At St. Michaels University School, leadership is often built over years of connection, involvement and growth across all areas of school life. For incoming Head Prefects Anna Beaudry and Kieran MacKay, stepping into the role for the 2026-27 school year represents an opportunity to give back to a community that has shaped their experiences in meaningful ways.
Both Grade 11 students bring leadership experience shaped through involvement in athletics, clubs, councils, travel opportunities and student life at SMUS, as well as strong family connections to the school community.
Kieran joined SMUS in Grade 3 after moving from Singapore and is part of a family with longstanding ties to the school. His older brother, Aidan MacKay ’24, served as Head Boy in 2023-24, his younger sister Kayleigh is currently in Grade 9, and his father, John MacKay, is a past president of the SMUS Parents’ Auxiliary.
For Kieran, the role of Head Prefect has long held significance.
“I think I’ve always wanted to run for Head Prefect,” he said. “When I joined SMUS in Grade 3, the Head Prefects were the tallest and coolest kids I had ever seen. But as I got older, I started to see them differently. They weren’t just confident students speaking in front of crowds, they were leaders and role models.”
That perspective stayed with him throughout Senior School and helped shape his decision to run for the role himself.
“I wanted to be the type of role model for students that past Head Prefects were for me,” he said.
Anna joined SMUS in Grade 6 in 2020 and also has strong family connections to the school community. Her mother Jayne Bradbury '98 and aunts, Laura Germain (Bradbury) '90 and Suzanne Bradbury '88, all attended SMUS, while her younger sister Clara is currently in Grade 8.
Anna said her own experience as a new student helped inspire her to run for the role.
“I wanted the opportunity to give back to SMUS after all of the kindness and support it has provided me throughout my years here,” she said. “Once having been a new student myself, I understand how difficult transitions between grades and schools can be.”
Together, the pair said they hope to help foster an environment where students feel comfortable being themselves, getting involved and finding their place within the school community.
Experiences That Shaped Their Time at SMUS
Both students point to the breadth of opportunities at SMUS as some of the most meaningful parts of their experience, particularly the chance to travel, compete, collaborate and connect with students across different grades and interests.
Kieran highlighted experiences ranging from Vancouver Model United Nations and the Whistler Music Festival to rugby provincials, squash nationals and the Rugby and Soccer Tour to Australia earlier this year. Anna also reflected on the impact of travel opportunities through SMUS, including trips around British Columbia and the Soccer & Rugby Australia Tour in March 2026, saying the experiences helped her learn about different cultures and connect with a wide range of people.
Those experiences have also helped shape how both students view the role of Head Prefect and the importance of student leadership across the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 community.
“The roles aren’t just about planning events,” Kieran said. “It’s about being leaders for younger students to look up to and representing student voices.”
Anna said the Head Prefects and Prefect Council play an important role in helping create “a welcoming, inclusive and connected environment for all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.”
Both students also emphasized the importance of getting involved and encouraging new students to embrace opportunities across the school community. Whether through athletics, clubs, councils, arts or service opportunities, they believe participation is one of the best ways for students to build connections and find where they belong at SMUS.
Anna and Kieran will officially step into their roles next fall, following a year of leadership from current Head Prefects Ailo Streitel and Parker Sheehan, whose contributions to student life and community spirit have helped shape the 2025-26 school year.
