Leading with Belonging: Students Helping Students Thrive

Starting at a new school is one of the biggest transitions in a student’s journey — exciting, yes, but also full of unknowns. At St. Michaels University School, helping students feel a sense of belonging from day one is a priority. Through the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) and Link Leaders programs, older students step into mentorship roles, offering guidance, encouragement, and connection to their younger peers. These initiatives not only ease the transition into Middle and Senior School but also weave together the threads of leadership, community, and support that define life at SMUS.

Middle School WEB Leaders

Transitions can be challenging for anyone, but making the leap from the top of the heap at Junior School to being a new kid on the block at Middle School can be especially daunting. Thankfully for students entering Grade 6 — whether from SMUS Junior School or elsewhere — there is a strong support structure to help them feel welcome, engaged, and empowered right from the start.

WEB Leaders, which stands for Where Everyone Belongs, is a program where Grade 8 students take on a leadership role to guide new Grade 6s through this transition. Guided by staff who channel the vibrant energy of this age group with patience and enthusiasm, WEB Leaders run engaging orientation activities that introduce Grade 6 students to one another, encourage them to step outside their comfort zones, and build connections that weave them into the larger SMUS community. WEB leaders came in over the summer break for a full day of training so they could bring the best possible experience on the first day of school.

Senior School Link Leaders

That same spirit of welcome continues as students move into Senior School. The Link Leaders program pairs Grade 12 students with new Grade 9s to act as role models, mentors, and guides during their first year. These leaders understand the challenges of starting fresh, and they provide reassurance, practical support, and a sense of belonging.

Behind the scenes, staff coordinators dedicate time and guidance to train the leaders, and many SMUS alumni and current students serve as assistants. Their combined efforts create a program that balances fun and seriousness, giving every student the chance to feel welcome while building life-long skills of leadership and service.

The energy on display during orientation may look playful — with leaders cheering, running games, and breaking down barriers through icebreakers — but it’s rooted in weeks of preparation and training. Leaders learn how to support peers with empathy, create inclusive spaces, and foster the confidence that allows new students to settle in quickly.

More Than a First Impression

What makes these programs remarkable is that they don’t end after the first week of school. WEB and Link Leaders continue to support their peers throughout the year, running follow-up activities, organizing events, and being a reliable touchpoint for advice and encouragement.

One example is the annual Link Leader Egg Drop Challenge. Each January, Grade 12 Link Leaders guide Grade 9 students to work together creating protective devices for an egg to survive a second-storey drop from the Crothall Building balcony. It’s not only a fun challenge, it builds problem-solving skills, collaboration, and rapport between students and teachers who come out to cheer on the attempts.

Strengthening the SMUS Spirit

Together, WEB and Link represent SMUS’s commitment to belonging. They ensure that no student feels like just another face in the crowd, and they strengthen the bonds that connect the entire school community across grades. The impact is felt not only by the new students, but also by the leaders themselves, who leave the experience with greater confidence, empathy, and leadership skills that will carry them well beyond SMUS.