This past weekend, May 2-4, the St. Michaels University School campus was alive with energy, pride, and connection as alumni, students, staff, faculty, families and friends came together to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2025 at the Richmond Road campus.
Saturday morning brought smiles and sticky fingers as the Board of Governors served up pancakes at a family-friendly breakfast.
Guests then found their seat at the cherished Alumni/Grade 12 Chapel service, where speakers shared reflections on the school’s rich history and its inspiring evolution, reminding all of the value in honouring the past while embracing change.
Following chapel, the current Grade 12’s swiftly made their way to the Crothall Quad for the highly anticipated Grad Bear Toss – a rite of passage that signifies the first official step in their graduation celebrations. SMUS alumni were on hand to pass out this year's grad bears, dawning a vintage-like black coat with Class of 2025 written on the back.
The festivities continued out in the kids zone where a brief bouncy castle mishap didn’t dampen the mood—crafts, face painting, and a last-minute replacement had children laughing and jumping in no time.
A standout highlight of the day was the Student-led Marketplace, run by the Grade 10 Business and Entrepreneurship class. The lively event showcased the creativity and innovation of current students and drew a buzzing crowd of shoppers and supporters. This part of the day is always a highlight for alumni who get to engage with current students.
Also drawing attention in the quad were an engaged group of SMUS robotics students, on site to showcase their award-winning creations, while student musicians were rocking and rolling in the outdoor Christine Duke theatre. SMUS swag and apparel were flying off the shelves of the pop-up campus shop, while the admissions team and student ambassadors were leading tours of the campus.
On the sports field, school spirit soared as spectators cheered on our boys and girls rugby teams in hard-fought matches against three competitive Oak Bay teams. Alumni soccer and basketball games provided spirited (mostly friendly) competition and drew strong crowds.
Receptions throughout the weekend offered time to reconnect, including the Head’s House gathering at Reynolds House and Wenman Pavilion, the Alumni/Student Rugby Banquet at Victoria Golf Club, and the Milestone Class Banquet in Graves Hall, where alumni spanning seven decades shared memories and stories.
The weekend closed on a perfect note with a Sunday cricket match under sunny skies, complete with a traditional tea at Wenman Pavilion—a fitting end to a weekend that celebrated tradition, community, and the enduring spirit of SMUS.
Thank you to our entire community for taking part in this annual whole-school event. We hope you will join us again next year!
Read related Alumni stories from last week:
- A Legacy in Light and Glass (featuring Chris Bateman '94)
- Ian Hyde-Lay honoured for induction into Canadian Rugby Hall of Fame
- Mary McLeish, 89 - Physical education teacher (Junior School)
- Ian Farish, '89 - Head of Music, Band teacher (Senior School)
- Jeff Hunt, '91 - Mathematics teacher (Senior School)
