Twenty two of the St. Michaels University School (SMUS) lifers hopped on a school bus for one last time to venture to the Junior School campus, in the heart of Oak Bay. In November, this same group was presented their commemorative red polo shirts, the identifier of a SMUS Kindergarten student, and each of them shared a memory from Junior School during assembly. This time it was one-on-one time with the Lifers and the current Kindergarten class as they shared lunch together and enjoyed a playground visit.
SMUS "Lifers” are those who have been with the school from Kindergarten (or historically, Grade 1) all the way through to graduation. While the tradition is annual, this group of Lifers is somewhat unique in that it is double the size of any class before it. Thirteen years ago was the first time SMUS expanded to have two Kindergarten classes, a format that is the same to this day.
Lifers had the opportunity to share their favourite memories from Junior School with the current students.
"My favourite memory of the Junior School was (Physical Education) class with Mr. Barber because he was my favourite PE teacher and he taught me the importance of fitness and well-being," highlighted Julian Gale.
Will Cuddihy, this year's Head Boy, is one of a unique subset of the Lifers known as the "Lifer's of Lifers." These are children of Lifers who are also Lifers themselves. Will's mother, Erica, was one of the first girls to attend the Junior School, joining in Grade Size when girls were gradually introduced into the younger grades in the 1980s.
"Playing grounders on the playground outside," highlighted Will about his favourite time from Junior School.
Naturally, play was a common theme among the favourite memories. Zachary Ding highlighted playing four square every day in the quad at recess, while Owen Sandquist-Sherman remembers watching the movie Polar Express.
Other memories that were quick to be recalled were the fairy project for head girl Chelsea Lee, making gingerbread in Grade 2 for Bianca Toaxen, all the sports days for Avery Geddes and the Grade 5 opera for Cate Pontefract. Avery joins Will as one of the few Lifers of Lifers, following her father, Mat Geddes, who is also a Mathematics teacher at the SMUS Senior School.
SMUS Kindergarten students had a great time sharing good conversation over lunch and playing on the playground. In 13 years, hopefully they will be able to have this same experience in their Grade 12 year.
