Alumni Weekend: The Ties That Bring Us Back

Under clear skies and temperatures that felt more like summer than spring, the St. Michaels University School campus came alive on the first weekend of May as alumni, students, staff, families and friends gathered for Alumni Weekend 2026.

The weekend got underway on Friday evening, May 1, with alumni gathering across Victoria for milestone class reunions, while the campus hosted a reception for alumni from the Class of 1991 and earlier, along with past faculty and staff, at Wenman Pavilion and Reynolds House. Meanwhile, the Alumni and Student Rugby Dinner at Victoria Golf Club brought together players, coaches, alumni and friends for an evening ahead of the following day's matches.

A Day to Remember

Saturday, May 2 marked the busiest day of Alumni Weekend, with a full slate of activities on campus beginning with the Board of Governors at the griddle for a complimentary pancake breakfast in the quad.

A highlight of the morning was the Alumni Chapel Service featuring guest speaker Susie Wall '91, a lifestyle and entertainment broadcaster and community advocate. Wall spoke to the graduating class about the friendships formed at SMUS and what they become over time, recalling a conversation with her friend and classmate Scott McQueen just before graduation in 1991. He told her their group was scattering, going to different schools, and that SMUS as they knew it wouldn't happen again. She saw it differently.

"For me, that conversation was proof that two things can be true at the same time," she said. "We all did scatter, just like he said we would. But to this day, whenever I arrive on the island and I have big news to share, one of the very first people I call is McQueen. And that will never change."

She also spoke directly to graduates who found their time here difficult.

"You have a fifth gear of resilience you might not even know you have," she said. "I'm excited to watch you."

Following chapel, the Class of 2026 made their way to Heritage Walk for the Grad Bear Toss, the annual tradition where each graduating student receives a SMUS teddy bear from an alumni and sends it skyward in one collective toss, marking the first official moment of their graduation celebrations.

Across campus, activities were already well underway. The Parents’ Auxiliary brought the main field to life with a lively Fun Zone staffed by parent volunteers, where the younger crowd enjoyed inflatables, games, arts and crafts throughout the day. The first annual Alumni Weekend Tug-of-War drew competitors of all ages, with prizes for the winning team and best costumes. Under tents in the quad, the student-run Marketplace, run by the Business and Entrepreneurship 10 class, was open at noon with students selling food and handmade crafts to a steady stream of shoppers.

Victoria-based band Door d'Or, whose members include alumni, faculty and former staff, rocked the Christine Duke theatre at midday, bringing an outdoor concert vibe to the heart of the campus.

Robotics and STEAM showcases, boarding house socials, a campus shop pop-up, a rowing activation and admissions-led campus tours rounded out the day's activities.

The nearly complete Middle School Expansion was also open for guided tours, offering a first look at the modern learning spaces, several of which bear the names of donors whose generosity helped bring them to life.

Keeping the Past Alive

The perfect stop for those seeking nostalgia was the Archives building, which gave alumni the chance to browse memorabilia, photographs and yearbooks spanning decades of SMUS history, including records from before the amalgamation of St. Michaels School and University School.

Few attendees have a closer connection to that history than Michael Symons, who attended both founding schools, graduating in 1963. His grandfather, Kyrle Symons, founded St. Michael's School, and Symons House still carries the family name. He has returned to Alumni Weekend every year since moving back to Victoria in 1991.

"I'm up here because I love the school," he said. "I love catching up with all these people."

School Spirit on Display

On the fields, school spirit was loud. The Senior Boys 1st XV rugby team posted a convincing win over visiting Brentwood College in the annual Alumni Weekend feature match, played in front of a large and vocal crowd. Junior Boys and Grade 4 and 5 students kept the fun and competitive spirit going on the pitch through the afternoon. Alumni basketball and women's soccer games drew their own crowds, and the Touchline Tavern kept the sideline atmosphere going through the afternoon.

Celebrating Milestones

Saturday evening brought the Milestone Class Banquet in Graves Hall, where alumni, past staff and faculty walked a red carpet into the Sun Centre before gathering upstairs for a dinner celebrating reunions from five to 45 years and beyond. Long tables were strewn with archival photographs pulled from across the decades, sparking recognition and memories for guests to share.

The evening continued downtown at Bard and Banker for Marty's Party, an all-years alumni gathering named in honour of Martin Wilkinson '81.

Final Goodbyes, Until Next Year

The weekend wrapped up Sunday with the Alumni and Student Cricket Day Out, a relaxed afternoon of play with refreshments at the Wenman Pavilion.

Reflecting on the weekend, Anna Burton, Director of Advancement, said it left a lasting impression.

“My first Alumni Weekend left me with a full heart and conversations I'll carry with me for a long time,” she said. “This community continues to show me something special: the people who love this school don't just support it, they belong to it, no matter how much time has passed. That's something that makes SMUS stand out, and what makes a weekend like this so meaningful for a newcomer like me.”

Alumni came from well beyond Victoria to be part of the weekend, with guests travelling from as far as the United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore and Costa Rica. Some, like Gina Vega '81, make the trip a regular commitment, returning every five years from Lima, Peru.

Decades may separate the graduating classes, but the thread running through every reunion and every story shared this weekend was the same: a connection to this community that holds, no matter how much time passes.