The world is ever changing but our journeys for life come together as a school community on a shared path as we all aspire to the school’s Vision: to Learn, to Lead and to Serve.