Journey for Life Campaign
The Journey for Life fundraising campaign supports the bold vision of St. Michaels University School’s key capital projects.
Designed to support the school’s strategic plan, Floreat, the Journey for Life campaign builds upon a foundation of more than a century of progress to ensure that future generations of students flourish in an environment that provides them with a world-class education.
To make the Journey for Life campaign a success everybody in our community will be asked to come together in support of our Vision, our school and most importantly for our students. Through once-in-a-generation philanthropic giving we can build a sustainable future and strengthen the school’s reputation: in Victoria, Canada and around the world.
In addition to increasing the school’s endowment, Journey for Life will fund several crucial infrastructure projects over the next 10 years. These are needed if we are to meet the ambitious goals outlined in Floreat.
The projects on the Richmond Road campus are shaped by the Campus Master Plan, which includes the renovation of the boarding houses, expansion of the Middle School, as well as a STEAM expansion to the Science Centre at the Senior School.
Progress Updates
Junior School Annex

The Junior School Annex, the first capital project in the Campus Masterplan, was completed at the end of summer 2023, in time to welcome students for the 2023-24 school year. This expansion and much needed additional space provides new classrooms and new opportunities for modern teaching and learning. To learn more about the Annex project, please visit the Annex webpage.
Thank you to all our donors and families who have supported the Junior School Annex Project. We look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this wonderful new space in September.
Boarding House Renovation

The renovation of the boarding houses at SMUS has begun in the summer of 2023. Four rooms in Barnacle House have undergone renovations this summer as a pilot project to help plan the scope and timing of changes to the remaining rooms. This marks the initial stage of a three-phase boarding house renovation initiative over three years, with a budget of approximately $6 million. The houses will receive much-needed modernization that includes updated bedroom furniture, improvements to the private washroom, a new furnished social space, energy-efficient lighting and heating and a revamp of the common rooms, foyers, and entrances.
The first phase of the renovation was made possible by an extraordinary $2-million donation by an anonymous donor, to help transform our boarding houses and rooms, ensuring students have the best possible experience while living and studying at their home-away-from-home. The overall project over the course of three years will include the refurbishment of the bedrooms, new furniture, upgraded and modernized private washroom, and a new, furnished social space. Improved flooring, and more energy efficient lighting and heating will also come as part of the renovations.
The renovation of the common rooms, foyers and entrances also bring a better experience for students, houseparents and families in areas of the buildings where they congregate. New furniture and improved design of these spaces will make the areas more welcoming and feel like home.
Help us transform our boarding houses into better learning and living spaces! We extend an invitation to lend your support for this significant campus renovation. If you would like to make a gift or learn more about the project, contact Shara Campsall, Director of Advancement, at [email protected].
Learn more



Why ‘Journey for Life’?
Throughout the history of St. Michaels University School, from our two founding schools, one clear principle stands out – that the school offers outstanding preparation for life.
The word ‘life’ is intentional. It is essential to the fabric of the school that students learn the skills they need to follow their life’s path, rise to challenges and become leaders in adversity. As a school and as a community, we forge relationships in Values of Respect, Honesty, Courage and Service that we pass onto each new generation. These Values alongside our Mission and Vision serve each student on their personal journey. This begins while they are at the school and continues toward graduation when they become alumni, and then long into the future.
The journey of our school is reflected in our shared experiences of this mission. We look back on more than a century of progress and thank those who came before us; those who through their dedication and philanthropic generosity made a lasting impact on the life of the school and everyone who came after. We make a commitment that when we are given the same opportunity that we continue the journey by building upon their legacy and providing for the next generation.
The world is ever changing but our journeys for life come together as a school community on a shared path as we all aspire to the school’s Vision: to Learn, to Lead and to Serve.