Each year, two Grade 12 students are elected by their peers and staff to lead the Prefect Council and represent students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. For 2026-27, that role belongs to Anna Beaudry and Kieran MacKay. Anna joined SMUS in Grade 6, and Kieran arrived in Grade 3 after moving from Singapore. Both remember what it felt like to be new, and that memory shapes how they want to lead: making sure every student, on every campus, finds their place.
Anna and Kieran sat down to share a bit about themselves and their plans for the year.
Tell us about yourselves. When did you join SMUS, and what are you involved in?
Anna: I joined SMUS in Grade 6 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was worried about the switch, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. We have clubs, councils and extracurriculars for such a wide range of interests, and I try to get involved in as many as I can. I've been part of the field hockey team, soccer team, Service Council, Psychology Club and more.
Kieran: I joined SMUS in Grade 3 after moving from Singapore, so the school has been a big part of my life. This year I'm playing squash, rugby and soccer, and I plan to try as many things as I can in my last year. I've also played on the badminton and basketball teams. Outside of sports, I'm in the orchestra and I'm a proud head of Beyblade Club. I'm very lucky to be in a place that offers as many opportunities as SMUS does.
What does being a Head Prefect involve?
Kieran: Being Head Prefect is all about community. In a typical week, we run assemblies on Mondays, followed by a meeting with the other prefects where we plan school events, and sometimes meet with teachers to finalize plans. To me, it also means talking to people and being engaged with the school community, whether that's talking to students I haven't met before or going out to cheer on our teams.
Anna: It's about staying connected to the community through activities and talking with students, staff and peers on a regular basis. I especially enjoy meeting new people, because every conversation deepens my connection to the school.
What experience at SMUS prepared you to lead?
Anna: The SMUS athletics community has shaped me from a young age. In Middle School, we were encouraged to get involved in as many activities as we could. Of the 11 or 12 sports offered, I played nine. Those experiences taught me to lead by example, support my teammates and bring people together toward a common goal.
Kieran: Sports have had the biggest impact on me as a leader. On every team, the older students were the leaders, and I admired their talent and hard work. Watching them take initiative really shaped who I am today. Even now, I get inspired by the leadership my own teammates show when they play.
What do you hope to contribute this year?
Kieran: I hope to strengthen a sense of belonging and connection. I want students to know SMUS is a safe place to try new things and discover new interests. I'd also like to connect with the different campuses, because I know how fun it was to meet older students when I was in Junior and Middle School.
Anna: I want to foster a community where everyone feels welcome, supported and encouraged to get involved. When I was younger, I loved cross-grade activities, so I'm hoping to plan events where students from different campuses can spend time together.
When did someone help you feel you belonged at SMUS?
Anna: On my first day of Grade 6, I arrived extra early and sat alone at a table near the back. When another student came in, I worried she wouldn't want to talk to me. Instead, she asked to sit with me and told me she was new too. That small act of kindness calmed my nerves and showed me I wasn't alone. As Head Prefect, I want to do the same for new and returning students who might feel nervous about getting involved.
Kieran: When I joined in Grade 3, I had just moved to a new country and I was extremely nervous and very quiet. Then some kids asked me to play basketball with them. I wasn't very good compared to them, but I felt so embraced by that simple question: "Do you want to play basketball?"
What would you say to a student who is nervous about joining SMUS?
Kieran: You're only new for a day. After that, the community takes you in pretty quickly. People will show you where your classes are and encourage you to try things you like. With so many clubs and opportunities, you're sure to make friends.
Anna: SMUS has a community unlike any I've seen. It's encouraging, supportive and welcoming. As scary as switching schools can be, it's worth it. It opens doors to opportunities that shape who you want to become, and you'll quickly realize you're part of a community that wants to see you succeed.
What makes your fellow Head Prefect a great leader?
Anna: Kieran is a natural leader and a people person. He's great at connecting with new students and making everyone feel like they belong. On the first day of school, I watched him talk with so many new students, and I could tell he made the younger ones especially feel welcome.
Kieran: Anna is approachable and always willing to take on difficult tasks. Whenever I see her at school, she's talking with students and teachers, no matter their grade. I hope to get on her level eventually (it might take a while, though). She's always up for a challenge, big or small.
Fun facts
Anna: My mom was a SMUS lifer, and my younger sister is in Grade 9 here. I have a seven-year-old dog named Olive, my favourite place I've travelled is the south of France, and my favourite foods are bagels, acai bowls and tomatoes.
Kieran: I was born in Singapore and moved to Canada in 2017. My brother was Head Prefect three years ago. I've competed in national squash tournaments, and I have a cat named Dwayne who was rescued from a storm drain in Singapore as a stray kitten.
